thillana mohanambal

Nadigar thilakam Chevalier Shivaji Ganesan and naatya peroli Padmini star along with AVM Rajan, Balaiyya, danaal Thangavelu, Balaji, Nambiar, Nagesh and many others in this bharathnatyam and nadaswaram based romance.
Sikkil Shanmugasundaram is an excellent nadaswaram player, who is much renowned for his skill and self - respect. On one such occasion, as the crackers were being burst for a celebration, he cuts short his programme and leaves. Mohana, known for her dancing skills, is lost in Shanmugam's skill and requests him to stay and watch her dance. Although Shanmugam is captivated by Mohana's beauty, he refuses to stay and watch, also speaking rudely. A while later, he does end up watching her dance secretly.
The local big shot, Nagalingam, tries to get Mohana for himself, but she insults his feelings. As a revenge, he tries to kidnap her, but the plot is stopped and Mohana ends up travelling home in the same train as Shanmugam's. Their romance blooms.
As Shanmugam alights from the train, the right hand of Singapuram Minor notices Mohana. Shanmugam is scheduled to play in this Minor's party, but refuses as no one seems to be respecting his trade. Minor is furious, but he does nothing.
Minor, then, devotes his time in capturing Mohana's heart. With some manipulation by Mohana's mum, Vadivambal, Minor ends up being engaged to Mohana (so does the news travel). Mohana is enraged. At the same time, Shanmugam tries to meet Mohana, but returns when he hears the engagement news. With a heavy heart, he leaves for one of his good friend's.
When Mohana figures out the mixup, she arrives where Shanmugam is and challenges him to play while she dances in a famous festival devoted to Saint Thyagarajar - Thiruvaroor Thyagaraja utsavam. They compete as planned and both of them emerge victorious. The old villain, Nagalingam, injures Shanmugam with a knife and he is hospitalised.
The first program he accepts, after his recovery, is the trip to Madanpur, since Mohana is also attending. Now Madapur maharaja wants to Mohana for himself and tricks Mohana to his room. Shanmugam sees Mohana going into the royalty's room and is disgusted.
Mohana puts up a brave fight against the maharaja and finally is saved by the queen. She runs out of the room, only to find Shanmugam with piercing words and she runs away to commit suicide. Maharaja, then tells the truth to Shanmugam, who is remorseful. He hears that Mohana is to commit suicide and runs to help her. All ends well.
No words to describe the acting, which was exceptional by all in the movie. I can probably write a paragraph about each actor and still words or the praise would not be suffice to truly say how well the movie was. Even though it was an old movie that I have watched more than 10 times, it still captivates me everytime I see it.
Shivaji comes of well as a nadaswaram player. The makeup and the getup was perfect. More perfect were his behaviour and actions which were comparable to a real nadaswaram artist. The scene at the Thyagarajar festival, when he gets hit by a knife, was a bit of an overact with his jumping around like an injured eel, but otherwise, it was well done.
Padmini is truly beautiful and does facial expressions well, but she could really master a little more grace. There doesn't seem to be much difference between cardio aerobics and her bharatnatyam. Sometimes I wonder if it is a man in those clothes. I have to say, her sisters, Lalitha and Ragini perform with much grace, although they don't have as pretty a face.
There is good chemistry between Shivaji and Padmini, which makes the show enjoyable. But then, with good acting and looks in those days, pretty much all actors shared good chemistry on screen.
One of the other commendable actors were Balaiyya. I have always loved this guy. He reminds me of my paternal grandfather in looks and my maternal grandfather in his behaviour. He is so enjoyable to look at and watch. Very natural and realistic acting, yet he has his own style. The scenes, where he is in the train, are just too memorable and enjoyable. So are the scenes when he is trying to cajole Sivaji into watching Padmini's dance.
The lady who acted as Mohana's mother was another classic actor. I can't remember her name, but I have seen her as a female villain (villi) in many movies and she has truly portrayed the character as it should have been.
Although other characters have had small roles to play, they have carried it with good confidence and skill.
Music was absolutely fabulous. Great work by K.V.Mahadevan. T.M.S. didn't have a chance in this movie, considering Sivaji's character was a nadaswaram player, but it was well substituted by the tunes and background. The starting performance of the nadaswaram was a beautiful Abheri raagam based tune - which was my favourite. Also the bit that was played when Shanmugam visits Jiljil.
A great movie worth multiple watches.