Ezhai Padum Padu

Ezhai Padum Padu
Directed by K. Ramnoth
Produced by Pakshiraja Films
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
Editing by Surya
Release date(s) 06 November 1950
Running time 197 min.
Country  India
Language Tamil

Ezhai Padum Padu (Tamil: ஏழை படும் பாடு) is a 1950 Tamil film directed by K Ramnoth. It was simultaneously released 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]

Contents

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. One 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

Reception

The film was released on Deepavali day (6 November), 1950 at ‘Casino’ cinema, Madras. It was a commercial and critical success.[1]

Sound Track

The sound track had six songs composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu:

References

  1. ^ a b c "Blast from the past - Ezhai Padum Paadu 1950". The Hindu. 2 November 2007. http://www.hindu.com/cp/2007/11/02/stories/2007110250481600.htm. 
  2. ^ Baskaran, S. Theodore (1996). The eye of the serpent: an introduction to Tamil cinema. Chennai: East West Books. pp. 69,106. http://books.google.com/books?id=PhFlAAAAMAAJ. 
  3. ^ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1994). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. British Film Institute. pp. 147. ISBN 0851704557, ISBN 9780851704555. http://books.google.com/books?client=firefox-a&id=nOZkAAAAMAAJ. 
  4. ^ Hardy, Phil (1997). The BFI companion to crime. University of California Press. pp. 180. ISBN 0520215389, ISBN 9780520215382. http://books.google.com/books?id=4UZRcuwtbmEC&pg=PA180. 
  5. ^ Film News Anandan (2004) (in Tamil). Sadhanaigal padaitha Tamil Thiraipada Varalaaru. Chennai: Sivagami Publications. pp. 28:52. 

External links