Maman Magal

1955 Drama 135 minutes Directed by R. S. Mani

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About Maman Magal

Dharmalingam's late wife left a will: their daughter Malathi (Savitri) must marry the son of the wife's missing brother, who will inherit the money. Dharmalingam sends his friend Kanniyappan (T. S. Balaiah), who wants Malathi and the property, to find that nephew. Kanniyappan puts his own nephew Thandavam forward. Malathi has already fallen in love with her shy teacher Chandran (Gemini Ganesan). Kanniyappan gets Chandran fired. Chandran's grandmother Kamatchi gives him magic armor that makes him bold. He comes back disguised as an old gardener. The will vanishes. Kanniyappan is exposed, and Chandran and Malathi marry.

Cast & crew

More about Maman Magal

R. S. Mani wrote, produced, and directed the Tamil film. The title on screen is Maaman Magal, 'uncle's daughter.' C. V. Sridhar wrote the dialogue, before he directed his own films. S. V. Venkatraman composed the music. It opened on 14 October 1955 and runs 135 minutes. J. P. Chandrababu is in the comedy parts. D. Balasubramaniam plays Dharmalingam.

Themes

  • a will that names the groom
  • a false nephew
  • a teacher in disguise
  • Malathi
  • Chandran
  • Kanniyappan
  • magic armor
  • will
  • Tamil

Making

Mani, an editor who had turned to directing, kept Sridhar on the dialogue. The disguise and the magic armor are the turns that get Chandran back into the house.

Reviews

In The Hindu in 2009, Randor Guy wrote that the story was predictable and that Mani had made an interesting film of it.

Audiences

It was a moderate success on release.

Music

S. V. Venkatraman wrote the music. Playback included T. M. Soundararajan, A. M. Raja, and Jikki.

Preservation

A copy survives and is on Wikimedia Commons.

Notes

  • Lyrics are by Papanasam Sivan, Thanjai Ramaiah Das, Kambadasan, and others.
  • Playback singers include T. M. Soundararajan, A. M. Raja, and Jikki (P. G. Krishnaveni).
  • The Hindu's Randor Guy, writing in 2009, called the box-office result moderate.
  • A copy is on Wikimedia Commons under Maaman Magal (1955).

Scenes

  • Kanniyappan presents his nephew as the missing heir named in the will.
  • Kamatchi gives Chandran armor that is supposed to make him bold.
  • Chandran returns as an elderly gardener.
  • The will disappears, then Kanniyappan is exposed and the couple marry.