Meera (1945 film): Difference between revisions
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* [[M. G. Ramachandran]] as Captain Jayamal |
* [[M. G. Ramachandran]] as Captain Jayamal |
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* [[Serukalathur Sama]] as a sage |
* [[Serukalathur Sama]] as a sage |
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* [[T. S. Durairaj]]<ref>{{cite web |
* [[T. S. Durairaj]]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/comedians-of-the-tamil-screen-part-1-t-s-durairaj/article7429472.ece| title=Overshadowed by peer| work=[[The Hindu]]| date=2015-07-16| accessdate=2017-12-05| last=Guy| first=Randor| authorlink=Randor Guy| archiveurl=https://archive.is/20171205010914/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/comedians-of-the-tamil-screen-part-1-t-s-durairaj/article7429472.ece| archivedate=5 December 2017| deadurl=yes| df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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==Soundtrack== |
==Soundtrack== |
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===Reviews=== |
===Reviews=== |
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''[[The Free Press Journal]]'' said, "Meera transports us into a different world of [[bhakti]], piety and melody. It shatters the misguided belief that film music is inferior. Subbulakshmi follows no stereotyped techniques in acting. She is just Meera."{{sfn|Gangadhar|2002|page=47}} [[IBN Live]] included the film in its list of 100 greatest Indian films of all time.<ref name="IBN Live">{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200-90.html |title=100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time |publisher=[[CNN-News18]] |accessdate=6 May 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425235242/http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200-90.html |archivedate=25 April 2013 |df= }}</ref><ref name="Sify">{{cite web|title=A profile of M S Subbulakshmi |url=http://www.sify.com/carnaticmusic/fullstory.php?id=13480506 |publisher=[[Sify]] |accessdate=21 May 2004 |deadurl= |
''[[The Free Press Journal]]'' said, "Meera transports us into a different world of [[bhakti]], piety and melody. It shatters the misguided belief that film music is inferior. Subbulakshmi follows no stereotyped techniques in acting. She is just Meera."{{sfn|Gangadhar|2002|page=47}} [[IBN Live]] included the film in its list of 100 greatest Indian films of all time.<ref name="IBN Live">{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200-90.html |title=100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time |publisher=[[CNN-News18]] |accessdate=6 May 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425235242/http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200-90.html |archivedate=25 April 2013 |df= }}</ref><ref name="Sify">{{cite web |title=A profile of M S Subbulakshmi |url=http://www.sify.com/carnaticmusic/fullstory.php?id=13480506 |publisher=[[Sify]] |accessdate=21 May 2004 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040609041650/http://sify.com/carnaticmusic/fullstory.php?id=13480506 |archivedate=9 June 2004 |df= }}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
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* https://archive.is/ |
* https://archive.is/20131110082407/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/17/stories/2004091702890600.htm |
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* https://archive.is/ |
* https://archive.is/20130125100145/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/12/17/stories/2004121700410500.htm |
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* https://archive.is/20130103055208/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/02/01/stories/2002020100850300.htm |
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* https://archive.is/3jtgp |
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* http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/when-m-s-subbulakshmi-brought-meera-to-life-115090900800_1.html |
* http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/when-m-s-subbulakshmi-brought-meera-to-life-115090900800_1.html |
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* {{cite book | title=M.S. Subbulakshmi: The Voice Divine | publisher=Rupa Publications | first=V | last=Gangadhar | year=2002 | ref=harv}} |
* {{cite book | title=M.S. Subbulakshmi: The Voice Divine | publisher=Rupa Publications | first=V | last=Gangadhar | year=2002 | ref=harv}} |
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* {{cite book | title=Kunjamma: Ode to a Nightingale | first=Lakshmi | last=Viswanathan | year=2003 | oclc=55147492 | ref=harv}} |
* {{cite book | title=Kunjamma: Ode to a Nightingale | first=Lakshmi | last=Viswanathan | year=2003 | oclc=55147492 | ref=harv}} |
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* [https://archive.is/ |
* [https://archive.is/20140902091856/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/01/21/stories/2002012100030300.htm He made MS a film star] |
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* [https://archive.is/ |
* [https://archive.is/20140830202814/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/meera-1945/article3022713.ece Meera 1945] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 14:04, 24 January 2018
| Meera | |
|---|---|
Chittor V. Nagaiah Kumari Kamala T. S. Baliah | |
| Cinematography | Jithen Banerjee P. S. Selvaraj |
| Edited by | R. Rajagopal |
| Music by | S. V. Venkatraman |
Production company | Chandraprabha Cinetone Films[2] |
| Distributed by | Narayanan and Company[3] |
Release dates | 3 November 1945 21 November 1947 (Hindi version)[1] |
Running time | 113 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Meera is a 1945 Indian
Meera. M. G. Ramachandran played a minor role thus making Meera the only movie in which two Bharath Ratna laureates acted. The film was directed by American film director Ellis R. Dungan.[4]
Plot
Around 1580
Meera (Radha Viswanathan), influenced by the story of Andal and Krishna, is deeply in love with Krishna, so much so that she considers Krishna to be her husband after she garlands him on an auspicious day as advised by her mother. As Meera grows into a young woman (M. S. Subbulakshmi
), her devotion to Krishna grows.
Much against her wishes, Meera is married to Rana (
Chittor
, the capital of Mewar. Out of love for her, Rana agrees and constructs a temple. An overjoyed Meera remains in the temple most of the time, singing in praise of Krishna along with other devotees and avoids staying at the palace.
On
Dwarakadheesh Temple
close spontaneously, and remain closed.
At Delhi, Akbar learns about Meera's singing and devotion to Krishna. He sends her a pearl necklace as a gift, which Meera puts on Krishna's idol. Rana gets angry when he comes to know of these developments and her disinterest to fulfil her duties as a wife and queen; he orders the demolition of the temple using cannons so that she will come out. Vikraman goes to the temple and orders Meera and the other devotees to come out before the demolition begins. However, Meera refuses, stays back in the temple and continues her bhajans.
Meanwhile, Rana comes to know from his sister Udra about Vikraman's failed attempt to kill Meera by poison. Shocked when he realises Meera's real identity (she is one with Krishna), he rushes to meet her in the temple which is about to be demolished. When a cannon is fired, Rana stops it and gets injured. When Meera hears Krishna calling her, she admits to Rana that she has failed in her duties as a wife. She explains that her heart is with Krishna and seeks Rana's permission to leave palace life and her desire to visit Krishna's temple at Dwaraka. Rana realises her devotion and allows her to go. Once Meera leaves, the Mewar kingdom suffers serious drought and the subjects plead with Rana to bring Meera back, so Rana goes in search of her.
Meera first goes to
Brindavanam
and meets the sage (Serukalathur Sama) who originally predicted about her devotion. Together, they leave for Dwaraka, the birthplace of Krishna; on reaching the temple, she starts singing in praise of Krishna. Rana, who has followed her, also reaches the temple. The doors of the temple, which were closed till then, open. Krishna appears and invites Meera inside. Meera runs towards Krishna and falls dead while her soul merges with Him. Rana comes rushing in only to find Meera's corpse. Meera's devotion to Krishna is finally rewarded and she is united with Him.
Cast
- T. S. Balaiah as Vikraman
- Kumari Kamala as Krishna
- Chittor V. Nagaiah as Rana, the King of Mewar
- Meera
- Radha as young Meera
- M. G. Ramachandran as Captain Jayamal
- Serukalathur Sama as a sage
- T. S. Durairaj[5]
Soundtrack
- 1)Gopalanae bala Gopalanae - Radha Sadasivam and chorus
- 2)Shyamala Varnanae Mayavanae - Radha Sadasivam
- 3)Nandalala enmanaala ingae varaai - Radha Sadasivam
- 4)Murali Mohana - M.S.Subbulakshmi
- 5)Kaatrinilayae Varum Geetham - M.S.Subbulakshmi
- 6)Enadhu Ullamae - M.S.Subbulakshmi
- 7)Vinnum Mannum Alandha - M.S.Subbulakshmi, Chittor V.Nagaiah
- 8)Giridhara Gopala - M.S.Subbulakshmi
- 9)Kannan Leelaigal Seivaanae - M.S.Subbulakshmi and chorus
- 10)Yadhu nandhala Gopala - M.S.Subbulakshmi and chorus
- 11)Hey Harey Dayala - M.S.Subbulakshmi
- 12)Maravaene Ennalilumae - M.S.Subbulakshmi
- 13)Saracharam unnai yaavum - M.S.Subulakshmi
- 14)Unnaiyae Enadhuyir Thunai - M.S.Subbulakshmi
- 15)Aranga Un Mahimaiyai - M.S.Subbulakshmi and chorus
- 16)Maraindha Koondil irundhu - M.S.Subbulakshmi
- 17)Udal Uruga Ullam Uruga - M.S.Subbulakshmi
- 18)Brindhavanathil Kannan Valarndha - M.S.Subbulakshmi and chorus
- 19)Engum Niraindhaye - M.S.Subbulakshmi
- 20)Ma Madurai Bala - M.S.Subbulakshmi and chorus
- 21)Janaardhana Jaganaadha - M.S.Subbulakshmi
Production
T. Sadasivam dreamt of taking M. S. Subbulakshmi's music even to the common man so he started looking for a good story. He had several discussions with intellectual friends like Kalki, and was of the opinion that if Subbulakshmi was to act in a film, it could not be a mass entertainer, but would need to carry a universal and uplifting message for the masses. After much deliberation, Subbulakshmi herself chose the story of Meera.[6]
Meera was launched in 1943, and while Subbulakshmi was cast as the titular character, her stepdaughter
Chittor V. Nagaiah, much to Bhagavathar's annoyance. Nagaiah was the own choice of the film's director Ellis R. Dungan. An undisclosed person suggested P. U. Chinnappa, but Dungan rejected him as he felt the actor was "uncouth and did not have the regal presence" needed for the role. According to Dungan, Nagaiah "proved the right choice for a Rajput king".[7]
T. A. Madhuram were supposed to have acted in Meera. However, Krishnan was arrested in December 1944 as a suspect in the Lakshmikantham murder case, precluding him from acting in the film. Others added to the cast were T. S. Durairaj, K. R. Chellam, K. Sarangapani, T. S. Balaiah, Serukalathur Sama, T. S. Durairaj, "Appa" K. Duraiswami, and M. G. Ramachandran in a minor role.[2][7] Kumari Kamala was chosen to act as Krishna, an irony as the character is male while Kamala is female.[2] She also appeared as Krishna in some "cut-away shots" in the scene of the song "Kaatriniley Varum Geetham" that was choreographed by Ramaiah Pillai.[9]
Release
Reception
"Meera" was released on Diwali Day in 1945. Two years later, the Hindi-dubbed version (which had some scenes on Subbulakshmi reshot) came out in 1947, and with it Subbulakshmi became a national celebrity.Mountbattens and other leaders who became her ardent fans and friends. She went on to conquer new areas around the world and became an international celebrity.[7] The film was screened at various film festivals such as Prague Film Festival, Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival.[13]
Reviews
References
- ^ "In Only Five Films, M.S. Subbulakshmi Made Her Way to the Stars". The Wire. 16 September 2016. Archived from the original on 26 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c "Cinema Plus / Columns : Meera 1945". The Hindu. 28 March 2008. Archived from the original on 31 March 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ "Meera". The Indian Express. 2 March 1946. p. 6. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
- ^ "Artists: M.S.Subbulakshmi, Nat Geo Music". National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 14 November 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Guy, Randor (16 July 2015). "Overshadowed by peer". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Viswanathan 2003, p. 59.
- ^ a b c d Guy, Randor (17 December 2004). "Full of technical innovations". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 November 2008. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Brindavan to Dwaraka Meera's pilgrimage". The Hindu. 17 September 2004. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "She danced her way to stardom". The Hindu. 7 January 2002. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Bali, Karan. "The making of MS Subbulakshmi's 'Meera', her final and finest film". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Sai, Veejay. "Celebrating a legend: A century of MS Subbulakshmi through 10 songs". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Seshan, A. (11 September 2015). "When M S Subbulakshmi brought Meera to life". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - The New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.)
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help - ^ Gangadhar 2002, p. 47.
- ^ "100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time". CNN-News18. Archived from the original on 25 April 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "A profile of M S Subbulakshmi". Sify. Archived from the original on 9 June 2004. Retrieved 21 May 2004.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
Further reading
- https://archive.is/20131110082407/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/17/stories/2004091702890600.htm
- https://archive.is/20130125100145/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/12/17/stories/2004121700410500.htm
- https://archive.is/20130103055208/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/02/01/stories/2002020100850300.htm
- http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/when-m-s-subbulakshmi-brought-meera-to-life-115090900800_1.html
- Gangadhar, V (2002). M.S. Subbulakshmi: The Voice Divine. Rupa Publications.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Viswanathan, Lakshmi (2003). Kunjamma: Ode to a Nightingale. )
- He made MS a film star
- Meera 1945
External links
- Meera (Tamil) at IMDb
- Meera (Hindi) at IMDb
- Uchicago.edu
- Meera (1945) on indiancine.ma
