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| writer = Ilangovan | | writer = Ilangovan | ||
| producer = | | producer = | ||
| starring = [[M. K. Thiyagaraja Bhagavathar]] | | 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 | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
== 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)"--> | |||
;Male cast | ;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 | ||
| Line 38: | Line 38: | ||
* [[Ranjan (actor)|R. Ranjan]] as [[The Buddha|Gautama Buddha]] (uncredited)}} | * [[Ranjan (actor)|R. Ranjan]] as [[The Buddha|Gautama Buddha]] (uncredited)}} | ||
;Female cast | ;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 | ||
| Line 44: | Line 44: | ||
== 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), | ''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]]. | 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 | ||
| Line 77: | Line 77: | ||
=== Music Credits === | === Music Credits === | ||
;Sharma Brothers Orchestra | ;Sharma Brothers Orchestra<ref name="credits" /> | ||
* R. N. Thambi&nbsp;– Veena | * R. N. Thambi&nbsp;– Veena | ||
* V. Govindasami&nbsp;– Fiddle | * V. Govindasami&nbsp;– Fiddle | ||
| Line 84: | Line 84: | ||
== Release and reception == | == Release and reception == | ||
''Ashok Kumar'' was released on 17 September 1941. | ''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). | 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> | |||
<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> | |||
</references> | |||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
Latest revision as of 11:57, 22 March 2026
| Ashok Kumar | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Raja Chandrasekhar |
| Written by | Ilangovan |
| Starring | M. K. Thiyagaraja Bhagavathar Chittoor V. Nagayya P. Kannamba |
| Music by | Alathur V. Subramaniyam |
| Cinematography | Jiten Banerjee |
| Edited by | T. R. Raghunath |
Production company | Murugan Talkies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 211 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Ashok Kumar is a 1941 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film directed by Raja Chandrasekhar. Based on a legend involving the Mauryan emperor Ashoka The Great, his son Kunala and Ashoka's second wife Thishyarakshai, it stars M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Chittoor V. Nagayya and P. Kannamba. The film was released on 17 September 1941.
Plot[edit | edit source]
The Mauryan emperor Ashoka's son Kunalan is courted by Ashoka's second wife Tishyarakshai. When he rejects her advances, she falsely accuses him of trying to seduce her. He 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[edit | edit source]
- Male cast[2]
- M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar as Kunalan
- Chittoor V. Nagayya as Samrat Ashokar
- Rangasami Iyengar as Radhaguptar
- N. S. Krishnan as Doctor Theraiyan
- K. Mahadeva Iyer as Upaguptar
- M. G. Ramchandran as Mahendran
- K. V. Venkatrama Iyer as Kanjuki
- Murali as Kokkaiyan
- R. Ranjan as Gautama Buddha (uncredited)
- Female cast[2]
- P. Kannamba as Tishyarakshai
- T. V. Kumuthini as Kanchanamala
- T. A. Mathuram as Pramila
Production[edit | edit source]
Ashok Kumar is based on a legend involving the 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 (credited as R. Ramani),[2] who portrayed Gautama Buddha. The song and dance sequence, "Unnai Kandu Mayangaatha" was shot in a single night at Newtone Studio.[3]
Soundtrack[edit | edit source]
The songs were composed by Alathur V. Subramanyam and the lyrics were written by Papanasam Sivan.[2] Playback singers are Rama Rao and Mani of the Renuka Orchestra.[4][5]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Unnai Kandu" | Papanasam Sivan | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar | 2:51 |
| 2. | "Dhyaname Enadu" | Papanasam Sivan | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar | 3:06 |
| 3. | "Manamae Nee" | Papanasam Sivan | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar | 3:19 |
| 4. | "Sathvaguna Bothan" | Papanasam Sivan | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar | 3:14 |
| 5. | "Bhoomiyil Maanida Jenmam" | Papanasam Sivan | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar | 2:46 |
| Total length: | 15:16 | |||
Music Credits[edit | edit source]
- Sharma Brothers Orchestra[6]
- R. N. Thambi – Veena
- V. Govindasami – Fiddle
- N. L. Ramalingam – Harmonium
- R. V. Parikshithu – Mridangam
Release and reception[edit | edit source]
Ashok Kumar was released on 17 September 1941.[7] Kay Yess Enn of The Indian Express praised the film for Kannamba's performance.[8]
In other media[edit | edit source]
Portions of "Bhoomiyil Maanida" were used in "Theepidikka", a song in Arinthum Ariyamalum (2005).[9]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 288.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 அசோக் குமார் (PDF) (song book) (in தமிழ்). Murugan Talkies. 1941. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ↑ Guy, Randor (25 January 2008). "Ashok Kumar 1941". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "Ashok Kumar". Gaana. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ↑ "Ashok Kumar". Hungama. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ↑ Ashok Kumar (motion picture) (in தமிழ்). Murugan Talkies. 1941. Opening credits, from 0:00 to 1:30.
- ↑ "Asok-Kumar". The Indian Express. 17 September 1941. p. 5. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
- ↑ Kay Yess Enn (20 September 1941). "Asok-Kumar". The Indian Express. p. 3. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ↑ "சாதனை புரிந்த தமிழ் படங்கள் – 312– எஸ்.கணேஷ்". Dinamalar (in தமிழ்). Nellai. 12 September 2017. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
- Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). British Film Institute and Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Ashok Kumar on IMDb