Ezhai Padum Padu
| Ezhai Padum Padu | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | K. Ramnoth |
| Produced by | Pakshiraja Studios |
| Written by |
Story: Victor Hugo Screenplay: Elangovan |
| Starring |
Chittor V. Nagaiah Javar Seetharaman M. N. Rajam T.S. Balaiya Serukulathur Sama Padmini V. Gopalakrishnan Lalitha T. S. Durairaj Kumari N.Rajam |
| Music by | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu |
| Cinematography | N. Prakash |
| Edited by | Surya |
Release dates | 6 November 1950 |
Running time | 197 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Ezhai Padum Padu (English: Plight of the Poor) is a 1950 Indian Tamil language film directed by K. Ramnoth. It was simultaneously shot in Telugu as Beedala Patlu. It was an adaptation of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. The film was released on Deepavali day, 1950 and was a hit. For his memorable portrayal of Inspector Javert in this film, N Seetharaman came to be called as Javert Seetharaman. It was produced by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu of Pakshiraja Studios.[1][2][3][4]
Production
Ezhai Padum Padu (lit. Plight of the poor) was produced by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu at Pakshiraja Studios in Coimbatore. K. Ramnoth was hired as the director and Chittor V. Nagaiah was cast as Kandan (based on Jean Valjean). Initially, Nagercoil K. Mahadevan, was cast as the bishop who reforms the thief. But after a few scenes were shot, Sriramulu Naidu replaced him with Serukulathur Sama. Elangovan (Thanigachalam) wrote the script for Ezhai Padum Padu based on Sudhanandha Bharathi's novel of the same name. Sriramulu Naidu was known for his strict schedule. Once when director Ramnoth was absent from the set, one of the actors - V. Gopalakrishnan - left the set thinking that there would be no filming on that day. An incensed Naidu, filmed the scene (a love song sequence) using a female actress (Ragini) dressed up as a man instead of Gopalakrishnan.[1]
Plot
Tough and ruthless Police Inspector Javert (Javar Seetharaman) recaptures a small-time criminal Kandhan (Chittor V. Nagaiah) who has escaped from prison. Kandhan turns a new leaf with the help of a Christian Bishop (Serukulathur Sama). When he is released from prison he starts a glass making company. He changes his identity and becomes successful. He becomes the mayor of his town. Inspector Javert finds out about his new life and threatens to expose him. On one occasion Kandhan saves Javert's life. Javert commits suicide unable to turn Kandhan in to the authorities out of his sense of gratitude.
Cast and crew
- Chittor V. Nagaiah - Kandhan
- Javar Seetharaman - Inspector Javert
- M. N. Rajam - Kandhan's niece
- T. S. Balaiya - Kandhan's niece's husband
- Serukulathur Sama - Bishop
- Padmini
- V. Gopalakrishnan
- Lalitha
- T. S. Durairaj
- Kumari N. Rajam
- Ennatha Kannaiya
- Elangovan - Screenplay, Dialogue
- K Ramnoth - Direction
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu - Music
- Sellappa - Art Director
- Gopalakarishnan - Lyrics
- N. Prakash - Cinematographer[5]
Reception
The film was released on Deepavali day (6 November), 1950 at 'Casino' cinema, Madras. It was a commercial and critical success.[1]
Soundtrack
The sound track had six songs composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. The singer is Chittor V. Nagaiah. Playback singers are Thiruchi Loganathan, M. L. Vasanthakumari, P. A. Periya Nayaki & Radha Jayalakshmi.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
| 1 | Yauvanamae Aahaa Yauvanamae | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 02.19 | |
| 2 | Oo Kiliye Aasai Kiliye | P. A. Periya Nayaki | 01.21 | |
| 3 | Vaanamudhe Ondraai | Thiruchi Loganathan, M. L. Vasanthakumari & P. A. Periya Nayaki | 05.28 | |
| 4 | Kannan Mananilaiyai Thangame Thangam | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 03.25 | |
| 5 | Kanivudan Thirumbiye Paarum | P. A. Periya Nayaki | 03.12 | |
| 6 | Ennaasai Paappa | Chittor V. Nagaiah | 01.54 | |
| 7 | Vidhiyin Vilaivaal Anaadhi Aanaen | Radha Jayalakshmi | 03.13 | |
| 8 | Vaazhvu Malarndhadhuvae | Chittor V. Nagaiah | 03.08 |
References
- 1 2 3 "Blast from the past - Ezhai Padum Paadu 1950". The Hindu. 2 November 2007. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014.
- ↑ Baskaran, S. Theodore (1996). The eye of the serpent: an introduction to Tamil cinema. Chennai: East West Books. pp. 69,106.
- ↑ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1994). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. British Film Institute. p. 147. ISBN 0-85170-455-7, ISBN 978-0-85170-455-5.
- ↑ Hardy, Phil (1997). The BFI companion to crime. University of California Press. p. 180. ISBN 0-520-21538-9, ISBN 978-0-520-21538-2.
- ↑ Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal padaitha Tamil Thiraipada Varalaaru (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivagami Publications. pp. 28:52.