Mannathi Mannan
title: "Mannathi Mannan" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1960-films", "1960s-historical-action-films", "1960-indian-films", "1960s-tamil-language-films", "films-about-royalty", "films-scored-by-viswanathan–ramamoorthy", "indian-historical-action-films", "tamil-language-indian-films"] topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannathi_Mannan" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox film"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Mannathi Mannan |
| image | Mannathi Mannan.jpg |
| caption | Theatrical release poster |
| director | M. Natesan |
| story | Kannadasan |
| starring | M. G. Ramachandran |
| Anjali Devi | |
| Padmini | |
| producer | M. Natesan |
| music | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy |
| cinematography | G. K. Ramu |
| C. J. Mohan | |
| editing | C. P. Jambulingam |
| S. Krishnamoorthy | |
| Rajan | |
| studio | Natesh Art Pictures |
| released | |
| runtime | 178 minutes |
| country | India |
| language | Tamil |
| :: |
| name = Mannathi Mannan | image = Mannathi Mannan.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = M. Natesan | story = Kannadasan | starring = M. G. Ramachandran Anjali Devi Padmini | producer = M. Natesan | music = Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | cinematography = G. K. Ramu C. J. Mohan | editing = C. P. Jambulingam S. Krishnamoorthy Rajan | studio = Natesh Art Pictures | released = | runtime = 178 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil
Mannathi Mannan ( ) is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language historical action film directed and produced by M. Natesan. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Anjali Devi and Padmini. It was released on 19 October 1960, during Diwali.
Plot
Dancer Chitra and prince of Uraiyur Manivannan fall in love with each other after meeting in a dance competition. However, Chola King Kanikannan also desires Chitra. Meanwhile, Manivannan's father, the Cheran King sends his minister, seeking the hand of Karpagavalli, daughter of King Karigala, for his son. But the King thwarts this proposal, talking ill of the heredity of Manivannan's mother. Unable to bear his mother being insulted, Manivannan goes to the Chola kingdom and abducts Karpagavalli. In the meantime, a dacoit, played very cleverly by Kanikannan, forces Manivannan to marry Karpagavalli.
Cast
Cast according to the opening credits of the film ;Male Cast
- M. G. R. as Manivannan
- P. S. Veerappa as Kanikannan
- M. G. Chakrapani as Karikala Chozhan
- Kula Deivam V. R. Rajagopal as Balaraman
- N. S. Narayana Pillai
- Azhwar Kuppusami
- P. S. Venkatachalam
- R. M. Sethupathi
- Thirupathisami
- T. V. Sivanantham
;Female Cast
- Anjali as Karpagavalli
- Padmini as Chithra
- Ragini
- G. Sakunthala as Mangayarkarasi
- Lakshmiprabha ;Dance
- Lakshmi Rajyam, Rita, T. S. Jayanthi, T. S. Kamala, D. Madhuri, T. K. Rajeswari, Revathi, Sakunthala, C. R. Mohana, G. Bala, G. Sundari, Leela, N. Meera, B. Shantha, K. Rajeswari, Rajamma, Vittoba, J. N. Rajam, G. Kamala, Nagu and P. T. Saroja.
Soundtrack
The music composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. The song "Aadatha Manamum" is based on Latangi raga. Among the 14 songs, the solo song by P. Susheela 'Kankal irandum enru unnai kandu pesuma', chiefly picturized on Padmini,with interspersed fighting scenes by MGR, and also clips of agony felt by Anjali Devi, has been acclaimed by Susheela's peers as well as the public as one of her best. It had stood the test of time, as one of the superbly tuned sad melody to appear in Tamil movies.
::data[format=table]
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Aadadha Manamum Undo" | T. M. Soundararajan & M. L. Vasanthakumari | A. Maruthakasi | 03:59 |
| "Aadum Mayile Azhagu Mayile" | K. Jamuna Rani & L. R. Eswari | 02:28 | |
| "Achcham Enbadhu Madamaiada" | T. M. Soundararajan | Kannadasan | 03:09 |
| "Avala Ivala Therndhu Edu" | L. R. Eswari & L. R. Anjali | 02:38 | |
| "Engalin Rani" | Jikki & K. Jamuna Rani | A. Maruthakasi | 04:11 |
| "Kangal Irandum enru Unnai kandu" | P. Susheela | Kannadasan | 04:04 |
| "Kaaduthazhaikka.... Kanniyar Perumai" | S. C. Krishnan & P. Leela | 04:53 | |
| "Kaaviri Thaaye Kaaviri Thaaye" | K. Jamuna Rani | 03:08 | |
| "Kadhar Kozhunan" | Sirkazhi Govindarajan | ||
| "Kalaiyodu Kalandhadhu Unmai" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 03:39 | |
| "Kaniya Kaniya Mazhalai Pesum" | T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela | 03:57 | |
| "Neeyo Nano Yaar Nilave" | P. B. Sreenivas, K. Jamuna Rani & P. Susheela | 03:29 | |
| "Paadupatta Thannale" | S. C. Krishnan | ||
| "Thandai Kondu" | T. M. Soundararajan | 07:62 | |
| :: |
Release and reception
Mannathi Mannan was released on 19 October 1960, during Diwali. It was previously scheduled for 30 September. The Indian Express wrote "the story could have been very well developed in a different way [..] Anyway the picture is replete with romance, dance and fight" and praised the performances of star cast including Padmini. Kanthan of Kalki called it a very ordinary film, but good by Ramachandran standards. Despite facing competition from Kairasi, Petra Manam, and Paavai Vilakku, released on the same day, the film became a commercial success. It achieved cult status in Tamil cinema, and the song "Achcham Enbadhu Madamaiada" helped Ramachandran become a "cultural icon".
References
References
- "Mannathi Mannan ( EP 45 RPM )".
- "Mannadhi Mannan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)".
- Mani, Charulatha. (20 July 2012). "Sweet and sour Lathangi". [[The Hindu]].
- "1960 – மன்னாதி மன்னன் – நடேஷ் ஆர்ட் பிக்.".
- (14 May 2016). "சரோஜா தேவி: 4. எம்.ஜி.ஆர். சாப்பாடு...!". [[Dinamalar]].
- (25 September 1960). "மன்னாதி மன்னன்".
- (23 October 1960). "Mannaathi Mannan". [[The Indian Express]].
- காந்தன். (6 November 1960). "மன்னாதி மன்னன்".
- (2 August 2020). "தீபாவளிக்கு வெளியான தமிழ் படங்கள் – 3".
- Guy, Randor. (28 April 2012). "Blast from the past: Mannaathi Mannan (1960)". [[The Hindu]].
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