Saraswathi Sabatham
Theatrical release poster
Directed byA. P. Nagarajan
Screenplay byA. P. Nagarajan
Based onVakkum Vakkum
by Pudhumaipithan
Produced byA. P. Nagarajan[1]
StarringSivaji Ganesan
Gemini Ganesan
Savitri
Padmini
Devika
K. R. Vijaya
CinematographyK. S. Prasad
Edited byM. N. Rajan
T. R. Natarajan
Music byK. V. Mahadevan
Production
company
Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures
Distributed bySivaji Films
Release date
  • 3 September 1966 (1966-September-03)
Running time
148 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Saraswathi Sabatham (transl. Saraswati's oath) is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film written and directed by A. P. Nagarajan. Based on Pudhumaipithan's novel Vakkum Vakkum, it stars Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, Padmini, Devika and K. R. Vijaya. The film was released on 3 September 1966 and became a commercial success.

Plot

There is a dispute between three goddesses about who is the most powerful of them all. Narada, a sage and celestial troublemaker, begins the argument by visiting Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, and annoys her on purpose by saying that wealth is more important and abundant. Angered, Saraswati states she will prove that knowledge is more important. Narada then goes to Vaikuntha to see Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and says that knowledge is more abundant. Lakshmi retorts she will prove that wealth is more important. Narada finally goes to Mount Kailash, seeking Parvati, the goddess of strength, and annoys her by saying that wealth and knowledge are more important. Parvati stresses that strength is more important.

Each of the three Goddesses, having been turned against one another by Narada, decide to choose someone on earth and bless them with their respective powers so that each of them can prove their power is the most important and make the other two Goddesses lose. Saraswati blesses a mute person, Vidyapati, by imparting to him all the knowledge in the world and bestows upon him the gift of speech. The king of Vidyapati's kingdom, Selvapuram, is dying and does not have any children. He orders his minister to send the royal Elephant into the streets with a garland and the person whose neck the Elephant puts the garland on will be his successor. Lakshmi makes the royal Elephant put the garland on a beggar girl, Selvambigai, thus making her wealthy. Parvati blesses Veeravallan, a man who has been a coward his whole life, with the gift of strength.

Vidyapati and Selvambigai happen to meet one another at a temple and get into a heated argument about their respective qualities bestowed on them. Vidyapati finds her too arrogant because of her wealth while Selvambigai finds him egotistical due to his knowledge and both leave the temple in a huff. Selvambigai thinks about her argument with Vidyapati and loses control over her horses. Veeravallan spots her and saves her from a near-fatal accident. Impressed with his bravery, she makes him the commander-in-chief of the kingdom's army. Selvambigai is impressed by Vidyapati's knowledge as well and decides to make him the kingdom's head poet as she feels his knowledge could be useful for the reputation of Selvapuram.

Selvambigai spends too much of her time engaging in a battle of wits with Vidyapati, which makes Veeravallan believe that she is neglecting her royal duties. He instigates his soldiers into rebellion and puts Vidyapati in prison. Selvambigai secretly goes to the prison and asks him to sing in her praise so as to guarantee his freedom; Vidyapati rejects the offer and instead sings in a manner that insults her. Veeravallan learns of the meeting and puts Selvambigai in prison, orders the execution of both her and Vidyapati, and declares himself Selvapuram's ruler. The Gods of the Holy Trinity, Shiva (Haranath), Vishnu (Sivakumar) and Brahma (Sarangkapani) settle the dispute by explaining the importance of knowledge, wealth, and strength combined, and how dangerous it is if each of them is bestowed on human beings separately. Finally, the three Goddesses reconcile and Vidyapati, Selvambigai and Veeravallan realise the importance of wealth, knowledge and strength.

Cast

Production

Saraswathi Sabatham is based on Vakkum Vakkum, a script by Pudhumaipithan that was not produced but instead published as a novel.[6] Though director A. P. Nagarajan had not bought the film rights to the story, Pudhumaipithan's family decided not to file a lawsuit against him.[7]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan.[8] The song "Komatha Engal Kulamatha" is set in Abheri, a Carnatic raga.[9]

SongSingersLength
"Agaramuthala"T. M. Soundararajan03:10
"Deivam Iruppathu Engey"T. M. Soundararajan03:32
"Kalviya Selvama Veerama"T. M. Soundararajan03:37
"Komatha Engal Kulamatha"P. Susheela07:42
"Rani Maharani"T. M. Soundararajan03:12
"Thai Thantha"P. Susheela03:29
"Uruvathaikattidum Kanaadi"P. Susheela03:40

Release and reception

Saraswathi Sabatham was released on 3 September 1966,[10] and distributed by Sivaji Films.[11] On 17 September, The Indian Express wrote, "Fortified with massive sets, trick photography and sincere attempt at retaining the spirit of the theme Saraswathi Sabatham has before it an assured long run."[4] Kalki praised the acting of Sivaji Ganesan and other actors while also praising the music, cinematography and dialogues.[12] The film became a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.[13]

Legacy

Director K. Chandru's Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham (2013) was initially titled Saraswathi Sabatham, but this was changed after negative reactions from Ganesan's fans.[14] The song "Kalviya Selvama Veerama" was also featured in the 2022 film Vikram.[15]

References

  1. ↑ Ganesan & Narayana Swamy 2007, p. 147.
  2. 1 2 3 Aravind, CV (20 June 2017). "Revisiting AP Nagarajan, the man who gave us immortal films like 'Thiruvilayadal' and 'Saraswathi Sabatham'". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  3. ↑ Pillai, Swarnavel Eswaran (2015). Madras Studios: Narrative, Genre, and Ideology in Tamil Cinema. SAGE Publications. p. 256. ISBN 978-93-5150-212-8.
  4. 1 2 3 "Saraswathi Sabatham". The Indian Express. 17 September 1966. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  5. ↑ "சிவகுமார் 101 | 1–10". Kalki (in Tamil). 1 July 1979. pp. 6–8. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  6. ↑ Venkatachalapathy, A.R. (4 September 2017). "Pudumaippithan". Sahapedia. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  7. ↑ Venkatachalapathy, A. R. (30 July 2021). "Vetrimaaran and Suriya's 'Vaadivaasal' sets a new benchmark". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  8. ↑ "Saraswathi Sabatham (1966)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  9. ↑ "Peace and prosperity with ragas". The Hindu. 26 November 2004. Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  10. ↑ "Saraswathi Sabatham". The Indian Express. 3 September 1966. p. 3. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  11. ↑ "Saraswathi Sabatham". The Indian Express. 27 August 1966. p. 3. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  12. ↑ "சரஸ்வதி சபதம்". Kalki (in Tamil). 25 September 1966. p. 25. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  13. ↑ Ganesan & Narayana Swamy 2007, p. 241.
  14. ↑ Ramachandran, Mythily (28 November 2013). "'Naveena Saraswati Sabatham,' inspired by 'The Hangover'". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  15. ↑ S, Srivatsan (3 June 2022). "'Vikram' movie review: Kamal Haasan steps back to watch Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi have fun in Lokesh Cinematic Universe". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.

Bibliography

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