Sorgavasal

Sorgavasal (transl. Gateway to heaven) is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film, directed by A. Kasilingam and written by C. N. Annadurai, credited as Arignar Anna. It is based on his play of the same name. The film stars K. R. Ramasamy, Padmini, S. S. Rajendran and Anjali Devi. It was released on 28 May 1954.^[2] The film was subject to political controversies and faced trouble with the censor board, resulting in many scenes being cut.^[3][4]

Not to be confused with Sorgavaasal.

Sorgavasal
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	A. Kasilingam
Written by	Arignar Anna
Based on	Sorgavasal (play) by Arignar Anna
Produced by	M. Somasundaram M. K. Kaliapa
Starring	K. R. Ramasamy Padmini S. S. Rajendran Anjali Devi
Cinematography	G. Durai
Edited by	A. Kasilingam
Music by	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Production company	Parimalam Pictures
Release date	28 May 1954 (1954-05-28)
Running time	211 minutes[1]
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Cast

• K. R. Ramasamy as Madivannan^[1]
• Padmini as Queen Kumara Devi^[5]
• S. S. Rajendran as Muthu Manikam^[5]
• Anjali Devi as Thilagavathy^[1]
• R. Balasubramaniam as Court Priest^[5]
• P. S. Veerappa as King Vetrivelan^[5]

Production

The film is based on the play of the same name by C. N. Annadurai.^[4] He had written screenplay and dialogues for films earlier and was credited as Annadurai. But, for the first time, in this film he was credited as Arignar Anna. The song Aagum Neriyedhu was originally written as Asthigam Edhu, Naasthigam Edhu. The song was so recorded and released in records. When the film went to the censor board, they objected to these lines. So the lyricist Udumalai Narayana Kavi altered it as Aagum Neri Edhu, Aagaa Neri Edhu.^[6][4]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy.^[7] Lyrics were by Udumalai Narayana Kavi.^[6]

Song	Singers	Length
"Antharathil Neer.... Engae Sorgam"	K. R. Ramasamy	06:13
"Kanni Thamizh Saalaiyoram"	K. R. Ramasamy	03:23
"Maavodu Thazhuvum Malarkkodi Pole"	K. R. Ramasamy & P. Leela	03:00
"Nilave Nilave Aada Vaa"	K. R. Ramasamy & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi	02:03
"Raajamagal Raani"	K. R. Ramasamy	02:13
"Nilave Nilave Aada Vaa" (pathos)	K. R. Ramasamy	02:51
"Aanandam Paarai Kanne"	K. R. Ramasamy	04:49
"Samarasa Nilai Arul Sannidhaanam"	K. R. Ramasamy	03:10
"Veeram Serindha Mugam"	K. R. Ramasamy & T. V. Rathnam	02:50
"Engum Niraivaana Jothiye"	K. R. Ramasamy	01:29
"Engum Inbame Ulagengum Inbame"	K. R. Ramasamy	03:10
"Santhosam Theda Venum Vaazhvile"	Thiruchi Loganathan & T. V. Rathnam	02:51
"Maasillaatha Maamani Manonmani"	K. R. Ramasamy & M. S. Rajeswari	06:05
"Aagum Neriyedhu"	K. R. Ramasamy & Nagore E. M. Hanifa	03:34
"Naanae Indha Naattin"	A. P. Komala	03:06
"Raajaadhi Raajan"	T. V. Rathnam
"Vaazhiya Maanilam"

Reception

According to historian Randor Guy, the film underperformed at the box office because of its controversies and "mauling" by the censor board, yet attained cult status due to its controversial content.^[4]

References

1. Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 338.
2. "Sorgavasal". The Indian Express. 28 May 1954. p. 1. Retrieved 18 December 2019 – via Google News Archive.
3. "1954-2014: 11 Kollywood Movies That Took a Hit by Controversies and Protests". The New Indian Express. 6 April 2015. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
4. Guy, Randor (4 February 2010). "Sorgavaasal 1954". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
5. Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 339.
6. Neelamegam, G. (2014). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 72.
7. "Sorga Vasal (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP". Apple Music. 1 December 1954. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.

Bibliography

• Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema. British Film Institute and Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.

External links

• Sorgavasal at IMDb