Underplayed Gems

Pattinathar (1936)

Pattinathar poster
Directed by
Murugadasa
Genre
musical film
Country
British Raj
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The catalogue in 3D

The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this film is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

This film is about a saint named Pattinathar who lived in Kaveripoompattinam. It shows his devotion to Lord Shiva and the miracles he performed.

devotionalmusicalearnestreverentold-fashionedslow-pacedmiraculous

What happens

Pattinathar (தமிழ்: பட்டினத்தார்) is a 1936 Indian Tamil film written and directed by T. C. Vadivelu Nayakar and produced by M. T. Rajan. Gopal Sharma composed the music. The film stars M. M. Dandapani Desikar in his acting debut, playing the titled role with other actors like V. N. Sundaram, D. R. Muthulakshmi, T. K. Rukmini, M. S. Radhabai and P. G. Venkatesan portraying supporting roles. The film was a major success, and ran for 25 weeks and established Desikar as an excellent singer - actor on the ladder of success. Pattinathar is about a saint who lived in Kaveripoompattinam, his devotion to Lord Shiva and the miracles the saint performed. Pattinathar was a subject made thrice in Tamil Cinema. The first version was made in 1935 by Lotus Pictures with C. S. Sundaramoorthy Odhuvaar as the saint, the second was made in 1936 by Vel Pictures with M. M. Dandapani Desikar (this film) and it was made again in 1962 with T. M. Soundararajan as the saint. In those days, only actors trained in theatre were given roles in films, but occasionally, good musicians were also given opportunities when the film demanded good singing from actors. M. M. Dandapani Desikar, a musician well versed in Thevaram recitals, was picked to play the eponymous hero. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

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