Mudhalali

Mudhalali

Poster
Directed by Muktha Srinivasan
Produced by M. A. Venu
Story by A. K. Venkat Ramanujam
Starring S. S. Rajendran
Devika
M. N. Rajam
T. K. Ramachandran
C. T. Rajakantham
Music by K. V. Mahadevan
Cinematography K. Ramachandran
Edited by T. Vijayarangam
Production
company
Rathna Studio
Distributed by M. A. V. Pictures
Release dates
  • 22 October 1957 (1957-10-22)

[1]

Running time
 160 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil

Mudhalali (English: Proprietor) is a 1957 Tamil drama film directed by Muktha Srinivasan in his debut. The film was produced by M. A. Venu under M. A. V. Pictures and stars S. S. Rajendran and debutant Devika in the lead roles, while M. N. Rajam, A. Kannaiyan and T. P. Muthulakshmi play pivotal roles. The film's soundtrack and background score were composed by K. V. Mahadevan, while the lyrics for the songs were written by Ka. Mu. Sheriff.

K. Ramachandran and T. Vijayarangam handled cinematography and editing respectively. The film is based on a stage play of same name by Venkat Ramanujam. Development of the film was started during the making of Sampoorna Ramayanam which was shelved for time. Venu, who wanted to complete the film with the balance of 20 days, approached Srinivasan to complete the film within a short span of time. The film was released on 22 October 1957 with a length of 4965 minutes. A simple film that became a hit on account of its good songs and an interesting story line, it ran for over 100 days and established the career of S. S. Rajendran Devika and Director Muktha Srinivasan. The film was remade in Malayalam under the same name in 1965 starring Prem Nazir.[2]

Plot

Vasanthan (S. S. Rajendran) goes to America for higher studies. During his absence, his widowed mother Karpagam (C. T. Rajakantham) manages their glass factory at Salem with help of manager Balu (T. K. Ramachandran), who has a relationship with Vasanthan's niece Kokilam (M. N. Rajam). Since Vasnthan's mother does not understand the factory's working and management, Balu brings everything under his control and swindles the company by various means. Vasanthan returns to India after few years. He lands at Bombay en route to Madras to reach Salem. There he meets a hotel boy poongavanam (R. Pakkirisamy) and through him, he realises the need to understand the life of a worker before becoming the owner of factory. He informs his mother that he would be coming after two months as he to go on another tour, but lands in Salem as a worker named Varadhan. He joins the factory with the help of Valli (Devika), who works in the factory along with her father.

Slowly, he understand all the misdeeds of balu in managing the factory and also his niece Kokilam's relationship with him. Meanwhile, he and Valli fall in love. Vasanthan's mother becomes desperate for her son and starts spending money to trace him. Vasanthan decide to reveal his true identity and goes out of town. Balu has an eye on Valli, when she does not accept his lecherous advances, he throws her and her father out of the factory quarters. They leave in search of Varadhan, who has left Salem. When Vasanthan returns, his mother becomes happy. He meets the workers and promises changes as he now understands the misdeeds of the manager. Gradually, he starts addressing all the workers issues. Manager Balu is kept in his place and brought under control. Unable to accept his reduced status and being under excessive control, Balu starts spreading rumours that Vasanthan is not real owner, an imposter Varadhan has comes as Vasanthan. Even Vasanthan's mother starts doubting this, since Vasanthan(who was found of Kokilam before going abroad) is not behaving as before with her. Now Vasanthan proves that he is the real owner and exposes all of Balu's misdeeds. With the help of a Cycle - rickshaw puller, he traces Valli in Madras(who had gone there search of him) brings her back, and marries her.

Cast

Production

M. A. Venu who produced Sampoorna Ramayanam at that time had to shoot that film only 10 days in a month since many artists involved in that film were busy with other commitments. In order to make use of remaining 20 days, Venu bought the rights of stage play Mudhalali and chose Srinivasan to make his directorial debut.[3] Unlike most films, this film's production was completed in four months and two days within the budget of 2 lakhs.[3][4] Pramila who was given the screen name Devika made her acting debut.[5] Rajendran was paid 7000, Both Devika wand Srinivasan were paid 5000.[3] The film grossed 20 lakhs within first release itself.[3]

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack and background score were composed by K. V. Mahadevan, while the lyrics for the songs were written by Ka. Mu. Sheriff. The song "Aerikkaraiyin Mele" was well received and it was composed in Arabhi raga.[6] The other popular song were Engirundho Vandhan en Idhayam Kavarndhar.. Enga mudhalali thanga mudhalali and Pakkuvamai kudumabatthan

No Songs Singers Lyrics Length(m:ss)
1 Yavanna Rani Jikki Ka. Mu. Sheriff
2 Yengirundho Vandhar M. S. Rajeswari
3 Kunguma Pottukkara T. M. Soundararajan
4 Chikkanama Vazhum
5 Yeri Karaiyin Mele T. M. Soundararajan
6 Enga Mudhalali Thanga
7 Aasai Kalyanam M. S. Rajeswari

Recognition and Awards

The film received a certificate from the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil (Best regional language film) for the year. The concept of an owner understanding the struggles of the workers and working for their welfare appealed to everyone.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 120.
  2. ↑ "mudhalali". spicyonion. Retrieved 2016-03-19.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 121.
  4. ↑ "A celebrated veteran of the south indian film industry Hindu". Hindu. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  5. ↑ "Blend of grace and charm". Hindu. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  6. ↑ "Valour and worship". Hindu. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  7. ↑ "5th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 2 September 2011.

Bibliography

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, May 04, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.