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Mani Malai

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1941 Indian film
Mani Malai
Poster
Release date
  • 1941 (1941)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Mani Malai (pronounced [maɳimaːl̪aɪ̯]) is a 1941 Indian Tamil-language anthology film. It consists of four short comedy films — Ashaadabuthi, Minor-in Kaathal, Abbuthi Adigal and Naveena Markandeyar — each made by a different director and featuring a different cast. The anthology film was successful.

Cast

Ashaadabuthi
  • P. B. Rangachari as the bhagavathar
  • Jaya as the domestic help
  • K. S. Adhilakshmi as the bhagavathar's wife
  • T. V. Sethuraman as the bhagavathar's disciple
  • M. R. Subramaniam as the village headman
Minor-in Kaathal
  • T. S. Durairaj as the "minor"
  • K. S. Adhilakshmi as the washerwoman
  • M. R. Swaminathan as the washerwoman's husband
Abbuthi Adigal
  • P. B. Rangachari as Adigal
  • T. N. Meenakshi as Adigal's wife
  • V. N. Sundaram as the saint/poet
  • V. N. Janaki as a dancer
  • Krishna Bai as a dancer
Naveena Markandeyar

Production

Mani Malai is an anthology film consisting of four short comedy films, each made by a different director. The first, Ashaadabuthi, explores the serious issue of untouchability in a light manner, and was directed by Fram Sethna. The second, Minor-in Kaathal, revolves around a "minor" refusing to marry the woman of his mother's choice. The third, Abbuthi Adigal, is a story of "godly devotion dealt with humour". The fourth, Naveena Markandeyar, tells the story of Markandeya in a parodical manner and was directed by A. T. Krishnaswamy. Shooting for Mani Malai took place at Vel Pictures Studio, Guindy.

Release and reception

Mani Malai was released in 1941 and emerged a commercial success; according to Krishnaswamy, it was due to "the presence of top comedy actors of that era". The Indian Express wrote, "Usual slap-stick inescapably lapsing into cheap humourising of domestic life is provided."

Notes

  1. ^ In archaic Tamil vernacular, a "minor" is a young man living luxuriously on inherited wealth.

References

  1. ^ Guy, Randor (31 August 2013). "Mani Malai (1941)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  2. "Mani Malai | Comic Programme at Kinema Central". The Indian Express. 22 November 1941. p. 3. Retrieved 19 February 2021.

External links

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