Sri MGR Year 94, 25th January, Tuesday
A book published by Najaath Publications, and written by Dewan is about the impact of Emgeeyar Pictures Nadodi Mannan movie over the people and politics of Tamil Nadu. The 56 page edition has the photo of Nadodi Mannan King MGR and Wanderer MGR in front and back MGR with the 110 sovereign Gold sword.
The book presents a tabular column of MGR movies from 1936 to 1991. Then the author dives into the subject, it mentions how and why did MGR started to film the movie, why Emgeeyar Pictures a partnership firm turned into Emgeeyar Pictures private limited and produced the Epic movie “Nadodi Mannan”. Further he writes that the movie was slated to be released in February 1958 but it was delayed due to various reasons and one to mention is the price hike of film negative. Then the release date was postponed to July but again the date was changed to August 15th.
The movie was delayed for the censor exhibition and the release date was extended to August 22nd. The movie was viewed in Minerva theater by the then Censor Officer G.D.Shasthri and he gave uncut to Nadodi Mannan, but MGR wanted some thing to be added. He gave some additional touches and he tried to change the title song penned by Na.Ma.Muthukuthan and voice was lent by T.M.Soundararajan for the song “Senthamizhae Vanakkam” MGR felt that the voice of Sirkazhi Govindararajan will be apt for the title song. But due to time constraint the idea was dropped. (I feel it would be very majestic remember Ulagam Sutrum Valiban title song). After some additions the same was again viewed by the censor, G.D.Shasthri though strict person approved the final cut. After that Nadodi Mannan was released on 22nd August 1958 and the rest is history.
The book briefly mentions the story line, the persons involved in the making and the author did not go into the Box Office records as everyone know well how the movie was successful in collection. The book mentions about the presentation ceremony in Thamukkam Grounds in Madurai and gives a detailed account of the function, how MGR reacted when he received the Gold sword.
The author Dewan gives 7 page commendation of MGR’s mentor Peraringnar Anna on Nadodi Mannan. The praise from Kannadasan, S.S.R., U.Krishnarao (the then Assembly Leader), V.K.Ramasamy Mudaliar (Opposition Leader), P.T.Arasan, Ma.Ki.Shanmugam (Thiyagaraya College Principal), K.R.Ramasamy, Nedunchezhian, Ma.Rasamanickanar, T.K.Bhagavathy, T.S.Durairaj, N.S.Narayanan, A.S.A.Samy,T.V.Narayanasamay and others in detailed manner.
The movie review given by Newspapers and Magazines of those days were recorded neatly the newspapers and magazines such as Sudesamithran, Dinamani, Tamilnadu, Navaindia, Dinamalar, The Hindu, The Indian Express, The Mail, Sport & Pastime, Sunday Times, Kalki, Ananda Vikatan, Janasakthi, Mandram, Dravidan, Thamizh Nadigan, Pesum Padam, Cinema Kathir, Kalai Arasi, Nadigan Kural, Kannagi, Tamil Nesan (Malaysia), Tamil Murazu (Singapore), Kalai Malar (Singapore) Indian Movie News (Singapore) etc.,
A list of MGR attended victory functions from 1.12.1958 to 10.12.1958 given in an elaborate manner. The author has done painstaking and exemplary work in bringing out this book in our hands. The cost of the book is Rs.30/- keeping in mind of MGR Fans. This innovation of movie features into book format will bring other epic movies soon.
I have to thank MGR Fan Venkatesan who gave this book for the review.