Sevasadanam

Sevasadanam

M. S. Subbulakshmi and S. Varalakshmi in Sevasadanam
Directed by K. Subramanyam
Produced by K. Subramanyam
Written by Premchand
K. Subramanyam
Starring M. S. Subbulakshmi
F.G. Natesa Iyer
S. G. Pattu Iyer
S. Varalakshmi
Music by Papanasam Sivan
Cinematography Sailen Bose
Ellappa
Rama Rao
Edited by Dharam Veer Singh
Release dates
  • 2 May 1938 (1938-05-02)
Running time
 210 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil

Sevasadanam or Seva Sadan (Tamil: சேவா சதனம்) is a 1938 Tamil film directed by K. Subramanyam . It is one of the early Tamil films to be set in a contemporary social setting and to advocate reformist social policies. This was the first film for M. S. Subbulakshmi.[1][2][3][4][5]

Production

After the success of Balayogini (1937), director Subramanyam was encouraged to make more socially oriented films. In 1938 he decided to make a film version of Premchand's novel Bazaar-e-Husn. While Balayogini was about the travails of widows, Sevasadanam dealt with domestic abuse, prostitution and women's liberation. Subramanyam wrote the screenplay himself and made the film under his Madras United Artists Corporation Banner.[3][4] The completed film was 18,900 feet in length with a run time of 210 minutes.[4][5]

Plot

Sevasadanam (lit. The house of Service) tells the story of an abused wife Sumathi (M. S. Subbulakshmi) who is driven out of her house by husband and into prostitution. Later she reforms her ways and devotes her life to running an institution for the children of prostitutes.

Cast and crew

Reception

Sevadanam was released on 2 May 1938. It was a critical and commercial success.[5] Ananda Vikatan favourably reviewed the film on 8 May 1938:

“ We should always expect somethings from Subramaniam's direction - for instance depiction of social ills.. If we have to say only two words about this talkie based on Premchand's story it is - Go see (it).[6] ”

As was the case with Balayogini, conservative Hindus were upset with Sevasadanam.[7]

The veteran Marxist leader N. Sankaraiah, has described Seva Sadhanam as an "unusual film" for choosing the subject of marriages between young girls and old men (which had social sanction). According to him, the film successfully broughout the "sufferings of the girl" and the "mental agony of the aged husband". Sankariah particularly appreciated F.G. Natesa Iyer's performance in the role of the old man, which he said " was impressive". Tamil film critic and historian Aranthai Narayanan observes in his book Thamizh Cinemavin Kathai (The Story of Tamil Cinema) that "Seva Sadhanam proved a turning point in the history of Tamil cinema. In the climax, the aged husband, now a totally changed man, was shown as casting aside with utter contempt his `sacred thread', which symbolises his Brahmin superiority. It came as a stunning blow to the then Brahmin orthodoxy."[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ The stamp of honour , The Hindu 10 July 2000
  2. ↑ Baskaran, S. Theodore (1996). The eye of the serpent: an introduction to Tamil cinema. Chennai: East West Books. p. 15.
  3. 1 2 Thoraval, Yves (2000). The cinemas of India. India: Macmillan. p. 37. ISBN 0-333-93410-5, ISBN 978-0-333-93410-4.
  4. 1 2 3 Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1994). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. British Film Institute. p. 259. ISBN 0-85170-455-7, ISBN 978-0-85170-455-5.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal padaitha Tamil Thiraipada Varalaaru (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivagami Publications. pp. 28:14.
  6. ↑ Arandhai Narayanan (2008). Arambakala Tamil Cinema (1931-41) (in Tamil). Chennai: Vijaya Publications. p. 26.
  7. ↑ Kaul, Gautam (1998). Cinema and the Indian freedom struggle: covering the subcontinent. Sterling Publishers. p. 84. ISBN 81-207-2116-0, ISBN 978-81-207-2116-6.
  8. ↑ Vishwanathan, S. (3–16 July 2004). "A progressive film maker; Tribute to K.Subramanian". Frontline. 21 (14). Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Hindu Publications.
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