Naam (1953 film)

Naam
Theatrical release poster
Directed byA. Kasilingam
Screenplay byM. Karunanidhi
Based onKaadhal Kanneer
by Kashi
StarringM. G. Ramachandran
V. N. Janaki
CinematographyG. K. Ramu
Edited byA. Kasilingam
Music byC. S. Jayaraman
Production
companies
Jupiter Pictures
Mekala Pictures
Release date
  • 5 March 1953 (1953-03-05)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Naam (transl. Us) is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language film directed by A. Kasilingam, starring M. G. Ramachandran and V. N. Janaki. It is based on Kaadhal Kanneer (transl. Tears of Love, a novel by Kashi. The film was released on 5 March 1953 and failed commercially.

Plot

Kumaran is the heir to a zamindari estate, which he learns from his dying mother. However, the will and the related testament are hidden by Malayappan. A doctor Sanjeevi is also interested in the property and wants his daughter to marry Kumaran. Against his wishes, Kumaran is in love with Malayappan's sister Meena. When Meena gets the will, Kumaran suspects her intentions, and leaves the village. In the city, he becomes a boxer. Meanwhile, Malayappan sets Kumaran's house on fire and Kumaran is presumed dead. However, he is saved by Meena. More complications arise about the missing will, and simultaneously, a disfigured boxer moves around at night, leading to rumours about a ghost in the village. However, the truth is eventually revealed, and the lovers are united.[1]

Cast

Production

Naam was jointly produced by Jupiter Pictures and Mekala Pictures. The partners of Mekala included M. Karunanidhi, M. G. Ramachandran and V. N. Janaki. Karunanidhi wrote the screenplay, dialogue and lyrics, based on Kaadhal Kanneer, a novel by Kashi. Ramachandran, then not the popular icon that he would later become, spelt his name onscreen as "Ramachandar" because he thought it sounded "stylish", and wanted to differentiate himself from the already established actor T. R. Ramachandran.[1]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by C. S. Jayaraman, with lyrics written by M. Karunanidhi.[citation needed]

Song Title Singers Duration (mm:ss)
"Pesum Yaazhe Pennmaane" A. M. Rajah & Jikki 02:49
"Edhaiyum Thaangum Idhayam" C. S. Jayaraman 02:59
"Pesum Yaazhe Pennmaane" Jikki 03:08
"Paappaa Eppodhum Bayame" C. S. Jayaraman & T. R. Gajalakshmi 02:56
"Maari Magamaayi Maari Magamaayi" K. R. Chellamuthu & A. P. Komala 03:06
"Laalaala.... Kannaatti Karumbe" 00:43
"Aahaa Varuvaai Varuvaai" K. R. Chellamuthu 01:41

Release

Naam was released on 5 March 1953,[2] and failed commercially.[3] Historian Aranthai Narayanan theorised that, one reason for the film's underperformance was lack of "DMK political mix" that fans expected after the success of Karunanidhi's Parasakthi, released the year before.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Guy, Randor (29 December 2012). "Naam (1953)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  2. ^ "1953 – நாம் – ஜூபிடர் – மேகலா" [1953 – Naam – Jupiter – Mekala]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  3. ^ Sri Kantha, Sachi (27 December 2019). "MGR Remembered – Part 54 | An Overview of the Final 31 movies of 1970s". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  4. ^ Sri Kantha, Sachi (30 September 2014). "MGR Remembered – Part 21 | Generativity in DMK Party of 1950s". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Retrieved 3 September 2024.