Mallika is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Joseph Thaliath Jr. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Padmini. It was released on 19 July 1957,[2] and remade in Hindi as Payal the same year.

Mallika
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoseph Thaliath Jr.
Screenplay byNanjilnadu T. N. Rajappa
Story byM. A. Durai
Produced byJoseph Thaliath Jr.
StarringGemini Ganesan
Padmini
Music byT. R. Pappa
Production
company
Citadel Films Corporation
Distributed byRajashri Pictures[1]
Release date
  • 19 July 1957 (1957-07-19)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

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Kamala and Padma are the daughters of a businessman stationed in Burma. Due to losses, the businessman is forced to return to India with his wife and daughters. The plane crashes and the parents are killed. Padma, the younger daughter, loses her eyesight. Kamala joins a dance troupe for a living and to save for treatment of her sister. Kamala meets Mohan, a man from an affluent family, and falls in love with him. But Mohan's parents are against the marriage because Kamala is a dancer and they consider her as someone of low moral character. Mohan's father is murdered and Mohan is arrested. Kamala takes the blame on to herself in order to save Mohan. The truth is eventually revealed, Padma regains her sight and all ends well for everyone.[3]

Cast

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Production

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This is the first film produced by the Citadel Films Corporation owned by Joseph Thaliath Jr, who also directed the film. Nanjilnadu T. N. Rajappa, who wrote the dialogues, also worked as the assistant director. Hiralal choreographed Padmini's dances, and was assisted by Chinni and Sampath. M. G. Naidu, who later founded the Naidu Hall, worked as the costume designer on the film.[3]

Soundtrack

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The music was composed by T. R. Pappa.[3]

Song Singer/s Lyricist Duration(m:ss)
"Neela Vanna Kannane Unadhu" P. Susheela M. K. Athmanathan 03:43
"Maanatthai Kaappadhu Ponnu" S. C. Krishnan & Jikki A. Maruthakasi 03:50
"En Kannil Kalandhu Vilaiyaadum" A. M. Raja & P. Suseela A. Maruthakasi 02:47
"Pagattile Ulagam Emaarudhu" S. C. Krishnan 02:49
"Mangaamal Valarum Singaara Nadanam" P. Suseela A. Maruthakasi 02:55
"Thaye Nee Kan Paarai" Jikki 02:49
"Varuven Naan Unadhu Maaligaiyin" A. M. Raja & P. Suseela A. Maruthakasi 03:14
"Varundhathe Ezhai Maname" Jikki 03:09

Reception

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Kanthan of Kalki positively reviewed Mallika.[4] Despite this, the film was an average success, but was remade in Hindi as Payal the same year with Padmini returning.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Mallika". The Indian Express. 26 June 1957. p. 8. Retrieved 18 October 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  2. ^ "1957 – மல்லிகா – தி. சிட்டாடல் பிலிம்ஸ் கார்ப்பரேஷன்ஸ் பாயல் (இ)" [1957 – Mallika – The. Citadel Films Corporation Payal (hi).]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d Guy, Randor (13 December 2014). "Mallika 1957". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  4. ^ காந்தன் (28 July 1957). "மல்லிகா". Kalki (in Tamil). pp. 12–13. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2022 – via Internet Archive.
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