Sumaithaangi

Sumaithaangi is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language drama film, written and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Radha and R. Muthuraman. Based on Ra. Ki. Rangarajan's novel of the same name that was serialised in Kumudam, it revolves around a man who could not lead his life the way he wanted, and gets forced to undergo many sacrifices. The film, produced by Kovai Chezhiyan, was released on 7 December 1962. Ganesan won the Film Fans Association Award for Best Actor

Plot
The movie starts with a typical middle-class family supported by Muthuraman, as he goes to each member comprising retired father Sarangapani, younger brother Babu (Gemini Ganesan) and younger sister L. Vijayalakshmi, giving their monthly quota.

Babu is a collegian, who is challenged by his friends, Nagesh and others to try his youthful exuberance against Radha, their former school teacher, Rathnavel's only daughter. He accepts the challenge and enters their household as a student trying to learn English literature. As days pass by, Babu successfully makes Radha fall in love with him.

Muthuraman is the lead member and the family thrives purely on his earnings. One day, a dejected Muthuraman informs everyone that he has lost his job. His sick company is wound up. Consequently, the family is left with the bare minimum. Pressure mounts on Babu to leave his college and take up a job. Babu gets a job for Rs. 150. Gemini happily owns the family's responsibility. Meanwhile, L. Vijayalakshmi is in love with Babu's friend and has to get married. It so happens that while walking on the beach, Babu identifies a purse, which belongs to a retired judge. He hands it over to the retired judge, who soon visits Babu's house, meets Sarangapani, mentions Babu's noble deed and expresses his desire to offer his daughter in marriage to Babu. He also promises a decent job for Muthuraman and also Rs. 20,000 as additional sum to support the family. The judge's daughter is Indira Devi, a friend of Radha and a chronic fits patient. This nervous weakness of his daughter was duly conveyed to Sarangapani, but he decides not to inform Babu in the larger interests of the family. The enduring double benefit makes Sarangapani conceal the shortcoming.

Meanwhile, Rathnavel aware of the love, meets Sarangapani and proposes for Radha, but Sarangapani rejects it outright, saying that this alliance will do no good to both the families. Babu reluctantly had to yield out of family pressure and decides to sacrifice his love. Radha is shocked by this development and so is Rathnavel. L. Vijayalakshmi happily marries her lover.

However, on the wedding day, Indira Devi realises the love between Babu and Radha. She gets nervous weakness followed by fits and falls unconscious. Gemini is shell-shocked and the marriage is cancelled as the judge feels it as inauspicious.

L. Vijayalakshmi's husband gets a good job but has to give a deposit of Rs. 1000. At this moment, Babu gets a bonus money, which he is forced to give it to his sister, L. Vijayalakshmi for her husband to get the job secured. So, the sacrifice continues.

Balaji, a good friend of Nagesh and Rathnavel's relative enters now. He is foreign returned and has his own flourishing business. He meets Rathnavel and Radha. Raghavan is very much impressed by Balaji and even proposes Radha to him. Balaji is extremely happy with this and accepts.

One day, Nagesh and Balaji come across Babu in a vague disturbed mood. Nagesh explains his background to Balaji and his continuing sacrifices. Balaji, who is pitied by Babu's plight offers to give a job, which Nagesh conveys to Babu. Muthuraman overhears this conversation. Muthu insists that Babu pass that offer to him so that he will resume his role as a lead member and adds that this may enable Babu to get back to his studies. Another sacrifice one had to make it here and Babu requests Balaji to exercise the option to his brother.

Now, Babu thinks about restoring his love life with Radha. He expresses his renewed love, but Raghavan is not happy. Radha too regrets about her love life and advises Babu to forget the past. Raghavan tells Babu that he has already fixed an alliance for his daughter with a rich man and requests Babu not to spoil this prospect. A dejected Babu walks away.

A frustrated Babu, having lost interest in life, feels there is no purpose in life, resigns his job and comes home. Muthuraman hears this news and rushes home. He sees Babu about to have his dinner. He screams at Babu for having resigned suddenly and adds a strong remark "It's a curse, somebody in our family is always jobless. I don't know how long someone of us will have to eat free food always." This comment hurts Babu so deeply that he immediately walks out of the house and through his friend's request, he lives in an isolated place. Despite repeated requests from Muthuraman, Vijayalakshmi and others, Babu refuses to come back. He looks for solace and peace of mind.

As Radha's wedding with Balaji is nearing, Vijayalakshmi pleads with Radha to reconsider her past love and requests her to marry Babu. Radha expresses to Balaji about her past love. Balaji gracefully agrees to her request and cancels the marriage. But Babu is unaware of all these developments and as days pass by, his bitter past and continuous sufferings haunt him so badly that he writes a lengthy letter to Muthuraman on what made him to reach such an isolated mood now. He wishes the family all the best and ends with a note that he is moving away from everyone to seek his final path in life. Muthuraman tracks the destination of Babu through the cover of the letter which shows the seal of Kodaikanal postal department. A stunned Muthuraman, sensing disaster, rushes to Rathnavel and pleads him to reconsider marrying Radha with Babu. Raghavan agrees finally and all the three rush to Kodaikanal. Desperate in search, Rathnavel, Radha and Muthuraman all rush to meet Babu, only to witness the inevitable.

Unable to withstand continuing challenges, sacrifices and compromises in life, Babu finally converts to Christianity and becomes a cleric. Dressed in conventional Christian priest attire, Babu stops for a moment and slowly walks past a stunned Radha, Muthuraman and Rathnavel chanting sacred quotes from the Bible.

Cast

 * Gemini Ganesan as Babu
 * Devika as Radha
 * R. Muthuraman
 * L. Vijayalakshmi
 * Nagesh
 * Raja
 * Leelavathi
 * K. Sarangapani
 * V. S. Raghavan as Rathnavel
 * K. Balaji
 * S. A. Natarajan
 * K. R. Indira Devi
 * G. Sakunthala

Production
Sumaithaangi is based on Ra. Ki. Rangarajan's novel of the same name that was serialised in Kumudam. Mid-way through production it was retitled Aayiram Vaasal Idhayam, but this was reversed. The song "Manithan Enbavan" was shot at Marina Beach.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with lyrics by Kannadasan. The song "Endhan Paruvathin Kelvikku" was replaced as "Endha Paarvaiyin Kelvikku" in the film.

Release and reception
Sumaithaangi was released on 7 December 1962. Kanthan of Kalki positively reviewed the film for the cast performances, particularly Radha. Ganesan won the Film Fans Association Award for Best Actor. Director Vasanth said, "Sumaithangi made a huge impact on me. I cried watching it and emerged from the cinema hall as a different person. I think a film should teach you something and bring about a change".