Naam (1953 film)

Naam (transl. Us) is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language film directed by A. Kasilingam and written by M. Karunanidhi, starring M. G. Ramachandran and V. N. Janaki. It is based on Kaadhal Kanneer (transl. Tears of Love), a novel by Kashi. The film, jointly produced by Jupiter Pictures and Mekala Pictures, was released on 5 March 1953 and failed commercially.

Naam
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	A. Kasilingam
Screenplay by	M. Karunanidhi
Based on	Kaadhal Kanneer by Kashi
Starring	M. G. Ramachandran V. N. Janaki
Cinematography	G. K. Ramu
Edited by	A. Kasilingam
Music by	C. S. Jayaraman
Production companies	Jupiter Pictures Mekala Pictures
Release date	5 March 1953 (1953-03-05)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

Kumaran is the heir to a zamindari estate, which he learns from his dying mother. However, the will and the related testament are hidden by Malayappan. A doctor Sanjeevi is also interested in the property and wants his daughter to marry Kumaran. Against his wishes, Kumaran is in love with Malayappan's sister Meena. When Meena gets the will, Kumaran suspects her intentions, and leaves the village. In the city, he becomes a boxer. Meanwhile, Malayappan sets Kumaran's house on fire and Kumaran is presumed dead. However, he is saved by Meena. More complications arise about the missing will, and simultaneously, a disfigured boxer moves around at night, leading to rumours about a ghost in the village. However, the truth is eventually revealed, and the lovers are united.^[1]

Cast

• M. G. Ramachandran as Kumaran
• V. N. Janaki as Meena
• P. S. Veerappa as Malayappan
• M. N. Nambiar
• M. G. Chakrapani as Sanjeevi
• P. K. Saraswathi as Sanjeevi's daughter
• S. R. Janaki
• R. M. Sethupathi
• S. M. Thirupathisami
• T.M. Gopal
• M. Jayashree
• A. C. Irusappan
• Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar

Production

Naam was jointly produced by Jupiter Pictures and Mekala Pictures. The partners of Mekala included M. Karunanidhi, M. G. Ramachandran and V. N. Janaki. Karunanidhi wrote the screenplay, dialogue and lyrics, based on Kaadhal Kanneer, a novel by Kashi.^[1] Despite this, Karunanidhi was credited for the story in the posters.^[2] Ramachandran, then not the popular icon that he would later become, spelt his name onscreen as "Ramachandar" because he thought it sounded "stylish", and wanted to differentiate himself from the already established actor T. R. Ramachandran.^[1]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by C. S. Jayaraman, with lyrics written by Karunanidhi.^[3]

Song Title	Singers	Length
"Pesum Yaazhe Pennmaane"	A. M. Rajah, Jikki	02:49
"Edhaiyum Thaangum Idhayam"	C. S. Jayaraman	02:59
"Pesum Yaazhe Pennmaane"	Jikki	03:08
"Paappaa Eppodhum Bayame"	C. S. Jayaraman, T. R. Gajalakshmi	02:56
"Maari Magamaayi Maari Magamaayi"	K. R. Chellamuthu, A. P. Komala	03:06
"Laalaala.... Kannaatti Karumbe"		00:43
"Aahaa Varuvaai Varuvaai"	K. R. Chellamuthu	01:41

Release

Naam was released on 5 March 1953,^[4] and failed commercially.^[5] Historian Aranthai Narayanan theorised that, one reason for the film's underperformance was lack of "DMK political mix" that fans expected after the success of Karunanidhi's Parasakthi, released the year before.^[6]