Vidyapathi Explained

Vidyapathi
Director:A. T. Krishnasami
Producer:G. Mani-C. Sundaram
Screenplay:A. T. Krishnasami
Starring:T. R. Ramachandran
T. Premavathi
Music:Adeppalli Rama Rao
Cinematography:P. Ramasami
Editing:T. R. Gopu
Studio:Central Studios
Released:[1]
Runtime:2 hrs 43 mins (14750 ft.)
Country:India
Language:Tamil

Vidyapathi is a 1946 Indian, Tamil-language film produced by M. Somasundaram and Mohideen under the banner Jupiter Pictures and directed by A. T. Krishnasami.[2] The film stars T. R. Ramachandran, T. Premavathi and K. Thavamani Devi.

Plot

A young man tells his parents that he will marry only after wooing and loving a girl. He sees an ad in a matrimonial column and goes to meet the girl. On his way he is robbed. He is left behind only with a loin cloth. A fake sadhu finds him and take with him. The fake Sadhu makes the young man into a yogi. In the meantime, a zaminder who has an affair with a devadasi (dancer), neglects his wife and daughter. The Sadhu introduces the yogi (the young man) to the young woman with an idea for making money. But the young man and woman fall in love with each other. After many twists and turns, they both marry.[3]

Cast

Cast According to the film's song book[4]

Male Cast
Male Support CastP. G. Madhavan, M. M. A. Chinnappa, C. P. Kittan,
P. M. Saminathan, R. Ramasami Iyer, A. C. Irusappa,
S. T. Lakshmanan, S. Meenakshi Subramaniam,
K. Jaganathan, M. Satya Narayanan, K. Rajarathnam,
T. A. Natarajan, A. Ganesh Singh, T. R. Rajagopal,
and D. K. Chinnappa.
  • Female Cast
  • Female Support CastC. K. Nirmala, M. K. Subhadra, R. Bharathi, K. Lakshmi,
    N. R. Meera, M. K. Nagalakshmi, T. R. Chandra, P. P. Mary,
    S. S. Lalithambal, K. Thangamani, S. Govinthammal,
    T. P. Lakshmi, and K. Rathnam.

    Production

    K. Thavamani Devi performed a Western-type dance choreographed by Mrs. Rainbird and the background music was provided by C. G. Rob and his party. The Tamil song had English words intermingled which was a novelty at that time. "Here goes the song.... ‘Atho rendu (there the two)....Black eyes! Ennai paarthu (Looking at me)...Once, twice! Kannai chimitti (winking!)... Dolly! Kai kotti (with hands)...Calls me! I will dance for you!'". The English words in the song were penned by K. Thavamani Devi herself. She also designed her own costume.[5]

    Soundtrack

    Music was composed by Adeppalli Rama Rao while the lyrics were penned by Udumalai Narayana Kavi. Singers are T. G. Kamala Devi, K. Thavamani Devi, T. R. Ramachandran, and M. N. Nambiar. The only playback singer is K. V. Janaki.

    No Song Singer Length (m:ss)
    1 "Aadu Radde Suzhanrudu Radde"
    2 "Raman Varuvaarodi" K. V Janaki 02:52
    3 "Atho Rendu" ... Black eyes
    "Ennai Parthu" ... Once twice
    "Kannai Chimitti" ... Dolly
    "Kaiyai Kotti" ... Calls me!
    4 "Enpalli Kondeerayya" K. V. Janaki 04:11
    5 "Aantavane Enaiyal"
    6 "Booloka Janaki Mane ... Shri Ramasami Ramana" T. R. Ramachandran, K. V. Janaki
    7 "Thayapara Jeevanilla Thegam Yano" K. V. Janaki 02:59
    8 "Arivenaiya Un Antharangam" Dance
    9 "Ragupathi Ragava Raja Ram"

    Reception

    The film did not fare well at the box-office. Film historian Randor Guy wrote in 2010 that the film is "Remembered for the interesting storyline, witty dialogue, fine song and dance numbers and Thavamani's exciting screen presence."

    Notes and References

    1. Book: Film News Anandan

      . Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru. History of Landmark Tamil Films. Sivakami Publishers. Film News Anandan. Film News Anandan. 23 October 2004. Chennai. Tamil. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170409091743/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1946-cinedetails11.asp. 9 April 2017.

    2. Book: Ashish Rajadhyaksha . Paul Willemen . Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 1998. 654 .
    3. Web site: Played many parts . . 18 June 2015 . 9 April 2017. Guy. Randor. Randor Guy . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409094202/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/randor-guy-on-comedianhero-t-r-ramachandran-played-many-parts/article7329320.ece. 9 April 2017.
    4. Book: Vidyapathi . Central Studios . 1946 . ta . song book.
    5. Web site: Vidyapathi 1946 . . 14 November 2010 . 9 April 2017. Guy. Randor. Randor Guy . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409103056/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/Vidyapathi-1946/article15685824.ece. 9 April 2017.