Saagara Sangamam

All you want to know about Saagara Sangamam

Saagara Sangamam

Directed by	K. Viswanath
Written by	Kasinadhuni Viswanath
Starring	Kamal Haasan Jayaprada Geetha Sarath Babu S.P. Sailaja
Music by	Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematography	Nivas P.S.
Release date(s)	1983
Running time	160min
Language	Telugu
IMDb profile

Saagara Sangamam (The Confluence) (1983) is a Telugu film directed by K. Viswanath. It was also dubbed into Tamil as Salangai Oli. The movie follows the life of a failed but gifted (though eccentric) Indian classical dancer. It is the first of three feature-film collaborations between K. Viswanath and the actor Kamal Haasan, the others being Swathi Muthyam, India's entry to the Oscar in 1986, and Subha Sankalpam (1995). Saagara Sangamam is also seen as a showcase of Kamal Haasan's command of Indian classical dance forms (the actor trained as a classical dancer prior to taking up acting).Saagara Sangamam is rated as the 4th best film of K.Vishwanath by telugu movie website

Plot

Balakrishna (Kamal Hassan) is an economically disadvantaged but multi-talented dancer, adept at the Indian classical dances of Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak etc. His simple and honest soul does not permit him to attain professional success in the commercial world that requires a certain level of moral laxness. Madhavi (Jayaprada), a wealthy young woman and a patron of the dances, notices his talent and acts as his benefactress, helping him secure his life-long opportunity of participating in a high-level classical dance festival.

Prior to the fulfillment of this ambition, Balakrishna's aging mother passes away from the afflictions of poverty. Balakrishna, who was very attached to her, is emotionally devastated and as a result fails to participate in the dance festival. Madhavi nevertheless gives him support and encouragement and sets him on the mend. Balakrishna, on the other hand, gradually develops a fondness for Madhavi as their relationship grows. Balakrishna however hides his love for her, but eventually picks up the courage to express it, and discovers that while Madhavi shares his feelings, she is an already-married woman separated from her husband. The husband later returns to unite with Madhavi and Balakrishna but Balakrishna decides to sacrifice his love showing respect for the institution of marriage.

The years pass by, and Balakrishna, a disappointed man, had become an inconsolable alcoholic and a newspaper journalist/art critic. Meanwhile, Madhavi's husband dies, and she hears about Balakrishna's condition as a desolate and ailing alcoholic. In a bid to revive his will to live and his passion for his art, she tends to his medical needs and solicits Balakrishna to be the dance master for her daughter.

The film ends with Madhavi's daughters stage performance with Balakrishna watching her in a wheelchair, his health deteriorates and is taken away.

Awards

Ilaiyaraaja won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for his musical work in this film, and the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer was awarded to S. P. Balasubramaniam for his vocal contributions to the soundtrack. A notable and popular song from the film is Thakitha Thadimi.

The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu for that year. It also received accolades at the Asian Film Festival in both the "Best Movie" and "Best Actor" categories.