Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1941 film)
| Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | K. S. Mani |
| Starring |
N. S. Krishnan T. A. Madhuram M. R. Swaminathan S. V. Saharsaranamam Hariyan N. R. Padmavathi M. Jayalakshmi ‘Pulimoottai' Ramaswami |
| Music by | N. S. Balakrishnan |
| Distributed by | Asoka Films |
Release dates |
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| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (read as "Alibabavum Narpadhu Thirudargalum"; English: Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves), was a 1941 Indian Tamil-language comedy film in that starred N. S. Krishnan, T. A. Madhuram and M. R. Swaminathan in the lead roles. It was the first Tamil adaptation of the story Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.[1]
Cast
- N. S. Krishnan as Ali Baba
- T. A. Madhuram as Morgiana
- M. R. Swaminathan
- S. V. Sahasranamam
- Hariyan
- N. R. Padmavathi
- M. Jayalakshmi
- Thoothukudi Ramaswamy Aiyer as Pulimoottai
Production
The story of Alibaba is one of the tales that Queen Scheherazade related to the brutal king Shahryar every night in order to save her own life. Translated in English by Sir Richard Burton, the Arabian Nights became popular all over the world. Alibaba and the 40 Thieves and Aladdin and the Magic Lamp are the most famous ones. Both have been translated into most languages of the world, and have found stage and screen adaptations in many languages. Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum was the first Tamil adaptation of Alibaba and the Forty Thieves.[1]
Development
In 1941, N.S. Krishnan made his first full-length feature film Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum, in which he played the lead role of Ali Baba. He roped in a leading Kannada stage and film actor, K. Hiranaiah, to star in the film. NSK made the film for Pakshiraja Films, a company floated by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu and K. S. Narayana Iyengar. Naidu had been deeply involved with Central Studios right from its inception, and later with differences surfacing in the board of directors, he decided to strike out on his own which resulted in Pakshiraja. As producer-director, Naidu enjoyed a period of enviable success, making many hits in more than one language.[1]
Casting
To many, N. S. Krishnan's choice of the subject was surprising because they felt it was not the right story for a comedian like him to attempt. Expectedly, he played Ali Baba, with his wife T. A. Mathuram playing the slave girl Morgiana. Members of his team such as S. V. Sahasranamam and M. R. Swaminathan played major roles in the film. One of the team members, comedian Thoothukudi Ramaswamy Aiyer's character in the film was called "Pulimoottai", subsequently it earned him the nickname "Pulimoottai" Ramaswamy.[1]
Soundtrack
The lyrics were penned by K. P. Kamatchi, while the soundtrack was composed by N. S. Balakrishnan, also a part of N. S. Krishnan's team. One song rendered by N. S. Krishnan himself, Adichippoottaney Noguthadaa became very popular.[1]
Reception
Randor Guy, a critic from The Hindu praised Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum for the "familiar storyline and the comical treatment that NSK gave his brainchild." Despite N. S. Krishnan's and the supporting cast's performance, the film was not successful, leaving him, Sriramulu Naidu and others disappointed. No print of the film is known to exist today, making it a lost film.[1]