1953 Indian film
| Naam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | A. Kasilingam |
| Screenplay by | M. Karunanidhi |
| Based on | Kaadhal Kanneer by Kashi |
| Starring | M. G. Ramachandran V. N. Janaki |
| Cinematography | G. K. Ramu |
| Edited by | A. Kasilingam |
| Music by | C. S. Jayaraman |
| Production companies | Jupiter Pictures Mekala Pictures |
| Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Naam (transl. Us) is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language film directed by A. Kasilingam and written by M. Karunanidhi, starring M. G. Ramachandran and V. N. Janaki. It is based on Kaadhal Kanneer (transl. Tears of Love), a novel by Kashi. The film, jointly produced by Jupiter Pictures and Mekala Pictures, was released on 5 March 1953 and failed commercially.
Plot
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Kumaran is the heir to a zamindari estate, which he learns from his dying mother. However, the will and the related testament are hidden by Malayappan. A doctor Sanjeevi is also interested in the property and wants his daughter to marry Kumaran. Against his wishes, Kumaran is in love with Malayappan's sister Meena. When Meena gets the will, Kumaran suspects her intentions, and leaves the village. In the city, he becomes a boxer. Meanwhile, Malayappan sets Kumaran's house on fire and Kumaran is presumed dead. However, he is saved by Meena. More complications arise about the missing will, and simultaneously, a disfigured boxer moves around at night, leading to rumours about a ghost in the village. However, the truth is eventually revealed, and the lovers are united.
Cast
- M. G. Ramachandran as Kumaran
- V. N. Janaki as Meena
- P. S. Veerappa as Malayappan
- M. N. Nambiar
- M. G. Chakrapani as Sanjeevi
- P. K. Saraswathi as Sanjeevi's daughter
- S. R. Janaki
- R. M. Sethupathi
- S. M. Thirupathisami
- T.M. Gopal
- M. Jayashree
- A. C. Irusappan
- Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar
Production
Naam was jointly produced by Jupiter Pictures and Mekala Pictures. The partners of Mekala included M. Karunanidhi, M. G. Ramachandran and V. N. Janaki. Karunanidhi wrote the screenplay, dialogue and lyrics, based on Kaadhal Kanneer, a novel by Kashi. Despite this, Karunanidhi was credited for the story in the posters. Ramachandran, then not the popular icon that he would later become, spelt his name onscreen as "Ramachandar" because he thought it sounded "stylish", and wanted to differentiate himself from the already established actor T. R. Ramachandran.
Soundtrack
The music was composed by C. S. Jayaraman, with lyrics written by Karunanidhi.
| Song Title | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Pesum Yaazhe Pennmaane" | A. M. Rajah, Jikki | 02:49 |
| "Edhaiyum Thaangum Idhayam" | C. S. Jayaraman | 02:59 |
| "Pesum Yaazhe Pennmaane" | Jikki | 03:08 |
| "Paappaa Eppodhum Bayame" | C. S. Jayaraman, T. R. Gajalakshmi | 02:56 |
| "Maari Magamaayi Maari Magamaayi" | K. R. Chellamuthu, A. P. Komala | 03:06 |
| "Laalaala.... Kannaatti Karumbe" | 00:43 | |
| "Aahaa Varuvaai Varuvaai" | K. R. Chellamuthu | 01:41 |
Release
Naam was released on 5 March 1953, and failed commercially. Historian Aranthai Narayanan theorised that, one reason for the film's underperformance was lack of "DMK political mix" that fans expected after the success of Karunanidhi's Parasakthi, released the year before.
References
- ^ Guy, Randor (29 December 2012). "Naam (1953)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- "Nām". The Indian Express. 5 March 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 3 January 2025 – via Google News Archive.
- Neelamegam, G. (2014). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 53.
- "1953 – நாம் – ஜூபிடர் – மேகலா" [1953 – Naam – Jupiter – Mekala]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
- Sri Kantha, Sachi (27 December 2019). "MGR Remembered – Part 54 | An Overview of the Final 31 movies of 1970s". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- Sri Kantha, Sachi (30 September 2014). "MGR Remembered – Part 21 | Generativity in DMK Party of 1950s". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
