''Ashok Kumar'' is a 1941 Indian Tamil-language

historical drama A historical drama (also period drama, costume drama, and period piece) is a work set in a past time period, usually used in the context of film and television. Historical drama includes historical fiction and romance film, romances, adventure f ...

film directed by Raja Chandrasekhar. Based on a legend involving the Mauryan emperor Ashoka The Great, his son Kunala and Ashoka's second wife Thishyarakshai, it stars M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Chittoor V. Nagayya and P. Kannamba. The film was released on 17 September 1941.

Plot

The Mauryan emperor Ashokar's son Kunalan is courted by Ashokar's second wife Tishyarakshai. When he rejects her advances, he is falsely accused by the queen of trying to seduce her, and is thrown into prison and blinded. The story, however, comes to a happy end with his eyesight being restored by Gautama Buddha and the king acquits him of all the charges.

Cast

;Male cast * M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar as Kunalan * Chittoor V. Nagayya as Samrat Ashokar * Rangasami Iyengar as Radhaguptar * N. S. Krishnan as Doctor Theraiyan * K. Mahadeva Iyer as Upaguptar * M. G. Ramchandar as Mahendran * K. V. Venkatrama Iyer as Kanjuki * Murali as Kokkaiyan * R. Ranjan as Gautama Buddha (uncredited) ;Female cast * P. Kannamba as Tishyarakshai * T. V. Kumudhini as Kanchanamala *

T. A. Mathuram T. A. Mathuram (14 October 1918 – 23 May 1974) was an Indian stage and film actress and singer. Biography and career Mathuram was born in Srirangam on 14 October 1918 in a family of artists. Her first Tamil film was Rathnaavali released in ...

as Pramila

Production

''Ashok Kumar'' is based on a legend involving the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, his son Kunalan and Ashoka's younger queen Thishyarakshai. It was the first Tamil film based on the legend, which was previously filmed in Hindi as ''Veer Kunal'' (1925). Telugu actress P. Kannamba played the role of Thishyarakshai. This was her second Tamil film and since she did not know the language, she was provided with a script in which Tamil words had been transliterated into Telugu. ''Ashok Kumar'' marked the debut of Ranjan (credited as R. Ramani), who portrayed Gautama Buddha. The song and dance sequence, "Unnai Kandu Mayangaatha" was shot in a single night at Newtone Studio.

Soundtrack

The songs were composed by Alathur V. Subramanyam and the lyrics were written by Papanasam Sivan. Playback singers are Rama Rao and Mani of the Renuka Orchestra.

Music Credits

;Sharma Brothers Orchestra * R. N. Thambi – Veena * V. Govindasami – Fiddle * N. L. Ramalingam – Harmonium * R. V. Parikshithu – Mridangam

Release and reception

''Ashok Kumar'' was released on 17 September 1941. Kay Yess Enn of '' The Indian Express'' praised the film for Kannamba's performance.

In other media

Portions of "Bhoomiyil Maanida" were used in "Theepidikka", a song in '' Arinthum Ariyamalum'' (2005).

References

Bibliography

External links

* {{IMDb title, 0157332 1940s Tamil-language films 1941 films Films set in ancient India Indian black-and-white films Indian historical drama films Memorials to Ashoka Works about the Maurya Empire Films scored by Alathur V. Subramanyam