VASAN'S MEGA FILM 'CHANDRALEKHA'S 70 YEARS!

- Manoj Kulkarni

T. R. Rajakumari with famous drum dance sequence of film 'Chandralekha' (1948).

'Gemini Studio's great filmmaker S. S. Vasan!

Known as Cecil B. De Mille of Indian Cinema Founder of 'Gemini Studios' great South Indian Filmmaker S. S. Vasan's mega film 'Chandralekha' completed 70 years!

Tamil historical adventure film 'Chandralekha' (1948).

One of the milestones in the history of our Indian Cinema..Tamil (costume drama) adventure film 'Chandralekha' (1948) was produced & directed by 'Gemini's great Vasan! It follows a story of two brothers fight over ruling their father's kingdom & marrying village dancer Chandralekha! Veppathur Kitto, Kothamangalam Subbu & K. J. Mahadevan wrote this film in which M. K. Radha, Ranjan & T. R. Rajakumari played the main roles!

Famous drum dance sequence of..S. S. Vasan's great film 'Chandralekha' (1948).

One of the most expensive films in the history of Indian cinema.. 'Chandralekha' took five years to complete. This film is famous for it's huge drum dance sequence which contributed in the climax! 
Vasan greatly arranged and filmed it! Kamal Ghosh & K. Ramnoth cinematographed this film and Chandru did editing. For this S. Rajeswara Rao & M. D. Parthasarathy composed the music!

Hindi version of film 'Chandralekha' (1948).

This popular film latter made in Hindi for which Agha Jani Kashmiri & Pandit Indra wrote the dialogues with some scripting. Film included re-shots scenes with some changes in artists! Vasan only directed this version and with the big success of this film South Indian cinema became prominent in throughout India!

I still remember this film & it's drum dance sequence..which first watched during our Film Appreciation Course in 1989 at FTII!

Salute to great Vasan sahab & 'Chandralekha'!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India]