Marmayogi

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Marmayogi
File:Marmayogi.jpg
Theatrical poster
Directed by K. Ramnoth
Produced by Jupiter Pictures
Written by A. S. A. Sami
Starring M. G. Ramachandran
M. N. Nambiar
S. A. Natarajan
Anjali Devi
Javar Seetharaman
Serukulathur Sama
Madhuri Devi
Music by C. R. Subburaman
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Cinematography Masthan
W. R. Subbarao
Edited by M. A. Thirumugam
Release dates
 2 February 1951[1]
Running time
 175 min. (15,760 feet)
Country India
Language Tamil

Marmayogi (English: The Mysterious Sage) is a 1951 Indian Tamil fantasy film directed by K. Ramnoth and produced by M. Somasundaram under his banner Jupiter Studios. A film adaptation of the novel Vengeance by Marie Corelli and William Shakespeare's novel Macbeth, the film was shot simultaneously in Hindi as Ek Tha Raja. The film features M. G. Ramachandran, Madhuri Devi and Anjali Devi in the lead roles with Pandari Bai, M. N. Nambiar and S. V. Sahasranamam playing supporting roles.

Development of the film began after the success of Rajakumari (1947), Ramachandran approached writer A. S. A. Sami to write a script which revolves around him. Samy wrote a script inspired from Vengeance by Marie Corelli and Shakespeare's novel Macbeth and Robinhood. S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and C. R. Subbaraman composed all the songs in the soundtrack album. Masthan and Subbarao handled the film's cinematography. The film was edited by M. A. Thirumugam.

The film was released on 2 February 1951 with reel length of 4,804 metres (15,761 ft). The film became commercial success at box office and established Ramachandran's image as a star. It was the first Tamil film to receive an "A" (Adults Only) certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification.

Plot

A King's (Serukalathur Sama) mistress (Anjali Devi) usurps his power and casts him adrift in a river. The two princes of the kingdom (Sahasranamam and MGR) are denied their birthright. The deposed king wanders the country in the guise of a sage. The younger prince (Ramachandran) leads a popular rebellion against the usurper-queen and restores the kingdom to his father.

Cast

Production

After the success of Rajakumari (1947), Ramachandran approached writer A. S. A. Sami to write a script which revolves around him. Samy wrote a script inspired from Vengeance by Marie Corelli and Shakespeare's novel Macbeth and Robinhood.[2][3] Makers initially considered naming the film as Karikalan but later changed it as Marmayogi to avoid it being confused as a historical film.[2] P. Bhanumathi was originally signed for the role of Urvasi later she was replaced by Anjali Devi.[3] Serukulathur Sama, Sahasranamam and S. A. Natarajan were selected to portray supporting roles. M. N. Nambiar portrayed a positive character of Ramachandran's assistant. Masthan and Subbarao handled the film's cinematography. The film was edited by M. A. Thirumugam.

Ramachandran's sword fight sequence with Sahasranamam was shot in outdoors with Ramachandran practised himself for the scene within 3 to 4 days and refused to use body double. Director Ramnath changed the climax from the original screenplay. After the film was completed, many felt that ending was not convincing and Ramnath reshot the climax which was accepted by audience.[3]

Themes and influences

The film's plot was inspired from Vengeance by Marie Corelli and Shakespeare's novel Macbeth.[2][3] The film drew inspiration from Russian film Ivan The Terrible (1944) and the scene where Karikalan enters the courtroom was inspired from the film Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).[3] The scene where Ramachandran fight with sword with Sahasranamam by riding a horse is inspired from Black Arrow.[3]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and C. R. Subburaman. According to page 88 of G. Dhananjayan's 2014 book Pride of Tamil Cinema, only two songs were written for the film: "Kazhuthailiye Irandu Vitham" and "Thillalangadi Thillalangadi".[3] Page 89 of the same book contradicts this, stating that the film had at least five songs, including "Azhagana Penn Maanai Paar", "Desam Pora Pokka Partha, Pesa Kooda Nalla Illae", "Inbam Iravil Amaidhiyile", "Kannin Karumaniye Kalavathi" and "Vetri Sangai Oothuvom".[4]

Release

The film's inaugural show was held at Prabhat Theatre which was commenced by Jayaprakash Narayanan. The film was released on 2 February 1951 with reel length of 4,804 metres (15,761 ft).[1] The film was certified "A" because it featured a ghost. Jupiter Pictures remade the film in Telugu with same name starring N. T. Rama Rao.[4]

Legacy

The film's commercial success established Ramachandran's image as a star.[2][4] It was the first Tamil film to receive an "A" (Adults Only) certificate from the censor board.[4] The dialogue "Karikalan kuri vaithaal thavara maatten! Thavarumey aanaal kuri vaikka maatten" (English: If I aim, it will not fail; if it will fail, I will not aim) became popular and paved way for the trend of inclusion of punch dialogues in Tamil films.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 87.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/article3022660.ece
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 88.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 89.

External links

Bibliography

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