Thayumanavar is a 1938 Indian Tamil-language film produced and directed by T. R. Sundaram. The film brought to screen the life story of 18th-century Hindu saint and philosopher Thayumanavar. Carnatic singer and actor M. M. Dandapani Desikar featured in the title role.
Plot Muthukrishnan Naiker was the ruler of Thiruchirapalli. He visited the temple at Vedaranyam. The Dharmakartha (trustee) of the temple gave a grand welcome to the ruler. Impressed by the reception, the ruler made the dharmakartha a minister of his court. A son is born to the minister who names him as Thayumanavan. Meanwhile, Muthukrishnan Naiker died and his son came to the throne. He appointed Thayumanavan as his minister. Thayumanavan was brilliant. He helped the king to develop the country. However, Thayumanavan was more inclined towards philosophy and divinity. Soon, the ruler becomes aware of the divine power of Thayumanavan and became a disciple. Thayumanavan performed many miracles, eventually his mortal remains and became a saint.
Cast The list is adapted from the film's songbook
Male Cast M. M. Dandapani Desikar as Thayumanavar Vidwan C. S. Selvarathnam Pillai as Kediliyappar T. E. Krishnamachariar as 2nd King, Maunaguru Prabhat Venkata Rao as First King, Lord Shiva P. G. Venkatesan as Yogi, Innocent Husband S. N. Sivakozhundhu as Sivachidambaram, Prabhu K. Sivaraman as Arulaiyar Master Vedhamoorthi as Young Thayumanavan Master Krishnamoorthi as Beggar Boy N. Ramasami Pillai as Fake Sami V. M. Ezhumalai as Fake Sami T. V. Devanatha Iyengar as Comedian S. L. Venkatanarayana Iyengar as Comedian P. Ramasami Udayar as Comedian
Female Cast M. S. Devasena as Queen Meenakshi B. Saradambal as Gajavalli Madam N. S. Rathnambal as Mother Who Lost Her Son P. S. Gnanam as Irrational Wife K. T. Sakku Bai as Mattuvarkuzhali Aparanji as Fake Lords's Teacher Devaram Rajammal as Chetty Girl's Mother K. Saraswathi as Chetty Girl Sakunathala as Personal Friend Jeevarathnam as Girl Next Door Support Cast R. Somasundaram, K. Ram Singh,K. P. Lakshmanan, K. Chidambaram, and Devaraj.
Production During the 1930s many films were made with life stories of religious saints. M. M. Dandapani Desikar who was well trained in Carnatic music and with fluency in religious lore and was the obvious choice of producers. Earlier he featured in similar role in Pattinathar and later in Nandanar.
Soundtrack Music was composed by G. Pichala Narasimha Rao and lyrics were penned by Papanasam Sivan. The songs were recorded by Sardar Eswara Singh. Most of the songs were compositions of the Saint himself who sang nearly 1500 songs. There were 31 songs in the film most of which were sung by M. M. Dandapani Desikar. Singers are Vidwan C. S. Selvarathnam Pillai, P. G. Venkatesan, Master Vedhamoorthi, Master Krishnamoorthi, N. S. Rathnambal, M. M. Dandapani Desikar, P. S. Gnanam, M. S. Devasena, and the chorus.
Orchestra Rajukaru – Dilruba, Sitar, Organ T. S. Krishna Pillai – Fiddle G. H. Anjaneyalu – Tabla K. Rengaiya Naidu – Clarinet T. M. Ibrahim – Piano
No Songs Singers 1 Om Shankara Purahara Sadhasiva Nin Chorus 2 Ninnavar Prarandri Niyeyanay Vidwan C. S. Selvarathnam Pillai 3 Malarthal Vanangum Adiyar P. G. Venkatesan 4 Thejonmaya Chandra Shobhitha Bala Lullaby Music 5 Kailasa Pathiye Saranam Master Vedhamoorthi 6 Adiyum Nadumutiyum Ilan Master Krishnamoorthi 7 Evaraiyum Imsai Seyya Lagadugan Master Vedhamoorthi 8 Nandrudaiyanai Theeyathillanai Narai Velleru M. M. Dandapani Desikar 9 Undendru Uruthikolvom M. M. Dandapani Desikar 10 Kana Virumbum Manam Dhanuvin Karunaiye M. M. Dandapani Desikar 11 Aasaikkor Alavilai M. M. Dandapani Desikar 12 Penne – Nee Ennaibharati Ullasamaka N. Ramasami Pillai, V. M. Ezhumalai & Aparanji 13 Ennakoram Iraivanuraiyum M. M. Dandapani Desikar, Chorus 14 Kanthuka Mathakkariyai Vasama M. M. Dandapani Desikar 15 Envasamillai En Seiven M. S. Devasena 16 Pazhan Kadhal Kadhi P. G. Venkatesan 17 Vaira Manthaiyum Ulluruka M. S. Devasena & M. M. Dandapani Desikar 18 Enai Unakkintha Pedhai M. M. Dandapani Desikar 19 Parayo Ennai Mugam M. M. Dandapani Desikar 20 Udhavikku Oruvarille P. S. Gnanam 21 Kannadi Nee Kizhicha Kottaiyini P. G. Venkatesan, P. S. Gnanam 22 Patukindra Bhanuva Lorgal M. M. Dandapani Desikar 23 Padhini Polave Itharai M. M. Dandapani Desikar 24 Kalla Lerinthun, Kaivilla Ladithum, Kanimadhura M. M. Dandapani Desikar 25 Azhuvathin Payanethu M. M. Dandapani Desikar, N. S. Rathnambal 26 Kali Magamayi Enga Atha Nitha Chorus 27 Kaka Muravu Kalandhunna M. M. Dandapani Desikar 28 Ennannu Ennikkitte P. S. Gnanam, P. G. Venkatesan 29 Saiva Samayame Samayameni Lachamaya M. M. Dandapani Desikar 30 Veene Azhiyathe Nanba Perinba (Dialogue) M. M. Dandapani Desikar 31 Chinthaiyeer Thandhaiyay Thayumanavan P. G. Venkatesan
Lost film No print of the film is known to exist today.
Reception Film historian Randor Guy wrote in 2012 that the film is "Remembered for the rich singing of Dandapani Desikar and the scenes featuring holy places."
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