# Manthiri Kumari

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1950 film by Ellis R. Dungan

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Manthiri Kumari Theatrical release poster Directed by Ellis R. Dungan T. R. Sundaram Written by M. Karunanidhi Based on Manthiri Kumari (play) by M. Karunanidhi Produced by T. R. Sundaram Starring M. G. Ramachandran M. N. Nambiar S. A. Natarajan Madhuri Devi G. Sakunthala Cinematography J. G. Vijayam Edited by L. Balu Music by G. Ramanathan Production company Modern Theatres Release date 24 June 1950 (1950-06-24) Running time 163 minutes Country India Language Tamil

***Manthiri Kumari*** (transl. The Minister's Daughter) is a 1950 Indian [Tamil](/source/Tamil_language)-language [historical fiction](/source/Historical_fiction) film directed by [Ellis R. Dungan](/source/Ellis_R._Dungan), starring [M. G. Ramachandran](/source/M._G._Ramachandran), [M. N. Nambiar](/source/M._N._Nambiar), [Madhuri Devi](/source/Madhuri_Devi) and [G. Sakunthala](/source/G._Sakunthala). The screenplay was written by [M. Karunanidhi](/source/M._Karunanidhi) based on his play of the same name, itself inspired by an incident from the Tamil epic *[Kundalakesi](/source/Kundalakesi)*. This was the last Tamil film directed by Dungan and is considered to be among the most successful films of that decade. Shortly after directing this film, Dungan left the Tamil film industry.

## Plot

The King of Mullai Nadu is heavily influenced by his Raja guru (head priest), played by [M. N. Nambiar](/source/M._N._Nambiar). The guru schemes to have his son, Parthiban (S. A. Natarajan), appointed as the army's general, but the King chooses the noble Veera Mohan (MGR) instead. Enraged, Parthiban becomes a bandit and begins raiding the countryside, leading a double life as a courtier by day and a marauder by night.

Parthiban desires to marry the princess, Jeevarekha (G. Shakuntala), who is in love with Veera Mohan. He sends a secret message intended for the princess, but it is mistakenly delivered to Amudhavalli (Madhuri Devi), the minister's daughter. When Amudhavalli meets him, Parthiban seduces her, pretending to be in love while secretly planning to use her for his own ends.

Meanwhile, the King orders Veera Mohan to capture the bandit. Veera Mohan succeeds and brings Parthiban before the royal court. To secure his son's release, the Raja guru arranges a trial before a statue of a goddess. Amudhavalli, now devoted to Parthiban, hides behind the statue and declares his innocence, tricking her father and the King into believing it was a divine proclamation. Convinced by the "miracle," the King releases Parthiban and exiles Veera Mohan.

Parthiban marries Amudhavalli, while Princess Jeevarekha flees the kingdom to join Veera Mohan in exile. Although Parthiban promises Amudhavalli he will abandon his life of crime, he secretly continues his banditry, spurred on by his father. Soon, Parthiban's bandits attack Veera Mohan and abduct Jeevarekha. Growing suspicious of her husband's nightly excursions, Amudhavalli follows him to the bandits' den. Disguised as a warrior, she arrives just in time to save Jeevarekha from being assaulted by Parthiban.

To silence her, Parthiban lures Amudhavalli to a cliff. There, he reveals his treachery and his father's plot to assassinate the King. Feigning a final wish to worship him, Amudhavalli circles Parthiban three times before pushing him off the cliff to his death. Traumatized by her husband's betrayal, she becomes a [Buddhist nun](/source/Buddhist_nun).

Veera Mohan returns to the kingdom in disguise and foils the Raja guru's attempt to murder the King, but is mistakenly accused of the crime himself. During the trial, Amudhavalli arrives and reveals the entire plot, exposing the Raja guru and exonerating Veera Mohan. Before she can be arrested, the Raja guru fatally stabs her. With the conspiracy revealed, the Raja guru is jailed, and Veera Mohan is reunited with Princess Jeevarekha.

## Cast

*Cast according to the opening credits of the film*

Male cast M. G. Ramachandar as Veera Mohan M. N. Nambiar as Rajaguru S. A. Natarajan as Parthiban C. V. Nayagam Sivasooriyan as King K. V. Srinivasan A. Karunanidhi as Bhoopalam Soundar Female cast Madhuri Devi as Amudhavalli Sakunthala as Jeevarekha K. S. Angamuthu Muthulakshmi as Karpagam Dance Lalitha-Padmini-Ragini Kumari Kamala Kumari Vanaja

## Production

*Manthiri Kumari* is an adaptation of a play by [M. Karunanidhi](/source/M._Karunanidhi), which was itself based on an incident from the Tamil epic poem *[Kundalakesi](/source/Kundalakesi)*. After producing *[Ponmudi](/source/Ponmudi_(film))* (1950), directed by Ellis R. Dungan, producer [T. R. Sundaram](/source/T._R._Sundaram) of [Modern Theatres](/source/Modern_Theatres) hired Dungan to direct the film adaptation; the credits ultimately list both men as co-directors.

For the lead role, they cast [M. G. Ramachandran](/source/M._G._Ramachandran). Although he had played supporting characters in many of Dungan's earlier films, Ramachandran had recently achieved success as a leading man in *[Rajakumaari](/source/Rajakumaari)* (1947) and *[Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi](/source/Marudhanaattu_Ilavarasi)* (1950).[1][2]

## Soundtrack

The music was composed by [G. Ramanathan](/source/G._Ramanathan).[3]

Song Singers Lyrics Length "Vaaraay Nee Vaaraay" Thiruchi Loganathan & Jikki A. Maruthakasi 02:52 "Isai Kalaiye Inidhaana" M. L. Vasanthakumari 03:32 "Ulavum Thendral" Thiruchi Loganathan & Jikki 03:17 "Kaadhal Baliyaagi" M. L. Vasanthakumari 02:45 "Ubakaram Seibavarukke.... Annam Itta Vittile" T. M. Soundararajan A. Maruthakasi 02:07 "Manam Pola Vaazhvu Peruvome" M. L. Vasanthakumari & Jikki 02:38 "Kannadichi Yaarai Neeyum" A. P. Komala 03:29 "Porakka Poguthu" A. Karunanidhi & T. P. Muthulakshmi 01:18 "Aahaahaahaa Vaazhvile" M. L. Vasanthakumari Ka. Mu. Sheriff 03:07 "O Raja O Rani Indha Ezhaiyeliya" P. Leela, U. R. Chandra & N. Lalitha 05:21 "Anthisaayura Neram Mandhaarai Chedi Oram" A. Maruthakasi 02:52 "Pengalinaal" Jikki 01:54 "Ennum Pozhuthil Inbam" M. L. Vasanthakumari 01:45 "En Erumai Kannukutti" Master Subbaiah M. Karunanidhi 02:53 "Aadhavan Udhitthu Tamarai Malarndhadhu" K. V. Janaki 04:31

## Reception

The film was released in June 1950 and became a major box office success,[2] besides attaining cult status for its depiction of a strong, independent and non-submissive woman.[4]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [""மந்திரிகுமாரி" மகத்தான வெற்றி கருணாநிதியின் அனல் பறக்கும் வசனம்"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110321025917/http://www.maalaimalar.com/2009/10/27115016/karunanidhi.html). *[Maalai Malar](/source/Maalai_Malar)* (in Tamil). 27 October 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.maalaimalar.com/2009/10/27115016/karunanidhi.html) on 21 March 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) [Guy, Randor](/source/Randor_Guy) (28 September 2007). ["Manthrikumari (1950)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140719043645/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2007/09/28/stories/2007092850521600.htm). *[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hindu.com/cp/2007/09/28/stories/2007092850521600.htm) on 19 July 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Manthiri Kumari"](https://gaana.com/album/manthiri-kumari). *[Gaana](/source/Gaana_(music_streaming_service))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240830125930/https://gaana.com/album/manthiri-kumari) from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Srinivasan, Pavithra (March 2010). ["Looking Back"](https://web.archive.org/web/20250417130309/https://ibb.co/zWrYT91H). *[South Scope](/source/South_Scope)*. pp. 70–71. Archived from the original on 17 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.

## External links

- [*Manthiri Kumari*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0214919/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

v t e Films directed by Ellis R. Dungan Sathi Leelavathi (1936) Seemanthini (1936) Iru Sahodarargal (1936) Ambikapathy (1937) Kalamegam (1940) Sakuntalai (1940) Surya Puthri (1941) Dhaasippen (1943) Meera (1945) Ponmudi (1950) Manthiri Kumari (1950)

v t e Modern Theatres Key people T. R. Sundaram (founder) Films produced 1930s Modern Girl (1935) Bandit of the Air (1936) Country Girl (1936) Modern Lady (1936) Modern Youth (1937) Mr. Ammanchi (1937) Naveena Nirupama (1937) Padma Jothi (1937) Sathi Ahalya (1937) Balan (1938) Dhaksha Yagnam (1938) Kambar (1938) Maya Mayavan (1938) Mayuradhawaja (1938) Santhanadevan (1938) Thayumanavar (1938) Maanikka Vaasakar (1939) Manmadha Vijayam (1939) Sathyavaani (1939) Sri Sankarachariyar (1939) 1940s Harihara Maya (1940) Raja Yogam (1940) Sathyavaani (1940) Sathi Mahananda (1940) Sathi Murali (1940) Uthama Puthiran (1940) Vikrama Oorvasi (1941) Bhaktha Gowri (1941) Dhayalan (1941) Ashok (1942) Manonmani (1942) Sathi Suganya (1942) Sivalinga Satchi (1942) Arundhathi (1943) Dewan Bahadur (1943) Soorapuli (1943) Sow Sow (1944) Rajarajeswari (1944) Burma Rani (1945) Chitra (1946) Sangram (1946) Subhathra (1946) 1000 Thalaivangi Apoorva Chinthamani (1947) Sulochana (1947) Adhithan Kanavu (1948) Ahimasa Yuddham (1948) Bhojan (1948) 1950s Thigambara Samiar (1950) Manthiri Kumari (1950) Maaya Rambha (1950) Ponmudi (1950) Aada Janma (1951) Sarvadhikari (1951) Kaadu (1952) The Jungle (1952) Atthinti Kapuram (1952) Kalyani (1952) Savathiporu (1952) Valayapathi (1952) Mangala Gowri (1953) Thirumbi Paar (1953) Deva Kannika (1954) Illara Jothi (1954) Sugam Enge (1954) Kathanayaki (1955) Maheswari (1955) Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956) Pasavalai (1956) Aravalli (1957) Kitna Badal Gaya Insan (1957) Veera Kankanam (1957) Petra Maganai Vitra Annai (1958) Engal Kuladevi (1959) Thalai Koduthaan Thambi (1959) Vannakili (1959) 1960s Anna Chellalu (1960) Kaithi Kannayiram (1960) Kandam Becha Kottu (1961) Kumudham (1961) Modern Girl (1961) Kavitha (1962) Kattu Roja (1963) Konjum Kumari (1963) Yarukku Sontham (1963) Amma Enge (1964) Chitrangi (1964) Vallavanukku Vallavan (1965) Iru Vallavargal (1966) Monagallaku Monagadu (1966) Vallavan Oruvan (1966) Ethirigal Jakkirathai (1967) Kadhalithal Podhuma (1967) Evaru Monagadu (1968) Naangu Killadigal (1969) 1970s CID Shankar (1970) Justice Viswanathan (1971) Nenu Manishine (1971) Karunthel Kannayiram (1972) Thedi Vandha Lakshmi (1973) Prayachitham (1974) Kaali Koyil Kabali (1979) Vallavan Varugiraan (1979) 1990s Jenanaayakan (1999)

v t e Films directed by T. R. Sundaram Naveena Nirupama (1937) Padhma Jothi (1937) Sathi Akalya (1937) Maanikka Vaasakar (1939) Uthama Puthiran (1940) Manonmani (1942) Sathi Suganya (1942) Arundhati (1943) Dewan Bahadur (1943) Rajarajeswari (1944) Burma Rani (1945) Subhadhra (1946) 1000 Thalaivangi Apoorva Chinthamani (1947) Adhithan Kanavu (1948) Manthiri Kumari (1950) Thigambara Samiar (1950) Sarvadhikari (1951) Valayapathi (1952) Thirumbi Paar (1953) Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956) Thalai Koduthaan Thambi (1959) Kandam Becha Kottu (1961)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Manthiri Kumari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manthiri_Kumari) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manthiri_Kumari?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.