Madurai Veeran (1956 film)
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''Madurai Veeran ''() is a 1956 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
action film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include life ...
directed by
D. Yoganand Dasari Yoganand (16 April 1922 – 23 November 2006) was a South Indian film director. Early life Yoganand was born in Madras under British India. His parents were Venkata Das, estate manager under Nawaab Raza Ali Khan of Machilipatnam, and La ...
, written by
Kannadasan Kannadasan (; 24 June 1927 – 17 October 1981) was an Indian philosopher, poet, film song lyricist, producer, actor, script-writer, editor, philanthropist, and is heralded as one of the greatest and most important lyricists in India. Freq ...
, and produced by
Lena Chettiar Lena Chettiar (born S. M. Letchuman Chettiar) was an Indian film producer from Chettinad known for his works in Tamil cinema. Career S. M. Letchuman Chettiar hailed from the Nattukottai Nagarathar clan in Chettinad. Early on in his career, Le ...
. Based on the folklore legend turned deity of the same name, it stars
M. G. Ramachandran Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (17 January 1917 24 December 1987), also popularly known as M.G.R., was an Indian politician, actor, philanthropist, and filmmaker who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987 ...
as the eponymous character, with
P. Bhanumathi P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna (7 September 1925 – 24 December 2005) was an Indian actress, singer, film producer, director, music composer, and novelist. She is regarded as the first female super star of Telugu cinema. She is also considered the ...
and Padmini playing his love interests.
T. S. Balaiah Thirunelveli Subramaniyan Balaiah (23 August 1914 – 22 July 1972) was an Indian actor. He is best known for playing supporting roles in Tamil films. Born in Sundankottai, near Udankudi in Thoothukudi, Balaiah was introduced to the cine fiel ...
,
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 ...
and T. A. Mathuram play supporting roles. ''Madurai Veeran'' was the second film based on the legend after a 1939 film. It was released on 13 April 1956, during
Puthandu Puthandu (), also known as Puthuvarudam, and the Tamil New Year, is the first day of year on the Tamil calendar, traditionally celebrated as a festival by Tamil Hindus. The festival date is set with the solar cycle of the lunisolar Hindu cal ...
(Tamil New Year). The film became a major commercial success, and had a theatrical run of over 200 days, thereby becoming a silver jubilee film. It was also a milestone in the careers of Ramachandran and Padmini, and led to many more similar films being made.


Plot

A baby is born to the chieftain of Varanavasi, but with an unlucky mark destined to bring doom to the state. Acting as per the dictates of the astrologer, the baby is abandoned in the forest. A cobbler and his wife discover the baby in the forest, and bring him up as their son. They name him Veeran, meaning warrior, because he did not cry even though he was around forest animals. 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 terrorising 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 recognises 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.


Cast

;Male cast *
M. G. Ramachandran Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (17 January 1917 24 December 1987), also popularly known as M.G.R., was an Indian politician, actor, philanthropist, and filmmaker who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987 ...
as
Veeran Veeran was an Indian actor and dubbing artist in Malayalam cinema. He has acted in more than 100 films. He appeared in character roles as well as villain roles. Filmography * '' Akalangalil Abhayam'' (1980) * ''Rakthamillatha Manushyan'' (1979 ...
*
T. S. Balaiah Thirunelveli Subramaniyan Balaiah (23 August 1914 – 22 July 1972) was an Indian actor. He is best known for playing supporting roles in Tamil films. Born in Sundankottai, near Udankudi in Thoothukudi, Balaiah was introduced to the cine fiel ...
as Narasappan *
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 ...
as Veeran's foster father * P. S. Venkatachalam as Saint *
Kuladeivam Rajagopal V. R. Rajagopal, known professionally as Kuladeivam Rajagopal, was an Indian actor and comedian who worked predominantly in Tamil films and plays. He was a popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Rajagopal made his film debut in ''Kaveri'' (1955). He ...
* Kallapart Natarajan *
O. A. K. Thevar O. A. K. Thevar (1924–1973) was an Indian actor. He acted in over 200 films and stage plays. He is known for his antagonistic roles. In 1955 he acted his debut movie ''Maman Magal''. His notable movie are Mahadhevi, Thaikkupin Tharam, Utha ...
as Thirumalai Nayakar * Ma. Balasubramaniam as King Bomman * Tirupathisamy as Chokkan ;Female cast *
P. Bhanumathi P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna (7 September 1925 – 24 December 2005) was an Indian actress, singer, film producer, director, music composer, and novelist. She is regarded as the first female super star of Telugu cinema. She is also considered the ...
as Bommi * Padmini as Vellaiyamma * T. A. Mathuram as Veeran's foster mother *
E. V. Saroja E. V. Saroja (1935 - 2006) was an Indian actress and dancer. She was born on 3 November 1935 as Engan V. Saroja. She belonged to Engan village of Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu. Her debut film was '' En Thangai'' in 1952 starring M. G. Ramacha ...
as Killi ;Dance * Lalitha * Ragini *
Sukumari Sukumari Amma (6 October 1940 – 26 March 2013) was an Indian actress best known for her works in Malayalam and Tamil films. In a career spanning more than five decades, She has appeared in more than 2500 films predominantly in Malayalam, Tam ...
* ''Maadi'' Lakshmi


Production

The folklore legend turned deity
Madurai Veeran Madurai Veeran, also known as Veeran, is a Tamil folk deity popular in southern Tamil Nadu, India. His name literally means, "warrior of Madurai". Legend According to the ''Maduraiveeraswamikathai'', Veeran was born to royal parents and w ...
's first appearance on screen was in a 1939 film with the same name. Another attempt to make a film based on the legend was made in the late 1940s by Naveena Pictures, with P. U. Chinnappa set to star; this did not materialise.
Lena Chettiar Lena Chettiar (born S. M. Letchuman Chettiar) was an Indian film producer from Chettinad known for his works in Tamil cinema. Career S. M. Letchuman Chettiar hailed from the Nattukottai Nagarathar clan in Chettinad. Early on in his career, Le ...
of Krishna Pictures later successfully managed to produce one, also titled ''Madurai Veeran'', with
D. Yoganand Dasari Yoganand (16 April 1922 – 23 November 2006) was a South Indian film director. Early life Yoganand was born in Madras under British India. His parents were Venkata Das, estate manager under Nawaab Raza Ali Khan of Machilipatnam, and La ...
as director. However, Chettiar was not credited as producer. The screenplay for this version was written by
Kannadasan Kannadasan (; 24 June 1927 – 17 October 1981) was an Indian philosopher, poet, film song lyricist, producer, actor, script-writer, editor, philanthropist, and is heralded as one of the greatest and most important lyricists in India. Freq ...
, who also served as lyricist. Art direction was handled by Ganga, editing by V. B. Natarajan, and the cinematography by M. A. Rehman.
M. G. Ramachandran Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (17 January 1917 24 December 1987), also popularly known as M.G.R., was an Indian politician, actor, philanthropist, and filmmaker who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987 ...
, who starred as the title character, initially refused to act in the film because it had mythological references, but joined after being urged by
R. M. Veerappan R. M. Veerappan (also referred to as RMV or Rama Veerappan) is an Indian politician, an early Dravidian Leader, and a movie producer and screenwriter from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. He is the founder and leader of the MGR Kazhagam party. ...
. He felt that the character of Velliaiyamma was "poorly depicted" in the original legend, and suggested changes to her screen depiction, to which the producer assented. The character was portrayed by Padmini, in her first film opposite Ramachandran. The final cut of the film was 165 minutes.


Themes and influences

Tamil historian
Sachi Sri Kantha Sachithanantham Sri Kantha (born 8 May 1953) is a Sri Lanka-born scientist, historian and bilingual author. He has been residing in Japan since 1986, and became a naturalised Japanese citizen in 2016. Education A native of Point Pedro, Sri ...
noted that various Ramachandran films reflect the 1950s trend of films being "costume dramas" that focus on princes and folk heroes, citing ''Madurai Veeran'' as an example.
Ashish Rajadhyaksha Ashish Vithal Rajadhyaksha (born 12 March 1957) is an Indian film scholar, art curator and cultural theorist. He was a Senior Fellow at the Bangalore-based Centre for the Study of Culture and Society. Early life Ashish Vithal Rajadhyaksha was ...
and
Paul Willemen Paul Willemen (17 August 1944 – 13 May 2012) was a Belgian-born British professor, author and essayist. According to the British Film Institute, he was regarded as "a pioneering figure in the revolution in thinking about the cinema that be ...
, in ''Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema'', compare it to Ramachandran's earlier films like ''
Malaikkallan ''Malaikkallan'' () is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language action film starring P. Bhanumathi and M. G. Ramachandran. The film was released on 22 July 1954, and was an astounding success and highest collection of the year. It ran more than 140 days i ...
'' (1954) and '' Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' (1956) as they are also
Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature and film. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions of the legend, he is depic ...
-inspired, and because
P. Bhanumathi P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna (7 September 1925 – 24 December 2005) was an Indian actress, singer, film producer, director, music composer, and novelist. She is regarded as the first female super star of Telugu cinema. She is also considered the ...
plays a damsel in distress in them.


Soundtrack

The music was composed by G. Ramanathan, while the lyrics were by
Udumalai Narayana Kavi [https://idhatri.com/udumalai-narayana-kavi/ Udumalai Narayana KavUdumalai Narayana Kavi Udumalai Narayana Kavi (25 September 1899 – 23 May 1981) was an Indian poet and lyricist known for his work in Tamil films. Early life Udumalai Narayana w ...
, Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and Kannadasan. The song "Summa Kidantha Sothukku Kashtam" is based on "Yeruvaaka Saagaaro Ranno Chinnanna", composed by Master Venu for the
Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode S ...
film ''
Rojulu Marayi ''Rojulu Marayi'' () is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Tapi Chanakya. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Sowcar Janaki with music composed by Master Venu. The film was produced by C. V. R. Prasad on Sarathi Films banner. T ...
'' (1955). A. V. Meiyappan, distributor of ''Rojulu Marayi''s Tamil remake '' Kaalam Maari Pochu'' (1956), which re-used "Yeruvaaka Saagaaro Ranno Chinnanna" as "Kallam Kabadam Theriyadhavane" (also known as "Yerupooti Povaye Anne Sinnanne"), sued Lena Chettiar, accusing him of stealing the tune of his film song.
V. L. Ethiraj Vellore Lakshmanaswamy Ethiraj (18 July 1890 – 18 August 1960) was an Indian lawyer and philanthropist who founded Ethiraj College for Women, a college in Chennai, India. He was the first Indian to be appointed as Crown Prosecutor by th ...
, a renowned lawyer, appeared for Chettiar. The judge observed that the tune of both songs were based on folklore music, and no-one could claim a right of ownership to such music. The case was dismissed. The song "Aadal Kaaneero" is set in the
Carnatic raga Carnatic raga refers to ''ragas'' used in Carnatic music. A Carnatic raga has several components - primordial sound (''nāda''), tonal system (''swara''), pitch (''śruti''), scale, ornaments ('' gamaka'') and important tones. Origins and histo ...
known as
Charukesi Charukesi (pronounced chārukēś‌i) is a rāga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 26th ''Melakarta'' rāgam in the 72 ''melakarta'' rāgam system of Carnatic music. It is called Tarangini in Muthuswam ...
, and attained popularity. A remix of "Vaanga Machan Vaanga" was recorded by Hiphop Tamizha for the 2019 film ''
Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven ''Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven'' () is a Tamil-language action comedy film directed by Sundar C. and produced by Lyca Productions. A remake of the Telugu film ''Attarintiki Daredi'' (2013), the film stars Silambarasan, Ramya Krishnan, Prabhu, ...
''.


Release

''Madurai Veeran'' was released on 13 April 1956, during
Puthandu Puthandu (), also known as Puthuvarudam, and the Tamil New Year, is the first day of year on the Tamil calendar, traditionally celebrated as a festival by Tamil Hindus. The festival date is set with the solar cycle of the lunisolar Hindu cal ...
(Tamil New Year). The film was a major commercial success, running for over 100-days in all the 36 theatres it was screened at. It ran for over 200 days at the Madurai-based Chinthamani Theatre (the longest run for a film starring Ramachandran to that point), thereby becoming a silver jubilee film. According to R. Kannan, author of ''MGR: A Life'', the film grossed over . Ramachandran said ''Madurai Veeran'' surpassed '' Chandralekha'' (1948) to become the "biggest box office film ever on the South Indian screen." It was later dubbed in
Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode S ...
as ''Sahasaveerudu''.


Reception

On the day of its release, ''
The Indian Express ''The Indian Express'' is an English-language Indian daily newspaper founded in 1932. It is published in Mumbai by the Indian Express Group. In 1999, eight years after the group's founder Ramnath Goenka's death in 1991, the group was split betw ...
'' called ''Madurai Veeran'' a "should-not-be-missed" film. The reviewer praised the performances of Ramachandran,
T. S. Balaiah Thirunelveli Subramaniyan Balaiah (23 August 1914 – 22 July 1972) was an Indian actor. He is best known for playing supporting roles in Tamil films. Born in Sundankottai, near Udankudi in Thoothukudi, Balaiah was introduced to the cine fiel ...
, Bhanumathi and Padmini, the comedy sequences featuring
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 ...
and T. A. Mathuram, Yoganand's direction, the dialogue and music, concluding, " 'Madurai Veeran''makes one interested right from the beginning to the finish." ''
Swadesamitran ''Swadesamitran'' was a Tamil language newspaper that was published from the then Madras city from 1882 to 1985. One of the earliest Tamil newspapers and the longest in print, ''Swadesamitran'' was founded by Indian nationalist G. Subramania Iyer ...
'' too printed a positive review, as did Kanthan of ''
Kalki Kalki ( sa, कल्कि), also called Kalkin or Karki, is the prophesied tenth and final incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is described to appear in order to end the Kali Yuga, one of the four periods in the endless cycle of exist ...
'', for the writing, direction and music.


Historical accuracy

Although ''Madurai Veeran'' is based on a legend, it has been criticised for taking liberties, primarily with the depiction of the title character. Film historian S. Theodore Baskaran noted that the film did not depict Veeran as a direct descendant of backward parents, rather as "a baby born in the royal family who is left in the forest and brought up by a
Dalit Dalit (from sa, दलित, dalita meaning "broken/scattered"), also previously known as untouchable, is the lowest stratum of the Caste system in India, castes in India. Dalits were excluded from the four-fold Varna (Hinduism), varna syste ...
couple", mainly to appease fans. Athiyaman, founder of Athi Thamizhar Peravai, which published the book ''Madurai Veeran Unmai Varalaaru'', also criticised the film for distorting Veeran's Dalit identity.


Legacy

''Madurai Veeran'' emerged a milestone both in the careers of Ramachandran and Padmini. The film's enormous earnings led to it becoming a precursor for many more similar films, but none equalled the success of ''Madurai Veeran''. It was also one of the few films where the lead character played by Ramachandran dies. He avoided doing such roles since the late 1960s after his ''
Paasam ''Paasam'' () is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language film directed by T. R. Ramanna. It stars M. G. Ramachandran, M. R. Radha and B. Saroja Devi. The film was released on 31 August 1962 and failed commercially. Plot Depicts the extraordinary love ...
'' (1962) failed commercially since fans could not accept his character's death in that film. Dalit historian Stalin Rajangam believed that
Arunthathiyar Arunthathiyar is a scheduled caste community mostly found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The term has two distinct usages: for the purposes of Reservation in India, the state government's positive discrimination program, in 2009 it was de ...
s (a subsect of Dalits) began supporting Ramachandran after he acted as Veeran.


Notes


References


Bibliography

* * * * * *


External links

* {{D. Yoganand 1950s action films 1950s Tamil-language films 1956 films Films based on Indian folklore Films directed by D. Yoganand Films involved in plagiarism controversies Films scored by G. Ramanathan Hindu mythological films Indian action films Indian epic films Indian black-and-white films