Sakuntalai is a 1940 Indian Tamil language-language film directed by Ellis R. Dungan and starring M. S. Subbulakshmi and G. N. Balasubramaniam.[ Reminiscences on Directing M.S., the Musician-Movie Star by Ellis R. Dungan]
Plot
Sakuntalai is the story of the mythological queen
Shakuntala, whose tale is told in the
Mahabharata and dramatised by
Kalidasa in the play
Abhijñānaśākuntalam.
Cast
- Male cast
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G. N. Balasubramaniam as Dushyanta
-
Serukalathur Sama as Kanwa
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S. R. Kalyanasundaram as Saradwata
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T. P. S. Mani as Durvasa
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K. Sarangapani as Madhavya
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N. S. Krishnan and T,S.Durairaj as Fishermen
-
P. G. Venkatesan as Cartman
- Female cast
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M. S. Subbulakshmi as Sakuntalai
-
Radha as Bharata
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T. A. Mathuram as Priyamvada
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Sakuntala Bai as Anasuya
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Golden Saradambal as Gouthami
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M. S. Ramani as Sarangrava
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K. Thavamani Devi as Menaka
Production
Subbulakshmi and her husband
Kalki Sadasivam formed Royal Talkies to produce their own films. They decided to make a movie based
Shakuntala's life and asked director K. Subramanyam, to direct the film. Subramaniam was not able to do so because of prior commitments and recommended Ellis Dungan to be hired instead.
Sadasivam wrote the screenplay and
Papanasam Sivan was hired to write the lyrics. Carnatic singer G. N. Balasubramaniam was cast as
Dushyanta. The comedic duo of N. S. Krishnan – T. A. Mathuram were also among the cast.
Dungan introduced several new techniques to Tamil cinema in this film. The scene where
Shakuntala loses her ring was shot in slow motion through a glass tank filled with water. In his autobiography (
A Guide to Adventure: An Autobiography, Dorrance Publishing Company (2002)), Dungan wrote the following about his use of a European dancer for adding glamour to the film :
The completed film was 17,400 Feet in length (around 3 hours run time).[Students' Britannica India – Volumes 1 – 5 -2000 Page 67 "In 1938 she made her film debut with Sevasadanam which was based on the theme of women's liberation. ... Subbulakshmi achieved immense popularity with her appearances as a singing star in films such as Sakuntalai (1940), Saitri ( 1941) ..."]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by Thuraiyur Rajagopala Sarma while the lyrics were penned by
Papanasam Sivan. There were a total of 24 songs in
Sakuntalai. A couple of songs were longer than usual and the gramophone company had to issue special large sized records for them.
A partial list of songs in the film:
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"Endhan Idadhu Tholum Kannum" – M. S. Subbulakshmi (Karaharapriya)
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"Manamogananga Anangae" – M. S. Subbulakshmi, G. N. Balasubramaniam
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"Premayil Yavum Marandenae" – M. S. Subbulakshmi, G. N. Balasubramaniam
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"Engum Nirai Nadha Bramammae" – M. S. Subbulakshmi
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"Vegudooram Kadal Thandi Povomae" – N. S. Krishnan, T. S. Durairaj
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"Innaikku Kalaila Elundiruchu" – N. S. Krishnan, T. S. Durairaj
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"Anandam En Solvaenae" – M. S. Subbulakshmi (Sindhu Bhairavi)
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"Sugumara En Thabam" – M. S. Subbulakshmi (Behag)
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"Pannedum Naalaai" – M. S. Subbulakshmi (NadhaNaamakriya)
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"Manam Kulira, Ullam Kulira" – M. S. Subbulakshmi
Reception
The film was released on 12 December 1940 and was a box office success.
External links
