Saraswathi Sabatham
Encyclopedia
Saraswati Sabatham is a 1966 Tamil
film, written and directed by A. P. Nagarajan
and starring Sivaji Ganesan
and Savitri., K. R. Vijaya
, Gemini Ganesan
, Padmini
, Devika
, Manorama and Nagesh
and celestial troublemaker, begins the fight by visiting Saraswati
(Savitri), the Goddess of knowledge, and purposely annoys Her by saying that wealth is more important and abundant. Saraswati angrily said that She will prove that Her power, knowledge is more important. Narada then goes to Vaikuntha to see Lakshmi
(Devika
), the Goddess of wealth, and also annoys Her by saying that education is more abundant and is the best. Lakshmi also retorted that She will prove that Her power of wealth is more important. Narada finally goes to Mount Kailas, seeking Parvati
(Padmini
), the goddess of power and strength and annoys Her too, saying that wealth and knowledge is more important. Parvati too stressed that She will prove that Her power of strength is more important.
The three Goddesses, having turned against each other, each decide to choose someone on earth and bless them powers so that each of them can prove their power and make the other two Goddesses lose. Saraswati blesses a mute
person, Vidyapati (Sivaji Ganesan), to speak and gives him all the knowledge in the world. There is a place where a Maharaja
rules but he has no children. He is dying so his minister sends the royal elephant into the streets with a garland. The person whose neck the elephant puts the garland on will be the next Maharani or Maharaja. Lakshmi controls the royal elephant and makes it give the garland to a beggar girl (K.R. Vijaya). Now the beggar girl is a very wealthy Maharani and lives in a palace. There is someone who has been a coward his whole life (Gemini Ganesan), whom Parvati blesses to become very strong.
Coincidentally the three people chosen by the Goddesses belong to the same country. The three humans fight and the three Goddesses fight to make each other lose, causing a chaos in the country. In the midst of them, a married couple (Nagesh
and Manorama) who work in the prison security and as the queen's attendant respectively, also dispute with each other, providing comic relief. In the end the Trinity of Gods, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu (Sivakumar
), and Lord Brahma settles the dispute by explaining the importance of knowledge, wealth, and strength combined, and how dangerous it is if each power goes separately. Finally, the three Goddesses reconcile and the three blessed by them along with the common people unite and realise that knowledge, wealth and strength are all equally important in many ways. The three Goddesses blesses the country and Sage Narada, thanking him for making the world understand the unity of knowledge, wealth and strength and for uniting them also, marking the end of the film.
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
film, written and directed by A. P. Nagarajan
A. P. Nagarajan
Akkamappettai Paramasivan Nagarajan is a veteran Tamil film director, who set a trend in film making in Tamil cinema in 1960s.-Career Life:...
and starring Sivaji Ganesan
Sivaji Ganesan
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
and Savitri., K. R. Vijaya
K. R. Vijaya
K. R. Vijaya is a popular Indian actress who has starred in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. She started her career in the 1960s. She has been acting for more than four decades now in South Indian cinema. K. R...
, Gemini Ganesan
Gemini Ganesan
Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies....
, Padmini
Padmini (actress)
Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films...
, Devika
Devika
Devika or Prameela Devi was a popular Tamil and Telugu actress. She is regarded as a versatile and graceful heroine of her era. She was known for her natural beauty which was the key in her casting in mythological films like Karnan, thiruvilaiyadal...
, Manorama and Nagesh
Nagesh
Nagesh , was a Tamil film actor, mostly remembered for his roles as a comedian during the 1960s. He is regarded as one of the most prolific comedians in Tamil cinema....
Plot
Saraswati Sabatham tells the story of a dispute between three goddesses over which has the best power. Narada (Sivaji Ganesan), a sageWise old man
The wise old man is an archetype as described by Carl Jung, as well as a classic literary figure, and may be seen as a stock character...
and celestial troublemaker, begins the fight by visiting Saraswati
Saraswati
In Hinduism Saraswati , is the goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology. She is the consort of Brahma, also revered as His Shakti....
(Savitri), the Goddess of knowledge, and purposely annoys Her by saying that wealth is more important and abundant. Saraswati angrily said that She will prove that Her power, knowledge is more important. Narada then goes to Vaikuntha to see Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
(Devika
Devika
Devika or Prameela Devi was a popular Tamil and Telugu actress. She is regarded as a versatile and graceful heroine of her era. She was known for her natural beauty which was the key in her casting in mythological films like Karnan, thiruvilaiyadal...
), the Goddess of wealth, and also annoys Her by saying that education is more abundant and is the best. Lakshmi also retorted that She will prove that Her power of wealth is more important. Narada finally goes to Mount Kailas, seeking Parvati
Parvati
Parvati is a Hindu goddess. Parvati is Shakti, the wife of Shiva and the gentle aspect of Mahadevi, the Great Goddess...
(Padmini
Padmini (actress)
Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films...
), the goddess of power and strength and annoys Her too, saying that wealth and knowledge is more important. Parvati too stressed that She will prove that Her power of strength is more important.
The three Goddesses, having turned against each other, each decide to choose someone on earth and bless them powers so that each of them can prove their power and make the other two Goddesses lose. Saraswati blesses a mute
Muteness
Muteness or mutism is an inability to speak caused by a speech disorder. The term originates from the Latin word mutus, meaning "silent".-Causes:...
person, Vidyapati (Sivaji Ganesan), to speak and gives him all the knowledge in the world. There is a place where a Maharaja
Maharaja
Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
rules but he has no children. He is dying so his minister sends the royal elephant into the streets with a garland. The person whose neck the elephant puts the garland on will be the next Maharani or Maharaja. Lakshmi controls the royal elephant and makes it give the garland to a beggar girl (K.R. Vijaya). Now the beggar girl is a very wealthy Maharani and lives in a palace. There is someone who has been a coward his whole life (Gemini Ganesan), whom Parvati blesses to become very strong.
Coincidentally the three people chosen by the Goddesses belong to the same country. The three humans fight and the three Goddesses fight to make each other lose, causing a chaos in the country. In the midst of them, a married couple (Nagesh
Nagesh (actor)
Nagesh , was a Tamil film actor, mostly remembered for his roles as a comedian during the 1960s. He is regarded as one of the most prolific comedians in Tamil cinema....
and Manorama) who work in the prison security and as the queen's attendant respectively, also dispute with each other, providing comic relief. In the end the Trinity of Gods, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu (Sivakumar
Sivakumar
Sivakumar is a Tamil cinema actor who has portrayed a wide range of character roles onscreen. Sivakumar was introduced in the Tamil movie Kaakum karangal which was produced by AVM Productions....
), and Lord Brahma settles the dispute by explaining the importance of knowledge, wealth, and strength combined, and how dangerous it is if each power goes separately. Finally, the three Goddesses reconcile and the three blessed by them along with the common people unite and realise that knowledge, wealth and strength are all equally important in many ways. The three Goddesses blesses the country and Sage Narada, thanking him for making the world understand the unity of knowledge, wealth and strength and for uniting them also, marking the end of the film.
Cast
- Savitri as Saraswati
- Devika as Lakshmi
- Padmini as Parvati
- K.R. Vijaya as selvambigai
- Sivaji Ganesan as Vidyapati and Narada
- Gemini Ganesan as Maalya
- Sivakumar as Vishnu
Soundtrack
Soundtrack from (1966)- "Agaramuthala", singer: Sounderarajan TM
- "Deivam Iruppathu Engey", singer: Sounderarajan TM, theme: Bhakthi
- "Kalviya Selvama Veerama", singer: Sounderarajan TM
- "Komatha Engal Kulamatha", singer: Susheela P
- "Rani Maharani", singer: Sounderarajan TM
- "Thai Thantha", singer: Susheela P
- "Uruvathaikattidum Kanaadi", singer: Susheela P