is overjoyed that he is still revered by many for his ethics and honesty, but due to the resultant excitement he dies. Cast Production Vietnam Veedu was the first full-length play written by Sundaram, and intended for the United Amateur Artistes (UAA) troupe, co-founded by his mentor Y. G. Parthasarathy. After writing the script, he approached Parthasarathy, who was uninterested in the play being staged. It later caught the attention of Sivaji Ganesan who, impressed with the script, decided to stage it through his Sivaji Nataka Manram troupe. The play was inaugurated in 1965, and became a resounding success; Sundaram earned the title of the play as the prefix to his name. Ganesan later bought the rights to adapt the play for the screen. According to Venkatesh Chakravarthy, Regional Director and HOD-Direction at the LV Prasad Film & TV Academy, Chennai, the plot is based on Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman. The closing text added to the screen was, "Idhu padam alla, paadam" (This is not a film, this is a lesson) rather than the usual "Vanakkam" (Welcome). Soundtrack The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan. The song "Palakkattu Pakkathile" was remixed in Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008). The song "Un Kannil Neer Vazhindhaal" is set in Kapi raga. Release and reception Vietnam Veedu was released on 11 April 1970. Ananda Vikatan appreciated the way the bonding between Ganesan and Padmini was depicted. The film was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres. It also won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film. Legacy Vietnam Veedu is included with other Ganesan films in Yettavathu Ulaga Athisayam Sivaji (Sivaji, the Eighth Wonder of the World), a compilation DVD featuring Ganesan's "iconic performances in the form of scenes, songs and stunts" which was released in May 2012. References Bibliography External links 1970 drama films 1970 films 1970s Tamil-language films Films directed by P. Madhavan Films scored by K. V. Mahadevan Indian drama films Indian films based on plays Tamil films remade in other languages