Gulebakavali (1955 film)

Last updated

Gulebakavali
Gulebakavali 1955.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by T. R. Ramanna
Screenplay by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Produced byT. R. Ramanna
Starring M. G. Ramachandran
T. R. Rajakumari
Rajasulochana
G. Varalakshmi
CinematographyT. K. Rajabahathar
Edited byM. S. Mani
A. Thangaraj
Music by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Production
company
R. R. Pictures
Distributed byK. S. Pictures
Release date
  • 29 July 1955 (1955-07-29)
Running time
165 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Gulebakavali (transl. The Flower of Bakavali) is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language action adventure film produced and directed by T. R. Ramanna, and written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, T. R. Rajakumari, Rajasulochana and G. Varalakshmi. Based on the story of the same name from the Arabic folklore collection, One Thousand and One Nights , it tells the story of a young prince who sets out to the kingdom of Bakavali to find a mysterious flower which is believed to have the power to restore his father's eyesight. The film was released on 29 July 1955.

Contents

Plot

A king has two wives. He banishes his first wife as an astrologer told him that he would lose his vision because of her son Dasan. The mother and son live in the woods and when he meets his father without knowing his identity, the king loses his sight. When the son gets to know about the sad tale from his mother, he sets out to bring a rare flower from the kingdom of Bakavali, which would restore the king's sight.

To achieve it, Dasan undergoes many adventures — enters into a debate with the queen Bakavali and wins the battle of wits, challenges a woman Lakbesha held captive by a crook Sukur in a fake dice contest, and rescues a slave dancer Mehmoodha of a tribal chief. Dasan wins them all and succeeds in getting the flower along with the three women who turn out to be princesses and siblings. Meanwhile, his stepbrothers try to steal the flower, but are exposed.

Cast

Production

Gulebakavali is the second Tamil film to be based on the story of the same name from the Arabic folklore collection One Thousand and One Nights , following a 1935 film. [1] The film also involved a fight sequence between lead actor M. G. Ramachandran and a lion. [2] Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, who wrote the screenplay, also wrote the songs' lyrics. [1]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by the duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and all Lyrics written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. [3] [4] The song "Mayakkum Maalai" is one of the earliest film songs to be set in the Carnatic raga named Bageshri . [5] It was originally composed by K. V. Mahadevan for Ramanna's previous film Koondukkili (1954). As that film was getting delayed and the song was yet to be filmed, Ramanna instead used it in Gulebakavali. Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy were credited as the composers instead of Mahadevan. [1] [6]

Track listing
No.TitleSingersLength
1."Mayakkum Maalai" Jikki, A. M. Rajah 4:27
2."Nayagamae Nabi"S. C. Krishnan, Nagore E. M. Hanifa 2:51
3."Acchu Nimirndha Vandi" J. P. Chandrababu, A. G. Rathnamala 3:12
4."Villendhum Veerarellam"Thiruchi Loganathan, P. Leela, G. K. Venkatesh 6:33
5."Maaya Valayil" T. M. Soundararajan 1:13
6."Vitthara Kalliyellam"T. M. Soundararajan1:29
7."Kaiyai Thottathum"T. M. Soundararajan, P. Leela2:37
8."Na Sokka Potta Navabu"Jikki3:36
9."Aasaiyum Nesamum" K. Jamuna Rani 3:37
10."Bhagavali Naattilae"T. M. Soundararajan3:47
11."Kannalae Pesum"Jikki3:54
12."Arivuppoti" (dialogues) M. G. Ramachandran 3:26
Total length:40:42

Release

Gulebakavali was released on 29 July 1955, [7] and was distributed by K. S. Pictures in Madras. [8]

Namesake

The 2018 film Gulaebaghavali was named after this film, but with a different spelling. To connect these two films, director Kalyaan devised a "special flashback sequence". [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. M. Soundararajan</span> Indian Carnatic musician and singer

Thoguluva Meenatchi Iyengar Soundararajan, popularly known as TMS, was an Indian Carnatic musician and a playback singer in Tamil cinema for over six and a half decades. He sang over 10,138 songs from 3,162 films, including devotional, semi-classical, Carnatic, classical and light music songs. He gave classical concerts starting in 1943.

<i>Vanambadi</i> 1963 Indian film

Vanambadi (transl. Skylark) is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language thriller film, directed by G. R. Nathan, produced by K. Murukesan and Kannadasan, and written by Valampuri Somanathan. A remake of the Bengali film Sesh Porichoy, it stars S. S. Rajendran and Devika, with R. Muthuraman, S. V. Sahasranamam, T. R. Rajakumari, T. R. Ramachandran, R. S. Manohar, Pushpalatha, Sheela and Kamal Haasan. The film was released on 9 March 1963 and emerged a success.

<i>Koondukkili</i> 1954 film by T. R. Ramanna

Koondukkili is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed and co-produced by T. R. Ramanna. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan and B. S. Saroja. Although a commercial failure, it gained historical reputation over time due to the fact it was the only film in which Ramachandran and Ganesan acted together.

<i>Pudhumai Pithan</i> (1957 film) 1957 Indian film

Pudhumai Pithanis a 1957 Indian Tamil-language film directed by T. R. Ramanna and written by M. Karunanidhi, starring M. G. Ramachandran, T. R. Rajakumari and B. S. Saroja. The film was released on 2 August 1957.

<i>Mahadevi</i> (film) 1957 film by Sundar Rao Nadkarni

Mahadevi is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni and written by Kannadasan. Starring M. G. Ramachandran and Savithri, it based on the novel Punya Prabhav by R. G. Katkari. The film was released on 22 November 1957.

<i>Thaikkupin Tharam</i> 1956 film by M. A. Thirumugam

Thaikkupin Tharam is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language film, the directorial debut of M. A. Thirumugam. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi. It was the first film produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar under the then newly-formed Thevar Films. Thaikkupin Tharam was released on 21 September 1956 and ran for over 100 days in theatres.

<i>Thirudathe</i> 1961 film by P. Neelakantan

Thirudathe is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by P. Neelakantan. A remake of the Hindi film Pocket Maar (1956), it stars M. G. Ramachandran, B. Saroja Devi and M. N. Nambiar. The film was released on 23 March 1961, and ran for 100 days in theatres. It was remade in Kannada as Manassakshi (1968).

<i>Paasam</i> 1962 film by T. R. Ramanna

Paasam (transl. Affection) is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language film directed by T. R. Ramanna. It stars M. G. Ramachandran, M. R. Radha and B. Saroja Devi. The film was released on 31 August 1962 and failed commercially.

<i>Panathottam</i> 1963 film by K. Shankar

Panathottam is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by K. Shankar. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi. It was released on 11 January 1963.

Subburayulu Munuswami Subbaiah Naidu was an Indian composer, conductor, and orchestrator. He was one of the oldest music directors. He worked as an in-house music composer for Central Studios and Pakshiraja Studios and well associated with S. M. Sriramulu Naidu. SMS also worked with many films under Jupiter Pictures banner and a favorite of M. G. Ramachandran.

<i>Rani Lalithangi</i> 0000 Indian film

Rani Lalithangi is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film directed by T. R. Raghunath, starring Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi. The film, a remake of the 1935 film Lalithangi, was released on 21 September 1957.

<i>Marma Veeran</i> 1956 Indian film

Marma Veeran is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language film written by A. L. Narayanan and directed by T. R. Raghunath and was produced by actor Sriram. The film starred Sriram and Vyjayanthimala with N. T. Rama Rao, Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan in guest appearances with Rajasulochana, V. Nagayya, P. S. Veerappa, J. P. Chandrababu, K. A. Thangavelu, M. N. Rajam and T. S. Balaiah forms an ensemble cast. V. Govindarajan of Jubilee Films was the co-producer.

<i>Kathavarayan</i> (1958 film) 1958 film by T. R. Ramanna

Kathavarayan is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film produced and directed by T. R. Ramanna, and written by Thuraiyur K. Murthy. A remake of the 1941 film Aryamala, it stars Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri. The film was released on 7 November 1958.

Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy were an Indian music composing duo composed of M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy. They worked together on over 100 films, from 1952's Panam to 1965's Aayirathil Oruvan. After their split, Ramamoorthy worked on 16 films between 1966 and 1986. He and Viswanathan reunited in 1995 for Engirundho Vandhan.

<i>Harichandra</i> (1968 film) 1968 film by Kovelamudi Surya Prakash Rao

Harichandra is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film, directed by K. S. Prakash Rao and produced by G. Varalakshmi. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and G. Varalakshmi. It was released on 11 April 1968.

<i>Policekaran Magal</i> 1962 film by C. V. Sridhar

Policekaran Magal is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by C. V. Sridhar. Based on B. S. Ramiah's play of the same name, it stars Balaji, Muthuraman, Vijayakumari, Santha Kumari and Pushpalatha. The film was released on 7 September 1962 and was a success. It was later remade in Telugu as Constable Koothuru (1963) and in Malayalam as Vyaamoham (1978).

<i>Pathini Deivam</i> 1957 Indian film

Pathini Deivam is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Ch. Narayanamurthi. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Savithri.

<i>Ellam Inba Mayam</i> 1955 Indian film

Ellam Inba Mayam is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Jitten Banerji. The film stars T. R. Ramachandran, K. A. Thangavelu, Ragini and Rajasulochana. It was released on 1 April 1955.

<i>Thedi Vandha Selvam</i> 1958 Indian film

Thedi Vandha Selvam is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language drama film produced and directed by P. Neelakantan. The film stars S. S. Rajendran, Rajasulochana and B. Saroja Devi. It was released on 16 July 1958 and emerged a box office success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass</span>

Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass (1914-1965) was an Indian poet and script writer who wrote mainly in the Tamil language. He wrote more than 500 lyrics for Tamil films.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Guy, Randor (30 October 2010). "Blast from the past — Gulebakavali (1955)". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  2. ↑ Kannan, R. (2017). MGR: A Life. India: Penguin Random House. p. 90. ISBN   978-0-14-342934-0.
  3. ↑ குலேபகாவலி (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). R. R. Pictures. 1955. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  4. ↑ "Gulebakavali (1955)". Raaga.com . Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  5. ↑ Mani, Charulatha (13 April 2012). "A Raga's Journey — Bewitching Bhagesri". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  6. ↑ Guy, Randor (10 October 2008). "Goondukili 1954". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 17 August 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  7. ↑ "1955 – குலேபகாவலி – ஆர்.ஆர்.பிக்சர்ஸ் – குல்-இ-பகாவலி(இ-டப்)" [1955 – Gulebakavali – R.R.Pictures – Gul-e-Bakawali(hi-dub)]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 3 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  8. ↑ "குலேபகாவலி". Kalki (in Tamil). 31 July 1955. p. 2. Archived from the original on 6 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "Prabhu Deva's 'Gulebakavali' Begins From Where MGR's Film Ended". Silverscreen.in. 19 August 2017. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.