Palaivana Solai (1981 film)
Palaivana Solai (transl. Oasis) is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language buddy drama film written, directed and photographed by the duo Robert–Rajasekar in their directorial debut. The film stars Chandrasekhar, Janagaraj, Rajeev, Kailash Nath, Thyagu and Suhasini. It revolves around five friends whose lives are transformed by a new girl arriving in their locality.
| Palaivana Solai | |
|---|---|
VCD cover | |
| Directed by | Robert–Rajasekar |
| Screenplay by | Robert–Rajasekar |
| Story by | S. Rajasekar |
| Produced by | R. Vadivel |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Robert–Rajasekar |
| Edited by | D. Raj |
| Music by | Shankar–Ganesh |
Production company | R. V. Creations |
Release date |
|
Running time | 131 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Palaivana Solai was released on 1 May 1981. The film became a box-office success, running for over 200 days in theatres. In 1982, it was remade in Telugu as Manchu Pallaki (with Suhasini reprising her role) and in Malayalam as Ithu Njangalude Katha. In 2009 it was again remade in Tamil under the same title.
Plot
Bachelors Sekhar, Senthil, Kumar, Vasu and Siva are friends. Sekhar is a factory worker, Senthil and Kumar are unemployed (with Kumar dependent on his wealthy father), Vasu works at an office and Siva is an aspiring actor. They spend their time sitting on a wall and teasing people, particularly young girls, seeking neighbouring girls to befriend.
A girl named Geetha arrives in the locality and stays in a rented house. The friends initially tease her in their usual manner, but she sportingly retaliates and gradually becomes friendly with them. Her purpose of visiting the city is not known to them. Each of them tries to attract her and come closer to her. However, her focus is on helping others.
Geetha helps Vasu to find a groom for his sister; she changes Senthil's aggressive behaviour and helps him secure a job; she financially helps Siva to send money to his family; makes Kumar understand the importance of respecting his father; and gives emotional support to the rebellious Sekhar. She becomes the centre of all the friends’ activities.
Sekhar develops a soft corner for Geetha. She too likes him, but understands her limitations and does not express it. Vasu learns through a pharmacist from whom she purchases medicines that Geetha is terminally ill. When he asks her about this, she requests him not to reveal this fact to his friends.
When the marriage of Vasu's sister is fixed, one of his colleagues promises to provide money for the dowry. But on the day of the marriage, he is unable to keep his word and the marriage is cancelled due to this. Geetha requests Sekhar to marry Vasu's sister if he respects her and wishes to make her happy. She reveals her terminal illness and that her days are numbered; Sekhar assents to the marriage. Before the event ends, Geetha faints and is hospitalised.
The five friends go out of their way to organise funds for Geetha's treatment, forgetting their egos and past issues. Though the operation eventually takes place, Geetha dies after requesting the five friends to be happy and kind to everyone.
Cast
Production
Palaivana Solai is the directorial debut of Robert–Rajasekar (Robert Asirvatham and S. Rajasekar). Both also handled cinematography and wrote the screenplay based on Rajasekar's story.[5] The film was shot predominantly on the Nungambakkam Highway, Chennai.[6]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by the duo Shankar–Ganesh, with lyrics written by Vairamuthu.[7][8] "Megame Megame" is set in the raga known as Karnaranjani,[9] and was based on "Tum Nahi Gham Nahi Sharab Nahi", a Ghazal by Jagjit Singh.[10][11]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Aalanaalum Aalu" | Malaysia Vasudevan | 4:12 |
| 2. | "Engal Kathai" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 4:14 |
| 3. | "Megame Megame" | Vani Jairam | 4:29 |
| 4. | "Pournami Neram" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 5:04 |
| Total length: | 17:59 | ||
Release and reception
Palaivana Solai was released on 1 May 1981.[3] Ananda Vikatan gave the film an A score, praising Suhasini's performance and the unconventional screenplay.[12] The film became a box-office success, running for over 200 days in theatres.[13]
Remakes
Palaivana Solai was remade in Telugu as Manchu Pallaki (1982), with Suhasini reprising her role.[14] It was also remade in Malayalam as Ithu Njangalude Katha (1982),[15] and again in Tamil in 2009 under the same title. This version featured remixed versions of "Aalanaalum Aalu" and "Megame Megame".[16] A Hindi remake was planned in the early 1980s and Suhasini was offered to reprise her role, but did not come to fruition.[17]
Legacy
Commentators regard Palaivana Solai as a landmark film in Tamil cinema for proving that males can be friends with females without falling in love.[18][19] Other Tamil films that followed the trope include Pudhu Vasantham (1990) and Punnagai Desam (2002).[12]
References
- ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 450.
- ^ a b c d e "Palaivanacholai (1981)". British Film Institute. from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ a b Dhananjayan 2011, p. 60.
- ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 451.
- ^ "அவர் ஒரு பொன்மாலைப் பொழுது" [He is a golden twilight time]. Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 13 September 2019. from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ Indian Cinema 1981, p. 32.
- ^ . Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
- ^ "Paalaivana Cholai Tamil FIlm EP VInyl Record by Shankar Ganesh". Mossymart. from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ Mani, Charulatha (31 August 2012). "Two for joy". The Hindu. from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^ Gopalakrishnan, P V (15 May 2017). "FIlmy Ripples- Inspired plagiarism in early music". The Cinema Resource Centre. from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^ Srinivasan, Karthik. "Tamil [Other Composers]". Itwofs. Archived from the original on 22 May 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^ a b Dhananjayan 2011, p. 61.
- ^ செல்வராஜ், என். (20 March 2017). "வெள்ளி விழா கண்ட தமிழ் திரைப்படங்கள்". Thinnai (in Tamil). from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ Sri (10 September 2008). . Telugucinema.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ "Top 10 Failed Remakes In Mollywood". Nettv4u. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ . Ayngaran International. 26 August 2009. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
- ^ Shiva Kumar, S. "Look! Suhasini arrives". Deccan Herald. from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ Kolappan, B. (1 December 2018). "Cinematographer, director Robert dead". The Hindu. from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ கண்ணன், சுரேஷ் (12 June 2020). "மரபைக் கலைத்து மறுமலர்ச்சி ஏற்படுத்திய மல்டிஸ்டாரர்... 'பாலைவனச் சோலை'யும் அதன் முன், பின் கதைகளும்!". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
Bibliography
- Dhananjayan, G. (2011). The Best of Tamil Cinema, 1931 to 2010: 1977–2010. Galatta Media. OCLC 733724281.
- Indian Cinema. Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 1981.
- Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema. British Film Institute and Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.
External links
- Palaivana Solai at IMDb