Thigambara Samiar

{{Short description|1950 film directed by T. R. Sundaram}} {{EngvarB|date=February 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox film | image = Thigambara Samiar.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = [[T. R. Sundaram]] | producer = T. R. Sundaram | screenplay = Ko. Tha.<br />Shanmugasundaram | based_on = {{based on|''Thigambara Samiar''|[[Vaduvur Duraisami Iyengar]]}} | starring = [[M. N. Nambiar]]<br />M. S. Draupadi | music = [[G. Ramanathan]]<br />[[S. M. Subbaiah Naidu]] | cinematography = G. R. Nathan<br />D. S. Kotnis | editing = L. Balu | studio = [[Modern Theatres]] | distributor = | released = {{Film date|1950|09|22|df=y}} | runtime = 173 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil }}

'''''Thigambara Samiar''''' ({{Translation|[[Digambara monk|Unattired monk]]}}) is 1950 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[thriller film]] produced and directed by [[T. R. Sundaram]]. An adaptation of [[Vaduvur Duraisami Iyengar]]'s novel of the same name, the film stars [[M. N. Nambiar]] and M. S. Draupadi. It revolves around the efforts of a man to expose the illicit activities of a corrupt lawyer. The film was released on 22 September 1950, and emerged a commercial success.

== Plot == {{more plot|date=August 2022}} The film revolves around the efforts of Chokkalingam Pillai (Thigambara Samiar) to expose the illicit activities of S. S. Sattanathan Pillai, a corrupt lawyer.

== Cast == ;Male cast<ref name="credits">{{Cite AV media |title=Thigambara Samiar |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=[[Modern Theatres]] |year=1950 |time=0:00 to 2:15 |time-caption=Opening credits, from}}</ref> * [[M. N. Nambiar]] as Chokkalingam Pillai * [[P. V. Narasimha Bharathi|Narasimhabharathi]] as Kannappa * [[D. Balasubramaniam]] as S. S. Sattanathan Pillai * [[M. G. Chakrapani]] as Pattabhi Raman * Azhwar Kuppusami as Sundaram Pillai * [[V. M. Ezhumalai]] as Bandyman * [[A. Karunanidhi|Karunanidhi]] as Manickam * [[T. K. Ramachandran]] as Masilamani * [[V. K. Ramasamy (actor)|V. K. Ramsamy]] as Velayudha Pillai * S. S. Sivasoorian as Namasivayam Pillai * M. A. Ganapathi as Sanda Marutham * Srinivasa Gopalan as Chandra's grandfather * Thirupathi, Mani, Subbaiah {{Col-begin|width=70%}} {{col-break|width=50%}} ;Female cast<ref name="credits" /> * M. S. Draupadi as Vadivambal * Lakshmiprabha as Alangaram * [[C. K. Saraswathi]] as Anjalai * K. T. Dhanalakshmi as Chandra's mother * K. Jayalakshmi as Alangaram's mother * Baby Lalitha as Chandra * Kamalam, Kannamma, Saraswathi {{col-break|width=50%}} ;Dance<ref name="credits" /> * [[Lalitha (actress)|Lalitha]]-[[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]] * [[Kumari Kamala]] {{col-end}}

== Production == ''Thigambara Samiar'', an adaptation of the novel of the same name by [[Vaduvur Duraisami Iyengar]], was directed by [[T. R. Sundaram]] who also produced it under [[Modern Theatres]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1950 – திகம்பர சாமியார் – மாடர்ன் தியேட்டர்ஸ். |trans-title=1950 – Thigambara Samiar – Modern Theatres. |url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1950-cinedetails5.asp |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209053322/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1950-cinedetails5.asp |archive-date=9 December 2019 |access-date=20 February 2020 |website=[[Lakshman Sruthi]] |language=Tamil}}</ref> It was a rare heroic role for [[M. N. Nambiar]], who was generally recognized for playing negative roles in Tamil movies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shekar |first=Anjana |date=21 November 2019 |title=The villain with a heart of gold: Remembering MN Nambiar on his birth centenary |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/villain-heart-gold-remembering-mn-nambiar-his-birth-centenary-112681 |access-date=20 February 2020 |website=[[The News Minute]] |archive-date=14 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314062451/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/villain-heart-gold-remembering-mn-nambiar-his-birth-centenary-112681 |url-status=live}}</ref> The scenario was written by Ko. Tha. Shanmuga. Cinematography was handled by G. R. Nathan and T. S. Kotnis, and editing by L. Balu. Choreography of the dances was done by [[Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai|Vazhuvoor B. Ramiah Pillai]], Madhavan and R. T. Krishnamoorthi.<ref name="credits" />

== Themes == According to historian [[Randor Guy]], the film re-uses a theory from the novel, "that if a man is made to stay awake without sleep for three or four days, he will be in a mood to confess everything hidden in his mind".<ref name="thehindu">{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=31 October 2008 |title=Digambara Saamiyar 1950 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/digambara-saamiyar-1950/article3023505.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220080331/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/digambara-saamiyar-1950/article3023505.ece |archive-date=20 February 2020 |access-date=20 February 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Soundtrack == The music was composed by [[G. Ramanathan]] and [[S. M. Subbaiah Naidu]] and the lyrics were written by [[Ka. Mu. Sheriff]], [[A. Maruthakasi]], K. B. Kamakshisundaram, [[Kannadasan]] and [[Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass]]. "Oosi Pattasey Oosi Pattasey" is based on "O Dilwalo Dil Ka Lagana Acha Hai" from the [[Hindi]] film ''[[Patanga (1949 film)|Patanga]]'' (1949) and "Paarudappa Paarudappa Paarudapppa" is based on "Lara Lappa Lara Lappa" from ''[[Ek Thi Larki]],'' another 1949 Hindi film.<ref name="thehindu" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gopalakrishnan |first=P V |date=15 May 2017 |title=FIlmy Ripples- Inspired plagiarism in early music |url=https://tcrcindia.com/2017/05/15/filmy-ripples-inspired-plagiarism-in-early-music/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003173832/https://tcrcindia.com/2017/05/15/filmy-ripples-inspired-plagiarism-in-early-music/ |archive-date=3 October 2017 |access-date=20 February 2020 |website=The Cinema Resource Centre}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" ! Songs !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length |- | "Mappillai Paar Asal" || P. Leela and Jikki || || 04:40 |- | "Naathar Mudi Meliruukkum" || [[P. Leela]] || [[Pambatti Siddhar]] || 02:48 |- | "Vaazhvil Thaane Yaavum" || K. V. Janaki || || 03:10 |- | "Anna Oru Paithiyamaai" || T.R. Gajalakshmi || || 02:12 |- | "Kaakka Vendum Kadavule" || P. Leela and K. V. Janaki || || 07:13 |- | "Eppothum Intha Keli Pechu" || U. R. Chandra || || 02:00 |- | "Sanmarkam Thiyagam" || Master Subbaiah || || 03:04 |- | "Vaazha Piranthavar Naame" || Master Subbaiah, Chorus || || 02:30 |- | "Oosi Paattasey" || T.R. Gajalakshmi & V. T. Rajagopalan || || 02:16 |- | "Paarudappa Paarudappa" || Master Subbaiah || || 02:59 |- | "Podi Poyendi Sikiram Eduthuvaa" || U. R. Chandra || || 02:00 |- | "Yen Indha Penn Jenmam" || K. V. Janaki || || 02:09 |- | "Yen Idam Vizhai Thalam" || [[P. Leela]] || || 03:11 |- | "Yen Adase Azhiga Raja" || [[P. Leela]] || || 02:02 |}

== Release and reception == ''Thigambara Samiar'' was released on 22 September 1950,<ref>{{Cite news |last=ராம்ஜி |first=வி. |date=22 September 2020 |title=அந்தக் காலத்திலேயே 11 வேடங்கள்; உளவியல் கதை; துப்பறியும் கதை! ஹீரோவாக அசத்திய நம்பியார்; 'திகம்பர சாமியார்' வெளியாகி 70 ஆண்டுகள் |trans-title=11 roles in that time; Psychological story; Detective story! Nambiar rocked as the hero; 70 years since the release of 'Thigambara Samiar' |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/582216-70-years-of-thigambara-samiyar.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922130837/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/582216-70-years-of-thigambara-samiyar.html |archive-date=22 September 2020 |access-date=22 September 2020 |work=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref> and emerged a commercial success.<ref name="thehindu" />

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{IMDb title}}

[[Category:1950 films]] [[Category:1950 Indian films]] [[Category:1950 Tamil-language films]] [[Category:1950 thriller films]] [[Category:Films about corruption in India]] [[Category:Films about women in India]] [[Category:Films based on Tamil novels]] [[Category:Films directed by T. R. Sundaram]] [[Category:Films scored by G. Ramanathan]] [[Category:Films scored by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu]] [[Category:Indian black-and-white films]] [[Category:Indian thriller films]] [[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]] [[Category:Tamil-language thriller films]]