Ezhai Padum Padu (transl. 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, Victor Hugo's 1862 novel. The film was released on Diwali day. For his memorable portrayal of 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]
| Ezhai Padum Padu | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | K. Ramnoth |
| Screenplay by | Elangovan |
| Story by | Sudhanandha Bharathiar |
| Based on | Les Misérables by Victor Hugo |
| Produced by | S. M. Sriramulu Naidu |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | N. Prakash |
| Edited by | Surya |
| Music by | S. M. Subbaiah V. Nagayya (supervision) |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Narayana & Co. Ltd |
Release date |
|
Running time | 197 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Languages | Tamil Telugu |
Plot
editTough and ruthless Police Inspector Javert recaptures a small-time criminal Kandhan who has escaped from prison. Kandhan turns a new leaf with the help of a Christian Bishop. When he is released from prison he starts a glass making company. He changes his identity and becomes successful and even 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
editCast according to the opening credits of the film
K. S. Kanaiah, S. V. Shanmugam Pillai, S. V. Shanmugam, V. S. Rao, Manickam |
|
Production
editEzhai Padum Padu was produced by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu at Pakshiraja Studios in Coimbatore. K. Ramnoth was hired as the director and V. Nagayya 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 Serukalathur Sama. Elangovan (Thanigachalam) wrote the script for Ezhai Padum Paau based on Sudhanandha Bharathi's translation of Les Miserables.[5] 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 an actress (Ragini) dressed up as a man instead of Gopalakrishnan.[1]
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack had ten songs composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. The lyrics by V. A. Gopalakrishnan.
- Tamil Soundtrack
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Yauvanamae Aahaa Yauvanamae" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 02:19 |
| "Oo Kiliye Aasai Kiliye" | P. A. Periyanayaki | 01:21 |
| "Vaanamudhe Ondraai" | Thiruchi Loganathan, M. L. Vasanthakumari & P. A. Periyanayaki | 05:28 |
| "Kannan Mananilaiyai Thangame Thangam" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 03:25 |
| "Kanivudan Thirumbiye Paarum" | P. A. Periyanayaki | 03:12 |
| "Ennaasai Paappa" | V. Nagayya | 01:54 |
| "Vidhiyin Vilaivaal Anaadhi Aanaen" | Radha Jayalakshmi | 03:13 |
| "Vaazhvu Malarndhadhuvae" | V. Nagayya | 03:08 |
| "En Bhaagyame Inimel Saubhagyame" | Radha Jayalakshmi | 02:31 |
- Telugu Soundtrack
Music is by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and G. Aswathama. Lyrics were by Aarudhra.
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Yauvanamae Aahaa Yauvanamae" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 02:19 |
| "Chilukaraajaa Neeku Pelli" | P. A. Periyanayaki | 01:21 |
| "Povudhama Sakhiya Premalokamu" | 05:28 | |
| "Sarasaku Radelane" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 03:25 |
| "Kanikaramadi Kaladeni" | P. A. Periyanayaki | 03:12 |
| "Chinnari Paapa" | V. Nagayya | 01:54 |
| "Vidhivasamaithi Anaadhanaithi" | Radha Jayalakshmi | 03:13 |
| "Dhanyudanaithiniga Naa Janma" | V. Nagayya | 03:08 |
| "Vilaasame Naakika Vikaasame Lalala" | Radha Jayalakshmi | 02:31 |
| "Aadavemayoori Nee Vandela" | ||
| "Rara Sakhudhaa Raave Sakhiyaa" | ||
| "Vinarandi Kanarandi Visaadamayamau" |
Release and reception
editEzhai Padum Padu was released on Diwali day (9 November), 1950.[6] It was a commercial and critical success.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Ezhai Padum Paadu 1950". The Hindu. 2 November 2007. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
- ^ Baskaran 1996, pp. 69, 106.
- ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 147.
- ^ Hardy 1997, p. 180.
- ^ Vamanan (3 November 2018). "In Tamil cinema, copyright has meant copying left, right and center". Inmathi. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
- ^ "Ezhai Padum Padu". The Indian Express. 9 November 1950. p. 7. Retrieved 16 March 2021 – via Google News Archive.
Bibliography
edit- Baskaran, S. Theodore (1996). The eye of the serpent: an introduction to Tamil cinema. Chennai: East West Books. pp. 69, 106.
- Hardy, Phil (1997). The BFI companion to crime. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-21538-9.
- Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema. British Film Institute and Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.
