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Central Studios

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Central Studios
Company typeManaging Agency, later Private Limited Company[1]
IndustryMotion pictures
Founded1935
Defunct1958 (de facto)[2]
HeadquartersTrichy Road, Singanallur, Coimbatore
Key people
B. Rangaswamy Naidu, Sriramulu Naidu, Samikannu Vincent, R. K. Ramakrishnan Chettiar, Lakshmi Mills

Central Studios was an Indian film studio in the neighbourhood of Singanallur, Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, started by B.Rangaswamy Naidu (a.k.a. B. R. Naidu) and other prominent industrialists like Swamikannu Vincent of Coimbatore in 1935 to make Tamil and other South Indian language movies. The studio was a major hub of Tamil movie production and notable for its association with many early day Tamil Movie Superstars, directors and script writers etc. and many making their career debuts here. The studio is best remembered for movies like Sivakavi, Velaikari and Haridas.

History

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Movie industry in Coimbatore

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Samikannu Vincent

Movies became a major industry in Coimbatore when in 1905 a South Indian Railways employee Samikannu Vincent purchased a film projector along with some silent films from a Frenchman named Du Pont who had fallen ill on his touring exhibition. Samikannu Vincent then built a business as film exhibitor first by traveling around the country and finally erecting tents theatres for screening films. His tent cinema became popular as he traveled all over the state with his mobile unit. In 1917, Samikannu Vincent built South India's first permanent cinema theatre, Variety Hall Cinema, at TownHall; it is now called ad Delite theatre. As Samikannu Vincent also generated his own electric power for his theatres, he built a series of theatres in and around the city to screen silent films. He also became a distributor for the French Pathé Frères movie projectors. In the early 1930s he launched the Variety Hall Talkies banner to make sound film (a.k.a. talkies) and released a few movies which were mainly shot in Calcutta. Feeling a need to have a movie studio, he was instrumental, along with other industrialists and movie makers, in establishing a fully equipped studio in Coimbatore.

Also during the late 1920s, another firm under Sabapathy was involved in the distributorship of an Italian movie projector company, eventually leading to the manufacture of their own brand of movie projectors in Coimbatore. By the early thirties Coimbatore already had a studio named Premier Cinetone Studio [3] (later renamed Pakshiraja Studios). In 1935 a London-educated graduate, T. R. Sundaram, built a fully equipped movie studio, Modern Theatres, in Salem, and the region became the central hub for movie activity.

Studio beginnings

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Catalogue of Central Studios, Coimbatore

Central Studio was founded by a group of prominent industrialists B. Rangaswamy Naidu, R. K. Ramakrishnan Chettiar (brother of India's first Finance Minister R. K. Shanmukham Chetty), Samikannu Vincent, and another new movie director S. M. Sriramulu Naidu (who joined as a working partner). Studio commenced its operation in 1936 with their first release being Thukkaram in 1937 directed by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu. By the early 1940s the Studio became the central hub of Tamil Movie industry.

Facilities

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The Studio is located at Singanallur, near to the Trichy Road in Coimbatore city. The Studio had almost all modern facilities required for a Movie studio along with Sound and film editing labs and technical workshops. The sound engineers and cameramen were all Germans during the 30s and most of the Make-Up team were from Mumbai.[4] The studio also had a music department headed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. The studio also boasted the BNC Mitchell Camera, then a Hollywood standard, which cost a whopping Rs 500,000 in the 1930s and the Studio was equipped with 10 KW, 5 KW AND 2 KW lights. Most of the artists and technicians were on monthly payroll.

Studio system

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The Silver Jubilee hit movie of 1936 Sivakavi starring M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, was an in-house production, as well as several socially significant movies. Central Studio released few movies, but the Studio housed lot of other production banners. The most popular being Jupiter Pictures and Pakshiraja Films. Other production houses that operated inside the studio were Narayanan and Company, Manorama Pictures and Venu Pictures. The then popular comedian trio N. S. Krishnan and T. Mathuram had their independent production unit, Ashoka Films inside the premises. They often made their comedy track independently and sold to other Movie producers who later released as ‘side reel’.

Notable film personalities

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The studio was a central hub during the early days for Tamil movies first 'Superstars' P. U. Chinnappa and M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and the popular comedian N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram. The studio was also a starting point for four of Tamil Nadu state Chief Ministers C. N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi,[5] M. G. Ramachandran[6] and V. N. Janaki. The Studio housed famous musicians S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, while G. Ramanathan along with Papanasam Sivan and K. V. Mahadevan composed for some of the Studio Movies. The popular music composer M. S. Viswanathan was an assistant to S. M. Subbiah Naidu. Playback singer T. M. Soundararajan[7] made his early foray as playback singer here so was Lyricist Kannadasan in his initial career. Central Studio was a launch pad for many later day directors like Muktha Srinivasan who was an associate director for 1954 release Sorgavasal.[8] and K. Shankar who was in the editing department. T. R. Rajakumari, Anjali Devi, U. R. Jeevarathinam, Madhuri Devi and Rajasulochana featured in many films shot in Central Studioc.[9] Actress Sachu as childhood artist appeared in few films shot here.

Famous directors who operated out of the Studio were S. M. Sriramulu Naidu, Ellis R. Dungan, A. S. A. Sami, A. P. Nagarajan and popular duo Krishnan–Panju of Parasakthi fame who directed their first movie in Central Studios. India's pioneering Cinematographer Adi Merwan Irani[10] worked in this studio for Sivakavi and Haridas. Sando Chinnappa Thevar, of Devar Films living nearby in Ramanathapuram was a body builder who worked as stunt actor before becoming one of Indias successful movie producers.

Final years

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In 1945 S. M. Sriramulu Naidu left Central Studios to start his own Studio called Pakshiraja Studios and B. Rangaswamy Naidu family bought out majority of its shares. During the late 1940s the management leased the Studio to Jupiter Pictures. After B. R. Naidu's demise the Studio management passed on to Lakshmi Mills family who closed it in 1959 as Chennai by then emerged as the major Movie hub and also as a result of other lobbying groups who wanted to keep movie industry out of Coimbatore, as it was then emerging into an Industrial and Educational hub. The Studio with its equipments were leased to other producers in 1958 and continued Film distribution till 1962.

Present day

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Most of the Studio structure is still intact as the B. R. Naidu family uses the premises for various industrial activities. Some of the buildings houses Textile production units and small workshops. During the 70s and 80s race car constructor and driver S. Karivardhan used the studio premises to build and test his race cars.

Till 2009 the text impression ‘ Central Studios’ can found at their main entrance gate. Recently in 2010 some structures were pulled down to make way for new developments. Post 2013 the studio premises was split between the family members of B. R. Naidu and though the buildings remain as it, the approach roads are different and still remain private.

List of major releases

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# Year Title Language Production Lead Cast Director Music Composer Release Date & Notes
1 1938 Thukkaram Tamil Central Studios Musiri Subramania Iyer, Chokkalinga Bhagavathar, K. Seetha, Meenambal B. Narayan Rao R. Balasaraswathi 17 Sep 1938 The iconic Carnatic musician Musiri Subramania Iyer's only movie. .
2 1938 Thukkaram Telugu Central Studios C. S. R. Anjaneyulu, Chokkalinga Bhagavathar, Kamalabai, Balasaraswathi M. L. Tandon[11] R. Balasaraswathi 17 Sep 1938 Shot simultaneously along with the Tamil version
3 1939 Rambaiyin Kaadhal Tamil Central Studios K. Sarangkapani, K. L. V. Vasantha, N. S. Krishnan B. Narayan Rao Central Studios Orchestra 24 Feb 1939 Debut movie for comedian T. S. Durairaj
4 1939 Prahalada (1939 film) Tamil Salem Sankar Films T. R. Mahalingam, M. R. Santhanalakshmi, R. Balasubramaniam, Nagercoil K. Mahadevan,M. G. Ramachandran, N. S. Krishnan, T. A. Mathuram B. Narayan Rao Sharma Brothers 12 Dec 1939
5 1940 Bhooloka Rambai Tamil M. Somasundaram (Jupiter Somu) (Salem Shanmugha Films) & M.D. Viswanathan (Vijaya Maruthi Pictures) K.L.V. Vasantha, T. K. Shanmugam, T.R. Mahalingam, T.S. Balaiah, N.S. Krishnan, T. A. Madhuram and Kumari Rukmini B. Narayan Rao G. Ramanathan 14 Jan 1958 S.S. Vasan had just started Gemini Pictures Circuit as distributor, was looking for movies for distribution, called on Rao at Coimbatore and asked him whether he could complete the film in time for Deepavali if he funded the project.
6 1940 Naveena Vikramadityan Tamil Ashoka Films N. S. Krishnan, T. A. Mathuram, T. S. Durairaj, M. R. Swaminathan K. S. Mani N. S. Balakrishnan 29 Jun 1940
7 1941 Chandrahari Tamil Ashoka Films N. S. Krishnan, T. A. Mathuram, L. Narayana Rao, Kaka Radhakrishnan K. S. Mani N. S. Balakrishnan As this was a short film, it was package as part 2 with another film Izhandha Kadhal (Part 1)
8 1941 Ezhandha Kadhal Tamil Ashoka Films N. S. Krishnan, T. A. Mathuram, K. P. Kamatchi K. S. Mani N. S. Balakrishnan, K. M. Gowrisan n/a
9 1941 Sathi Murali Tamil Central Studios, Saba Films " M. K. Radha, M.R.Santhanalakshmi,T. R. Mahalingam, Nagercoil K. Mahadevan, L. Narayana Rao, Kali N. Ratnam, S. Varalakshmi, T. A. Mathuram B. Narayan Rao,T. C. Vadivelu Naicker n/a
10 1941 Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1941 film) Tamil Ashoka Films "N. S. Krishnan, T. A. Mathuram, M. R. Swaminathan, S. V. Sahasranamam K. S. Mani N. S. Balakrishnan 15 Mar 1941
11 1941 Aryamala Pakshiraja Films, K. S. Narayanan Iyengar P. U. Chinnappa , M. S. Sarojini, M. R. Santhanalakshmi, N. S. Krishnan Bomman Irani G. Ramanathan 19 Oct 1941
12 1942 Prithivirajan Tamil Central Studios + Haran Talkies P. U. Chinnappa, A. Sakunthala, T. S. Balaiah, M. R. Santhanalakshmi, N. S. Krishnan B. Sampathkumar G. Ramanathan 29 Apr 1942
13 1943 Jeevana Nataka Kannada Gubbi Films (Gubbi Veeranna) Gubbi Veeranna, Kemparaj Urs, Shanta Hublikar, B. Jayamma Wahab Kashmiri S. V. Venkatraman, Ramayyar Shirur, Harmonium Sheshagirirao 01 Jan 1943 Kemparaj Urs, the brother of future Chief Minister of Mysore State, D. Devaraj Urs, made his acting debut in the film.
14 1943 Sivakavi Sivakavi Central Studios, Pakshiraja Films M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, S. Jayalakshmi, T. R. Rajakumari, N. S. Krishnan S. M. Sriramulu Naidu Papanasam Sivan 10 Apr 1943 Shooting started in 1942 with P. K. Raja Sandow as director. Due to disputes between Raja Sandow and producer S. M. Sriramulu Naidu, later took over direction. Script was by Elangovan. Was a major blockbuster all over Madras Presidency.
15 1944 Jagathalaprathapan (1944 film) Tamil Central Studios, Pakshiraja Films P. U. Chinnappa, M. S. Sarojini, M. R. Santhanalakshmi, P. B. Rangachari, U. R. Jeevaratnam, S. Varalakshmi, T. A. Jayalakshmi, T. S. Balaiah, N. S. Krishnan, T. A. Mathuram S. M. Sriramulu Naidu G. Ramanathan 07 Mar 1944
16 1944 Haridas Tamil Rayal Talkie Distributors M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T. R. Rajakumari, N. C. Vasanthakokilam, N. S. Krishnan Sundar Rao Nadkarni Papanasam Sivan, G. Ramanathan 16 Oct 1944 One of the record setting blockbuster hit, released for 1944 Deepavali, it ran continuously in Madras Broadway Theater with full shows for 110 weeks, crossing 1945 and 1946 Deepavali's
17 1945 En Magan (1945 film) Tamil Central Studios N. Krishnamoorthi, U. R. Jeevarathinam, D. Balasubramaniam, Kumari Kamala, C. K. Saraswathi R. S. Mani Papanasam Sivan,

C. A. Lakshmana Das || 16 Feb 1945

18 1945 Saalivaahanan Tamil Bhaskar Pictures Ranjan, T. R. Rajakumari, M. G. Ramachandran, K. L. V. Vasantha, N. S. Krishnan B. Narayan Rao Nagercoil K. Mahadevan 04 Nov 1945 The film had a love scene sequence between Ranjan and T. R. Rajakumari, in colour which was achieved manual hand-tinting for each frame.
19 1946 Valmiki Tamil Central Studios C. Honnappa Bhagavathar, U. R. Jeevarathinam, T. R. Rajakumari, N. C. Vasanthakokilam Sundar Rao Nadkarni Papanasam Sivan 13 Apr 1946 Originally signed with M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar as lead, shooting commenced in 1944 before his arrest in Lakshmikanthan Murder Case. Later, all scenes were re-shot with C. Honnappa Bhagavathar.
20 1946 Vidhyapathi Tamil Jupiter Pictures T. R. Ramachandran, K. Thavamani Devi, D. Balasubramaniam, M. N. Nambiar, D. Premawathi A. T. Krishnaswami Attapalli Rama Rao 17 Oct 1946
21 1946 Sri Murugan Tamil Jupiter Pictures Honnappa Bhagavathar, K. Malathi, M. G. Ramachandran, U. R. Jeevaratnam, P. S. Veerappa, Narasimha Bharathi, M. G. Chakrapani, Kali N. Rathnam M. Somasundaram, V. S. Narayanan S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, S. V. Venkatraman 27 Oct 1946
22 1947 Asokamala Sinhala Sir Chittampalam A. Gardine Shanthi Kumar, Emaline Dimbulana Shanthi Kumar, T. R. Goppu Mohammed Ghouse 09 Apr 1947
23 1947 Rajakumari (1947 film) Tamil Jupiter Pictures M. G. Ramachandran, K. Malathi, M. R. Saminathan, T.S.Balaiah, M. N. Nambiar A. S. A. Sami S. M. Subbaiah Naidu 11 Apr 1947
24 1947 Kanjan Tamil Jupiter + Central S. V. Subbaiah, M. N. Nambiar, P. V. Narasimha Bharathi, K. Malathi, M. S. S. Bhagyam Covai A. Aiyamuthu, T. R. Gopu 11 Nov 1947
25 1948 Bilhanan Tamil TKS Brothers T. K. Shanmugam, T. K. Bhagavathi, M. S. Draupathi K.V. Srinivasan T. A. Kalyanam 23 Apr 1948 The story and screenplay by A.S.A. Sami. The song, "Thoondir Puzhuvinaipol” sung by TKS brothers, used lyrics by poet Subramania Bharati. Film producer A. V. Meiyappan, who held copyright to all Bharati's work, sued TKS Brothers for infringement. Later resolved by then Madras State Chief Minister O. P. Ramaswamy Reddiyar when he offered to purchase the rights and make Bharati's works copyright free
26 1948 Abhimanyu (1948 film) Tamil Jupiter Pictures M. G. Ramachandran, S. M. Kumaresan, M. R. Santhanalakshmi, M. G. Chakrapani, P.V.Narasimma bharathi, M. N. Nambiar A. S. A. Sami S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, C. R. Subburaman 6 May 1948
27 1948 Mohini (1948 film) Tamil Jupiter Pictures , Central Studios T. S. Balaiah, Madhuri Devi , M. G. Ramachandran, V. N. Janaki Lanka Sathiyam S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, C. R. Subburaman 13 Oct 1948
28 1949 Velaikkaari Tamil Jupiter Pictures K. R. Ramasamy, Janaki Ramachandran, M. N. Nambiar A. S. A. Sami S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, C. R. Subburaman 25 Feb 1949 The film script was written by C. N. Annadurai (later chief minister of Tamil Nadu), his second film to be based on his plays. ..
29 1949 Kanniyin Kaadhali Tamil Jupiter Pictures Anjali Devi, Madhuri Devi , N. S. Krishnan, T. A. Mathuram K. Ramnothand, A. K. Sekhar S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, C. R. Subburaman 06 Aug 1949 The movie featured a dance sequence by the famed sister duo Lalitha and Padmini.
30 1950 Krishna Vijayam Tamil Jupiter Pictures N. C. Vasanthakokilam, P. V. Narasimha Bharathi, Sundar Rao Nadkarni S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, C. R. Subburaman 14 Jan 1950 The film featured dance by Lalitha and Padmini
31 1950 Vijayakumari (film) Tamil Jupiter Pictures K. R. Ramaswamy, T. R. Rajakumari, Serukulathur Sama, T. S. Balaiah, Kumari Kamala, P. K. Saraswathi, M. N. Nambiar A. S. A. Sami C. R. Subburaman 18 Mar 1950
32 1951 Marmayogi Tamil Jupiter Pictures M. G. Ramachandran, Anjali Devi, Madhuri Devi , M. N. Nambiar K. Ramnoth S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, C. R. Subburaman 02 Feb 1951 M. G. Ramachandran played the lead role. First Tamil film to receive an "A" (Adults Only) certificate from Central Film Censor Board.Jupiter Pictures later remade in Telugu as Marmayogi (1964 film) starring N. T. Rama Rao
33 1951 Sudharshan Tamil Central Studios + Vauhini Studios (Rayal Talkies) P. U. Chinnappa, P. Kannamba, (Yogam) Mangalam, Lalitha, T. S. Balaia, D. Balasubramaniam, P. B. Rangachari, C. K. Saraswathi A. S. A. Sami, Sundar Rao Nadkarni G. Ramanathan 28 Nov 1951 P. U. Chinnappa the lead hero, died before the film was released. The same story was filmed simultaneously by Gemini Studios as Chakradhari and was released early, while Sudharshan was delayed and was released 3 years later in 1951. Also A. S. A. Sami, Director, was replaced by Sundar Rao Nadkarni.
34 1951 Kaithi Tamil Jupiter Pictures S. Balachandar, S. A. Natarajan, S. Revathi, S. Meenakshi, K. Malathy S. Balachandar S. Balachandar 23 Dec 1951
35 1952 Rani (1952 film) Tamil Jupiter Pictures S. Balachander, P. Bhanumathi L. V. Prasad C. R. Subburaman, D. C. Dutt 26 Apr 1952 Central + Neptune.
36 1952 Rani (1952 film) (Hindi) Hindi Jupiter Pictures Anoop Kumar, P. Bhanumathi L. V. Prasad C. R. Subburaman, D. C. Dutt 26 Apr 1952 Central + Neptune
37 1952 Puyal Tamil Pelican Pictures (K. P. George) G. M. Basheer, M. V. Rajamma, G. M. Gulsar, K. R. Ramsingh G. Viswanath S. G. K. Pillai, P. S. Diwakar 25 Jul 1952
38 1952 Zamindar (1952 film) Tamil Jupiter Pictures + Sangeetha Pictures (Central ) S. A. Natarajan. Madhuri Devi , M. V. Rajamma, D. Balasubramaniam, T. P. Muthulakshmi P. V. Krishnan G. Ramanathan 30 Aug 1952
39 1953 Naalvar Tamil M. A. Venu (Sangeetha Pictures) A. P. Nagarajan, Kumari Thangam, N. N. Kannappa, M. N. Krishnan, Muthulakshmi V. Krishnan K. V. Mahadevan 05 Nov 1953
40 1954 Mangalyam (film) Tamil M. A. Venu (M. A. V Pictures) A. P. Nagarajan, Rajasulochana, S. A. Natarajan, B. S. Saroja, A. Karunanidhi, S. Mohana, M. N. Nambiar, C. T. Rajakantham, M. M. A. Chinnapa Devar K. Somu K. V. Mahadevan 22 May 1954 The Tamil movie debut of Rajasulochana
41 1954 Sorgavasal Tamil Jupiter Pictures + Parimalam Pictures K. R. Ramaswamy, S. S. Rajendran, Anjali Devi, P. S. Veerappa, Padmini A. Kasilingam Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 28 May 1954 The film was partly shot at Central Studios and Neptune Studios, Adyar, Madras. C. N. Annadurai for the first time was credited for screenplay and dialogues as Arignar Anna.
42 1954 Manasakshi Malayalam K. S. Akhileswarayyar (Ishwar Production) "Prem Nazir, P. Bhaskaran, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Hemalatha, T. R. Omana, Jose Prakash, P. A. Thomas G. Viswanath S. G. K. Pillai 20 Aug 1954 The story of Ammaye Kaanaan (1963) closely resembled this film.
43 1955 Nalla Thangai Tamil S. A. Natarajan- Forward Art Films M. N. Nambiar, Madhuri Devi, Rajasulochana, S. A. Natarajan T. S. Balaiah S. A. Natarajan G. Ramanathan 5 Feb 1955Another film with the title Nalla Thangal was produced by Madras Movietones and was released at the end of this year with a different cast and crew.
44 1955 Mullaivanam Tamil Arvind Pictures (V. Krishnan) Sriram, Kumari Rukmini, P. S. Veerappa, A. Karunanidhi V. Krishnan K. V. Mahadevan 11 Mar 1955
45 1955 Pennarasi Tamil M. A. Venu (M. A. V Pictures) A. P. Nagarajan, P. Kannamba, Rajasulochana, M. N. Nambiar, P. S. Veerappa K. Somu K. V. Mahadevan 07 Apr 1955 Story by A. P. Nagarajan
46 1955 Asai Anna Arumai Thambi Tamil Srimathi Pictures (Madhuri Devi ) A. P. Nagarajan, Madhuri Devi , T. R. Ramachandran , V. M. Ezhumalai, Rajasulochana G. R. Rao K. V. Mahadevan 29 Jun 1955 Newtone & Film Center
47 1955 Town Bus Tamil M. A. Venu (M. A. V Pictures) N. N. Kannappa, Anjali Devi, A. Karunanidhi, M. N. Rajam K. Somu K. V. Mahadevan 13 Nov 1955 Story by A. P. Nagarajan

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "CENTRAL STUDIOS AND TEXTILES PRIVATE LIM ITED - Company, directors and contact details". Zauba Corp. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Commissioner Of Income-Tax vs Central Studios (P.) Ltd. on 16 August, 1972". indiankanoon.org. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  3. ^ Guy, Randor (29 January 2017). "Sathi Anusuya (1937)". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  4. ^ Rao, Subha J. (17 July 2012). "In the limelight". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  5. ^ "Kalaignar's tryst with cinema began in Coimbatore". The Times of India. 9 August 2018.
  6. ^ Jeshi, K. (20 March 2014). "Celluloid stories". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  7. ^ Jeshi, K. (25 December 2013). "Notes on an icon". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  8. ^ Guy, Randor (4 February 2010). "Sorgavaasal 1954". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  9. ^ Guy, Randor (15 March 2014). "Sree Andal (1949)". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  10. ^ Muthiah, S. (13 May 2012). "A scholar's pauper's death". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  11. ^ "Musiri cast as Saint Tukaram in maiden Central Studios movie". 24 December 2015.
  12. ^ Muthiah, S. (14 May 2018). "Lester and Ceylon's films". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  13. ^ Vijayakumar, B. (16 February 2014). "OLD IS GOLD: MANASAKSHI 1954". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.

Sources

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