Thayumanavar (1938 film)

Thayumanavar (1938 film)
Film Poster
Tamil தாயுமானவர்
Directed by T. R. Sundaram
Produced by T. R. Sundaram
Screenplay by T. R. Chettiar
Based on Life story of Thayumanavar, a Hindu Saint and Philosopher
Starring M. M. Dandapani Desikar
M. S. Devasena
C. S. Selvaratnam Pillai,
Music by Pigngnaala Narasimha Rao
Cinematography P. K. Krishna Iyer
Production
company
Jaya Bharathy Film Company
Distributed by Modern Theatres
Release date
  • 31 December 1938 (1938-12-31) (India)
[1]
Running time
 3 hr 31 mins (19000 ft)
Country India
Language Tamil

Thayumanavar is a 1938 Indian, Tamil-language film produced and directed by T. R. Sundaram.[2] The film brought to screen the life story of Hindu Saint and Philosopher Thayumanavar who lived in the 18th century. Carnatic Singer and actor M. M. Dandapani Desikar featured in the title role.[3]

Plot

Muthukrishnan Naiker was the ruler of Thiruchirapalli. He visited the temple at Vedaranyam. The Dharmakartha (trustee) of the temple gave a grand welcome to the ruler. Impressed by the reception, the ruler made the dharmakartha a minister of his court. A son is born to the minister who names him as Thayumanavan. Meanwhile, Muthukrishnan Naiker passed away and his son came to the throne. He appointed Thayumanavan as his minister. Thayumanavan was brilliant. He helped the king to develop the country. However, Thayumanavan was more inclined towards philosophy and divinity. Soon, the ruler comes to know the divine power of Thayumanavan and became a disciple. Thayumanavan performed many miracles and in course of time he sheds his mortal remains and became a saint.[3]

Cast

The list is adapted from The Hindu article[3] and from the database of Film News Anandan.[1]

  • M. M. Dandapani Desikar
  • M.S. Devasena
  • C.S. Selvaratnam Pillai
  • B. Saradambal
  • T. E. Krishnamachari (TEK)
  • N. S. Ratnambal
  • P.G. Venkatesan
  • P.S. Gnanam

Production

During the 1930s many films were made with life stories of religious saints. M. M. Dandapani Desikar who was well trained in Carnatic music and with fluency in religious lore and was the obvious choice of producers. Earlier he featured in similar role in Pattinathar and later in Nandanar.[3]

Soundtrack

Music was composed by Pigngnaala Narasimha Rao and some of the lyrics were penned by Papanasam Sivan.[1] Most of the songs were compositions of the Saint himself who sang nearly 1500 songs. There were 31 songs in the film most of which were sung by M. M. Dandapani Desikar.[3]

Lost film

No print of the film is known to exist today.[3]

Reception

Film historian Randor Guy wrote in 2012 that the film is "Remembered for the rich singing of Dandapani Desikar and the scenes featuring holy places."[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Film News Anandan (23 October 2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [History of Landmark Tamil Films] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivakami Publishers. Archived from the original on 8 April 2017.
  2. ↑ Ashish Rajadhyaksha & Paul Willemen. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 1998. p. 648.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Guy, Randor (3 November 2012). "Thayumanavar (1938)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
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