Sumaithaangi

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Sumaithaangi
Theatrical release poster
Directed byC. V. Sridhar
Screenplay byC. V. Sridhar
Based onSumaithaangi
by Ra. Ki. Rangarajan
Produced byKovai Chezhiyan
StarringGemini Ganesan
Devika
R. Muthuraman
CinematographyA. Vincent
Edited byN. M. Shankar
Music byViswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Production
company
Visalakshi Films
Release date
  • 7 December 1962 (1962-12-07)
Running time
160 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Sumaithaangi (transl. Bearer of Burdens)[1] is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language drama film, written and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Radha and R. Muthuraman. Based on Ra. Ki. Rangarajan's novel of the same name that was serialised in Kumudam, it revolves around a man who could not lead his life the way he wanted, and gets forced to undergo many sacrifices. The film, produced by Kovai Chezhiyan, was released on 7 December 1962. Ganesan won the Film Fans Association Award for Best Actor

Plot

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Ramu (R. Muthuraman) leads a middle-class family while supporting his retired father Sarangapani, younger brother Babu (Gemini Ganesan), and younger sister Lakshmi (L. Vijayalakshmi). On a dare from his college mates, Babu successfully woos Radha (Devika), the daughter of their former schoolteacher Rathnavel (V. S. Raghavan). But at this point, Ramu's disemployment plunges the family into financial distress. As a result, Babu is forced to abandon his studies and love life to take up a job..

Meanwhile, Lakshmi falls in love and gets married. Babu’s honest act of returning a lost purse to a retired judge leads to a marriage proposal for Babu with the judge’s daughter, Indira Devi—whose seizure episodes are hidden by Sarangapani from Babu for the family’s sake.

Rathnavel proposes Radha’s marriage to Babu, but Sarangapani rejects it. Pressured by his family, Babu agrees to marry Indira Devi, but the marriage is called off when she has a seizure on the wedding day. Babu continues to sacrifice, giving his bonus money to his sister’s husband for a job deposit.

Balaji, a friend of Nagesh and Rathnavel’s relative, offers Babu a job, but Ramu takes it to reclaim his breadwinner role. A dejected Babu resigns and isolates himself, ignoring his family’s pleas to return.

As Radha’s wedding to Balaji nears, Lakshmi persuades Radha to reconsider her love for Babu. Balaji agrees to cancel the wedding. But Babu, unaware of this, leaves his family. He sends a letter to Ramu explaining his decision. Ramu, finding out from the letter's postmark that Babu is in Kodaikanal, takes Rathnavel and Radha to Kodaikanal in search of Babu.

In Kodaikanal, the trio's car is delayed by a herd of cattle. Then comes a procession of about 40 Catholic priests approaching the town's famed La Saleth Church, reciting the Lord's Prayer in English. As the priests move to a post-confessional prayer[2], Radha is shocked to see that Babu is one among them. Babu too spots the trio and looks at them stoically for a while. He then moves on, joining in the procession's recital of the Ignatian Suscipe and another portion of the post-confessional prayer. The film ends with a shot of the church’s altar.

Cast

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Production

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Sumaithaangi is based on Ra. Ki. Rangarajan's novel of the same name that was serialised in Kumudam. Mid-way through production it was retitled Aayiram Vaasal Idhayam (transl. A heart with a thousand entrances), but this was reversed.[3] The song "Manithan Enbavan" was shot at Marina Beach.[4][5]

Soundtrack

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The music was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with lyrics by Kannadasan.[6] The song "Endhan Paruvathin Kelvikku" was replaced as "Endha Paarvaiyin Kelvikku" in the film.[7] Kannadasan's timeless lyric 'Mayakama Kalakkama', sung by P.B. Srinivas is now considered as one of the most inspirational song in Tamil for those who would wilt during troubled times.

Song Singers Length
"En Annai Seitha" S. Janaki 03:37
"Endhan Paarvaiyin" P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki 03:24
"Mambazhathu Vandu" P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki 03:30
"Manithan Enbavan" P. B. Sreenivas 03:25
"Mayakkamma" P. B. Sreenivas 02:39
"Puriyadhu" P. B. Sreenivas 04:41
"Radhaiketra Kannano" S. Janaki 03:26
"Malaiyai Padaithavan" S. Janaki 06:14

Release and reception

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Sumaithaangi was released on 7 December 1962.[8][9] Kanthan of Kalki positively reviewed the film for the cast performances, particularly Radha.[10] Ganesan won the Film Fans Association Award for Best Actor.[11] Director Vasanth said, "Sumaithangi made a huge impact on me. I cried watching it and emerged from the cinema hall as a different person. I think a film should teach you something and bring about a change".[12]

References

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  1. ^ Sivakumaran, K S (11 July 2012). "Mani Oasai and Sumai Thaangi". Daily News Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  2. ^ Online, Catholic. "Prayers After Confession # 2 - Prayers". Catholic Online. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  3. ^ "வந்த துன்பம் எதுவென்றாலும் வாடி நின்றால் ஓடுவதில்லை... - கலாப்ரியாவின் 'நினைவின் தாழ்வாரங்கள்'28". Andhimazhai (in Tamil). 23 March 2009. Archived from the original on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  4. ^ Raman, Sruthi Ganapathy (22 August 2017). "Madras Day: The film songs that best capture the city's diverse spirit". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  5. ^ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (4 June 2014). "From Madras to Chennai, the shoot continues..." The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Policekaran Magal- Sumaithangi Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by MS Viswanathan". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  7. ^ "சென்சார் செயல்பாடுகளும் அதன் குழப்பங்களும்". Cinesouth Tamil (in Tamil). 9 December 2005. Archived from the original on 23 May 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Sumaithangi". The Indian Express. 7 December 1962. p. 10. Retrieved 30 September 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  9. ^ "Sumaithangi". The Indian Express. 14 December 1962. p. 3. Retrieved 30 September 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  10. ^ காந்தன் (30 December 1963). "சுமைத்தாங்கி". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 63. Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Tit-Bit". Sport and Pastime. Vol. 17. 5 October 1963. p. 50. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023 – via Google News Archive.
  12. ^ "Director's cut". The Hindu. 18 August 2016. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
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