Satyam (1976 film)

1976 Indian film

Satyam

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| S. A. Kannan
Screenplay by| Vietnam Veedu Sundaram
Based on| Vidhi
by S. A. Kannan
Produced by| P. M. Shanmugam
G. M. Mani
Starring|

* Sivaji Ganesan
* Devika
* Kamal Haasan
* Manjula
* Jayachitra

Cinematography| K. S. Prasad
Edited by| R. Devarajan
Music by| K. V. Mahadevan

Production
company

Sri Shanmugamani Films

Release date

* 6 May 1976 (1976-05-06)

Running time

| 138 minutes
Country| India
Language| Tamil

Satyam (transl. The Truth) is a 1976 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by S. A. Kannan and written by Vietnam Veedu Sundaram. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Kamal Haasan, Manjula, Devika and Jayachitra. The film has Haasan playing the younger brother of Ganesan.[1][2] It was adapted from Kannan's play Vidhi.

## Plot

[edit]

Dharmalingam is the chieftain of his village known for keeping his word and his pacifism. His wife Sivakami, educated brother Kumaran and Kumaran's betrothed, Vani, live together happily. Gowri, Kumaran's college mate who also happens to be the richest woman in the village falls in love with Kumaran.

Sokkanathan is Gowri's guardian and is classist wanting to keep the poor poor so that they stay under him. Due to his machinations, the poor villagers' house get burnt. Seeing Dharmalingan's plight and tears, Gowri promises to rebuild their houses and give them the lands she has in excess much to chagrin on Sokkanathan. She even fires Sokkanathan upon her eighteenth birthday as her agent leaving him rudderless. Due to her beneficent nature, Dharmalingan gives her a carte blanch word that she can ask anything she wants at anytime which he will give her so long it is in his power. She uses this to her advantage and asks for Kumaran. After a huge showdown, Kumaran succumbs to pressure and marries Gowri deciding to punish his own brother and Gowri.

He takes back everything Gowri has given and refuses to even see his brother. Vani meanwhile has taken up ascetism and starts living in temple. Kumaran gets into a major accident which causes everyone to gather together and in the end, Vani fasts to death praying to God which helps Kumaran survive at the cost of Vani's life.

## Cast

[edit]

* Sivaji Ganesan as Dharmalingam Devar
* Devika as Sivakami
* Kamal Haasan as Kumaran
* Manjula as Gowri
* Jayachitra as Vani
* M. N. Nambiar as Sokkanathan
* S. V. Subbaiah as Pattalathu Thatha
* Major Sundarrajan as Police Inspector
* V. K. Ramasamy as Vallinayagam
* Nagesh as Ambi
* K. K. Soundar as a villager
* Karuppu Subbiah as a villager
* T. K. S. Natarajan as a villager
* Typist Gopu as Iyer
* Neelu as Iyer
* Usilai Mani as Iyer
* Comedy Shanmuagam as Iyer
* Aalam as a Dancer
* Pushpamala

## Production

[edit]

Satyam was an adaptation of the play Vidhi.[3] The play was written by S. A. Kannan who directed the film adaptation. Kamal Haasan was paired with Manjula which remained their only collaboration in their career.[4]

## Soundtrack

[edit]

The soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics were written by Kannadasan.[5][6] The song "Kalyana Kovilil" attained popularity.[4]

Track listingNo.| Title| Lyrics| Singer(s)| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Kalyana Kovilil"| Kannadasan| S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela|
2.| "Azhagam Kodi"| Kannadasan| S. P. Balasubramanyam, P. Susheela|
3.| "Kalyana Kovilil" (sad)| Kannadasan| P. Susheela|
4.| "Pottane Oru"| Kannadasan| T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam|
5.| "Amma Mel Aanayittu"|  |  |

## Reception

[edit]

Kanthan of Kalki wrote the screenplay, which was proceeding smoothly and calmly till the interval, then reaches the fate of a ship battered by a storm; what saves the film from this accident is the unparalleled performance of the actors and actresses.[7]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "தண்ணி கருத்திருச்சு..." Dinamalar (in Tamil). 26 December 2014. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
2. ^ "181-190". nadigarthilagam.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
3. ^ "'திரை இசைத் திலகம் கேவி மகாதேவன் -40- பிஜிஎஸ் மணியன் எழுதும் தொடர்". Andhimazhai (in Tamil). 26 January 2015. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
4. ^ a b "Black & White Photographs From The Cinema Resource Centre Archives (XIX)". The Cinema Resource Centre. 7 April 2020. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
5. ^ "Sathiyam". Gaana. Archived from the original on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
6. ^ "Sathyam Tamil Film EP Vinyl Record by K V Mahadevan". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
7. ^ காந்தன் (30 May 1976). "சத்யம்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 31\. Archived from the original on 28 July 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Satyam at IMDb

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*[transl.]: translation
*[No.]: Number