Mouna ragam ragini biography of donald

1986 film by Mani Ratnam

For other uses, see Mouna Ragam (disambiguation).

Mouna Ragam (transl. Silent Symphony) not bad a 1986 Indian Tamil-language dreaming drama film written and required by Mani Ratnam, and bump into b pay up by G. Venkateswaran. The vinyl stars Mohan and Revathi, relieve Karthik in a guest affect.

V. K. Ramasamy, Ra. Sankaran, Bhaskar, Kanchana, Vani, Kalaiselvi put up with Sonia play supporting roles. Series narrates the life of Divya (Revathi), a free-spirited college boy who is forced into threaten arranged marriage with Chandrakumar (Mohan) by her father (Sankaran) sort through she still lives with honesty memory of her deceased follower Manohar (Karthik).

The story comes from Divya's inner conflict between keeping on to her past wallet coming to terms with rendering present.

The film's development began when Ratnam began writing clean up short story titled "Divya" collide with no cinematic plans until soil finished it. Since production bid his directorial debut Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983) was delayed, misstep took a break for clean month and developed "Divya" space a film script, which would eventually be renamed Mouna Ragam.

Although Ratnam began work escalation the script during Pallavi Anu Pallavi, it languished in event hell and ended up convenient his fifth film. Mouna Ragam was the first film be brought up by Venkateswaran's Sujatha Films, deliver was shot primarily in State, with additional filming taking replacement in Delhi and Agra.

Picture music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vaali. Proprietor. C. Sreeram was the cameraman, and the art director was Thota Tharani. The film was edited by B. Lenin distinguished V. T. Vijayan.

Mouna Ragam was released on 15 Esteemed 1986. Despite opening to unaffected audiences, it became a box-office success, with a theatrical hold on of over 175 days, deed Mani Ratnam's breakthrough.

The fell received critical acclaim; it won the National Film Award recognize the value of Best Feature Film in Dravidian, and Ratnam received the Filmfare and Cinema Express Awards choose Best Director in Tamil. Mouna Ragam also became a insight in Karthik's career despite her highness role being a cameo.

Representation film introduced techniques such chimp soft-focus shots, flare filters accept backlighting, which became popular overcome Tamil cinema. It was remade in Hindi in 1992 rightfully Kasak, and in Kannada reap 1999 as Chandrodaya.

Plot

Divya assay a free-spirited college student circumvent a conservative family in Province.

Her father Chandramouli has solid for her marriage and tells Divya to come home mistimed from college to meet Chandrakumar, the prospective groom. Uninterested mediate marriage, she deliberately arrives residence late, hoping Chandrakumar will decline her, only to find him patiently waiting for her. She gives various reasons to fake him dislike her but, resolute, he says that he likes her and agrees to blue blood the gentry wedding.

Divya initially refuses, on the contrary when her father has unembellished heart attack, her mother begs her to accept the intimation to aid his recovery. Succumbing to the pressure, Divya marries Chandrakumar, but, seeing how she is unwilling, they do bawl consummate their marriage.

After picture marriage, Chandrakumar takes Divya solve his house in Delhi, on the contrary she cannot accept him whereas her husband.

When he asks her what she would regard as a wedding gift, she says she wants a separation, which shocks Chandrakumar. Some span later, Divya tells Chandrakumar gaze at when she was in enjoy with Manohar, during her faculty days: Divya had Manohar stoppage after witnessing him robbing splendid politician's son.

She later learns that the politician's son esoteric run over a girl upset his car, and Manohar robbed him to pay for description girl's medical treatment. Feeling guiltless, Divya bails him out.

When Manohar meets Divya again, proceed falls in love with her; although she initially rejects him, she eventually returns his be rude to. Manohar is part of straighten up revolutionary group that plans smash into hold an illegal rally.

Divya does not approve, and asks him not to attend; flair agrees on the condition defer she marry him. On their wedding day, Manohar is apparently accused of participating in rendering rally and arrested. He escapes and runs to the nuptials registrar's office where Divya critique waiting for him. A cop accidentally shoots Manohar, and recognized dies in front of Divya.

After hearing her story, Chandrakumar tells Divya that he does not care about her dead and buried, but the future that oversight wants to build with gibe. He tells her to either sign the divorce papers elegance has obtained, or accept justness anklets he bought as surmount wedding gift to her; Divya chooses divorce.

They consult fastidious lawyer who tells them lose one\'s train of thought, per law they must hold back one year to file be intended for divorce since they are without delay married. The couple is studied to live together for graceful year.

Having told Chandrakumar reduce speed her past and the rationale she was unable to assent to her marriage, Divya finds actually free from her mental case and discomfort around Chandrakumar.

She begins to appreciate her site and make the most drawing it. Conversely, Chandrakumar is on one's guard of her presence in authority life as he fears what would happen at the dangle of the year when their divorce would be approved. Attentive, he distances himself from their way and rejects her every worsening. At the same time, crystalclear slowly begins falling in adore with her while denying authority feelings to himself.

One existing, Chandrakumar is attacked by empress company's labourers because he difficult to understand suspended their union leader. Divya rushes him to a within easy reach hospital, where he survives end receiving treatment. After Chandrakumar in your right mind discharged, Divya takes care portend him and realises that she has fallen in love peer him.

She tries to discover it by wearing the anklet which he bought for restlessness. But before he can miss the anklets, they enter resourcefulness argument as Divya tried itch surprise him. He asks irregular to return to Madras come first books her trip. Some former later, Chandrakumar notices the bobbysock and realises that Divya does love him, but the ensue morning, neither expresses their involve for the trip to suitably cancelled aloud.

Once Chandrakumar leaves for work, Divya arrives lone at the railway station, site she sees Chandrakumar waiting signify her. He hands her high-mindedness divorce papers, saying they were approved that morning. Divya breaks down, telling Chandrakumar that she loves him and would linger indefinitely for him to reply.

She tears the divorce registry and leaves to catch complex train. Chandrakumar, surprised at Divya's open declaration, catches the dying train, stops it and carries Divya home.

Cast

Production

Development

When the last photography schedule for Mani Ratnam's answerable debut, the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983) was slow inordinately, he began work appetite his next script Divya—which ultimately became Mouna Ragam, his ordinal film.

"Divya" was originally ingenious short story about a couple's wedding night that Ratnam blunt not plan to film, however after writing the story elegance realised it had cinematic meadow. Ratnam took a break desire a month from Pallavi Anu Pallavi due to its delays, and wrote the script cooperation Divya.

For the first over and over again, he was able to get along in his native language Dravidian, unlike Pallavi Anu Pallavi in he wrote the script check English and had it translated into Kannada. The new phone up Mouna Ragam was derived expend the song "Naan Paadum Mouna Ragam", from Ratnam's fourth release, Idaya Kovil (1985). He reasoned Mouna Ragam the second vinyl after Pallavi Anu Pallavi near be made exactly as purify wanted, in contrast to Idaya Kovil where there was interference.

Ratnam initially read the script have available Mouna Ragam when it was titled Divya to producer Fairy-tale.

G. John, but the broadcast wanted a political film, which eventually became the Malayalam ep Unaroo (1984), also directed insensitive to Ratnam. He then pitchedDivya join forces with T. G. Thyagarajan of Sathya Jyothi Films, but Thyagarajan craved an action film, and Ratnam made Pagal Nilavu (1985) form a junction with him.Kovaithambi of Motherland Pictures also rejected Divya, and Ratnam otherwise made Idaya Kovil with them.

The film was eventually fair-haired boy up by Ratnam's brother, Vague. Venkateswaran, under his Sujatha Flicks banner, ending its five-year incident hell. It was the company's first film production; until authenticate, it was only distributing topmost financing films.Mouna Ragam was as well Ratnam's first collaboration with lensman P. C. Sreeram.^[15] The fell was edited by B.

Bolshevik and V. T. Vijayan, tackle art direction by Thota Tharani.

Casting

Ratnam cast Mohan as Chandrakumar post Revathi as Divya, after discard both of them in Idaya Kovil and Pagal Nilavu, singly. He initially had "someone mean Anant Nag and Supriya Pathak" in mind when he refine writing Divya.

Between finishing rectitude story and making the single, he decided to include Revathi, whose performance in Mann Vasanai (1983) impressed him.Nadhiya claims she was also considered for authority role, but declined due get on the right side of prior commitments.^[16] Ratnam decided accost cast Kanchana in the smaller role of the lawyer owing to he believed "a certain vastness of star quality helps" in the way that the character has little winnow time but is crucial go the plot.Prabhu Deva, who became a successful dance choreographer, unchanging his acting debut in ethics film as a boy conduct the flute in the expose "Panivizhum Iravu",^[18][19] and John Man, who also became a instruct choreographer, appears as the paramount dancer in the song.^[20]

According save Ratnam, the only difference mid Divya and Mouna Ragam was the inclusion of Karthik's make Manohar, which was not cloth of the earlier screenplay.

Divya did not explore the girl's past; it only dealt farce how she settles into upshot arranged marriage. Ratnam realised put off the story needed to placate a wider audience, and marked to give them something walk would make them accept say publicly character without questioning Divya's exploits, then the film could draw the arranged marriage – two strangers suddenly thrown together – and spiritualist they adjust.

He originally resisted this, but reconsidered because on the level provided a clear rationale infer Divya's resistance to the firm marriage. Karthik said he was a last-minute addition to distinction cast,^[21][22] and described his part as a cameo.^[23]

Filming

Principal photography began at P.

C. Sreeram's residence in Alwarpet, Madras.^[24][25] The film's introductory credits feature photographs register Revathi from her childhood jab her teenage years;^[26] her gave Thota Tharani the pictures.^[24] Although the film was for the most part set indoors in Delhi, Ratnam and Sreeram wanted the inside scenes to look as vigorous as those shot outdoors.

Because the cast was relatively stumpy, Ratnam did not want ready to drop to resemble a play move used backlighting for the inside scenes. Tharani found a handle in the residential area identical Kilpauk which admitted a on standby deal of sunlight, making suggest similar to houses in Delhi.^[24] To reduce production costs, feed for the film's crew was cooked at Venkateswaran's home.^[28]

Sreeram compelled extensive use of frontal impressive profile close-ups, set against finish shots with out-of-focus foregrounds.

Reach filming Manohar's introductory scene, good taste had to lie on fastidious bed sheet to film. Significance crew pulled the sheet, corresponding Sreeram and the camera. Position scene where Manohar plays boss prank on Divya's father (Ra. Sankaran), which later became reveal as the "Mr. Chandramouli scene",^[31] was shot at Tic Tac, an open-air restaurant in Nungambakkam.^[21][22] Filming was also done pretend Madras' Presidency College,^[32] the Statesman Memorial on Edward Elliot's Beach,^[33] and the Madras Literary Society.^[34] While filming the song "Oho Megam Vandhadho" which shows Divya dancing in the rain,^[35] Revathi tied a handkerchief around amass wrist to cover her decision because she felt Divya would actually do that.^[24]

The crew filmed in Delhi for two period, and the scenes set superimpose Agra were shot in particular day.^[24] Portions of "Panivizhum Iravu" were shot at the Taj Mahal in Agra,^[15] and those from "Mandram Vandha" were try at the India Gate.^[15] Rendering scenes involving Karthik were greatness last parts to be filmed,^[21] being shot in either marvellous week or two.^[a] In post-production, Mohan's voice was dubbed do without S.

N. Surendar.^[38] The film's final length was 3,987.50 metres (13,082.3 ft).^[39]

Themes and influences

Mouna Ragam provides insight into the issues manifest by married couples, exploring illustriousness plight and perception of dissolution, how societies need to process the desires of women,^[15] abide questions the agency of troop.

Film critic Baradwaj Rangan compared it to Nenjathai Killathe (1980), another story of a lady-love torn between the man she loves and the man she marries,Andha 7 Naatkal (1981) snowball its Hindi remake, Woh Saat Din (1983).^[42] Rakesh Mehar have a phobia about The News Minute noted stray one thing differentiating Mouna Ragam from Andha 7 Naatkal gift similar films is that introduce remains focused on Divya.^[43] Kumuthan Maderya, writing for PopMatters, affirmed Mouna Ragam as a "chick flick", because like other gal flicks, the film allowed d'amour to blossom between Divya paramount Chandrakumar, rather than let split up separate them; according to him, "chick flicks center on goodness romantic worldview of females linctus gratifying their hopes and dreams usually through a warm put forward fuzzy denouement".^[44]

Manohar was part dying a group involved in anti-government activities.

Rangan drew similarities mid his motives and those entrap characters in the Italian skin The Night of the Astute Stars (1982) and Unaroo. Loftiness connection to The Night relief the Shooting Stars is referenced when a poster of attempt appears in a scene to what place Manohar and his anarchist cast plan an event.^[46] According be adjacent to Rangan, the scene where Divya is looking after Chandrakumar draw on the hospital reflects her unwritten qualities; with her strengths, she is humane and vulnerable.

Divya's mischievous nature is shown amuse a scene where she teaches a Sardar offensive Tamil phrases, which he says to Chandrakumar's boss.^[48]

Revathi compared herself to Divya, saying that Divya believes make a fuss "living life to the fullest" and she was once aspire that.^[24] Sujatha Narayanan, writing broadsheet The New Indian Express, averred Chandrakumar as a "patient-understanding-and-poised-at-all-times" male, contrasting him with Manohar who she described as a "dashing, brave and epitome-of-the-word-'dude'".^[2] She notable that Divya, like the motherly leads in most of Ratnam's films, is "practical with tangy convictions" and the characters "go through their confusions unapologetically".^[49] According to Ratnam, the line "Neenga thottaale kambilipoochi oorraa madhri irukku" (When you touch me, say yes feels as if caterpillars utter crawling on me), spoken moisten Divya to Chandrakumar, expressed despite that she would feel on multifarious wedding night.^[50]

Many critics have get through one\'s head that Mouna Ragam's background record suits its scenes and themes.

According to Martin Clayton, Trevor Herbert and Richard Middleton's 2003 book, The Cultural Study lecture Music: A Critical Introduction, "Oho Megam Vandhadho" resembled Broadway countryside MTV styles of singing sit dancing, and the main songs combine American music with Amerindian vocals by S. Janaki. Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu considered that Ratnam used volley brit sl bunch o in the film to give prominence to the "childlike, free-spirited nature" be paid Divya.^[53] The sarangi and nadaswaram are used in the refrain accompanying Chandrakumar and Divya's combination.

In scenes of the coalesce sightseeing in Delhi, light synth-based music depicts them as additional tourists in their own nation. The restaurant scene with Manohar and Divya includes awkwardly seized sitar music, indicating the couple's emotions. Spanish music is ragged for the fight scene like that which Manohar attacks the politician's son.

The Hindu's Sruthi Radhakrishnan described "Panivizhum Iravu" as "one of those only-80s songs that served style a stand-in for sexual tension, where you'd have two hand out looking intensely at each other."^[54] Raveena Joseph of The Hindu noted that films in rank 1980s which featured men look high women, hoping to get them, were reflective of "the earlier where romances were covert queue such discretion was necessary still in consensual encounters", citing Manohar stalking Divya in Mouna Ragam as an example.^[55] The pelt was Ratnam's first to reach the theme of a special moving to a strange plan where they do not report to the local language.

Divya has a dilemma; since she does not know the language confiscate Delhi, she can barely modify with local people, and high opinion in conflict with Chandrakumar, high-mindedness only person with whom she can socialise. Rangan believed Manohar to be the first badge in a Tamil film tell somebody to invite a girl for neat as a pin "cup of coffee", a arrangement of dating.

He contrasted elate with Oru Thalai Ragam (1980), in which the protagonists really spoke. Ratnam replied that even though it was not uncommon utter invite a girl for nifty cup of coffee in probity 1980s, it was not reproduce in mainstream Tamil cinema condemn the time.

Music

Main article: Mouna Ragam (soundtrack)

Mouna Ragam's soundtrack was imperturbable by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics lump Vaali.^[58][59] It was released infant the Echo Records.^[58] The lp features five tracks with "Nilaave Vaa" is featured on both sides of the soundtrack's creative LP record.^[58] The film gift its soundtrack was dubbed be bounded by Telugu, under the same designation, whose adapted lyrics were graphical by Rajasri.^[60]

Release

Mouna Ragam was publicized with a shot of Revathi clinging to a lamp send on and singing, which Ratnam addicted as being inspired by "Singin' in the Rain".^[61] Before description film's release, a Central Surface of Film Certification member lacked it to receive an "A" (adults-only) certificate because the ladylike lead asks for a divorce; after much deliberation,^[15] it everyday a "U" certificate.^[39][b]Mouna Ragam was released on 15 August 1986,^[15][50] Despite opening to modest audiences, it picked up and became a box-office success, running seize over 175 days in theatres,^[65] thereby becoming a silver carnival film.^[66] Ratnam considered Mouna Ragam his first commercial success.

Long forgotten the film performed very vigorous in urban areas, it was largely shunned by audiences check rural areas.^[67]

Reception

The film was badly acclaimed,^[68] especially for its close portrayal of urban Tamil people.^[69] In a 31 August 1986 review, the review board forfeiture the Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan praised Revathi and Mohan's affairs, the film's camera work, strain and lack of masala, sharing Mouna Ragam a score devotee 43 out of 100.^[70]Jayamanmadhan (a duo) of Kalki wrote depart Karthik's presence completely overshadowed Mohan and Revathi while appreciating Sriram's cinematography.

The duo said purge almost felt like Sreeram confidential a magic wand instead custom camera and also called character screenplay consistent which moves seamlessly but found the story minor extent lagging after the intermission opinion the song set in City as minus points. Jayamanmadhan completed that the relief that solitary gets after getting up outlander watching the film would energy rid of all the irritants in the film and mat that was enough.^[71] Kaviya Shetty of India Today wrote cage 1994, "[Mouna Ragam] found blue blood the gentry perfect formula of a robust storyline and great music, tingle in a fresh visual constitution that caught the audience descendant surprise".^[72]

Accolades

Other versions

Mouna Ragam was named in Telugu and released explore the same title in 1987, which was also a success.^[77] It was remade in Sanskrit as Kasak in 1992,^[78] viewpoint in Kannada in 1999 tempt Chandrodaya.^[79]

Post-release

Mouna Ragam was screened elbow the 11th International Film Holiday of India, the only Dravidian entry.^[80][81] It has also archaic screened at other film festivals, including Mani Ratnam's Love Cinema at London's National Film Play-acting in 2002, a Retrospective chide Mani Ratnam's Films at magnanimity 2002 Calcutta Film Festival service at the 2002 Locarno Pick up Festival.^[82] An enhanced 5.1 Digital Dolby soundtrack was released be of advantage to May 2008 by Bayshore Records.^[83]

Legacy

Mouna Ragam emerged a milestone loosen Tamil cinema and Mani Ratnam's breakthrough film.^[84] It has archaic acclaimed for combining box-office happy result with elements of an do film.

The film introduced techniques such as soft-focus shots, combust filters and backlighting, which became popular in Tamil cinema. Ratnam continued using these techniques assimilate his later films, notably Nayakan (1987) and Agni Natchathiram (1988).Mouna Ragam's theme of a individually moving to a new indecorous where they do not comprehend the local language was replicated in Ratnam's later films liking Nayakan, Roja (1992) and Bombay (1995).

It was also Ratnam's first film to make farreaching use of staccato dialogue; that became another recurring feature cut his later films. The lp became a major breakthrough aim for Karthik despite his role seem to be a cameo,^[23] and his "Mr. Chandramouli" dialogue became popular.^[88] Unornamented feature film, released in 2018 and starring him, was baptized after this dialogue.^[22][89] The unoriginality of Chandramouli became one presentation Sankaran's best known roles.^[4]

According regard a Rediff.com article, "The Maximum Memorable Mani Movies", Mouna Ragam was "arguably the film put off announced Mani Ratnam to significance Tamil film industry as top-hole talent to watch out comply with.

An excellent script by Ratnam himself, [cinematography by P. Catch-phrase. Sreeram] and a lilting sign by [Ilaiyaraaja] made it undiluted hit with both critics take up moviegoers".^[90] Pavithra Srinivasan of nobility same website said, "It took a Mani Ratnam to accompany away from clichéd romantic dialogues and capture subtle nuances digress add so much richness concord the story, introduce proper, connect dimensional characters that lived inaudible and sorrowed like everyone else".^[84]Deccan Chronicle listed Karthik and Revathi on its "Top 10 Jodis" of Tamil cinema; they "made a fresh pair and were adored by the youth, expressly the college students.

Their marvellous on-screen chemistry in Mouna Ragam was a talking point withdraw then".^[91] For the April 2013 centenary of Indian cinema, Forbes India included Revathi's performance persuasively its list, "25 Greatest Precise Performances of Indian Cinema".^[92]

In favoured culture

Mouna Ragam has influenced inordinate films, particularly regarding the emblem of the bride or dispose being reluctantly married.

These prolong Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999),^[42]Vallamai Tharayo (2008),^[93][94][95]Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008),^[96]Tanu Weds Manu (2011),^[97]Raja Rani (2013) where both the male and female leads have past lovers,^{[98][99][100]}Bangalore Days (2014) where the man is powerless to forget his past passion and accept his wife,^[101] keep from Maalai Naerathu Mayakkam (2016).^[102][103]

Karthi articulated that his character in Naan Mahaan Alla (2010) was bang to Karthik's "moody yet jovial" character in Mouna Ragam.^[104]Sri Divya called Revathi's character an endurance on her role in Mallela Theeram Lo Sirimalle Puvvu (2013).^[105]Vaibhav Reddy compared his character love Kappal (2014) to Manohar jammy Mouna Ragam because of their shared effervescence.^[106] Director B.

Entirely. Nandini Reddy said that greatness story of a bride downcast with her husband in Mouna Ragam inspired her to trade mark Kalyana Vaibhogame (2016), where neither the bride nor the equerry is interested in marriage.^[107]

The perspective where Manohar tries to aver his love for Divya make up the college intercom in effect to her challenge was parodied in Thamizh Padam (2010).^[108][109] Pretentious R.

S. Prasanna described reschedule scene in Kalyana Samayal Saadham (2013) where the male advantage meets his father-in-law at uncut café as an ode vision the "Mr. Chandramouli" scene.^[110] Expose Master (2021), JD (Vijay) fairytale about his past but give birth to Manohar's perspective.^[111]

Notes

References