Ashok Kumar (film) - Revision history

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	\| writer = Ilangovan		\| writer = Ilangovan
	\| producer =		\| producer =
	\| starring = [[M. K. Thiyagaraja Bhagavathar]]~~<~~br /~~>~~[[V. Nagayya\|Chittoor V. Nagayya]]~~<~~br /~~>~~[[P. Kannamba]]		\| starring = [[M. K. Thiyagaraja Bhagavathar]]<br />[[V. Nagayya\|Chittoor V. Nagayya]]<br />[[P. Kannamba]]
	\| cinematography = Jiten Banerjee		\| cinematography = Jiten Banerjee
	\| editing = T. R. Raghunath		\| editing = T. R. Raghunath
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	== Cast ==		== Cast ==
	~~<~~!--cast according to the song book and the opening credits. (as in both credits, Ranjan doesn't appear to be credited, so is written as "(uncredited)"--~~>~~		<!--cast according to the song book and the opening credits. (as in both credits, Ranjan doesn't appear to be credited, so is written as "(uncredited)"-->

	;Male cast~~<~~ref name="song book" /~~>~~		;Male cast<ref name="song book" />
	{{Cast listing\|* [[M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar]] as [[Kunala]]n		{{Cast listing\|* [[M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar]] as [[Kunala]]n
	* [[V. Nagayya\|Chittoor V. Nagayya]] as Samrat [[Ashoka]]r		* [[V. Nagayya\|Chittoor V. Nagayya]] as Samrat [[Ashoka]]r
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	* [[Ranjan (actor)\|R. Ranjan]] as [[The Buddha\|Gautama Buddha]] (uncredited)}}		* [[Ranjan (actor)\|R. Ranjan]] as [[The Buddha\|Gautama Buddha]] (uncredited)}}

	;Female cast~~<~~ref name="song book" /~~>~~		;Female cast<ref name="song book" />
	{{Cast listing\|* [[P. Kannamba]] as [[Tishyaraksha]]i		{{Cast listing\|* [[P. Kannamba]] as [[Tishyaraksha]]i
	* [[T. V. Kumuthini]] as Kanchanamala		* [[T. V. Kumuthini]] as Kanchanamala
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	== Production ==		== Production ==
	''Ashok Kumar'' is based on a legend involving the [[Maurya Empire\|Mauryan]] emperor [[Ashoka]], his son Kunalan and Ashoka's younger queen Thishyarakshai. It was the first Tamil film based on the legend, which was previously filmed in [[Hindi]] as ''Veer Kunal'' (1925). Telugu actress [[P. Kannamba]] played the role of Thishyarakshai. This was her second Tamil film and since she did not know the language, she was provided with a script in which Tamil words had been transliterated into Telugu. ''Ashok Kumar'' marked the debut of [[Ranjan (actor)\|Ranjan]] (credited as R. Ramani),~~<~~ref name="song book" /~~>~~ who portrayed [[Gautama Buddha]]. The song and dance sequence, "Unnai Kandu Mayangaatha" was shot in a single night at Newtone Studio.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite news \|last=Guy \|first=Randor \|author-link=Randor Guy \|date=25 January 2008 \|title=Ashok Kumar 1941 \|work=[[The Hindu]] \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/ashok-kumar-1941/article3022478.ece \|url-status=dead \|access-date=4 February 2020 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150318140612/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/ashok-kumar-1941/article3022478.ece \|archive-date=18 March 2015}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~		''Ashok Kumar'' is based on a legend involving the [[Maurya Empire\|Mauryan]] emperor [[Ashoka]], his son Kunalan and Ashoka's younger queen Thishyarakshai. It was the first Tamil film based on the legend, which was previously filmed in [[Hindi]] as ''Veer Kunal'' (1925). Telugu actress [[P. Kannamba]] played the role of Thishyarakshai. This was her second Tamil film and since she did not know the language, she was provided with a script in which Tamil words had been transliterated into Telugu. ''Ashok Kumar'' marked the debut of [[Ranjan (actor)\|Ranjan]] (credited as R. Ramani),<ref name="song book" /> who portrayed [[Gautama Buddha]]. The song and dance sequence, "Unnai Kandu Mayangaatha" was shot in a single night at Newtone Studio.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Guy \|first=Randor \|author-link=Randor Guy \|date=25 January 2008 \|title=Ashok Kumar 1941 \|work=[[The Hindu]] \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/ashok-kumar-1941/article3022478.ece \|url-status=dead \|access-date=4 February 2020 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150318140612/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/ashok-kumar-1941/article3022478.ece \|archive-date=18 March 2015}}</ref>

	== Soundtrack ==		== Soundtrack ==
	The songs were composed by Alathur V. Subramanyam and the lyrics were written by [[Papanasam Sivan]].~~<~~ref name="song book" /~~>~~ Playback singers are Rama Rao and Mani of the Renuka Orchestra.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite web \|title=Ashok Kumar \|url=https://gaana.com/album/ashok-kumar \|access-date=20 March 2020 \|website=[[Gaana (music streaming service)\|Gaana]] \|archive-date=20 March 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320092630/https://gaana.com/album/ashok-kumar \|url-status=live }}~~<~~/ref~~><~~ref~~>~~{{Cite web \|title=Ashok Kumar \|url=https://www.hungama.com/album/ashok-kumar/1930586/ \|access-date=20 March 2020 \|website=Hungama}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~		The songs were composed by Alathur V. Subramanyam and the lyrics were written by [[Papanasam Sivan]].<ref name="song book" /> Playback singers are Rama Rao and Mani of the Renuka Orchestra.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Ashok Kumar \|url=https://gaana.com/album/ashok-kumar \|access-date=20 March 2020 \|website=[[Gaana (music streaming service)\|Gaana]] \|archive-date=20 March 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320092630/https://gaana.com/album/ashok-kumar \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title=Ashok Kumar \|url=https://www.hungama.com/album/ashok-kumar/1930586/ \|access-date=20 March 2020 \|website=Hungama}}</ref>

	{{Track listing		{{Track listing
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	=== Music Credits ===		=== Music Credits ===

	;Sharma Brothers Orchestra~~<~~ref name="credits" /~~>~~		;Sharma Brothers Orchestra<ref name="credits" />
	* R. N. Thambi&nbsp;– Veena		* R. N. Thambi&nbsp;– Veena
	* V. Govindasami&nbsp;– Fiddle		* V. Govindasami&nbsp;– Fiddle
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	== Release and reception ==		== Release and reception ==
	''Ashok Kumar'' was released on 17 September 1941.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite news \|date=17 September 1941 \|title=Asok-Kumar \|pages=5 \|work=[[The Indian Express]] \|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19410917&printsec=frontpage&hl=en \|access-date=4 February 2020}}{{cbignore}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ Kay Yess Enn of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' praised the film for Kannamba's performance.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite news \|last=Kay Yess Enn \|date=20 September 1941 \|title=Asok-Kumar \|pages=3 \|work=[[The Indian Express]] \|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SgFFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3982%2C8216061 \|access-date=3 September 2021}}{{cbignore}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~		''Ashok Kumar'' was released on 17 September 1941.<ref>{{Cite news \|date=17 September 1941 \|title=Asok-Kumar \|pages=5 \|work=[[The Indian Express]] \|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19410917&printsec=frontpage&hl=en \|access-date=4 February 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Kay Yess Enn of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' praised the film for Kannamba's performance.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Kay Yess Enn \|date=20 September 1941 \|title=Asok-Kumar \|pages=3 \|work=[[The Indian Express]] \|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SgFFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3982%2C8216061 \|access-date=3 September 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

	== In other media ==		== In other media ==
	Portions of "Bhoomiyil Maanida" were used in "Theepidikka", a song in ''[[Arinthum Ariyamalum]]'' (2005).~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite news \|date=12 September 2017 \|title=சாதனை புரிந்த தமிழ் படங்கள்&nbsp;– 312– எஸ்.கணேஷ் \|language=ta \|work=[[Dinamalar]] \|location=Nellai \|url=http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/34669 \|url-status=usurped \|access-date=29 March 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329113248/http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/34669 \|archive-date=29 March 2018}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~		Portions of "Bhoomiyil Maanida" were used in "Theepidikka", a song in ''[[Arinthum Ariyamalum]]'' (2005).<ref>{{Cite news \|date=12 September 2017 \|title=சாதனை புரிந்த தமிழ் படங்கள்&nbsp;– 312– எஸ்.கணேஷ் \|language=ta \|work=[[Dinamalar]] \|location=Nellai \|url=http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/34669 \|url-status=usurped \|access-date=29 March 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329113248/http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/34669 \|archive-date=29 March 2018}}</ref>

	== References ==		== References ==
	~~<~~references~~>~~		<references>

	~~<~~ref name="song book"~~>~~{{Cite book \|url=https://archive.org/download/sok.AshokKumar_RajaChandrashekar_1941/34.%20AshokKumar_RajaChandrashekar_1941.pdf \|title=அசோக் குமார் \|publisher=Murugan Talkies \|year=1941 \|language=ta \|type=[[song book]] \|access-date=2 June 2022}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~		<ref name="song book">{{Cite book \|url=https://archive.org/download/sok.AshokKumar_RajaChandrashekar_1941/34.%20AshokKumar_RajaChandrashekar_1941.pdf \|title=அசோக் குமார் \|publisher=Murugan Talkies \|year=1941 \|language=ta \|type=[[song book]] \|access-date=2 June 2022}}</ref>

	~~<~~ref name="credits"~~>~~{{Cite AV media \|title=Ashok Kumar \|type=motion picture \|language=ta \|publisher=Murugan Talkies \|year=1941 \|time=0:00 to 1:30 \|time-caption=Opening credits, from}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~		<ref name="credits">{{Cite AV media \|title=Ashok Kumar \|type=motion picture \|language=ta \|publisher=Murugan Talkies \|year=1941 \|time=0:00 to 1:30 \|time-caption=Opening credits, from}}</ref>

	~~<~~/references~~>~~		</references>

	== Bibliography ==		== Bibliography ==

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Ashok Kumar
| image = Ashok Kumar poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Raja Chandrasekhar
| writer = Ilangovan
| starring = [[M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar]]<br />[[V. Nagaiah|Chittor V. Nagaiah]]<br />[[P. Kannamba]]
| producer =
| studio = Murugan Talkies
| music = Alathur V. Subramanyam
| cinematography = Jiten Banerjee
| editing = T. R. Raghunath
| released = {{film date|1941|9|17|df=y}}
| runtime = 211 minutes{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=288}}
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Ashok Kumar''''' is a 1941 [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[historical drama]] film directed by Raja Chandrasekhar. Based on a legend involving the [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan]] emperor [[Ashoka]], his son [[Kunala]] and Ashoka's second wife Thishyarakshai, it stars [[M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar]], [[V. Nagaiah|Chittor V. Nagaiah]] and [[P. Kannamba]]. The film was released on 17 September 1941.

== Plot ==
The [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan]] emperor [[Ashoka]]r's son [[Kunala]]n is courted by Ashokar's second wife Thishyarakshai. When he rejects her advances, he is falsely accused by the queen of trying to seduce her, and is thrown into prison and blinded. The story, however, comes to a happy end with his eyesight being restored by [[Gautama Buddha]] and the king acquits him of all the charges.

== Cast ==

{{Col-begin|width=70%}}
{{col-break|width=30%}}
;Male cast<ref name="song book" />
* [[M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar]] as [[Kunala]]n
* [[V. Nagaiah|Chittor V. Nagaiah]] as Samrat [[Ashoka]]r
* Rangasami Iyengar as Radhaguptar
* [[N. S. Krishnan]] as Doctor Theraiyan
* K. Mahadeva Iyer as [[Upagupta]]r
* [[M. G. Ramachandran|M. G. Ramchandar]] as Mahendran
* K. V. Venkatrama Iyer as Kanjuki
* Murali as Kokkaiyan
* [[Ranjan (actor)|R. Ranjan {{small|B. A.}}]] as [[Gautama Buddha]] (uncredited)
{{col-break|width=50%}}
;Female cast<ref name="song book" />
* [[P. Kannamba]] as Thishyarakshai
* T. V. Kumudhini as Kanchanamala
* [[T. A. Mathuram]] as Pramila
{{col-end}}

== Production ==
''Ashok Kumar'' is based on a legend involving the [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan]] emperor [[Ashoka]], his son Kunalan and Ashoka's younger queen Thishyarakshai. It was the first Tamil film based on the legend, which was previously filmed in [[Hindi]] as ''Veer Kunal'' (1925). Telugu actress [[P. Kannamba]] played the role of Thishyarakshai. This was her second Tamil film and since she did not know the language, she was provided with a script in which Tamil words had been transliterated into Telugu. ''Ashok Kumar'' marked the debut of [[Ranjan (actor)|Ranjan]] (credited as R. Ramani),<ref name="song book" /> who portrayed [[Gautama Buddha]]. The song and dance sequence, "Unnai Kandu Mayangaatha" was shot in a single night at Newtone Studio.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/ashok-kumar-1941/article3022478.ece |title=Ashok Kumar 1941 |date=25 January 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=4 February 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.is/20150318140612/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/ashok-kumar-1941/article3022478.ece |archive-date=18 March 2015 |author-link=Randor Guy}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The songs were composed by Alathur V. Subramanyam and the lyrics were written by [[Papanasam Sivan]].<ref name="song book" /> Playback singers are Rama Rao and Mani of the Renuka Orchestra.<ref>{{Citation|title=Ashok Kumar Songs: Ashok Kumar MP3 Tamil Songs by M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Online Free on Gaana.com|url=https://gaana.com/album/ashok-kumar|access-date=2020-03-20}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Hungama|title=Ashok Kumar|url=https://www.hungama.com/album/ashok-kumar/1930586/|language=en|access-date=2020-03-20}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| title1 = Unnai Kandu
| length9 =
| lyrics4 = Papanasam Sivan
| lyrics3 = Papanasam Sivan
| lyrics2 = Papanasam Sivan
| lyrics1 = [[Papanasam Sivan]]
| extra5 = M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
| extra4 = M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
| extra3 = M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
| extra2 = M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
| extra1 = [[M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar]]
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 15:16
| length1 = 2:51
| length5 = 2:46
| title5 = Bhoomiyil Maanida
| length4 = 3:14
| title4 = Sathvaguna Bothan
| length3 = 3:19
| title3 = Manamae Nee
| length2 = 3:06
| title2 = Dhianame Nee
| lyrics5 = Papanasam Sivan
}}

=== Music Credits ===

;Sharma Brothers Orchestra<ref name="credits" />
* R. N. Thambi – Veena
* V. Govindasami – Fiddle
* N. L. Ramalingam – Harmonium
* R. V. Parikshithu – Mridangam

== Release and reception ==
''Ashok Kumar'' was released on 17 September 1941.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19410917&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |title=Asok-Kumar |date=17 September 1941 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url-status=live |page=5}}</ref> Kay Yess Enn of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' praised the film for Kannamba's performance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kay Yess Enn |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SgFFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3982%2C8216061 |title=Asok-Kumar |date=20 September 1941 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |page=3}}</ref>

== In other media ==
Portions of "Bhoomiyil Maanida" were used in "Theepidikka", a song in ''[[Arinthum Ariyamalum]]'' (2005).<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/34669 |title=சாதனை புரிந்த தமிழ் படங்கள் – 312– எஸ்.கணேஷ் |date=12 September 2017 |work=[[Dinamalar]] |access-date=29 March 2018 |url-status=live |location=Nellai |language=ta}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="song book">{{Cite book |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7JevgDCLbuNYW50WFRYVzNvOW8/view?usp=embed_facebook |title=அசோக் குமார் |publisher=Murugan Talkies |year=1941 |type=[[song book]] |language=ta}}</ref>

<ref name="credits">{{Cite AV media |title=Ashok Kumar |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=Murugan Talkies |year=1941 |time=0:00 to 1:30 |time-caption=Opening credits, from}}</ref>
}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |url=https://indiancine.ma/texts/indiancine.ma%3AEncyclopedia_of_Indian_Cinema/text.pdf |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |editor-last=Rajadhyaksha |editor-first=Ashish |orig-year=1994 |editor-last2=Willemen |editor-first2=Paul}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0157332}}
* {{CITWF title|21511}}

[[Category:1940s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1941 films]]
[[Category:Films set in ancient India]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian historical drama films]]
[[Category:Memorials to Ashoka]]
[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Works about the Maurya Empire]]