Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1941 film)
Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (read as "Alibabavum Narpadhu Thirudargalum"; transl. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves) is a 1941 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed by K. S. Mani. The first Tamil film adaptation of the story Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, it stars N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram. The film was released on 15 March 1941, and was commercially unsuccessful. No print is known to survive, making it a lost film.
| Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Partial poster | |
| Directed by | K. S. Mani |
| Starring | N. S. Krishnan T. A. Mathuram |
| Music by | N. S. Balakrishnan |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Cast
- N. S. Krishnan as Ali Baba
- T. A. Mathuram as Morgiana
- K. Hiranaiah as Kasim
- P. G. Venkatesan as Miyan
- T. R. Ramaswami as Pulimoottai
- S. V. Sahasranamam as Kamal
- K. P. Kamakshi as Abdul
- P. A. Subbiah Pillai as Mustafa
- V. K. Achari as Wrestler
- N. R. Padmavathi as Gulabi
- M. K. Babji as Kathija
- M. Jayalakshmi as Alibaba's Mother
Production
Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum was the first Tamil adaptation of the story Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.[2] It was directed by K. S. Mani for the company Pakshiraja Films that was owned and operated by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu. N. S. Krishnan was cast as Ali Baba, and his wife T. A. Mathuram as the slave girl Morgiana. Thoothukudi Ramaswamy Aiyer portrayed a character named "Pulimoottai", which subsequently became his prefix. Shooting took place at Central Studios.[3]
Soundtrack
The lyrics were written by K. P. Kamatchi, while the soundtrack was composed by N. S. Balakrishnan. One song performed by Krishnan himself, "Adichippoottaney Noguthadaa", attained popularity.[3]
Reception
Film historian Randor Guy praised Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum for the "familiar storyline and the comical treatment that NSK gave his brainchild", but noted that the film was not successful. No print is known to survive, making it a lost film.[3]
References
- "அலிபாபாவும் 40 திருடர்களும்". Vellitthirai. Archived from the original on 21 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press. p. 339. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.
- Guy, Randor (1 May 2011). "Ali Babavum Naarpathu Thirudargalum 1941". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2012.