Thaikkupin Tharam (transl. Wife after Mother) is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language film, the directorial debut of M. A. Thirumugam. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi. It was the first film produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar under the then newly-formed Thevar Films. Thaikkupin Tharam was released on 21 September 1956 and ran for over 100 days in theatres.

Thaikkupin Tharam
Theatrical release poster
Directed byM. A. Thirumugam
Written byS. Ayyapillai
Produced bySandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar
StarringM. G. Ramachandran
P. Bhanumathi
T. S. Balaiah
P. Kannamba
CinematographyR. R. Chandran
Edited byM. A. Thirumugam
M. A. Mariappan
M. G. Balu Rao
Music byK. V. Mahadevan
Production
company
Distributed bySubbu & Co.[1]
Release date
  • 21 September 1956 (1956-09-21)
Running time
157 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot edit

Muthaiyan is the brave son of Ratnam Pillai and Meenakshi. They are landed gentry and are highly respected in the village for their noble qualities. Meenakshi's brother Doraiswami, on the other hand, is disliked by all for his arrogance, cruelty and dishonourable ways. The two families are not in speaking terms ever since Doraiswami tried to usurp Ratnam Pillai's traditional rights at the temple festival. Doraiswami's daughter, Sivakami, however, is a good-natured girl who is in love with Muthaiyan. Muthaiyan too reciprocates her love and they are determined to surmount all hurdles and get married. When Doraiswami's men capture Muthaiyan and keep him a prisoner on the pretext that he had hurled stones at Doraiswami's prized bull when he had caught it grazing on his crops, Sivakami comes to his rescue.

Meanwhile, accosting Doraiswami demanding his son's release, Ratnam Pillai declares bravely that he would overpower the touted bull. But the bull gores him to death. In his dying breath, he elicits a promise from Meenakshi that she would ensure that their son sets right this slur on their honour. Muthaiyan's mother makes him promise that he would not even think of Sivakami any more. Sivakami's father too has isolated her in house arrest and has started looking out for a suitable husband for her.

At a bullock cart race for Sivakami's hand, Doraiswami sabotages Muthaiyan's cart, and although he is first, he injures right after crossing the finish line. Doraiswami tells off Sivakami for her support of Muthaiyan and Meenakshi, while tending to Muthaiyan's injuries, tells him to not talk to Sivakami. The two meet each other that night anyway but are seen by a servant of Doraiswami, as well as Meenakshi.

How Muthaiyan wins the hand of Sivakami after overpowering the mighty bull Senkodan and reforming his wily uncle forms rest of the tale.

Cast edit

Production edit

Thaikkupin Tharam was the directorial debut of M. A. Thirumugam,[3] and the first film produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar under the then newly-formed Thevar Films. Principal photography commenced on 5 July 1955 in the sets put up at Vauhini Studios, with Nagi Reddi cranking the camera for the first shot.[4][5] Thirumugam also took care of editing, assisted by M. A. Mariappan and M. G. Balu Rao.[6]

Soundtrack edit

The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Lyrics were by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, A. Maruthakasi, Kavi Lakshmanadas, T. A. Natarajan and Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar.[2][7]

Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Manushanai Manushan Saapiduraandaa" T. M. Soundararajan A. Maruthakasi 04:18
"Aahaa Nam Aasai Niraiverumaa" T. M. Soundararajan & P. Bhanumathi Kavi Lakshmanadas 03:02
"Naadu Sezhitthida Naalum Uzhaitthida" M. L. Vasanthakumari 04:54
"Asaindhaadum Thendrale Thoodhu Sellaayo" P. Bhanumathi Thanjai N. Ramiah Dass 03:13
"Vittadhadi Aasai...Eravuttu Eni Edukkum" S. C. Krishnan & A. G. Rathnamala 03:18
"Kaadhal Viyaadhi Polladhadhu" Jikki 02:41
"Thandhayaipppol...Annaiyum Pidhaavum" T. M. Soundararajan 03:11
"En Kaadhal Inbam Idhuthaana" A. M. Rajah & P. Bhanumathi 03:35
"Kandhaavaram Thandharlvaan Thiruchendhooril
Vaazhvone Vandhaaluvaan"
S. C. Krishnan, A. G. Rathnamala & chorus T. S. Natarajan & Sandow
M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar
04:35

Release and reception edit

Thaikkupin Tharam was released on 21 September 1956,[8] delayed from a 14 September release.[9] The Indian Express wrote the film is "a picture distinctive for theme and treatment alike. Neither a social nor a conventional thriller, yet ambitious to combine the powers of both, it is a fantasia".[10] According to historian Sachi Sri Kantha, it was the "first successful movie in a social theme" for Ramachandran.[11] The film ran for over 100 days in theatres.[12]

References edit

  1. ^ "Thaikkupin Tharam". The Indian Express. 14 September 1956. p. 1. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Thaikkupin Tharam (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). Thevar Films. 1956. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  3. ^ Manian, Aranthai. பம்மல் முதல் கோமல் வரை [From Pammal to Komal] (in Tamil). Pustaka Digital Media. p. 1997. OCLC 225093103.
  4. ^ Vamanan (26 August 2018). "கலைமாமணி வாமனன் எழுதும் 'திரை இசைத்திலகம் கே.வி.மகாதேவன் 1918–2018' – 26 | தேவர் படத்திற்கு இசை வரம்!". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Nellai. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ "எம்.ஜி.ஆரின் முதலாளி". Dinamani (in Tamil). 17 November 2012. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  6. ^ "1956 – தாய்க்குப் பின் தாரம் – தேவர் பிலிம்ஸ்" [1956 – Thaikkupin Tharam – Thevar Films]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  7. ^ Neelamegam, G. (December 2014). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 106.
  8. ^ "Thaikkupin Tharam". The Indian Express. 21 September 1956. p. 1. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  9. ^ "தாய்க்குப்பின் தாரம்". Kalki (in Tamil). 16 September 1956. p. 39. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  10. ^ "New Tamil film". The Indian Express. 28 September 1956. p. 3. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  11. ^ Sri Kantha, Sachi (3 November 2014). "MGR Remembered – Part 22 | Sibling Rivalry and Siblicide in DMK of 1950s". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  12. ^ யுவராஜ், லாவண்யா (21 September 2022). "Thaikkupin Tharam Movie: தேவரும் எம்.ஜி.ஆர்-வும்... இணைந்ததும் பிரித்ததும் 'தாய்க்குப் பின் தார". ABP Live (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.

External links edit