Maya Mayavan


Maya Mayavan is a 1938 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by B. Sampathkumar and produced by T. R. Sundaram of Modern Theatres. It stars T. K. Sampangi, J. Susheela Devi, K. Kokila and G. R. Varadachar. It was released on 22 October 1938.

Plot

Sabapathy Mudaliar, a wolf in sheep's clothing and womaniser, lusts for a young woman named Indira, and tries to make her his own by any means possible, despite already having a mistress who is a dancer named Sundari. Jagadish, a detective, decides to save Indira, with whom he becomes hopelessly enamored. The duo faces many obstacles from Sabapathy and his partners in crime. But by utilising his investigative abilities, he succeeds in saving his lover and the two marry.

Cast

Cast adapted from the film's songbook:
  • T. K. Sampangi as Jagadish
  • Miss K. Kokila as Indira
  • Miss J. Susheela Devi as Sundari
  • Miss Seetha Bai as Shantha & Female Dancer
  • G. R. Varadachari as Sir Sabapathy Mudaliar
  • K. Kaveri Chettiar as Diwan Bahadur Shivasankara Mudaliar
  • Venugopala Sharma as Kittu
  • Venu Chetti as Pattu
  • Devaraju as Munusami
  • V. V. S. Mani as Neliyan
;Group of Bandits
  • Anthonisami
  • Deivadhanavel
  • Somasundaran
  • Lakshminarayanan
  • Appavu Pillai

Production

Maya Mayavan was produced by T. R. Sundaram under his Salem-based production company Modern Theatres. It was directed by B. Sampathkumar and written by S. Velsamy Kavi. The length of the film was 15500 feet.

Soundtrack

The music of the film was composed by G. Rajagopal Naidu. S. Velusami wrote the lyrics. The singers were Miss K. Kokila, Miss J. Susheela Devi, Venugopala Sharma, Venu Chetti, and T. K. Sampangi. P. G. Venkatesan, popularly known as the "Saigal of South India", worked as a playback singer on two of the songs.
;Orchestra
  • Rajagopal Naidu – Fiddle
  • Ibrahim – Organ & Piano
  • K. Rangaiah Naidu – Clarinet
  • T. P. Chinaiah – Tabla
No.SongSinger/s
1Thyagabuvani Bharath DeviP. G. Venkatesan
2Malai Neram Manoharantharumam KalamMiss K. Kokila
3Loka Nayaga Mathiya KanthiMiss K. Kokila
4Manilameede JananamalameMiss J. Susheela Devi
5Urargal Thetum Chothu Ellame Namekku
Chorus
6Kamavathana Radhai SukunaMiss J. Susheela Devi
7Kulavi Guti Maygadal PeruvomeT. K. Sampangi, Miss K. Kokila
8Vazhvithu Thane Uzhvinai KaneP. G. Venkatesan
9Alankaraganne Kaicharasi...Nay-Lattu PooriVenugopala Sharma, Venu Chetti
10Ika Loka VazhvileMiss J. Susheela Devi

Release and reception

Maya Mayavan was released on 22 October 1938. According to film historian Randor Guy, the film did "not leave much of an impact on viewers", but he said it would be remembered for "interesting storyline, exciting car chases on lonely highways, kidnappings and thrilling sequences, rarely seen in Tamil Cinema of that era."