Saraswathi Sabatham

1966 film by A. P. Nagarajan

For the 2013 film, see Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham.

Saraswathi Sabatham

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| A. P. Nagarajan
Screenplay by| A. P. Nagarajan
Based on| Vakkum Vakkum
by Pudhumaipithan
Produced by| A. P. Nagarajan[1]
Starring| Sivaji Ganesan
Gemini Ganesan
Savitri
Padmini
Devika
K. R. Vijaya
Cinematography| K. S. Prasad
Edited by| M. N. Rajan
T. R. Natarajan
Music by| K. V. Mahadevan

Production
company

Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures

Distributed by| Sivaji Films

Release date

* 3 September 1966 (1966-September-03)

Running time

| 148 minutes
Country| India
Language| Tamil

Saraswathi Sabatham (transl. Saraswati's oath) is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film written and directed by A. P. Nagarajan. Based on Pudhumaipithan's novel Vakkum Vakkum, it stars Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, Padmini, Devika and K. R. Vijaya. It is not a prequel of the 2013 film Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham. The film was released on 3 September 1966 and became a commercial success.

## Plot

[edit]

There is a dispute between three goddesses about who is the most powerful of them all. Narada, a sage and celestial troublemaker, begins the argument by visiting Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, and annoys her on purpose by saying that wealth is more important and abundant. Angered, Saraswati states she will prove that knowledge is more important. Narada then goes to Vaikuntha to see Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and says that knowledge is more abundant. Lakshmi retorts she will prove that wealth is more important. Narada finally goes to Mount Kailash, seeking Parvati, the goddess of strength, and annoys her by saying that wealth and knowledge are more important. Parvati stresses that strength is more important.

Each of the three Goddesses, having been turned against one another by Narada, decide to choose someone on earth and bless them with their respective powers so that each of them can prove their power is the most important and make the other two Goddesses lose. Saraswati blesses a mute person, Vidyapati, by imparting to him all the knowledge in the world and bestows upon him the gift of speech. The king of Vidyapati's kingdom, Selvapuram, is dying and does not have any children. He orders his minister to send the royal Elephant into the streets with a garland and the person whose neck the Elephant puts the garland on will be his successor. Lakshmi makes the royal Elephant put the garland on a beggar girl, Selvambigai, thus making her wealthy. Parvati blesses Veeravallan, a man who has been a coward his whole life, with the gift of strength.

Vidyapati and Selvambigai happen to meet one another at a temple and get into a heated argument about their respective qualities bestowed on them. Vidyapati finds her too arrogant because of her wealth while Selvambigai finds him egotistical due to his knowledge and both leave the temple in a huff. Selvambigai thinks about her argument with Vidyapati and loses control over her horses. Veeravallan spots her and saves her from a near-fatal accident. Impressed with his bravery, she makes him the commander-in-chief of the kingdom's army. Selvambigai is impressed by Vidyapati's knowledge as well and decides to make him the kingdom's head poet as she feels his knowledge could be useful for the reputation of Selvapuram.

Selvambigai spends too much of her time engaging in a battle of wits with Vidyapati, which makes Veeravallan believe that she is neglecting her royal duties. He instigates his soldiers into rebellion and puts Vidyapati in prison. Selvambigai secretly goes to the prison and asks him to sing in her praise so as to guarantee his freedom; Vidyapati rejects the offer and instead sings in a manner that insults her. Veeravallan learns of the meeting and puts Selvambigai in prison, orders the execution of both her and Vidyapati, and declares himself Selvapuram's ruler. The Gods of the Holy Trinity, Shiva (Haranath), Vishnu (Sivakumar) and Brahma (Sarangkapani) settle the dispute by explaining the importance of knowledge, wealth, and strength combined, and how dangerous it is if each of them is bestowed on human beings separately. Finally, the three Goddesses reconcile and Vidyapati, Selvambigai and Veeravallan realise the importance of wealth, knowledge and strength.

## Cast

[edit]

* Sivaji Ganesan as Vidyapathy and Narada[2]
* Gemini Ganesan as Veeravallan[2]
* Savitri as Saraswati[3]
* Padmini as Parvati[4]
* Devika as Lakshmi[4]
* K. R. Vijaya as Selvambigai[2]
* V. Nagayya as Vidyapati's father
* E. R. Sahadevan as a soldier
* Nagesh as the prison warden
* Sivakumar as Vishnu[5]
* Raja as Shiva
* M. Prabhakar Reddy as Brahma
* Manorama as Malli

## Production

[edit]

Saraswathi Sabatham is based on Vakkum Vakkum, a script by Pudhumaipithan that was not produced but instead published as a novel.[6] Though director A. P. Nagarajan had not bought the film rights to the story, Pudhumaipithan's family decided not to file a lawsuit against him.[7] Journalists also noted the film's similarities to the Tamil film Kalavathi (1951).[8]

## Soundtrack

[edit]

The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan.[9] The song "Komatha Engal Kulamatha" is set in Abheri, a Carnatic raga.[10]

Song | Singers | Length

|
|

"Agaramuthala" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:10
"Deivam Iruppathu Engey" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:32
"Kalviya Selvama Veerama" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:37
"Komatha Engal Kulamatha" | P. Susheela | 07:42
"Rani Maharani" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:12
"Thai Thantha" | P. Susheela | 03:29
"Uruvathaikattidum Kanaadi" | P. Susheela | 03:40

## Release and reception

[edit]

Saraswathi Sabatham was released on 3 September 1966,[11] and distributed by Sivaji Films.[12] On 17 September, The Indian Express wrote, "Fortified with massive sets, trick photography and sincere attempt at retaining the spirit of the theme Saraswathi Sabatham has before it an assured long run."[4] Kalki praised the acting of Sivaji Ganesan and other actors while also praising the music, cinematography and dialogues.[13] The film became a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.[14]

## Legacy

[edit]

Director K. Chandru's Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham (2013) was initially titled Saraswathi Sabatham, but this was changed after negative reactions from Ganesan's fans.[15] The song "Kalviya Selvama Veerama" was also featured in the 2022 film Vikram.[16]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Ganesan & Narayana Swamy 2007, p. 147.
2. ^ a b c Aravind, CV (20 June 2017). "Revisiting AP Nagarajan, the man who gave us immortal films like 'Thiruvilayadal' and 'Saraswathi Sabatham'". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
3. ^ Pillai, Swarnavel Eswaran (2015). Madras Studios: Narrative, Genre, and Ideology in Tamil Cinema. Sage Publications. p. 256\. ISBN 978-93-5150-212-8.
4. ^ a b c "Saraswathi Sabatham". The Indian Express. 17 September 1966. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2018 - via Google News Archive.
5. ^ "சிவகுமார் 101 | 1–10" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). 1 July 1979. pp. 6–8. Retrieved 16 July 2024 - via Internet Archive.
6. ^ Venkatachalapathy, A.R. (4 September 2017). "Pudumaippithan". Sahapedia. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
7. ^ Venkatachalapathy, A. R. (30 July 2021). "Vetrimaaran and Suriya's 'Vaadivaasal' sets a new benchmark". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
8. ^ "கோடம்பாக்கத்தின் முதல் ஸ்டுடியோவில் உருவான படம் எது தெரியுமா?". News18 (in Tamil). 23 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
9. ^ "Saraswathi Sabatham (1966)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
10. ^ "Peace and prosperity with ragas". The Hindu. 26 November 2004. Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
11. ^ "Saraswathi Sabatham". The Indian Express. 3 September 1966. p. 3. Retrieved 13 November 2018 - via Google News Archive.
12. ^ "Saraswathi Sabatham". The Indian Express. 27 August 1966. p. 3. Retrieved 15 April 2021 - via Google News Archive.
13. ^ "சரஸ்வதி சபதம்". Kalki (in Tamil). 25 September 1966. p. 25\. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023 - via Internet Archive.
14. ^ Ganesan & Narayana Swamy 2007, p. 241.
15. ^ Ramachandran, Mythily (28 November 2013). "'Naveena Saraswati Sabatham,' inspired by 'The Hangover'". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
16. ^ S, Srivatsan (3 June 2022). "'Vikram' movie review: Kamal Haasan steps back to watch Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi have fun in Lokesh Cinematic Universe". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Ganesan, Sivaji; Narayana Swamy, T. S. (2007) [2002]. Autobiography of an Actor: Sivaji Ganesan, October 1928 – July 2001. Sivaji Prabhu Charities Trust. OCLC 297212002.

## External links

[edit]

* Saraswathi Sabatham at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Works of A. P. Nagarajan

As director|

* Vadivukku Valai Kappu (1962)
* Kulamagal Radhai (1963)
* Navarathri (1964)
* Thiruvilaiyadal (1965)
* Saraswathi Sabatham (1966)
* Thiruvarutchelvar  (1967)
* Seetha (1967)
* Kandhan Karunai (1967)
* Thirumal Perumai (1968)
* Thillana Mohanambal (1968)
* Vaa Raja Vaa (1969)
* Gurudhakshaneiy (1969)
* Vilaiyattu Pillai (1970)
* Thirumalai Thenkumari (1970)
* Kankatchi (1971)
* Thirupathi Kanyakumari Yatra (1972)
* Agathiyar (1972)
* Thirumalai Deivam (1973)
* Rajaraja Cholan (1973)
* Karaikkal Ammaiyar (1973)
* Gumasthavin Magal (1974)
* Melnaattu Marumagal (1975)
* Jai Balaji (1976)
* Sri Krishna Leela  (1977)
* Navarathinam (1977)

As screenwriter only|

* Naalvar (1953)
* Mangalyam (1954)
* Pennarasi (1955)
* Nalla Thangai (1955)
* Town Bus (1955)
* Naan Petra Selvam (1956)
* Makkalai Petra Magarasi (1957)
* Nalla Idathu Sammandham (1958)
* Petra Maganai Vitra Annai (1958)
* Sampoorna Ramayanam (1958)
* Neelavukku Neranja Manasu (1958)
* Thayapola Pillai Noolapola Selai (1959)
* Alli Petra Pillai (1959)
* Paavai Vilakku (1960)
* Balaraju Katha (1970)

*[transl.]: translation
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template