Thayumanavar (1938 film)

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]

For Thayumanavar, the Saint & Philosopher, see Thayumanavar.

Thayumanavar (1938 film)
Film Poster
Directed byT. R. Sundaram
Produced byT. R. Sundaram
Screenplay byP. S. Chettiar
Story byP. S. Chettiar
Based onLife story of Thayumanavar, a Hindu Saint and Philosopher
StarringM. M. Dandapani Desikar
M. S. Devasena
Music byG. Pichala
Narasimha Rao
CinematographyP. K. Krishna Iyer
Production
company
Jayabharath Film Company Ltd.
Distributed byModern Theatres
Release date
  • 31 December 1938 (1938-12-31) (India)
[1]
Running time
3 hr 31 mins (19000 ft)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

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 died 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 film's songbook[4]

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 G. Pichala Narasimha Rao and lyrics were penned by Papanasam Sivan.[1][4] The songs were recorded by Sardar Eswara Singh.[4] 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] Singers are Vidwan C. S. Selvarathnam Pillai, P. G. Venkatesan, Master Vedhamoorthi, Master Krishnamoorthi, N. S. Rathnambal, M. M. Dandapani Desikar, P. S. Gnanam, M. S. Devasena, and the chorus.

Orchestra[4]
NoSongsSingers
1Om Shankara Purahara Sadhasiva NinChorus
2Ninnavar Prarandri Niyeyanay PrayerVidwan C. S. Selvarathnam Pillai
3Malarthal Vanangum AdiyarP. G. Venkatesan
4Thejonmaya Chandra Shobhitha BalaLullaby Music
5Kailasa Pathiye SaranamMaster Vedhamoorthi
6Adiyum Nadumutiyum IlanMaster Krishnamoorthi
7Evaraiyum Imsai Seyya LagaduganMaster Vedhamoorthi
8Nandrudaiyanai Theeyathillanai Narai VelleruM. M. Dandapani Desikar
9Undendru UruthikolvomM. M. Dandapani Desikar
10Kana Virumbum Manam Dhanuvin KarunaiyeM. M. Dandapani Desikar
11Aasaikkor AlavilaiM. M. Dandapani Desikar
12Penne – Nee Ennaibharati UllasamakaN. Ramasami Pillai, V. M. Ezhumalai & Aparanji
13Ennakoram IraivanuraiyumM. M. Dandapani Desikar, Chorus
14Kanthuka Mathakkariyai VasamaM. M. Dandapani Desikar
15Envasamillai En SeivenM. S. Devasena
16Pazhan Kadhal KadhiP. G. Venkatesan
17Vaira Manthaiyum UllurukaM. S. Devasena & M. M. Dandapani Desikar
18Enai Unakkintha PedhaiM. M. Dandapani Desikar
19Parayo Ennai MugamM. M. Dandapani Desikar
20Udhavikku OruvarilleP. S. Gnanam
21Kannadi Nee Kizhicha KottaiyiniP. G. Venkatesan, P. S. Gnanam
22Patukindra Bhanuva LorgalM. M. Dandapani Desikar
23Padhini Polave ItharaiM. M. Dandapani Desikar
24Kalla Lerinthun, Kaivilla Ladithum, KanimadhuraM. M. Dandapani Desikar
25Azhuvathin PayanethuM. M. Dandapani Desikar, N. S. Rathnambal
26Kali Magamayi Enga Atha NithaChorus
27Kaka Muravu KalandhunnaM. M. Dandapani Desikar
28Ennannu EnnikkitteP. S. Gnanam, P. G. Venkatesan
29Saiva Samayame Samayameni LachamayaM. M. Dandapani Desikar
30Veene Azhiyathe Nanba Perinba (Dialogue)M. M. Dandapani Desikar
31Chinthaiyeer Thandhaiyay ThayumanavanP. G. Venkatesan

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]

gollark: The government here is just being stupid about it.
gollark: It's not.
gollark: Which is still pretty bad.
gollark: Just make big companies backdoor it.
gollark: Well, I don't think they planned to *ban* E2E.

References
  1. 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.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  3. Guy, Randor (3 November 2012). "Thayumanavar (1938)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  4. தாயுமானவர் (song book) (in Tamil). Modern Theaters. 1938.
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