T. P. Rajalakshmi, M. R. Krishnamurthi, M. D. Rajam, Parvathi, Miss. Pattu, Rukmini, T. P. Rajagopal, M. S. Ramachandra Iyer, T. V. Sundaram, Chinnasama Iyer, Natesa Sastri, Kulathu Mani, Krishna Iyer, Sivarama Iyer, Kalyanam and Srinivasa Rao
Ellis R. Dungan, an Ohio-born American, made several hits and classics in Tamil. He knew not a word of the language, its culture or customs, yet he created many immortal movies based mostly on its epics and folk myths — Sathi Leelavathi (1936), Iru Sahotharargal (1936), Ambikapathi (1937), Kalamegam (1939), Sakunthalai (1940), Meera (1945), Ponmudi (1950) and Mantirikumari (1950). One of his lesser-known movies is Seemanthani .
A brilliant film technician, he was equally at home with the lights, editing tools, screenwriting, make-up and direction. He studied the customs, rituals, and the beliefs of the period of the film he was making. As he did not know Tamil, he insisted on involving himself heart and soul in the making of the film from day one. He took an active part in every session of the story discussion of his films with his writers and assistants. And had every line and word translated into English.
Soma Vaara Vratha Mahatmyam , the alternative title of Seemanthani , was an ancient ritual performed by women for the fulfilment of their wishes, especially in times of adversity. A princess Seemanthani (Rajalakshmi) falls in love with a prince (Krishnamurthi) and then they marry. However, due to the evil designs of some people, they are separated and the husband is taken away to ‘Nagaloka', the world of snakes! To bring him back, Seemanthani performs the ‘Soma Vaara Vratha' and thanks to the intervention of the singing sage Narada (Rajagopal) and other gods and goddesses, she is blessed by Lord Siva and is reunited with her husband.
This predictable, epic tale was made with considerable finesse and technical values, far ahead of the time by director Dungan. Expectedly there were many songs sung by Rajalakshmi, Krishnamurthi, Rajagopal and others. However, the song book contains no credit to the music composer and only the lyricist, Trichy Natarajachari, is mentioned. The film was photographed by noted cinematographer and filmmaker Jiten Bannerjee, while the famous sound recordist Dinshaw K. Tehrani handled the audiography.
Rajalakshmi, the first heroine and female filmmaker of South Indian Cinema, played the title role in her characteristic style and the hero, Krishnamurthi, was the younger brother of the legendary Carnatic musician Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer. Rajagopal who played Narada was an excellent harmonium player — he also composed music for some movies.
Interestingly, most of the songs were copied from the popular songs of the blind singer of Bengal, K.C. Dey, the iconic singer K. L. Saigal and others. The song book mentions a song ‘as Saigal song', and even Sage Narada sings a song in Hindustani style!
In 1960, this story was made in Telugu by R. M. Krishnaswami (RMK), noted cinematographer, director and producer of successful films such as Rajambal . In this film, he gave a minor role as a bearded sage to a struggling actor who received a princely three-figure salary. His name was Shobhan Babu!
Remembered for the impressive performances of Rajalakshmi and Krishnamurthi, their singing, and the technical finesse of the film.
