Thangamalai Ragasiyam

Thangamalai Ragasiyam is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language adventure film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, T. R. Rajakumari and Jamuna. It was simultaneously made in Kannada as Rathnagiri Rahasya. The film was released on 29 June 1957 and emerged a success.

Plot
Gajendran, a prince, is separated from his parents by his father's foe at a very young age. He grew up as a ferocious and vicious caveman. Then he meets Amutha, who by her word of love and affection turns Gajendran for good. Both set out to find the secret of Thangamalai to find and save Gajendran's parents.

Cast
Cast according to the song book and the opening credits of the film:


 * Male cast
 * Sivaji Ganesan as Gajendran
 * M. N. Nambiar as Adithan
 * P. S. Veerappa as Mahendran
 * T. R. Ramachandran as Azhagesan
 * K. Sarangapani as Sarangan
 * C. V. V. Panthulu as Nandini's Father
 * Kottapuli Jayaraman as Sundaran
 * Ganapathi Bhat as Andaran
 * M. S. Karuppaiah as Barber
 * (Late) V. P. Balaram as Coach
 * Velappa as Minister
 * Kannan.S.A as Saint
 * Thiruvenkatam as Commander
 * Mani Bhagavathar Iyer as Mridanga Maestro
 * Devadas as Thief


 * Female cast
 * T. R. Rajakumari as Nandini
 * Jamuna as Amutha
 * M. V. Rajamma as Kumutha
 * P. Dhanam as Sundari
 * P. Susheela as Beautiful Mohini
 * B. Saroja Devi as Young Mohini
 * Angamuthu as Barber's Wife
 * Shanthi as Friend
 * (Baby) Seetha as Young Vikraman
 * Indira Acharya as Kurathi


 * Supporting cast
 * Chowdry, Maheswara Iyer, Ramasami Iyer, Saroja, Kamala.


 * Uncredited role
 * C. L. Anandan as a dancer in the song "Veeradhi Veeran Sooraadhi Sooran"

Production
Thangamalai Ragasiyam was produced by B. R. Panthulu under Padmini Pictures. The original director was P. Neelakantan who left after directing a large portion of the film, resulting in Panthulu taking over direction. It was simultaneously made in Kannada as Rathnagiri Rahasya. The film was primarily shot in black-and-white, except for some sequences in Gevacolor. G. K. Ramu shot in black-and-white, and W. R. Subba Rao shot the colour sequences.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by T. G. Lingappa. Lyrics were by Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam and Ku. Sa. Krishnamoorthy. The song "Amudhai Pozhiyum Nilave" was later used in the Malayalam film Mariakutty (1958) as "Karalil Kaniyum Rasamey".

Release and reception
Thangamalai Ragasiyam was released on 29 June 1957, and distributed by Meena Movies in Madras. The film was a commercial success.