Sarangadhara (1958 film)

Sarangadhara is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language film directed by V. S. Raghavan and written by S. D. Sundharam. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi. Based on the epic of the same name by Gurajada Apparao, it has music by G. Ramanathan and was released on 15 August 1958.

Cast
Cast according to the opening credits:


 * Male
 * Sivaji Ganesan as Sarangadhara
 * S. V. Ranga Rao as Narendran
 * M. N. Nambiar as Mahadevan
 * Muthukrishnan as Sumandran
 * Karunanidhi as Karunanidhi
 * Sayeeram as Medhavi
 * Venkatachalam as Chitrangadhan
 * Harihara Bhagavathar as Rajasekhar
 * Santhanam and Ezhumalai as priests
 * C. V. V. Panthulu as the poet


 * Female
 * P. Bhanumathi as Chitrangi
 * P. Santha Kumari as Rathnangi
 * P. Rajasulochana as Kanakangi
 * Muthulakshmi as Madhavi
 * Mohana as Mallika
 * Chandra as Maya
 * Dance
 * Kamala Lakshmanan
 * E. V. Saroja

Production
Sarangadhara is the third Tamil film based on the epic of the same name by Gurajada Apparao, following a 1935 film and the 1936 film Naveena Sarangadhara. The screenplay was written by S. D. Sundharam, cinematography was handled by N. C. Balakrishnan and editing by V. S. Rajan. It is Sivaji Ganesan's 50th film as an actor.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by G. Ramanathan. Lyrics were by A. Maruthakasi. The song "Vasantha Mullai" became hugely popular was later remixed by Mani Sharma for Pokkiri (2007). The song is set in Charukesi raga.

Release and reception
Sarangadhara was released on 15 August 1958, and distributed by Annamalai Corporation. Ananda Vikatan negatively reviewed the film, saying it was like watching a play and not an actual film.