{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}} {{Infobox film | name = Sringaram | image = Sringaram Poster.jpg | caption = Film poster | director = Sharada Ramanathan | producer = Golden Square Films | screenplay = Indra Soundar Rajan | story = Sharada Ramanathan | starring = {{unbulleted list|Aditi Rao Hydari|Manoj K. Jayan|Hamsa Moily|Sashikumar Subramani|Y. Gee. Mahendra}} | music = Lalgudi Jayaraman | cinematography = Madhu Ambat | editing = A. Sreekar Prasad | studio = Golden Square Films | distributor = GV Films | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2007|10|05}} | runtime = 117 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil | budget = | gross = }} '''''Sringaram''''' is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language period drama film directed by debutante Sharada Ramanathan, a cultural activist. Co-written by novelist Indra Soundar Rajan,<ref>{{Cite news |date=Sep 11, 2003 |title=Stage's where his heart is |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/09/11/stories/2003091100820300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507085418/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/09/11/stories/2003091100820300.htm |archive-date=7 May 2005 |work=The Hindu |access-date=10 March 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author= |date=2004-04-28 |title='Dance, to me, has been like a marriage' |url=http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Dance-to-me-has-been-like-a-marriage/articleshow/643904.cms |access-date=2011-12-09 |website=The Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |archive-date=28 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528023202/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Dance-to-me-has-been-like-a-marriage/articleshow/643904.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> it stars Aditi Rao Hydari, in her Tamil film debut, in the lead role alongside Manoj K. Jayan, Hamsa Moily and Y. Gee. Mahendra. The film depicts the life of a ''Devadasi'' during the 1920s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2005/aug/18sri.htm |title=A crossover film about devdasis – Rediff.com movies |publisher=In.rediff.com |date=2005-08-18 |access-date=2011-12-09 |archive-date=28 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628234336/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2005/aug/18sri.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Sringaram'' became highly critically acclaimed, winning three prizes at the 53rd National Film Awards and two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westga.edu/diversity/index_12863.php |title=Office of Institutional Diversity | Sringaram: A Dance of Love |publisher=Westga.edu |access-date=2011-12-09 |archive-date=19 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319231857/http://www.westga.edu/diversity/index_12863.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/sep/25sssri.htm |title=Sringaram music review |work=Rediff.com |access-date=2011-12-09}}</ref> besides several screenings at various international film festivals, much before its theatrical release on 5 October 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/sep/24slid3.htm |title=Sringaram, a labour of love |work=rediff.com |date= |access-date=2011-12-09 |archive-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025185150/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/sep/24slid3.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://chennaionline.com/Film/Moviereviews/Oct07/10sringaram.asp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011064551/http://chennaionline.com/Film/Moviereviews/Oct07/10sringaram.asp | archive-date=11 October 2007 | title=Sringaram }}</ref>
== Plot ==
The story begins with a Bharathanatiyam dancer, Varshini, being invited to the national capital of India on the eve of India being declared a republic. The temple priest who has nurtured since her birth takes her to the Brihadeeshvara Temple to meet a temple dancer named Kama. The story then flashes back to the 1920s. The temple dancer is about to retire from her service as a dancer and has chosen her daughter Madhura as her descendant. The vassal of the Tanjavore Presidency is attracted to Madhura. In addition to being a temple dancer, Madhura has to satisfy the vassal's desires. Madhura is more interested in developing her art of dancing. Meanwhile, Shiva, a lower caste temple servant has awe for Madhura's art. He threatens the vassal for an attempt to murder by a rebellious group called "Vande Mataram". But things don't go so and Shiva is accused of lying. He is sent into an exile but eventually mixes with the same group "Vande Mataram". In order to broaden his prospects, the vassal asks Madhura to seduce the collector of Tanjavore through her art. Madhura rejects thus decision and disappears. Now, Kama, Madhura's sister, is chosen as the temple dancer. Learning the barbaric thoughts of the vassal, Kama chooses to elope like Madhura. She finds that Madhura is a part of the rebellious "Vande Mataram" group. Things become more complicated as the sacred thread from temple goes missing. Madhura is accused of stealing and the vassal orders her arrest. Shiva confesses to the policemen that he is the real accused but secretly tells Madhura where had he kept the sacred thread. Shiva is hanged to death for the charges of robbery. Madhura is pregnant and dies while giving birth to her child. The child is none other than Varshini herself. She is a look alike of Madhura. The story then comes to the present where it is revealed that the vassal has invited Varshini to the national capital. Kama tells Varshini that her mother's last wish was to be cremated with the holy temple fire. The film ends with Varshini, wearing the sacred thread, cremating her mother with the holy temple fire and dancing to pay homage to her mother's artiste.
== Cast == {{cast listing| * Aditi Rao Hydari as Madhura and Varshini * Manoj K. Jayan as Sukumar, the Mirasu * Hamsa Moily as Kama * Sashikumar Subramani as Kasi * Manju Bhargavi as Ponammal * Y. Gee. Mahendra as the Gurukkal * Aishwarya as Mirasu's wife * Vagai Chandrasekhar as Kangani * Bharat Kalyan as Manisundaram * Sindhu as Saroja * Junior Balaiah as Koilpillai * Lakshmi Ravi as Ambujam }}
== Soundtrack ==
The film's score and soundtrack were composed by renowned legendary violinist Padma Bhushan Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman. The soundtrack album features 14 tracks, most of them sung by carnatic musicians. Lyrics were penned by Swati VAR. Jayaraman eventually won a National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the film's score.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/12/stories/2007081255230800.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203105718/http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/12/stories/2007081255230800.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-12-03 |title=Tamil Nadu News : Winners of national awards do Tamil film industry and Chennai proud |date=2007-08-12 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2011-12-09}}</ref> ''Sringaram'' is notably his first and till date only work for a feature film.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/32867.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070817045652/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/32867.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 17 August 2007| title = Tamil Cinema News {{!}} Tamil Movie Reviews {{!}} Tamil Movie Trailers - IndiaGlitz Tamil}}</ref>
# "Title Music # "Mallari" – Injukkudi Brothers # "Nattu Purappadal" (Folk Song) – T. L. Maharajan & O. S. Arun # "Yen Indha Mayamo" (Hamir Kalyani) – Bombay Jayashri Ramnath # "Mudal Mariyadai" (Salutation) – Swati Srikrishna & Hamsi # "Mamara Thopila" – O. S. Arun # "Ninaival Yennai" – Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi # "Three Seasons" – GJR Krishnan, Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, Swati, Revathy Meera & Orchestra # "Yen Indha Mayamo" (Hamir Kalyani – Solo) – S. Sowmya # "Akaram" – Swati Srikrishna & Hamsi # "Mudal Mariyadai" (Salutation) – Swati Srikrishna & Hamsi # "Nattu Purappadal" (Folk Song) – T. L. Maharajan & O. S. Arun # "Harathi" – Swati Srikrishna, Meera & Hamsi # "Three Seasons" – GJR Krishnan, Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, Swati, Revathy Meera & Orchestra
== Reception == A critic from ''Rediff.com'' wrote that "''Sringaram'' is truly a feast for the senses".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/sri/20071005.htm|title=Sringaram -- A feast for the senses|work=Rediff.com|date=5 October 2007|access-date=2 June 2023|archive-date=2 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602102852/https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/sri/20071005.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> A critic from ''Chennai Online'' wrote that the film is an "ideal viewing for a discerning viewer who looks out for something different, meaningful and rooted to the soil, than the mindless, run-of-the-mill stuff churned out regularly".<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 2007 |title=Sringaram |url=http://chennaionline.com/Film/Moviereviews/Oct07/10sringaram.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213044911/http://chennaionline.com/Film/Moviereviews/Oct07/10sringaram.asp |archive-date=13 December 2007 |work=Chennai Online |access-date=22 May 2023 }}</ref>
== Accolades == ; 53rd National Film Awards<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dff.nic.in/53RD_NFA_JURY_RECOMMENDATIONS_PRESS_RELEASE.asp |title=Directorate of Film Festival |publisher=Dff.nic.in |date= |access-date=2011-12-09 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721165132/http://dff.nic.in/53RD_NFA_JURY_RECOMMENDATIONS_PRESS_RELEASE.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> * Best Cinematography – Madhu Ambat * Best Music Direction – Lalgudi Jayaraman * Best Choreography – Saroj Khan
; Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 2005<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 2005 |url=https://www.webindia123.com/movie/awards/state/tamil/2005/index.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813114658/https://www.webindia123.com/movie/awards/state/tamil/2005/index.htm |archive-date=13 August 2024 |access-date=17 October 2024 |website=Webindia123}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Naresh |title=Rajnikant, Kamal Haasan adjudged Best Actors |url=http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=17257 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208040445/http://www.screenindia.com/old/fullstory.php?content_id=17257 |archive-date=8 December 2008 |website=Screen |access-date=10 March 2011 }}</ref> * Best Art Direction – Thotta Tharani * Best Costume Design – Rukmini Krishnan
The film was screened at following film festivals: * 37th International Film Festival of India (IFFI)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/06/stories/2006110604700500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020171114/http://hindu.com/2006/11/06/stories/2006110604700500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-10-20 |title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Sringaram among two Indian entries at international film fete |date=2006-11-06 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2011-12-09}}</ref> * 8th Dubai International Film Festival<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/index.php/en/movie_details/sringaram/3904/2005 |title=Dubai International Film Festival |access-date=10 March 2011 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191227/http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/index.php/en/movie_details/sringaram/3904/2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Adelaide OzAsia Festival 2008 <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/ozasia/archive/2008/?view=CatalogMgr&catalog=220&item=182004 | title=Oops! | access-date=10 March 2011 | archive-date=23 October 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023200119/http://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/ozasia/archive/2008/?view=CatalogMgr&catalog=220&item=182004 | url-status=dead }}</ref> * 4th Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indianfilmfestival.org/archive/2006/movies06/danceoflove.html |title=Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles |publisher=Indianfilmfestival.org |date= |access-date=2011-12-09 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721060357/http://indianfilmfestival.org/archive/2006/movies06/danceoflove.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Ashok Jethanandani |url=http://www.indiacurrents.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=32187d0bcff0c4101592e9de76c2e444 |title=4th Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles |publisher=India Currents |date= |access-date=2011-12-09 |archive-date=11 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211011219/http://indiacurrents.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=32187d0bcff0c4101592e9de76c2e444 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Kerala Film Festival <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/12/26/stories/2005122600800100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629051451/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/12/26/stories/2005122600800100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-06-29 |title=Metro Plus Coimbatore / Cinema : Winning mudras |date=2005-12-26 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2011-12-09}}</ref> * Thrissur International Film Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/19/stories/2008011952190300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122193101/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/19/stories/2008011952190300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-01-22 |title=Kerala / Thrissur News : Film festival begins in Thrissur |date=2008-01-19 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2011-12-09}}</ref> * 2nd India International Women Film Festival <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.filmfestivals.com/cgi-bin/shownews.pl?obj=ShowNews&CfgPath=ffs/filinfo&Cfg=news.cfg&news=general&text_id=29597 |title=Film Festivals . com – People |publisher=Filmfestivals.com |date=2006-10-20 |access-date=2011-12-09 |archive-date=7 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407002407/http://www.filmfestivals.com/cgi-bin/shownews.pl?obj=ShowNews&CfgPath=ffs%2Ffilinfo&Cfg=news.cfg&news=general&text_id=29597 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Dance on Camera Festival 2006 <ref>{{cite web |last=Rockwell |first=John |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE0D81230F932A35752C0A9609C8B63&pagewanted=all |title=DANCE – A Pas de Deux of Dance and Film – NYTimes.com |work=New York Times |date=2006-01-01 |access-date=2011-12-09 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002015/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE0D81230F932A35752C0A9609C8B63&pagewanted=all |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Elizabeth Zimmer |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2005-12-27/film/dance-on-camera-festival-2006/ |title=Dance on Camera Festival 2006 – Page 1 – Movies – New York |publisher=Village Voice |date=2005-12-27 |access-date=2011-12-09 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022110022/http://www.villagevoice.com/2005-12-27/film/dance-on-camera-festival-2006/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> * 3rd Indo-German Film Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goethe.de/INS/in/bag/acv/flm/2006/fest/en1826322v.htm |title=Bangalore – 2006 – 3rd Indo-GermanFilm Festival – Goethe-Institut |publisher=Goethe.de |date=2006-11-19 |access-date=2011-12-09}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.sringaramthefilm.com}} * {{IMDb title}}
Category:2007 Indian films Category:2007 Tamil-language films Category:2007 directorial debut films Category:2007 films Category:Films featuring a Best Choreography National Film Award–winning choreography Category:Films set in the 1920s Category:Films whose cinematographer won the Best Cinematography National Film Award Category:Indian dance films Category:Indian musical films Category:Tamil-language Indian films Category:2007 musical films