# Manamagan Thevai

Manamagan Thevai (transl. Bridegroom Wanted) is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Bhanumathi. Based on the American film The Fabulous Senorita (1952), it was simultaneously produced in Telugu as Varudu Kaavaali, with Jaggayya replacing Ganesan. Manamagan Thevai was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.

## Plot

Bhanumathi, the daughter of a wealthy man, desires to marry a shy professor named Vijayakumar instead of the wealthy suitor her father chose. To escape from trouble, she creates the fake identity of a twin sister, and in the hodgepodge that ensues, ends up in bigger trouble.

## Cast

* Sivaji Ganesan as Vijayakumar
* Bhanumathi as Bhanumathi
* T. R. Ramachandran as K. Dhandapani (K.D)
* Chandrababu as Chandrababu
* Karunanidhi as Manohar
* Javar Seetharaman as College Principal
* Ragini as the dancer
* Devika (credited as Premila) as Chandramathi
* T. N Sivathanu as Karadipatti Zamindar Ananda Rangam (uncredited)
* K. D. Santhanam as Ponnambalam (uncredited)

## Production

Manamagan Thevai was based on the American film The Fabulous Senorita (1952). It was produced by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao and his wife Bhanumathi under their company Bharani Pictures. Rao also served as director, while Bhanumathi played the female lead. The film was produced as a Tamil-Telugu bilingual (the Telugu version titled as Varudu Kaavaali), with Sivaji Ganesan playing the male lead in Tamil, and Jaggayya replacing him in Telugu. Devika was cast on Bhanumathi's recommendation, and was credited as Premila.

## Soundtrack

The music was composed by G. Ramanathan. A carnatic Kriti composed by Ghanam Krishna Iyer in the raga Bhairavi was used in the film, sung by Bhanumathi. The song "Pambara Kannale" belongs to Baila, a Sri Lankan musical genre. It was later sampled in the song "En Peru Meenakumari", composed by Devi Sri Prasad for Kanthaswamy (2009).
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
| "Yengo Kulukku Thalukku Thavalaiyaa" | P. Bhanumathi | A. Maruthakasi | 02:33 |
| "Pambara Kannaale Kaadhal Sangadhi Sonnaale" | J. P. Chandrababu | K. D. Santhanam | 03:18 |
| "Krishna Nee Begane Maaro.... Malaharaa Verengum Palaa" | P. Bhanumathi | | 2:02 |
| "Kodai Idi Kaatru" | A. M. Rajah & Jikki | A. Maruthakasi | 03:10 |
| "Velavare Ummai Thedi Oru Madandhai" | P. Bhanumathi | Ghanam Krishna Iyer | 03:00 |
| "Vennilaa Jodhiyai Veesudhe" | P. Bhanumathi, Ghantasala & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | A. Maruthakasi | 04:49 |
| "Nenjinile Pugundhu" | P. Bhanumathi | A. Maruthakasi | 03:33 |
| "Nan Thaan Un Kaadhalan" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & P. Bhanumathi | A. Maruthakasi | 00:56 |
| "Pottaare Oru Podudhaan" | A. P. Komala, A. G. Rathnamala & K. Jamuna Rani | A. Maruthakasi | 01:54 |
| "Poovaamal Kaayaadhu.... Kaadhal Kalyaaname Seidha Paappaa" | P. Leela | Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass | 04:23 |
| "Vanthaal Varattum Podi" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | A. Maruthakasi | 3:07 |

## Reception

Kanthan of Kalki criticised the film for its screenplay and felt the characters were unenjoyable. Despite this, Manamagan Thevai was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.