I DIRECTORS: THE CAPTAINS — MASTERS AND COMMANDERS WITH AN IMPACT TO LAST THE AGES 

2. The 1930s— Part 13(1)

(2) T.R. Raghunath

13)    Pioneers who travelled cross border (Directors from north)-1

In this part of the series we are going to talk about the forgotten pioneers who came from North India to direct Tamil Films. Few of them are: –

1. Prafulla Ghosh
2. K. Amarnath
3. Bhalji Gopal Pendharkar and Babu Rao Pendharkar
4. Fram Chetna
5. Parshwanth Yeshwant Atlekar
6. H.S. Mehta

We will talk about them in 4 Parts. First part is about Prafulla Ghosh and K. Amarnath

(1)     Prafulla Ghosh

Prafulla Ghosh was from Calcutta who made approximately 15 silent films there before he moved to Mumbai and then south. He was initially an accountant whose interest grew towards film making. He along with his friend Ahindra Choudhury decided to make a film around 1920. They visited various producers and later decided to build a studio of their own. This studio, Photo Play Syndicate, one of the foremost studios in Calcutta was built in southern fringes of the city at the east of Behala. They finalized Rs18000 budget for their maiden film titled Soul of the Slave which was lying unreleased for quite a while due to issue with the distribution house. Finally, the film released on August 14^th, 1922. Though the film was appreciated it failed to break even due to lack of proper distribution. Amid the loses the friends parted ways and shone in their own new roles. Ghosh directed films in Hindi, Bengali and Tamil.

Few of the Tamil films that Prafulla Ghosh made during 1930s:

• 1935: SUBADRA PARINAYAM
• 1935: HARISCHANDRA
• 1935: RATNAVALI
• 1936: CHANDRAHASAN
• 1936: VEERA ABHIMANYU

Ghosh directed 3 films in 1935 Subhadra Parinayam, Ratnavali and Harischandra.

Subhadra Parinayam was the mythological story of the love between Lord Krishna’s sister Subhadra with Arjuna and the hurdles they face before getting married. It was produced by one of the forefathers of Tamil film industry Vincent Samikkannu. The film had S.V. Subbaiah Bhagavathar and T.S. Velammal in lead role. The film was quite successful commercially. Bhagavathar was quite popular those days. The records that had his songs sold very well. In this film too he sang and acted which helped the film business a lot.

One of the songs that he acted and sung from this film was

Ratnavali directed by Ghosh released in the year 1935. It was based on the Sanskrit drama of same name written by Harsha. Harsha’s work was earlier adapted by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar known as Founding Father of Tamil Theatre. His play with same name was received overwhelmingly which tempted AV Meyyappa Chettiar to make it as a film. His gramophone business with the name Saraswathi stores turned to Saraswathi talkies Productions under which the movie was produced. It was the second film for the banner after Alli Arjuna.

An article on RATNAVALI
From the magazine ANANDA VIKATAN DEEPAVALI MALAR 1935
PC: From the archives of TCRC

Ratnavali star cast was headed by Palayamkottai Sisters Ratna bai and Saraswathi bai with the former in titular role and the latter in a role of Vasvadhathai. They always used to act together in a film and were much in demand those days with their harmonious acting and singing skills. Male lead was by the then popular hero M.R. Krishnamoorthy, younger brother of legendary carnatic musician Maharaja Puram Vishwanatha Iyer. The same trio had earlier worked in the one of the most successful early tamil talkies Bama Vijayam

Harischandra, the 3^rd Tamil film that talked after silent era was directed by Sarvottam Badami released in the year 1932. The film was also happened to be the first Tamil talkie to be made on the story of Raja Harischandra. Later many films were made based in the same story. Interestingly the first Indian film Raja Harischandra produced and directed by Dadasaheb Phalke was made on this storyline in 1913.  1935 version directed by Prafulla Ghosh was only the 2^nd one in Tamil.  V.A. Chellappa acted in the titular role while T.P. Rajalakshmi known as Cinema Rani was the female lead. This was one more Ghosh film that was produced by Calcutta based Pioneer Films.

(2)     K. Amarnath

Gelaram Khetarpal Amarnath alias K. Amarnath was born on December 1, 1914 in Mianwali, Punjab (British India, now Pakistan). His childhood was spent in Mianwali and college years in Lahore.  His passion towards movies made him to move from Lahore to Calcutta, a movie hub in early 1930s. His interest was initially to become an actor. After struggling in Calcutta for a year he planned to move to Mumbai and try his luck there. With his towering physique and good looks, he initially wanted to become an actor but while working as junior artists in few films his interest grew towards film making. He started assisting directors like B.R. Patel and Dhirubhai Desai. He got his first break via Metro Movie tone in 1936. This first directorial venture of him was Matwali Jogan aka A Girl from Lahore. Though he got critical acclaim for the film his major breakthrough happened in Tamil film industry a year later in 1937 through Mohan Studios. All the first 5 films he directed for Mohan Studios were in Tamil.

The films directed by K. Amarnath in 1930s

• 1937: DANGER SIGNAL
• 1937: PAKKA ROWDY
• 1937: MINNALKODI
• 1938: BAGHYA LEELA
• 1939: VEERA RAMANI
  
  

He directed 3 films in 1937. Danger Signal was his first one, followed by Pakka Rowdy then Minnal kodi. From Minnal kodi his association with K.T. Rukmini started and she went on to continue to be his lead actress in next 2 films Baghya Leela in 1938 and Veera Ramani in 1939.

A still featuring K.T. Rukmini
From the magazine CINE ART REVIEW 1937
PC: From the archives of TCRC

K.T. Rukmini was the first action heroine of the Tamil Films. She was also known as stunt queen during those days. Though she was acting from silent movie era Amarnath’s Minnal kodi established her as a stunt heroine. She played the titular role. Adapting Robinhood concept of robing rich and helping poor the film turned out to be a major hit. The film supposedly had only 3 songs which was uncommon during those days. Srinivasa Rao played as love interest of Mohini/Minnal Kodi and S.S. koko as her servant. Other supporting roles were played by Gogia, Pasha, Subbulakshmi, Alamu, K. B. Rao and Usharani. The film made Rukmini a big star.

Under the Mohan Pictures banner Amarnath cast her again in next film Baghyaleela as well. Another stunt film.

An advertisement of Deccan Film Distributor mentioning BAGHYALEELA and MINNALKODI
From the magazine ANANDA VIKATAN DEEPAVALI MALAR 1938
PC: From the archives of TCRC

In 1939 Amarnath worked with K.T. Rukmini for 3^rd time. The film posters raised eyebrows of many as it had a heroine smoking or wearing short trousers which were uncommon for a society that was more conservative. The film had lot of stunt scenes and people loved it. Male lead was played by Srinivasa Rao. He was known as Stunt king so the film created lot of buzz with both stunt queen and stunt king.

An advertisement of Ramniklal Film Corporation mentioning VEERA RAMANI
From the magazine ANANDA VIKATAN DEEPAVALI MALAR 1938
PC: From the archives of TCRC

Veera Ramani was quite successful mainly for its racy screenplay and stunt scenes. Amarnath after this film moved to Mumbai where he continued to make many successful Hindi films till early 70s. He passed at the age of 68 on May 14, 1983, leaving behind a legacy of his own.

[To be continued] We’ll be back next week with more hidden treasure from the history of Tamil cinema. Stay tuned!

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