Naam Iruvar (1947 film)

For the 1985 film, see Naam Iruvar (1985 film).

Naam Iruvar
Theatrical release poster
Directed byA. V. Meiyappan
Written byPa. Neelakantan[1]
Based onThyaga Ullam
by Pa. Neelakantan
Produced byA. V. Meiyappan
StarringT. R. Mahalingam
T. A. Jayalakshmi
CinematographyT. Muthusamy
Edited byM. V. Raman
Music byR. Sudarsanam
Production
company
Release date
  • 12 January 1947 (1947-01-12)
[2]
Running time
153 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Naam Iruvar (English: We Two) is a 1947 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed and produced by A. V. Meiyappan. It is based on the play Thyaga Ullam written by Pa. Neelakantan. The film stars T. R. Mahalingam and T. A. Jayalakshmi. It was released on 12 January 1947 and became a success.

Plot

Sukumar, the son of a black-marketeer, falls in the company of evil friends and invests his money in making a film in accordance with their advice. However, the film never sees the light of the day and leaves Sukumar heavy in debt. He is eventually questioned by financiers and when he fails to pay them, is dragged to court. How he is rescued from his perilous situation forms the climax of the story. At the end of the film, Sukumar becomes a nationalist and a Gandhian.[3]

Cast

Production

Based on a play Thyaga Ullam written by Pa. Neelakantan,[4] which itself was based on the story of the 1936 film Iru Sahodarargal,[3][2] Naam Iruvar was directed and produced by A.V. Meiyappan. The film released in January, a few months before India's independence after six months of shooting and was a "thundering success".[2][5] The story begins with a Subramania Bharati anniversary and ends with Gandhi's 77th birthday celebrations. A notable feature of the movie were its songs which were written by Indian nationalist Subramaniya Bharati[6] and sung by D. K. Pattammal.[2][4]

The film is remembered for the dance performances of Baby Kamala.[4] It is also remembered as the first film produced under the banner of AVM Productions.[7] Following the success of the film, AVM moved his studio from Karaikudi to Kodambakkam in Chennai.[7][8] Nam Iruvar was also the last film directed by A. V. Meiyappan and extensively portrayed the hopes and aspirations of a nation on the brink of independence.

S. V. Sahasranamam who acted and directed the play was initially considered for the leading role. but couldn't take up the film due to other commitments hence he was replaced by T. R. Mahalingam.[9] The film also marked the debut of V. K. Ramasamy who appeared in the role of an evil old man at the age of 21.[10]

Songs

Music was composed by R. Sudarasanam and lyrics were written by Mahakavi Bharathiar, K. P. Kamatchi, V. S. Veeranatha Konar and M. Raghavan.[1] The song "Aaduvome" was written by Subramaniya Bharathi while other two songs were written by K. P. Kamatchisundaram. Randor Guy of The Hindu wrote that the film was remembered for "The scintillating song and dance numbers, ‘Aaaduvomey…..’ and ‘Vetri Ettum’, performed by ‘Baby’ Kamala".[11]

Song Singer Lyrics Length
"Vetri Ettu Dhikkum Etta" D. K. Pattammal Subramania Bharati 04:13
"Aaduvome Pallu Paaduvome" 04:53
"Vaazhiya Sendhamizhar Vaazhiya Natramizhar" Devanarayanan, T. S. Bhagavathi
"Viduthalai Viduthalai Viduthalai" T. R. Mahalingam 01:33
"Solai Malar Oliyo" T. R. Mahalingam, T. S. Bhagavathi 03:16
"Iga Vaazhvinile Aaanandham" K. P. Kamatchisundaram 02:46
"Jega Meedhile Mei Kaadhalthaane" 02:08
"Vasandham Tharum Maalai" T. S. Bagavathi 02:35
"Udal Aaviyum Pol" 02:55
"Maalai Neramidhe Kola Kuyil Koovudhe" 01:59
"Amudhinai Vishamendru" Devanarayanan 02:05
"Devaamudha Mozhiyaale" T. R. Mahalingam 02:10
"Karunaamoorthi Gaandhi Mahaathmaa" M. S. Rajeswari 02:01
"Mahaan, Gaandhiye Mahaane" 03:27
"Thagamai Seyr Amuthinai" P. G. Venkatesan 01:37
"Kodaiyile Ilaipaatrikolla" T. R. Mahalingam Vallalar Ramalinga Adigal Arudpa 04:55

Reception

The reviewer for The Indian Express called the film "an interesting social drama well acted with the additional attraction of a few songs of the great Bharathi rendered by Mahalingam. Baby Kamala is responsible for some good dance numbers."[12] Randor Guy of The Hindu wrote that the concept "had nothing to do with the freedom movement, but it had everything to do with perceptively capturing the spirit of the times, making it a hit".[13]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Naam Iruvar (motion picture) (in Tamil). AVM Productions. 1947. Opening credits, from 0:50 to 2:24.
  2. ^ a b c d Dhananjayan 2014, p. 64.
  3. ^ a b Crow, Jonathan. "Nam Iruvar (1947)". AllMovie. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Guy, Randor (7 January 2002). "She danced her way to stardom". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  5. ^ "From Naam Iruvar to Sivaji". Business Line. 15 August 2007. Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2008.
  6. ^ "Landamarks in Tamil cinema". indiafilm.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  7. ^ a b Dhananjayan 2014, p. 66.
  8. ^ Guy, Randor (28 July 2006). "AVM, the adventurer". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  9. ^ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 65.
  10. ^ "V. K. Ramasamy died". The Hindu. 25 December 2002. Archived from the original on 13 May 2003. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  11. ^ "Naam Iruvar 1947". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 April 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  12. ^ "We Two". The Indian Express. 22 February 1947. p. 8.
  13. ^ Muthiah, S. (30 January 2006). "The innovative film-maker". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2015.

Bibliography