''Jagathalapratapan'' is a 1944 Indian

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nativ ...

-language film starring P. U. Chinnappa and M. S. Sarojini. A film adaptation of a folk tale "12 Minister's Tale", the film also features P. B. Rangachari, M. R. Santhanalakshmi and

N. S. Krishnan Nagercoil Sudalaimuthu Krishnan, popularly known as Kalaivanar () and also as NSK, was an Indian actor-comedian, theatre artist, playback singer and writer in the early stages of the Tamil film industry – in the 1940s and 1950s. He is conside ...

playing supporting roles. The film revolves around the theme of a prince who through his talents wins over several girls and marries them. The film was released on 13 April 1944 and became a box-office success and established Chinnappa as one of the top stars in Tamil cinema.

Plot

Jagathalapratapan is a prince who is to be punished from his kingdom for expressing his desire for four celestial maidens: Indrani, Nagakumari, Agnikumari and Varunakumari. However, he escapes punishment and roams in disguise in the company of a friend when he meets a damsel who is Indirakumari in disguise. He marries her and settles down in a kingdom whose king falls in love with his wife and sends the prince away to Nagaloka in order to covet her. Jagathalapratapan, however, succeeds in finding Nagakumari in Nagaloka, Agnikumari in Agniloka and Varunakumari in Varunaloka and succeeds in winning them as wives.

Cast

;Male cast * P. U. Chinnappa as Jagathalapratapan *

as Vichitran * P. B. Rangachari as Ulakathi King * M. V. Mani as Vishwaranjithapuri King * T. S. Balaiah as Gururakarman, Minister * D. Balasubramaniam as Devendran * Kulathumani as Brahaspathi * B. Paramasivan Nadar as Devaloka Wrestler * M. S. Murugesan as Fisherman ;Female cast * M. S. Sarojini as Indrakumari, Sasirekha * T. A. Mathuram as Mohana, Sasirekha's friend * M. R. Santhanalakshmi as Queen Vilasavathi *

U. R. Jeevarathnam Unjalur Ramayamma Jeevaratnam was an Indian actress, singer, producer and playback singer. Most of her works are in Telugu and Tamil languages. Early life Born in Unjalur, Erode, Madras Presidency in British India to Subramaniam and Kunjammaal. ...

as Nagakumari, Rathnaprabha *

S. Varalakshmi Saridey Varalakshmi (13 August 1925 – 22 September 2009) was an Indian actress and singer who worked in Telugu and Tamil-language films. She was popular for her roles and songs in Telugu films like ''Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam'' (1960) and '' ...

as Akinikumari, Prakashini * T. A. Jayalakshmi as Varunakumari, Vahini * P. Saradambal as Avvai ;Dance * Baby Kamala as Nagalokam Dancer * Yogambal, Mangalam as Devalokam Dancers

Production

After the success of '' Aryamala'' (1941) and ''

Sivakavi ''Sivakavi'' is a 1943 Indian Tamil-language film directed, initially, by P. K. Raja Sandow and later, S. M. Sriramulu Naidu. It starred M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, S. Jayalakshmi, Serukalathur Sama, Thirupurambal, T. R. Rajakumari, N. S. ...

'' (1943), K. S. Narayana Iyengar and S. M. Sriramulu Naidu launched their next production under the Pakshiraja Films banner at Central Studios, titled ''Jagathalapratapan''. The snake dance performed by Baby Kamala was popular. There was also a dance by the famous duo Yogambal-Mangalam. These dances were choreographed by V. B. Ramaiah Pillai. The final reel length of the film was .

Soundtrack

The songs were composed by G. Ramanathan and lyrics were written by

Papanasam Sivan Paapanaasam Raamayya Sivan (26 September 1890 – 1 October 1973) was an Indian composer of Carnatic music and a singer. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1971. He was also a film score composer in Kannada cinema ...

. The song "Thaayai Paniveneh" was not recorded in gramophone due to the length of the song. In this song sequence, Chinnappa sings like it's being rendered in a concert, with the accompanists playing the violin, mridangam, ghatam and ‘konnakol', all played by Chinnappa himself who appears in a single frame.

Release

''Jagathalapratapan'' was released on 13 April 1944. The film became a commercial success and established Chinnappa as a top star of Tamil cinema, with some critics equating him with Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. Randor Guy wrote that film is remembered for the interesting storyline, song and dance numbers, and Chinnappa's impressive performance. In 1948, the film was re-released after being partially colourised.

Plot

Cast

Production

Soundtrack

Release

References

Further reading