This film depicts the disputes between two forms of the dance styles and music, Classical Indian (in particular Carnatic music and Bharathanatyam danceform) against rural Tamil folk music and dance. The film depicts the misunderstanding and mutual ignorance of the two factions. The parallel plot in the movie is of the children and intended successors of the respective dance doyens falling in love with each other. After initial disagreements, a classical dancer and a rural folk artist charm each other and fall in love. However, they face issues when the girl's father disapproves of their relationship.
V. Natarajan launched a film to be directed by Suresh Krissna and A. R. Rahman was signed on to compose the music for the film in early 1998, while he was also working with the producer Pyramid Natarajan in Rhythm and Udhaya.[1][2] In an interview in August 1998, Rahman revealed that he was working on "a very small budget movie called Sangamam which is based on classical and folk dance".[3] The film would feature his co-brother, actor Rahman in the lead role with newcomer Vindhya playing the lead female role.[4]
During production it was reported that the film would be a remake of the 1968 film Thillana Mohanambal, but this was subsequently found to be untrue.[5] The film was briefly delayed in 1999 as A. R. Rahman was too busy to complete the background score for the film, with Natarajan initially refusing to pay him, causing further delays for the producer's next venture, Rhythm.[6]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The album marked the first collaboration between the veteran musician M. S. Viswanathan and A. R. Rahman. The song "Mudhal Murai Killipparthaein" is set in Bihag raga.[7]
Sangamam was released on 16 July 1999.[9] The film was also set to be dubbed and released in Telugu under the same name, but the financial losses suffered had deterred the version.[10] Due to the film's failure, Sun TV, who bought the satellite rights of the film, premiered it in September 1999.[11]
Critical reception
R. Ananthanarayanan wrote for pvv.ntnu.no that "Sangamam is a credible movie with good music by A. R. Rahman and superlative performance by Manivannan". Ananthanarayanan added that "Rahman does justice to his role and has brought a certain dignity and understatement to his character" but that "Vindhya, the heroine is the only weak link".[12] K. N. Vijiyan of New Straits Times wrote "You should see this movie if you like A. R. Rahman's music. It makes for a pleasant viewing".[13] Kala Krishnan Ramesh of Deccan Herald praised the acting, music, editing and dialogues.[14] K. P. S. of Kalki wrote the film's story was reminiscent of the films Karakattakkaran and Thillana Mohanambal, the screenplay is like a town bus that stops and moves at every stop, and Sangamam, which should be properly positioned to push the two together, is half-positioned.[15]
D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote, "THE FOCUS is more on the fusion of two hearts than the two arts in question – Bharatanatyam and one form of folk dance, other varieties not getting their due – in Pyramid Films' Sangamam. The surprise element is the performance of Manivannan, no humour dipped snide remarks but enjoyable emotional stuff, a rare portrayal by this seasoned actor-director".[16] A critic from Sify wrote that "Rahman dancing folk art is unbearable but his acting is good in emotional scenes. Vindya has nothing much in her debutante role except to look pretty. Manivannan steals the show with his dramatic performance as a folk art exponent. AR Rahman`s music is the only highlight of the film. His background music is good and folk art music art is catchy. Credit also goes to Vairamuthu for his lyrics. Its always better to buy an audio cassette and forget the movie".[17]
^கே. பி. எஸ். (15 August 1999). "சங்கமம்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 33. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023 – via Internet Archive.
