Maya Mayavan

1938 film by B. Sampathkumar

  • 22 October 1938 (1938-10-22)
CountryIndiaLanguageTamil

Maya Mayavan (transl. Magical Krishna) is a 1938 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by B. Sampathkumar and produced by T. R. Sundaram of Modern Theatres. It stars T. K. Sampangi, J. Susheela Devi, K. Kokila and G. R. Varadachar. It was released on 22 October 1938.

Plot

Sabapathy Mudaliar, a wolf in sheep's clothing and womaniser, lusts for a young woman named Indira, and tries to make her his own by any means possible, despite already having a mistress who is a dancer named Sundari. Jagadish, a detective, decides to save Indira, with whom he becomes hopelessly enamored. The duo faces many obstacles made by Sabapathy and his partners in crime. But by utilising his investigator abilities, he prevails with regards to saving his lover and the two marry.[1][2]

Cast

Cast adapted from the film's songbook:[2]

  • T. K. Sampangi as Jagadish (Detective Officer)
  • Miss K. Kokila as Indira
  • Miss J. Susheela Devi as Sundari
  • Miss Seetha Bai as Shantha & Female Dancer
  • G. R. Varadachari as Sir Sabapathy Mudaliar
  • K. Kaveri Chettiar as Diwan Bahadur Shivasankara Mudaliar
  • Venugopala Sharma as Kittu
  • Venu Chetti as Pattu
  • Devaraju as Munusami
  • V. V. S. Mani as Neliyan
Group of Bandits
  • Anthonisami
  • Deivadhanavel
  • Somasundaran
  • Lakshminarayanan
  • Appavu Pillai

Production

Maya Mayavan was produced by T. R. Sundaram under his Salem-based production company Modern Theatres. It was directed by B. Sampathkumar and written by S. Velsamy Kavi.[1] The length of the film was 15500 feet.[3]

Soundtrack

The music of the film was composed by G. Rajagopal Naidu. S. Velusami wrote the lyrics. The singers were Miss K. Kokila, Miss J. Susheela Devi, Venugopala Sharma, Venu Chetti, and T. K. Sampangi. P. G. Venkatesan, popularly known as the "Saigal of South India", worked as a playback singer on two of the songs.[1][2][3]

Orchestra[2]
  • Rajagopal Naidu – Fiddle
  • Ibrahim – Organ & Piano
  • K. Rangaiah Naidu – Clarinet
  • T. P. Chinaiah – Tabla
No. Song Singer/s
1 Thyagabuvani Bharath Devi P. G. Venkatesan
2 Malai Neram Manoharantharumam Kalam Miss K. Kokila
3 Loka Nayaga Mathiya Kanthi Miss K. Kokila
4 Manilameede Jananamalame Miss J. Susheela Devi
5 Urargal Thetum Chothu Ellame Namekku
(Lion Dance)
Chorus
6 Kamavathana Radhai Sukuna Miss J. Susheela Devi
7 Kulavi Guti Maygadal Peruvome T. K. Sampangi, Miss K. Kokila
8 Vazhvithu Thane Uzhvinai Kane P. G. Venkatesan
9 Alankaraganne Kaicharasi...Nay-Lattu Poori Venugopala Sharma, Venu Chetti
10 Ika Loka Vazhvile Miss J. Susheela Devi

Release and reception

Maya Mayavan was released on 22 October 1938.[3] According to film historian Randor Guy, the film did "not leave much of an impact on viewers", but he said it would be remembered for "interesting storyline, exciting car chases on lonely highways, kidnappings and thrilling sequences, rarely seen in Tamil Cinema of that era."[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Guy, Randor (26 November 2011). "Maya Mayavan (1938)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Maya Mayavan (song book) (in Tamil). Modern Theaters. 1938.
  3. ^ a b c Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [Tamil film history and its achievements] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivagami Publishers. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017.
  • 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
1960s
1970s
1990s
  • Jenanaayakan (1999)