Thirumbi Paar (1953 film)
Thirumbi Paar (transl. Look Back!) is a 1953 Tamil language film starring Sivaji Ganesan, P. V. Narasimha Bharathi, Pandari Bai, Krishna Kumari and Girija in the lead roles. Produced and directed by T. R. Sundaram of Modern Theatres, the film was written by M. Karunanidhi, who would later become the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Thirumbi Paar was one of the earliest Tamil films whose dialogues were known to be a political satire on the Indian National Congress, the ruling party then. Sivaji Ganesan played a negative role in the film and received wide acclaim.
| Thirumbi Paar | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | T. R. Sundaram |
| Produced by | T. R. Sundaram |
| Written by | M. Karunanidhi |
| Starring | Sivaji Ganesan Pandari Bai |
| Music by | G. Ramanathan |
| Cinematography | W. R. Subba Rao |
| Edited by | L. Balu |
Production company | |
Release date | 10 July 1953 |
Running time | 15616 ft |
| Language | Tamil |
Synopsis
Parandhaman is a womaniser. A dumb girl married to the much older Punyakodi. Parandhaman seduces the dumb girl in the absence of her husband and continues this act with other women. Poomalai is Parandhaman's sister.
Cast
Cast according to the songbook[1]
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Crew
- Producer: T. R. Sundaram
- Production Company: Modern Theatres
- Director: T. R. Sundaram
- Music: G. Ramanathan
- Lyrics:
- Story: M. Karunanidhi
- Dialogues: M. Karunanidhi
- Screenplay: M. Karunanidhi
- Art Direction: A.J.Dominic
- Editing: L. Balu
- Choreography:
- Cinematography: W. R. Subba Rao
- Stunt: None
- Dance: None
Background and theme
Thirumbi Paar was produced and directed by T. R. Sundaram.[2] M. Karunanidhi, the story and dialog writer,[3] was then a prominent member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).[2]
The story of the film was inspired from the story of Ahalya.[2] Music for the film was composed by G. Ramanathan. Karunanidhi's witty dialogues were mainly targeted at Indian National Congress, the ruling party. Ganesan, who made his debut through Parasakthi played "anti-hero" roles in most of the films during this period.[4][5] He continued to act in such roles in films such as Rangoon Radha and Andha Naal, both in 1954.[2][5] Thirumbi Paar was one of the earliest films written by M. Karunanidhi who belonged to the DMK. Apparently, the film's dialogues were known to be a political satire on Indian National Congress, the ruling party then.[6]
Reception
The film was a moderate success at the box office.[7] It was lauded mainly for its witty dialogues and political satire. It had a 100-day run in theatres.[4] Sivaji Ganesan's character in—negative role—the film was well received.[2][4] Years later, in an interview he mentioned Thirumbi Paar was one of the best films that he had acted in his career.[2] S. Viswanathan in his Industrial Economist described the film as "one of the powerful movies M Karunanidhi [MK] scripted".[8]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by G. Ramanathan. Lyrics by Bharathidasan & Kannadasan. Playback singers are A. M. Rajah, Thiruchi Loganathan, S. C. Krishnan, D. B. Ramachandra, P. Leela, Jikki, T. S. Bagavathi, K. Rani, Gajalakshmi & Swarnalatha.
The song Ponndutthu Padaitthaano did not take place in this film.[9]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
| 1 | "Aavanna Doonaa Aadu" | Jikki | Kannadasan | 02:13 |
| 2 | "Kanniyargal Vellai Manam Pol" | A. M. Rajah & Swarnalatha | 03:17 | |
| 3 | "Kalappadam Kalappadam" | S. C. Krishnan | 01:28 | |
| 4 | "Kaadhalar Vaazhndha Ullaasa Vaazhvil" | Jikki | 02:48 | |
| 5 | "Kannaale Panpaadum" | Thiruchi Loganathan & P. Leela | 02:55 | |
| 6 | "Nallavaraam Oru Aanodu Pennum" | T. S. Bagavathi | 02:50 | |
| 7 | "Kannalla Thoongamma" | P. Leela | 02:57 | |
| 8 | "Vaazhkai Vaazhvadharkke" | S. C. Krishnan | 02:18 | |
| 9 | "Pozhudhu Vidindhaal Thirumamam" | T. S. Bagavathi | 01:02 | |
| 10 | "Kaanagatthil Kaadhaliyai" | D. B. Ramachandra | 00:43 | |
| 11 | "Paandiyan En Sollai" | P. Leela | Bharathidasan | 02:19 |
| 12 | "Ponndutthu Padaitthaano" | A. M. Rajah, K. Rani & T. S. Bagavathi | 02:58 |
Notes
- Songbook
- Randor Guy (13 March 2009). "Thirumbi Paar 1953". The Hindu.
- Rathinagiri 2007, p. 65.
- "சிவாஜி, பத்மினி ஜோடியாக நடித்த முதல் படம் பணம்". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 7 January 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
- Hoiberg & Ramchandani 2000, p. 152.
- The Illustrated Weekly of India 1975, p. 36.
- "மாடர்ன் தியேட்டர்ஸ் தயாரிப்பில் சிவாஜி கணேசன் நடித்த திரும்பிப்பார்". Maalai Malar. 28 October 2009. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
- Viswanathan 1998, p. 16.
- "OLD SONG BOOK (vMv)--Ponneduthu padaithaano--THIRUMBI PAAR (1953)". youtube. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
References
- Hoiberg, Dale; Ramchandani, Indu (2000). Students' Britannica India: D to H (Dadra and Nagar Haveli to Hyena). Encyclopædia Britannica (India).CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Rathinagiri, R. (2007). Time capsule of Kalaignar. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- The Illustrated Weekly of India. Published for the proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Company, Limited, at the Times of India Press. January 1975.
- Viswanathan, S. (1998). Industrial Economist. S. Viswanathan.