''Ezhai Padum Padu'' () is a 1950 Indian

Tamil language Tamil (, , , also written as ''Tamizhil'' according to linguistic pronunciation) is a Dravidian language natively spoken by the Tamil people of South Asia. It is one of the longest-surviving classical languages in the world,. "Tamil is one of ...

film directed by K. Ramnoth. It was simultaneously shot in Telugu as ''Beedala Patlu''. It was an adaptation of ''

Les Misérables ''Les Misérables'' (, ) is a 19th-century French literature, French Epic (genre), epic historical fiction, historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published on 31 March 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. '' ...

'',

Victor Hugo Victor-Marie Hugo, vicomte Hugo (; 26 February 1802 – 22 May 1885) was a French Romanticism, Romantic author, poet, essayist, playwright, journalist, human rights activist and politician. His most famous works are the novels ''The Hunchbac ...

's 1862 novel. The film was released on

Diwali Diwali (), also called Deepavali (IAST: ''Dīpāvalī'') or Deepawali (IAST: ''Dīpāwalī''), is the Hindu festival of lights, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions such as Jainism and Sikhism. It symbolises the spiritual v ...

day. For his memorable portrayal of

Javert Javert (), no first name given in the source novel, is a fictional character and a main antagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel ''Les Misérables.'' He was presumably born in 1780 and died on June 7, 1832. First a prison guard, and then a police i ...

in this film, N. Seetharaman came to be called as ''Javert'' Seetharaman. It was produced by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu of

Pakshiraja Studios Pakshiraja Studios was a motion picture movie studio in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, established by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu in 1945. The studio predominantly produced movies in Tamil language, Tamil, Telugu language, Telugu, Hindi and Malayal ...

Plot

Tough and ruthless Police Inspector Javert recaptures a small-time criminal Kandhan who has escaped from prison. Kandhan turns a new leaf with the help of a Christian Bishop. When he is released from prison he starts a glass making company. He changes his identity and becomes successful and even becomes the mayor of his town. Inspector Javert finds out about his new life and threatens to expose him. On one occasion Kandhan saves Javert's life. Javert commits suicide unable to turn Kandhan in to the authorities out of his sense of gratitude.

Cast

Cast according to the opening credits of the film ;Male Cast * V. Nagayya as Kandhan Dayalan * T. S. Balaiah as Ramgopal * T. S. Durairaj as Masilamani Mudaliar * Serukulathur Sama as Christian Bishop (Saadhu Uthamar) * N. Seetharaman as Inspector Javar * V. Gopalakrishnan as Umakandhan * Kali N. Rathnam as Nagam * M. R. Swaminathan as Nagan's Cousin * S. Peer Mohamed as Vedhagiri Mudaliar * Nat Annaji Rao as Judge * T. K. Kalyanam as Ranga Das ; Male Support Cast K. S. Kanaiah, S. V. Shanmugam Pillai, S. V. Shanmugam, V. S. Rao, Manickam ;Female Cast * Lalitha as Anjala * Padmini as Lakshmi * Kumari N. Rajam as Rajam * P. S. Gnanam as Naagi * S. R. Janaki as Kandhan's Sister * Baby Meenakshi as Baby Lakshmi * Ragini as Female Dancer * Thangam as Female Dancer * Kalyani as Female Dancer * Rita as Female Dancer * Janaki as Female Dancer * Radhamani as Female Dancer

Production

''Ezhai Padum Padu'' was produced by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu at

in Coimbatore. K. Ramnoth was hired as the director and V. Nagayya was cast as Kandan (based on

Jean Valjean Jean Valjean () is the protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel ''Les Misérables''. The story depicts the character's struggle to lead a normal life and redeem himself after serving a 19-year-long prison sentence for stealing bread to feed his ...

). Initially, Nagercoil K. Mahadevan, was cast as the bishop who reforms the thief. But after a few scenes were shot, Sriramulu Naidu replaced him with Serukalathur Sama. Elangovan (Thanigachalam) wrote the script for ''Ezhai Padum Paau'' based on Sudhanandha Bharathi's translation of ''Les Miserables''. Sriramulu Naidu was known for his strict schedule. Once when director Ramnoth was absent from the set, one of the actors – V. Gopalakrishnan – left the set thinking that there would be no filming on that day. An incensed Naidu filmed the scene (a love song sequence) using an actress (Ragini) dressed up as a man instead of Gopalakrishnan.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack had ten songs composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. The lyrics by V. A. Gopalakrishnan. ;Tamil Soundtrack ;Telugu Soundtrack Music is by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and G. Aswathama. Lyrics were by

Aarudhra Arudra (born Bhagavatula Sadasiva Sankara Sastry; 31 August 1925 – 4 June 1998) was an Indian author, poet, lyricist, translator, publisher, dramatist, playwright, and an expert on Telugu literature. He is also known for his works in Telugu cin ...

Release and reception

''Ezhai Padum Padu'' was released on Diwali day (9 November), 1950. It was a commercial and critical success.

References

Bibliography

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External links

* * {{Les Misérables 1950 films 1950s Indian films 1950s multilingual films 1950s Tamil-language films 1950s Telugu-language films Films based on Les Misérables Films directed by K. Ramnoth Films scored by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Indian black-and-white films Indian multilingual films Tamil-language Indian films eo:Beedala Patlu