Digambara Samiyar

Digambara Samiyar திகம்பர சாமியார்
Poster
Directed by	T. R. Sundaram
Produced by	Modern Theatres
Story by	Vaduvoor K. Duraisamy Ayyangar Ko. Tha. Shanmuga Sundram Sinoriyo
Based on	Novel Digambara Samiyar by Vaduvoor K. Duraisamy Ayyangar
Starring	M. N. Nambiar P. V. Narasimha Bharathi D. Balasubramaniam V. K. Ramasamy M. S. Draupadi
Music by	G. Ramanathan S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Cinematography	G. R. Nathan T. S. Kotnees
Edited by	L. Bali
Production company	Modern Theatres
Distributed by	Modern Theatres
Release date	31 August 1950 (1950-08-31)
Running time	173 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Digambara Samiyar (தமிழ்: திகம்பர சாமியார், English: Digambara Monk (Or) Digambara Saint) is 1950 Indian Tamil Thriller film directed by T. R. Sundaram and produced under his own production company Modern Theatres. The film was inspired by Vaduvoor K. Duraisamy Ayyangar's novel Digambara Samiyar. The film script was written by Vaduvoor K. Duraisamy Ayyangar, Ko. Tha. Shanmuga Sundaram and Sinorino. Music was by G. Ramanathan and S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. The film starred M. N. Nambiar and D. Balasubramaniam playing lead roles, with M. S. Draupadi, P. V. Narasimha Bharathi V. K. Ramasamy T. K. Ramachandran and M. G. Chakrapani playing supporting roles.^[1][2] Digambara Samiyar was a hit at the box office. One of Vadoovur K. Duraisamy Ayyangar's most successful novels was Digambara Samiyar.

Plot

The movie begins in Kumbakonam where a crooked advocate Sattanathan Pillai (D. Balasubramaniam) is keen on getting Vadivambal (M. S. Draupadi), married to his useless brother Masilamani (T. K. Ramachandran). Sattanathan Pillai pretends to help the innocent Sundaram Pillai from Sundaram Pillai's crooked sister Alangaram. Sundaram Pillai is a good man who helped his sister. However his sister Alangaram plans to grab his brother's wealth. The crooked Sattanathan Pillai together with the judge plays a double game against Sundaram Pillai (which Sundram Pillai do not know at that time).

Vadivambal's mother Anjalai and Anjalai's husband Namachivaayam Pillai force Vadivambal to marry Masilamani. One day Vadivambal was visited by her maternal grandmother, she came to know from her grandfather that he is staying in Mannnargudi Velayudham Pillai's house and Vadivambal's mother is not married. She decides to leave their house to Mannargudi to meet her maternal grandfather. Meanwhile, Digambara Samiyar (M. N. Nambiar) who has renounced his life had confusion in his life. He was advised by a female monk to help people from the crooked Sattanathan Pillai. One night Digambara Samiyar passes by at Alangaram house. He overheard the judge and Alangaram in conversation and their cruel intention.

On his way Vadivambal was attacked by robbers. Digambara Samiyar passes by and saves her and gets to know about Vadivambal's forceful wedding arrangement with Sattanathan's brother Masilamani. While they reached Mannargudi, they were attacked by Masilamani and Namachivaayam Pillai. However Kannapa passes by and rescues Vadivambal and Digambara Samiyar. Both Kannapa (P. V. Narasimha Bharathi) and Vadivambal fall in love at first sight. Velayudha Pillai and Kannapa greet Digambara Samiyar into their house. Velayudha Pillai had once worked in Sattanathan Pillai. Once Velayudha Pillai's wife was infected with cholera and pregnant. Sattanathan Pillai chased out Velayudha Pillai. Velayudha Pillai was helped by Chokka Lingam Pillai. Sattanthan Pillai cheated Chokka Linga Pillai and tried to rape Chokkalingam Pillai's wife. She was saved by Velayudha Pillai.

Digambara Samiyar visits Sundaram Pillai and heard about his wife's status. Sundaram Pillai says that his 3 years old daughter was kidnapped 15 years ago. His wife gets upset and visits a saint to know the whereabouts of his daughter. The good man tells Sundaram Pillai's wife that she will not return until she is married. While Sundaram Pillai and Alangaram decide to leave, Sundaram questioned his wife's presence. Alangaram and Sattanathan Pillai accused Sundaram Pillai's wife of having an affair with the saint, which makes Sundaram Pillai reject his wife and leave.

The lawyer is at cutting corners, and a person in saintly robes known as Digambara Saamiyar (M. N. Nambiar) is out to expose him. He appears in various disguises and succeeds in his attempt after the story has several twists and turns.

The novel is based on a theory that if a man is made to stay awake without sleep for 3 to 4 days, he will be in a mood to confess everything hidden in his mind!. This theory has been used to great effect in the film, to keep the lawyer awake, a song and dance sequence featuring Lalitha, Padmini and Kumari Kamala were introduced.^[1]

Cast

Crew

• Director: T. R. Sundaram
• Music: G. Ramanathan and S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
• Audiography: S. Padmanaban and T. S. Raju
• Processing: P. V. Motac and T. P. Krishnamoorthy
• Choreography: Vazhuvoor K. Ramaiah Pillai, Madhavan and R. T. Krishnamoorthy
• Settings: A. J. Domanic, B. B. Krishnan and M. V. Kochchappu

Reception

Randor Guy stated in his article that M. S. Draupadi was associated with the famous theatre troup T. K. S. Brothers. Balasubramaniam, a character actor was excellent as the crooked advocate. He was one of the few actors in those days who knew the secret of underplaying a role. Nambiar in several disguises was superb!. The film is remembered for Nambiar's brilliant performance and the songs, proving to be a major hit.^[1]

Soundtrack

Music composed by G. Ramanathan and S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and lyrics written by Ka. Mu. Sheriff, A. Maruthakasi, K. B. Kamatchisundaram, Kannadasan and Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. Playback singers are K. V. Janaki, U. R. Chandra, K. B. Komalam, Kajalakshmi, P. Leela and Master Subbaiah.

Film historian Randor Guy stated in his article that Lakshmi Prabha as Alangaram created a sensation in a song sequence where she is shown changing clothes (Behind a screen). She sings Poyendi Eduthuvaa.. Sikkiram..Ayya Varum Neram Achche. Music was plus point for the film. Many songs became popular such as the Diwali song by a young girl (Baby Lalitha) and her grandfather. Oosi Pattasey Oosi Pattasey is a straight lift from a popular Hindi song "O Diwali". Kumari Kamala's snake dance for the Anna Oru Paithiyamma and Paarudappa Paarudappa Paarudapppa is a straight lift from the Hindi hit of its day, "Lara lappa Lara lappa.." in Ek Thi Ladki). Kumari Kamala danced to the well known song "Naarathar Mudi Melirukum".^[1] Her dance to the song Paambaatti Chithar is a treat to dance lovers.

References

External links