Ashok Kumar is a 1941 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film directed by Raja Chandrasekhar. Based on a legend involving the Mauryan emperor Ashoka The Great, his son Kunala and Ashoka's second wife Thishyarakshai, it stars M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Chittoor V. Nagayya and P. Kannamba. The film was released on 17 September 1941.
| Ashok Kumar | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Raja Chandrasekhar |
| Written by | Ilangovan |
| Starring | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Chittoor V. Nagayya P. Kannamba |
| Cinematography | Jiten Banerjee |
| Edited by | T. R. Raghunath |
| Music by | Alathur V. Subramanyam |
Production company | Murugan Talkies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 211 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editThe Mauryan emperor Ashokar's son Kunalan is courted by Ashokar's second wife Tishyarakshai. When he rejects her advances, he is falsely accused by the queen of trying to seduce her, and is thrown into prison and blinded. The story, however, comes to a happy end with his eyesight being restored by Gautama Buddha and the king acquits him of all the charges.
Cast
edit- Male cast[2]
- M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar as Kunalan
- Chittoor V. Nagayya as Samrat Ashokar
- Rangasami Iyengar as Radhaguptar
- N. S. Krishnan as Doctor Theraiyan
- K. Mahadeva Iyer as Upaguptar
- M. G. Ramchandar as Mahendran
- K. V. Venkatrama Iyer as Kanjuki
- Murali as Kokkaiyan
- R. Ranjan B. A. as Gautama Buddha (uncredited)
- Female cast[2]
- P. Kannamba as Tishyarakshai
- T. V. Kumudhini as Kanchanamala
- T. A. Mathuram as Pramila
Production
editAshok Kumar is based on a legend involving the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, his son Kunalan and Ashoka's younger queen Thishyarakshai. It was the first Tamil film based on the legend, which was previously filmed in Hindi as Veer Kunal (1925). Telugu actress P. Kannamba played the role of Thishyarakshai. This was her second Tamil film and since she did not know the language, she was provided with a script in which Tamil words had been transliterated into Telugu. Ashok Kumar marked the debut of Ranjan (credited as R. Ramani),[2] who portrayed Gautama Buddha. The song and dance sequence, "Unnai Kandu Mayangaatha" was shot in a single night at Newtone Studio.[3]
Soundtrack
editThe songs were composed by Alathur V. Subramanyam and the lyrics were written by Papanasam Sivan.[2] Playback singers are Rama Rao and Mani of the Renuka Orchestra.[4][5]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Unnai Kandu" | Papanasam Sivan | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar | 2:51 |
| 2. | "Dhyaname Enadu" | Papanasam Sivan | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar | 3:06 |
| 3. | "Manamae Nee" | Papanasam Sivan | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar | 3:19 |
| 4. | "Sathvaguna Bothan" | Papanasam Sivan | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar | 3:14 |
| 5. | "Bhoomiyil Maanida Jenmam" | Papanasam Sivan | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar | 2:46 |
| Total length: | 15:16 | |||
Music Credits
edit- Sharma Brothers Orchestra[6]
- R. N. Thambi – Veena
- V. Govindasami – Fiddle
- N. L. Ramalingam – Harmonium
- R. V. Parikshithu – Mridangam
Release and reception
editAshok Kumar was released on 17 September 1941.[7] Kay Yess Enn of The Indian Express praised the film for Kannamba's performance.[8]
In other media
editPortions of "Bhoomiyil Maanida" were used in "Theepidikka", a song in Arinthum Ariyamalum (2005).[9]
References
edit- ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 288.
- ^ a b c d அசோக் குமார் (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). Murugan Talkies. 1941. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ Guy, Randor (25 January 2008). "Ashok Kumar 1941". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
- ^ "Ashok Kumar". Gaana. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ "Ashok Kumar". Hungama. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ Ashok Kumar (motion picture) (in Tamil). Murugan Talkies. 1941. Opening credits, from 0:00 to 1:30.
- ^ "Asok-Kumar". The Indian Express. 17 September 1941. p. 5. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
- ^ Kay Yess Enn (20 September 1941). "Asok-Kumar". The Indian Express. p. 3. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "சாதனை புரிந்த தமிழ் படங்கள் – 312– எஸ்.கணேஷ்". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Nellai. 12 September 2017. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
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Bibliography
edit- Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). British Film Institute and Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.
External links
edit- Ashok Kumar at IMDb