Abhimanyu is a 1948 Tamil-language film produced by Jupiter Pictures and starring S. M. Kumaresan as Abhimanyu, a character from the Mahabharatha. The screenplay was written by A. S. A. Sami, while M. Karunanidhi assisted in the script. This was the second film for Karunanidhi as scriptwriter. The film also starred M. N. Nambiar in a supporting role.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Abhimanyu
Theatrical release poster
Directed byM. Somasundaram
A. Kasilingam
Screenplay byA. S. A. Sami
StarringS. M. Kumaresan
U. R. Jeevarathnam
CinematographyW. R. Subbarao
Edited byA. Kasilingam
Music byS. M. Subbaiah Naidu
C. R. Subburaman
Production
company
Release date
  • 6 May 1948 (1948-05-06)
Running time
180 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

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The film tells the story of the Pandava prince Abhimanyu.

Cast

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Production

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Jupiter Pictures, a production company promoted by M. Somasundaram and S. K. Mohideen shifted to Madras from Coimbatore in 1948 after acquiring Neptune Studios. In 1948 they produced Abhimanyu, a mythological tale from the epic Mahabharatha at Madras. During the 1930s and the 40s Tamil films were mostly based on when mythologicals, folktales, folk myths and socially themed films were rare. Somasundaram himself directed the film along with A. Kasilingam. The script was written by A. S. A Sami and M. Karunanidhi. This was the second film for Karunanidhi as script writer after Rajakumaari (1947). M. G. Ramachandran and M. N. Nambiar played supporting roles in the film. The film's music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah and C. R. Subbaraman.[1][6] S. S. Rajendran was cast in the title role, but was relieved after only two weeks of shooting from the film as T. K. Muthusamy of the TKS Brothers drama troupe revealed that Rajendran was still under contract with them, and threatened legal action if the film continued production. Thus the role went to newcomer S. M. Kumaresan.[8]

Soundtrack

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The music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and C. R. Subburaman while the lyrics were penned by Papanasam Sivan, T. K. Sundara Vadhyar and Bhoomi Baalagadas.[2] Singers are U. R. Jeevarathinam, M. R. Santhanalakshmi and Friend Ramasamy. Playback singers are Thiruchi Loganathan, M. M. Mariappa and K. V. Janaki.

S. No. Song Title Singers Lyrics Duration (mm:ss)
1 "Pudhu Vasandhamaame Vaazhvile" Thiruchi Loganathan & U. R. Jeevarathinam 01:59
2 "Madhanaa.... Ah En Sindhai" U. R. Jeevarathinam 03:38
3 "Pudhu Malarin Azhage" U. R. Jeevarathinam Papanasam Sivan 02:09
4 "Oh Aiyamare Ammamare Vaanga" Thiruchi Loganathan, Friend Ramasamy & K. V. Janaki 06:36
5 "Paaril Pirandhenna Punniyam" M. M. Mariappa 02:57
6 "Ungal Mugaaravindham" K. V. Janaki Papanasam Sivan 01:57
7 "Arul Thazhaithongum" M. R. Santhanalakshmi Papanasam Sivan 02:38
8 "Pudhu Vasandhamaamey Vaazhvile" Thiruchi Loganathan 02:55
9 "Pudhu Vasandhamaamey Vaazhvile" Thiruchi Loganathan & U. R. Jeevarathinam 02:36
10 "Jeyame Jeyame Maname" U. R. Jeevarathinam 02:25

Release and reception

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Abhimanyu was released on 6 May 1948.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Guy, Randor (2 October 2009). "Blast from the Past — Abhimanyu 1948". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal padaitha Tamil Thiraipada Varalaaru (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivagami Publications. pp. 28:43.
  3. ^ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1994). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. British Film Institute. p. 190. ISBN 0-85170-455-7.
  4. ^ Pandian, M. S. S (1992). The image trap: M.G. Ramachandran in film and politics. Sage. p. 148. ISBN 0-8039-9403-6.
  5. ^ ""மந்திரிகுமாரி" மகத்தான வெற்றி கருணாநிதியின் அனல் பறக்கும் வசனம்" [Manthiri Kumari – A Grand Success]. Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 27 October 2009. Archived from the original on 21 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  6. ^ a b Guy, Randor (28 February 2002). "Fascinating journey to fame". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  7. ^ a b Abhimanyu Titles on YouTube
  8. ^ Sri Kantha, Sachi (3 January 2015). "Autobiography of Actor-politician S.S. Rajendran". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Abhimanyu". The Indian Express. 6 May 1948. p. 8.
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