En Thangai (1952 film)

En Thangai (transl. My Younger Sister) is a 1952 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Ch. Narayana Murthy, starring M. G. Ramachandran and E. V. Saroja. The film is based on T. S. Natarajan's play of the same name. It was released on 31 May 1952.^[1] The film was remade in Hindi as Chhoti Bahen, in Telugu as Aada Paduchu , in Kannada as Onde Balliya Hoogalu and in Odia as Punar Milana.

En Thangai
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Ch. Narayana Murthy
Screenplay by	Ch. Narayana Murthy
Based on	En Thangai by T. S. Natarajan
Produced by	C. Chenna Kesava
Starring	M. G. Ramachandran E. V. Saroja P. S. Govindan P. V. Narasimmabharathi Madhuri Devi
Cinematography	Jithen Banerji
Edited by	Ch. Narayana Murthy
Music by	C. N. Pandurangan
Production company	Ashoka Pictures Salem
Release date	31 May 1952 (1952-05-31)
Running time	170 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

Rajendran, the breadwinner of his family, watches over his young brother, Selvam, a student, his younger sister Meena, and their very ill mother, Gunavathi. Karunagaran Pillai, their paternal uncle, robs them of their fortune after the disappearance of the patriarch, and refuses all requests for financial help by Rajendran. On the other hand, Suriyamoorthy, Karunagaran's son, discreetly devotes himself to his cousin, Rajendran, and his family. One evening, during a violent thunderstorm, young Meena loses her eyesight. She then becomes the scapegoat of Selvam's wealthy wife, Rajam, her sister-in-law, who also begins hating Meena. Rajendran, previously unaware of the situation, finally discovers his younger sister's ordeal. Following a heated quarrel, Selvam and Rajam leave the family home, leaving Rajendran totally distraught. Then sadly, their mother dies and, expelled by their uncle, Rajendran and Meena are forced out onto the street.

Their cousin, Suriyamoorthy, runs away from his father to the capital, where he becomes a rickshaw driver and offers temporary accommodation to Rajendran and Meena. Meanwhile, younger brother, Selvam, becomes addicted to horse racing just like his father-in-law, driving his family into financial ruin and neglecting Rajam. After Rajendran manages to reconcile the couple, Rajam dies in a road accident. Karunagaran comes in search of his son, and he too is knocked down by a vehicle. Dying, he gives his permission for Suriyamoorthy to marry Mary, a Christian. As for Rajendran, he is beaten and finally, pushed to his limits, carries his sister into the sea and they both disappear under the waves.

Cast

Male cast M. G. Ramachandran as Rajendran P. S. Govindan as Suryamurthi P. V. Narasimmabharathi as Selvam M. G. Chakrapani as Karunagaram Pillai T. R. B. Rao as Veerasami Pillai C. S. Pandhiyan as Azhagan S. N. Narayanasami as Veeraiyan Kottapuli Jayaraman as Chitraguptan Master Krishnan as Idiot Boy N. Azhwar as Gundu Chetty

Female cast Madhuri Devi as Rajam V. Susheela as Mary S. R. Janaki as Gunavathi E. V. Saroja as Meena M. N. Rajam as Azhagi

Production

The pre-production crew at Central Studios, Coimbatore, initially planned to merge the plays Parasakthi by Pavalar Balasundaram and En Thangai by T. S. Natarajan to make a film. However, Natarajan disagreed with the idea;^[2] En Thangai was ultimately made as a single film directed by Ch. Narayana Murthy. Thiruchi Loganathan was initially cast as the lead actor; however, after a few scenes were shot, he was removed as Narayana Murthy was not impressed.^[3] Unsuccessful attempts were earlier made to have Sivaji Ganesan, who portrayed the role on stage, do the same onscreen. The role ultimately went to M. G. Ramachandran.^[4]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by C. N. Pandurangan.^{[citation needed]}

Song	Singers	Lyrics	Length
"Aadum Oonjalai Pole"	T. A. Mothi & P. Leela	Suratha	03:33
"Azhagaai Bommai Vaitthu"	A. P. Komala	A. Maruthakasi	03:02
"Good Luck Good Luck"	C. S. Pandiyan & A. G. Rathnamala	A. Maruthakasi	02:30
"Meelaa Thuyaraamo...Kangal Irandum"	N. Lalitha	Narasimman	03:39
"Dheena Dhayaabari Thaaye"	M. L. Vasanthakumari	Saravanabhavananthar	03:34
"Kaadhal Vaazhvile Magizhndhom"	T. A. Mothi & P. Leela	Bharathidasan	03:11
"Vaazhvadhilum Nalam Soozhvadhilum"	P. S. Govindhan	Bharathidasan	02:56
"Inbame Siridhum Ariyaadha Pen Jenmam"	P. Leela	Saravanabhavananthar	03:12
"Naalukku Naal Paarkira Podhe"	N. Lalitha	A. Maruthakasi	03:01
"Varumai Puyalaale...Karuvile Uruvaana Gaayam"	A. M. Rajah	A. Maruthakasi	04:01
"En Inba Jothiye Un Anbu Paarvaiyaal"	P. S. Govindhan & K. V. Janaki	A. Maruthakasi	03:34
"Annaiye Annaiye Annaiye Arul Thaaarum Mary Thaaye"	A. P. Komala	Ki. Rajagopal	03:22

Reception

The film was a success in box office. Film historian Randor Guy wrote in 2008 that the film will be "Remembered for its emotion drenched storyline and MGR’s role as a loving brother, considered by critics as one of his best performances ever." The film was remade in Telugu as Na Chellelu (1953) with the same team. It was remade by L. V. Prasad in Hindi as Chhoti Bahen (1959),^[3] and in Odia as Punar Milana.^[5]

References

1. "எம்.ஜி.ஆர். நடித்த படங்களின் பட்டியல்". Ithayakkani (in Tamil). 2 April 2011. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
2. Guy, Randor (24 April 2011). "Parasakthi 1952". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
3. Guy, Randor (28 November 2008). "En Thangai 1952". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
4. Guy, Randor (10 November 2006). "A star fades away". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
5. Sahu, Diana (14 September 2020). "COVID-19 claims another stalwart, Odia veteran actor 'Hakim Babu' Ajit Das passes away". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2023.

External links

• En Thangai at IMDb 
• En Thangai at Rotten Tomatoes