Friday Jan 27 2012, Chennai

Sivaji - Memories still green

Exactly 50 years ago, a classic titled 'Parthaal Pasi Theerum', was released. It featured Sivaji Ganesan, Saroja Devi and Gemini Ganesan. Kamal Haasan played the child artiste in it.

Directed by Bheem Singh, the movie that hit the screens on 22 January, 1962, had music by Viswanathan - Ramamurthy.

An emotional drama, the film went on to become a huge hit and is still fresh in everyone's mind and heart.

Speaking about the film, Ganesan, an ardent fan of Sivaji Ganesan, said, "It is one of the best movies starring Sivaji Ganesan. I had seen it several times".

Sivaji Ganesan and Bheem Singh always struck a right chord. 'Parthal Pasi Theerum' was another feather in the cap of the duo which did a series of films that were made in 'Pa' series, he adds.

Though both Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan were popular that time yet they came together to do a multi-starrer. It showed the generosity of both, he adds.

Recalling the past, Harikrishnan, a popular film distributor then, said, "it had everything in it to attract audience. There was a strong storyline, apt characterisations, melodious songs and above all Sivaji Ganesan".

The music- duo of Viswanathan and Ramamurthy composed scintillating songs to the lyrics of Kannadasan. The songs like
'Ulam Enbadhu, Andru Oomai Pennalo' and 'Parthaal Pasi Therum' are immortal, he adds.

"I am a great fan of my father. He influenced me a lot to enter films," says Kannan, a popular cinematographer and son of Bheem SIngh

"I grew up watching his movies"