Ponni (1953 film)

For the 1976 film of the same name, see Ponni (1976 film).

1953 Indian film

Ponni

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| A. S. A. Sami
C. Srinivasa Rao
Screenplay by| A. S. A. Sami
Elangovan
Balasubramaniam
Story by| A. S. A. Sami
Produced by| S. M. Sriramulu Naidu
Starring| Lalitha
Padmini
Sriram
Cinematography| Sailen Bose
N. Prakash
Edited by| Surya
Music by| Subbiah Naidu

Production
company

Pakshiraja Studios

Release date

* 26 June 1953 (1953-06-26)

Country| India
Language| Tamil

Ponni is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language film directed by A. S. A. Sami and C. S. Rao, starring Sriram, Lalitha and Padmini. The Telugu version Oka Talli Pillalu was released in the same year.[1][2]

## Plot

[edit]

The story is about a less privileged woman (P. Santha Kumari) left with two daughters. She loses one girl ("Baby" Chandrakumari, later Padmini), who is found by a wealthy man (D. Balasubramaniam). He changes her name to Kanmani and brings her up in luxury. She becomes proud. The struggling mother sends the other girl Ponni ("Baby" Asha, later Lalitha) to work in Kanmani's house. Kanmani ill treats her and once pushes her down the staircase, which injures Ponni badly, and she lands in hospital. The rich man has an adopted son Sundaram (Kaushik). His brother, a ne'er-do-well (Sriram), misbehaves with both Ponni and Kanmani. In the process, Ponni tries to save her sister, and lands in prison, accused of murder. However, the truth comes out and they all live happily thereafter.[3]

## Cast

[edit]

Cast adapted from the film titles (see external links)

Male Cast

* Sriram as Samarasam
* T. S. Durairaj as Murugan
* D. Balasubramaniam as Nallasivam Pillai
* M. L. N. Kaushik as Sundaram
* M. R. Swaminathan as Munusami
* V. M. Ezhumalai as Chokkan
* Narayana Pillai as Expert Detective
* K. S. Kannaiah as Muniyan
* T. P. Ponnusami Pillai as Tamil Pundit Ponnarangam
* Ponnaiah as Vaiyapuri

International Wrestling

* King Kong as Hungarian World Champion
* Dara Singh as India's ace wrestler
* Alireza Bey as Champion of Turkey (Referee)

Female Cast

* Lalitha as Ponni
* Padmini as Kanmani
* P. Santha Kumari as Sornam
* P. S. Gnanam as Maragatham
* K. N. Kamalam as Santhanalakshhmi
* Pachanayaki as Valli
* Baby Asha as Young Ponni
* C. R. Chandrakumari as Young Kanmani

Dance

* Ragini
* Ambika
* Sukumari

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## Production

[edit]

A. S. A. Sami was directing the film, but for reasons unknown he left half-way. C. S. Rao took over and completed it. A dance drama with the popular story of Lord Krishna which was titled Bhama Vijayam was performed by Ragini and her cousins Ambika and Sukumari.[3] The film was shot at Pakshiraja Studios in Coimbatore. An additional attraction in the film was the real-life wrestling sequence between King Kong (Hungarian World Champion) and Dara Singh along with referee Alireza Bey (Champion of Turkey). They were performed in Park Town near Central Station.[3]

## Soundtrack

[edit]

The music was composed by Subbiah Naidu. Lyrics were by Narayanakavi, Ramaiah Dass, Balasubramaniam & Makkalanban.[citation needed]

Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss)

|
|
|

"Azhagum Gunamaum Amaindha Pennukku" | Jayalakshmi |  | 01:47
"Mazhayai Nambi Uyir Vaazhum" | C. S. Jayaraman |  | 03:21
"Aangalai Pola Penngal" | Perianayaki |  | 02:35
"Aaduvadhum Paaduvadhum Edhukku" | Mariappa & Group |  | 03:12
"Paambodu Pazhagalaam Pennmani" | Jayalakshmi |  | 03:24
"Madhimuga Radhi Ena" | Perianayaki |  | 02:02
"Ulagam Pora Pokkile" | Loganathan & Mariappa |  | 01:42
"Aadi Paadu Paappaa" | Jayalakshmi |  | 01:48
"Aaduvome Oonjal Aaduvome"
(Baama Vijayam dance drama) | P. A. Periyanayaki, Jayalakshmi, Radha and Komala |  | 09:02

## Reception

[edit]

According to historian Randor Guy, the film was an average success.[3]

## References

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1. ^ "1953 – பொன்னி – பக்ஷிராஜா ஸ்டுடியோஸ் – ஓகதல்லிபில்லலு (தெ)". Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
2. ^ "Ponni". The Indian Express. 20 June 1953. p. 1\. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024 - via Google News Archive.
3. ^ a b c d Guy, Randor (7 December 2013). "Ponni (1953)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2017.

## External links

[edit]

* Ponni at IMDb