Manthiri Kumari
Encyclopedia
Manthiri Kumari is a 1950 Tamil film
directed by Ellis R. Dungan and starring M. G. Ramachandran
and M. N. Nambiar
. The screen play was written by M. Karunanidhi
based on an incident from the Tamil epic Kundalakesi
. This was the last Tamil film directed by Dungan and is considered to be among the most successful films of that decade. Shortly after directing this film, Dungan left the Tamil film industry and did not direct Tamil films again.
and based an incident that occurs in the Tamil epic poem Kundalakesi
(One of the five Great Tamil epics). T. R. Sundaram
of Modern Theatres
had previously produced a Dungan directed film Ponmudi
(1950) in which Karunanidhi had worked as a script writer. Sundaram decided to make a film based on the play and hired Dungan to direct it (the credits show Sundaram and Dungan as co-directors of the film). M. G. Ramachandran
(MGR) who had played the supporting roles in many of Dungan's earlier films had recently achieved success as a hero in Rajakumaari
(1947) and Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
(1950). Karunanidhi recommended that his friend MGR be made hero for the new film. Sundaram agreed with a caveat - MGR's double chin had to be hidden behind a beard. G. Ramanathan was hired to compose the music. The lyrics for the songs were written by A. Marudhakaasi and Ka. Mu. Sherriff.
). The guru wants his son Parthiban (S. A. Natarajan) to be appointed as the General of the army. But the king appoints Veera Mohan (MGR) instead. The enraged Parthiban becomes a bandit and starts raiding the country side. He wants to marry the princess Jeevarekha (G. Shakuntala) who is in love with Veera Mohan. Parthiban sends a message to Jeevarekha to meet him secretly. The message is delivered by mistake to the minister's daughter Amudhavalli (Madhuri Devi) and she goes to meet Parthiban. Parthiban and Amudhavalli fall in love. Meanwhile, the king sends his general Veeramohan to capture the bandits plaguing the country side. Veeramohan captures Parthiban and produces him in the royal court. The Raja guru is enraged and tries to get his son off by various means. He demands a trial for his son in front of the Goddess. During the trial, Amudhavalli hides behind the Goddess statue and pronounces Parthiban as innocent. She blames Veeramohan for the banditry. The king believing that the Goddess had spoken releases Parthiban and exiles Veeramohan. Parthiban and Amudhavalli are happily married. But goaded by his father Parthiban wants to take over the kingdom by marrying the princess. He decides to kill Amudhavalli. He tricks her into going with him to a cliff edge and tells her of his intention to kill her. Amudavalli begs him for a chance to worship him by going around him three times before she meets her death. Parthiban grants her last wish. While going around him she pushes him to his death from behind. Shocked by her actions and her husband's betrayal, she confesses her sins and becomes a Buddhist nun. The raja guru is jailed and Veera mohan is reunited with the princess.
was the most popular song of the film. List of songs in the film:
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
directed by Ellis R. Dungan and starring M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
and M. N. Nambiar
M. N. Nambiar
M. N. Nambiar M. N. Nambiar M. N. Nambiar ( (born Manjeri Narayanan Nambiar 7 March 1919 — 19 November 2008) was a film actor in Tamil cinema and had been in the film industry for more than 50 years.-Biography:...
. The screen play was written by M. Karunanidhi
M. Karunanidhi
Muthuvel Karunanidhi is an Indian politician and a former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He is the head of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam , a Dravidian political party in the state of Tamil Nadu. He has been the leader of the DMK since the death of its founder, C. N...
based on an incident from the Tamil epic Kundalakesi
Kundalakesi
Kundalakesi is a fragmentary Tamil epic written by Nagakuthanaar. Tamil literary tradition places it among the five great epics, alongside such works as the Manimekalai and Cilappatikaram. Its time period has been estimated to be before fifth century C.E.-Sources and content:Of the five great...
. This was the last Tamil film directed by Dungan and is considered to be among the most successful films of that decade. Shortly after directing this film, Dungan left the Tamil film industry and did not direct Tamil films again.
Production
Manthiri Kumari (lit. The minister's daughter) was the film version of a play written by M. KarunanidhiM. Karunanidhi
Muthuvel Karunanidhi is an Indian politician and a former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He is the head of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam , a Dravidian political party in the state of Tamil Nadu. He has been the leader of the DMK since the death of its founder, C. N...
and based an incident that occurs in the Tamil epic poem Kundalakesi
Kundalakesi
Kundalakesi is a fragmentary Tamil epic written by Nagakuthanaar. Tamil literary tradition places it among the five great epics, alongside such works as the Manimekalai and Cilappatikaram. Its time period has been estimated to be before fifth century C.E.-Sources and content:Of the five great...
(One of the five Great Tamil epics). T. R. Sundaram
T. R. Sundaram
Tiruchengodu Ramalingam Sundaram was a Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Sinhalese film actor, director and iconic film producer...
of Modern Theatres
Modern Theatres
Modern Theaters Ltd was a motion picture movie studio in Salem, Tamil Nadu, India, started by Thiruchengodu Ramalingam Sundaram in 1935. The studio produced over more than 150 movies until 1982 in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Sinhalese and even English of which Tamil movies were the...
had previously produced a Dungan directed film Ponmudi
Ponmudi (1950 film)
Ponmudi is a 1950 Tamil film directed by Ellis R. Dungan. It was based on the Tamil rationalist poet Bharathidasan's Verse novel Ethirparatha Mutham.-Production:...
(1950) in which Karunanidhi had worked as a script writer. Sundaram decided to make a film based on the play and hired Dungan to direct it (the credits show Sundaram and Dungan as co-directors of the film). M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
(MGR) who had played the supporting roles in many of Dungan's earlier films had recently achieved success as a hero in Rajakumaari
Rajakumaari
Rajakumaari is a Tamil language film starring M. G. Ramachandran in the lead role. The film was released in the 1940s.-Cast:...
(1947) and Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi is a Tamil language film starring M. G. Ramachandran and Janaki Ramachandran in the lead roles and story and dialogues by M.Karunanidhi. The film was released in 1950.-Cast:...
(1950). Karunanidhi recommended that his friend MGR be made hero for the new film. Sundaram agreed with a caveat - MGR's double chin had to be hidden behind a beard. G. Ramanathan was hired to compose the music. The lyrics for the songs were written by A. Marudhakaasi and Ka. Mu. Sherriff.
Plot
The king of Mullai nadu is dominated by his Raja guru (head priest) (M. N. NambiarM. N. Nambiar
M. N. Nambiar M. N. Nambiar M. N. Nambiar ( (born Manjeri Narayanan Nambiar 7 March 1919 — 19 November 2008) was a film actor in Tamil cinema and had been in the film industry for more than 50 years.-Biography:...
). The guru wants his son Parthiban (S. A. Natarajan) to be appointed as the General of the army. But the king appoints Veera Mohan (MGR) instead. The enraged Parthiban becomes a bandit and starts raiding the country side. He wants to marry the princess Jeevarekha (G. Shakuntala) who is in love with Veera Mohan. Parthiban sends a message to Jeevarekha to meet him secretly. The message is delivered by mistake to the minister's daughter Amudhavalli (Madhuri Devi) and she goes to meet Parthiban. Parthiban and Amudhavalli fall in love. Meanwhile, the king sends his general Veeramohan to capture the bandits plaguing the country side. Veeramohan captures Parthiban and produces him in the royal court. The Raja guru is enraged and tries to get his son off by various means. He demands a trial for his son in front of the Goddess. During the trial, Amudhavalli hides behind the Goddess statue and pronounces Parthiban as innocent. She blames Veeramohan for the banditry. The king believing that the Goddess had spoken releases Parthiban and exiles Veeramohan. Parthiban and Amudhavalli are happily married. But goaded by his father Parthiban wants to take over the kingdom by marrying the princess. He decides to kill Amudhavalli. He tricks her into going with him to a cliff edge and tells her of his intention to kill her. Amudavalli begs him for a chance to worship him by going around him three times before she meets her death. Parthiban grants her last wish. While going around him she pushes him to his death from behind. Shocked by her actions and her husband's betrayal, she confesses her sins and becomes a Buddhist nun. The raja guru is jailed and Veera mohan is reunited with the princess.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| M. G. Ramachandran M. G. Ramachandran Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician.... |
General Veera Mohan |
| S. A. Natrajan | Parthiban |
| M. N. Nambiar M. N. Nambiar M. N. Nambiar M. N. Nambiar M. N. Nambiar ( (born Manjeri Narayanan Nambiar 7 March 1919 — 19 November 2008) was a film actor in Tamil cinema and had been in the film industry for more than 50 years.-Biography:... |
The Rajaguru |
| G. Shakuntala | Princess Jeevarekha |
| Madhuri Devi | Amudhavalli |
| T. P. Muthulakshmi | |
| A. Karunanidhi | |
| K. S. Angamuthu | |
| Sivasuriyan | |
| K. V. Seenivasan | |
| K. K. Soundar |
Crew
- Producer: T. R. SundaramT. R. SundaramTiruchengodu Ramalingam Sundaram was a Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Sinhalese film actor, director and iconic film producer...
, Modern TheatresModern TheatresModern Theaters Ltd was a motion picture movie studio in Salem, Tamil Nadu, India, started by Thiruchengodu Ramalingam Sundaram in 1935. The studio produced over more than 150 movies until 1982 in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Sinhalese and even English of which Tamil movies were the... - Director: Ellis R. Dungan
- Screenplay: M. KarunanidhiM. KarunanidhiMuthuvel Karunanidhi is an Indian politician and a former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He is the head of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam , a Dravidian political party in the state of Tamil Nadu. He has been the leader of the DMK since the death of its founder, C. N...
- Dialogue:M. KarunanidhiM. KarunanidhiMuthuvel Karunanidhi is an Indian politician and a former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He is the head of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam , a Dravidian political party in the state of Tamil Nadu. He has been the leader of the DMK since the death of its founder, C. N...
- Music: G. RamanathanG. RamanathanG. Ramanatha Iyer was a famous Music Composer for Tamil Movies. He is also known as 'Isai Methai' or 'Sangeetha Chakravarthy' and considered to be one of the influential Tamil Music composers to take Carnatic Music to the masses. Notable for his association with M.K.Thyagaraja Bhagavathar...
- Lyrics: Ka. Mu. Sheriff, A. Marudhakasi
- Cinematography: K. G. Vijayan
- Sound Recording: K. B. S. Mani, Padmanaban, Raju
- Assistant Director: T. P. S. Mani & K. Somu
- Dance: Lalitha, PadminiPadmini (actress)Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films...
, RaginiRagini (actress)Ragini was a South Indian danseuse and actress. She was the youngest of the famed Travancore Sisters: Lalitha, Padmini, and Ragini. With sister Padmini, she started her acting career in the mid 1950s and has acted in movies of different Indian languages including Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu...
Reception
The film was released in June 1950 and became a box office hit. Though MGR was the hero, it was S. A. Natarajan's role which received the most acclaim. Karunanidhi's fiery dialogues became famous and stirred controversy.Soundtrack
The film's music was composed by G. Ramanathan. The song Vaarai nee vaarai sung by Trichy Loganathan and JikkiJikki
Pillavalu Gajapathi Krishnaveni aka Jikki , was a popular film playback singer from South India. She sang over nearly 10,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Sinhala languages.-Early life:...
was the most popular song of the film. List of songs in the film:
- Vaarai Nee Vaarai - Thiruchi Loganathan and JikkiJikkiPillavalu Gajapathi Krishnaveni aka Jikki , was a popular film playback singer from South India. She sang over nearly 10,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Sinhala languages.-Early life:...
- Ulavum Thendral - Thiruchi Loganathan and JikkiJikkiPillavalu Gajapathi Krishnaveni aka Jikki , was a popular film playback singer from South India. She sang over nearly 10,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Sinhala languages.-Early life:...
- Pengalinaal - JikkiJikkiPillavalu Gajapathi Krishnaveni aka Jikki , was a popular film playback singer from South India. She sang over nearly 10,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Sinhala languages.-Early life:...
- Ubakaram Seibavarukke
- Anthisaayura Neram
- Isai Tamile Inidhaana - M. L. VasanthakumariM. L. VasanthakumariMadras Lalitangi Vasanthakumari , was a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. MLV and her contemporaries D. K. Pattammal and M. S. Subbulakshmi were popularly referred to as the "female trinity of Carnatic Music. A prime disciple of the G. N...
- Rajavun Rani Indha Ezhaiyeliya
- En Erumai Kannukutti
- Aadhavan Udhitha Tamarai Malarndhadhu
- Kannadichi Yaarai Neeyum - A. P. KomalaA. P. KomalaA. P. Komala was a South Indian playback singer. She has sung songs in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu languages.-Filmography:These are some of the films where she was playback singer.-References:...
- Annam Itta Vittile - T. M. Soundararajan
- Kadhal Baliyagi - M. L. VasanthakumariM. L. VasanthakumariMadras Lalitangi Vasanthakumari , was a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. MLV and her contemporaries D. K. Pattammal and M. S. Subbulakshmi were popularly referred to as the "female trinity of Carnatic Music. A prime disciple of the G. N...
- Ahahaha Vaazhvile - M. L. VasanthakumariM. L. VasanthakumariMadras Lalitangi Vasanthakumari , was a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. MLV and her contemporaries D. K. Pattammal and M. S. Subbulakshmi were popularly referred to as the "female trinity of Carnatic Music. A prime disciple of the G. N...
- Ennum Pozhuthil Inbam - M. L. VasanthakumariM. L. VasanthakumariMadras Lalitangi Vasanthakumari , was a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. MLV and her contemporaries D. K. Pattammal and M. S. Subbulakshmi were popularly referred to as the "female trinity of Carnatic Music. A prime disciple of the G. N...
- Manam Pola Vazhvu - M. L. VasanthakumariM. L. VasanthakumariMadras Lalitangi Vasanthakumari , was a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. MLV and her contemporaries D. K. Pattammal and M. S. Subbulakshmi were popularly referred to as the "female trinity of Carnatic Music. A prime disciple of the G. N...
and JikkiJikkiPillavalu Gajapathi Krishnaveni aka Jikki , was a popular film playback singer from South India. She sang over nearly 10,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Sinhala languages.-Early life:... - Porakka Poguthu