Padagotti

Padagotti
Directed by	T. Prakash Rao
Produced by	G. N. Velumani
Written by	Sakthi T. K. Krishnasamy
Starring	M. G. Ramachandran B. Saroja Devi Jayanthi M. N. Nambiar Manorama (Tamil actress) Nagesh (actor)
Music by	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy
Production company	Saravana Films
Distributed by	Mr. Nageswara Rao
Release dates	3 November 1964
Language	Tamil

Padagotti (English: Coxswain) is a 1964 Tamil language film starring M. G. Ramachandran in the lead role. The film was written by Sakthi T. K. Krishnasamy.^[1] The film was received well and ran for more than 100 days. This movie was taken in Eastman Color

Plot

Manickam (M. G. Ramachandran) is the leader of a small fishing community named Thirukaai Meenavargal. In the same area, Alaiyappan (S. V. Ramadoss) is the leader of an opposing fishing community named Sura Meenavargal.

The enmity between the two groups goes way beyond competition. While Manickam is honest, compassionate and principled, his counterpart, Alaiyappan, is exactly the opposite, driven mainly by greed. Manickam's father main wish is to end the dispute between the two groups, and he persuades them to be friends. However the Sura Meenavargal refuse, and beat him to death. Manickam promises to fulfill his father's wish, and works hard to end the dispute.

The person responsible for fuelling this enmity between the two groups is the man who stands to gain the most from it all – The village zamindar Yajaman (M. N. Nambiar). Alaiyappan’s blind allegiance is to the Zamindar.

Manickam soon falls in love with Alaiyappan's daughter Muthazhagi (Saroja Devi), and she shows the same. However, their romance is strongly disapproved of by their communities.When Manickam again goes to Sura Meenavargal to seek peace, he is beaten up to his apparent death. Because of this, his men nearly kill Alaiyappan, who is then saved by a mysterious old man. Thankful to the old man, Alaiyappan allows him to stay with for the night at his home. Muthazhagi later realises the old man is actually Manickam in disguise, but keeps it a secret from everyone.

One day, it is a boat race between the two communities. But Manickam (still in disguise) chooses to go with Sura Meenavargal, and they eventually win the race. However, his fake beard falls down after the race, and everyone recognises him as Manickam. The Thirukaai Meenavargal, enraged for his betrayal, force him to leave Muthazhagi.

When Alaiyappan suddenly goes bankrupt, the zamindar agrees to help him, but wants to be married to Muthazhagi in return. Alaiyappan, initially hesitant, later agrees but Muthazhagi is not ready. She is kept custody at the zamindar's mansion and is unable to escape, even Manickam (in a new disguise) is unable to save her. But the zamindar's wife (Jayanthi) secretly helps Muthazhagi out of the mansion. In doing so, she is killed by the zamindar. He begins to chase Muthazhagi, but is cornered by Manickam and a fight ensues between the duo. Shortly later, the local police arrive and arrest the zamindar because he murdered his wife. With both the communities finally reconciling, Alaiyappan agrees for Muthazhagi and Manickam to be married.

Cast

Production

M. G. Ramachandran and Saroja Devi were cast as Manickam and Muthazhagi respectively, while S. V. Ramadoss was cast as Muthazhagi's father Alaiyappan. Nagesh was cast in the role of a self-styled leader of the community who beats people whenever a gramophone plays a certain background music. This part of the story is based on an episode of The Three Stooges. Manorama was cast as his lover. M. N. Nambiar was cast as the zamindar, and Jayanthi as his wife. Most of the film was shot on actual locations near the seashore.^[2]

Soundtrack

The film's original soundtrack was composed by the duo of Viswanathan Ramamoorthy, while the lyrics were written by Vaali. The number Thottal Poo Malarum was composed in the Suddhadhanyasi raaga, and "changed the outlook of this raga in films".^[3] It was later re-tuned by A. R. Rahman for the 2004 film New.^[4] The song "Koduthadellam Koduthan" was originally written by Vaali for the film Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar (1960) which was rejected by the director of that film and later it was used by MG Ramachandran.^[5] The song was remixed by Srikanth Deva as "Aah Mudhal Akku Thaanada" for Jithan (2005). Line "Oru Naal Povar" from the song "Tharaimel Pirakka" was used in the song "Enga Area Ulla" in Pudhupettai (2006).^[6]

The song "Thottal Poo" was included by The Hindu in their list Best of Vaali: From 1964 - 2013.^[7]

Reception

Udhayam Gold stated that the film has "excellent characterization and very realistic scripting" and called it a "very colourful film", while concluding that "this film is a worthy addition to any DVD library."^[8] Mohan V. Raman of The Hindu praised M. N. Nambiar's villainous performance, describing it as "unforgettable."^[9]

References

External links

• http://www.mgrroop.blogspot.in/2012/11/padagotti-full-movie.html

Bibliography

• Dhananjayan, G. (2014). Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2013. Blue Ocean Publishers.