Nadagamellam Kanden by comeupdowngo
| Madurai Veeran மதுரை வீரன் | |
|---|---|
 Release poster | |
| Directed by | D. Yoganand |
| Produced by | Letchumanan Chettiar |
| Written by | Kannadasan |
| Starring | M. G. Ramachandran P. Bhanumathi Padmini N. S. Krishnan T. A. Madhuram E. V. Saroja T. S. Balaiah O. A. K. Thevar Sando M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar T. K. Ramachandran |
| Music by | G. Ramanathan |
| Distributed by | Krishna Pictures |
| Release date(s) | 13 April 1956 |
| Country | ‹See Tfd› India |
| Language | Tamil |
Madurai Veeran (Tamil: மதுரை வீரன்) is a 1956 Tamil film directed by D. Yoganand, starring M. G. Ramachandran, P. Bhanumathi and Padmini. The film was released on 13 April 1956 and completed a 100-days-run at all the theatres it was screened at.[1]
Contents[hide] |
[edit]Production
The legend of Madurai Veeran has been passed on over centuries, forming a vibrant part of the rich south indian folklore. He is deified and worshipped with awe and devotion to this day in several southern districts. It was a resounding success, celebrating a silver jubilee run in many centers.
It is the remake of 1939 movie Madurai Veeran by Raju Films where T. P. Rajalakshmi had written, produced and acted. V. A. Chellappa played the title role.
[edit]Plot
Veeran was born to the chieftain of Varanavasi, but the baby was born with an unlucky mark destined to bring doom to the state. Acting as per the dictates of the astrologer, baby is abandoned in the forest. A cobbler and his wife discover the baby in the forest, and bring him up as their son.
Veeran grows up to be a brave and noble youth. He chances to save Bommi, the princess of Thottiyam from being drowned in the Cauvery. Bommi falls in love with him. Though Veeran doesn’t reciprocate initially, he perceives the depth of her love gradually after Bommi comes riding on an elephant dressed as a man and saves Veeran from being trampled to death. Bommi’s uncle, the cowardly Narasappan finds his schemes of marrying Bommi falling apart. Citing Veeran’s low birth, Narasappan causes the lovers undue hardships. Due to opposition from Bommi's father, Veeran arrives and carries the princess away.Finally the King of Tiruchi, from whom Narasappan had sought assistance, declares that Veeran and Bommi are not guilty of any crime and sanctifies their union in wedlock. And being impressed with Veeran’s valour, the King appoints him as the commander of the army.
Thirumalai Nayakar of Madurai appeals to Tiruchi to help curb the menace of a gang of robbers that was terrorizing the people of Madurai. Veeran is sent to Madurai and he is appointed Nayakar’s commander. There he sees Vellaiyamma, the beautiful court dancer and is impressed with her virtues and skills. Suitable disguised, Veeran and Vellaiyamma gain entry into the Azhagar Malai den of the thieves. With the help of hidden soldiers, they manage to capture most of the robbers and recover the plundered loot.
Nayakar, who wants to make Vellaiyamma his concubine, is furious when he hears that Vellaiyamma is in love with Veeran. And his mind further poisoned by the evil Narasappan and his former commander Kutilan, the King accuses Veeran of treason and orders a hand and leg of Veeran to be severed. Before the sentence is carried out Veeran recognizes in the crowd the leader of the thieves Sangilikaruppan, and puts him to death in a quick encounter. Satisfied that he has now accomplished his mission, Veeran subjects himself to the mutilation. And as his soul leaves his body soon after, Bommi and Vellaiyamma unite with him in the heavenly abode.
[edit]Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| M. G. Ramachandran | Veeran |
| P. Bhanumathi | Bommi |
| Padmini | Velliaiyamma |
| N. S. Krishnan | |
| T. A. Madhuram | |
| T. S. Balaiah | Narasappan |
| E. V. Saroja | |
| O. A .K. Thevar | Thirumalai Nayakar |
| Sando M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar | Sanggili Karuppan |
| T. K. Ramachandran | Kutilan |
[edit]Crew
- Producer: Letchumanan Chettiar
- Production Company: Krishna Pictures
- Director: D. Yoganand
- Music: G. Ramanathan
- Lyrics:
- Story:
- Screenplay: Kannadasan
- Dialogues: Kannadasan
- Art Direction: Ganga
- Editing: V. B. Natarajan
- Choreography: Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai, P. S. Gopalakrishnan & Sohanlal
- Cinematography: M. A. Rehman
- Stunt: R. N. Nambiar
- Dance: Lalita, Ragini, Kusalakumari & Maadilakshmi
[edit]Soundtrack
List of songs:
- Senthamizha Ezhundhu Varayo - M. L. Vasanthakumari
- Nadagamellam Kanden - T. M. Soundararajan & Jikki
- Aadal Kaaneero - M. L. Vasanthakumari
- Summa Kidantha Sothukku Nashtam - P. Leela & Jikki
- Avarkkum Enakkum - P. Bhanumathi
- Vanga Machan Vanga - T. M. Soundararajan & P. Leela
- Vanga Machan Vanga - P. Leela
- Echu Pizhaikkum Thozhile - T. M. Soundararajan & Jikki
- Kundathor Adi Varum - P. Leela
- Kadamaiyile Uyir Vazhndhu - T. M. Soundararajan
Did you know that actor MGR's film Madurai Veeran released in 1956 ran for 100 days in all the 36 movie halls that screened it? “It's the first ever Tamil film to set such a record,” says S. Vijayan, a store house of information on MGR. He provides you with another nugget: “Young Kamal Hassan watched the film on all the 100 days in his native Paramakudi town”.
A compilation
An ardent MGR fan since his childhood, Vijayan alias Ramakrishnan based in Chennai, is the editor and publisher of the monthly magazine Ithayakkani, dedicated to the actor-turned-chief minister. Launched in 2000, it is circulated in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bombay, some gulf countries and also in Malaysia, France and London. The website www.ithayakkani.com, active for four years now, packs in anecdotes and information about the actor's rise to stardom, his rare photographs, filmography, political life and more. “Now, people in over 65 countries enjoy reading about MGR,” he says.
There is a story about Malacca Governor Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob, a diehard MGR fan. He re-enacted the late actor's role in the 1964 blockbusterVettaikaran in a 45-minute drama and dazzled people in Malaysia. “He dressed up as MGR with his trademark cap and dark glasses. One of our readers spotted the story which appeared on page one of Star, a popular tabloid in Malaysia and sent it to us.”
Vijayan has watched all of the 138 MGR films. His weekly column “MGR Kadhai” was serialised for 58 weeks in Devi, a weekly magazine from Maalai Murasu publication after the demise of the actor. As a part of the life history series, Vijayan visited MGR's 200-year-old Tharavadu (ancestral house) in Vadavannur, near Palakkad in Kerala. It is called ‘Maruthur House'. A relative now lives in the rebuilt house. Vijayan has recorded MGR's life history as a docu-drama too. “MGR is believed to have renovated ‘Chandranantha Illam' in Kuzhal Mannam, the home of his second wife Sathanandavathi. They have preserved the cot used by MGR and the room is full of other memorabilia. His co-brother told me that the star visited the house as a CM in 1986, sat on the same cot, and cried.”
Yaanaiadi School in Kumbakonam (where the actor moved with his mother Sathyabama) is significant too.
“His school mate Denan recalled his memories with MGR. The school authorities have preserved the ledger which has the signature of M. G. Ramachandran who studied there in class III and IV.”
During his research Vijayan interacted with Raju Kaantham, Kali N. Ratnam's wife. Kali N. Ratnam is considered MGR's guru in theatre.
Vijayan has gathered thousands of rare photographs. It includes those of MGR without his cap and glasses, stills from his theatre days, family photographs, stills from his unreleased films, and from his political life. “Humility and public service defined his personality,” says Vijayan. He took good care of his body and exercised regularly, Vijayan learnt about this from his friends and relatives.
Landmark films
He mentions Malai Kallan (shot at Pakshiraja Studios in Coimbatore),Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum and Madurai Veeran as landmark films in his career.
“MGR was multi-faceted. He tried his hands at direction with Naadodi Mannan,Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban, and Maduraiai Meeta Sundara Pandian. He wrote the script for Kanavar, which is based on a Russian novel Wood Cutter.”
His films were noted for technical finesse too. “The ‘head mask' technique employed to show meeting of double roles were technically superior in his filmsNaadodi Mannan (where two MGR's shake hands) and Maatukara Velan(where the characters cross each other).”
Vijayan's series “Ellam Arintha MGR” that appeared in Ithayakkani has been brought out as a book by Vikatan Publications.
“His fight scenes, especially the silambu fight where he kneels down and twirls the sword are unique. MGR is the only actor who never used a knee cap against injuries. Such was his stamina,” he says.The website is regularly updated. People have often asked Vijayan how he finds so much to write about MGR. He answers, “He never wasted a single moment of his life. He is a man who has spent every hour of his life fruitfully.”
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