Balamani is a 1937 Indian Tamil-language film directed by P. V. Rao and produced by Shanmughananda Talkies. It is based on the two-volume novel of the same name, alternatively titled Pakka Thirudan by Ayyangar. The film stars T. K. Shanmugham, T. S. Jaya, T. K. Muthusami, B. Saradambal, T. K. Bhagavathi, K. Shanthadevi and S. V. Sahasranamam.[1]
| Balamani | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | P. V. Rao |
| Based on | Pucca Thirudan by K. Duraiswami Ayyangar |
| Starring | T. K. Shanmugam T. S. Jaya |
Production company | Shanmughananda Talkies |
Release date | 1937 |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot edit
Balamani, a wealthy woman, is due to be married. After a robbery happens in her palace one night, she and her fiancé are abducted. When Balamani regains consciousness, she finds herself in a dark cave, and has no idea of what happened. Her fiancé abandons her and escapes. Balamani tries to return home but, while passing through a river, she finds the corpse of a child. Balamani decides to take the corpse with her and bury it somewhere, until police officers appear and mistake her for having murdered the child, leading to her arrest. Balamani's family engages Eardley Norton, the current barrister of Madras, who defends her during her trial and has her acquitted. The real culprits are apprehended, and Balamani reunites with her fiancé.[1]
Cast edit
- T. S. Jaya as Balamani[1]
- S. V. Sahasranamam as Detective Ranjit Singh[1]
- T. K. Shanmugam[1]
Music edit
The songs were written by Bharathidasan, in his feature film debut.[2][3]
Reception edit
Shanmughananda Talkies and TKS Brothers, who produced the film, disowned the way it was presented, and it was a commercial failure.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f Guy, Randor (22 November 2014). "Balamani 1937". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 December 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- ^ Mangai, A (5 June 2015). "The Legacy of Balamani Ammal in Tamil Theatre". Economic and Political Weekly. 57 (22): 7–8. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ Mariappan, V. (23 April 2022). "Let down by Tamil cinema, Bharathidasan died broken-hearted". Inmathi. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
