Balayogini
Encyclopedia
Balayogini is a 1937 film made in Tamil
and Telugu
. It was directed by K. Subramanyam
. It is one of the earliest Tamil films to be set in a contemporary social setting and to advocate reformist social policies. This film is considered to be first children's film of South India.
communities in Tamil Nadu. Subramanyam produced this film under his "Madras United Artists Corporation" banner to express his criticism of the existing social norms and his disapproval of priesthood. He wrote the story, screenplay & dialogues and directed it himself. He cast his niece Saroja as the titular character. The film was started in 1936 and released in 1937. The completed film was 19,000 feet (210 minutes runtime) in length.
with dialogues written by B.T. Raghavacharya, under the banner of Mahalakshmi Studios. Baby Saroja, played the key role of Widow's Daughter and the other main characters are played by Arani Satyanarayana, Vangara
, Kamala Kumari, Thilakam and S. Varalakshmi
.
of India". Many girls were named "Saroja" after her. The film's success inspired a number of socially themed films in South India.
Reviewing the film in the magazine Jaganmohini in February 1937, reviewer Vatsakumari wrote:
A similar review was written in Manikodi magazine in its February 1937 issue:
Film historian Theodore Baskaran has called it the most significant Tamil film of its period.
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
and Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
. It was directed by K. Subramanyam
K. Subramaniam
Krishnaswami Subramaniam was a renowned Tamil film director of the 30s and 40s. He is the father of popular Indian danseuse Padma Subramanyam.-Biography:...
. It is one of the earliest Tamil films to be set in a contemporary social setting and to advocate reformist social policies. This film is considered to be first children's film of South India.
Production
Subramanyam, was influenced by the reformist ideals of his father C.V. Krishnaswamy Iyer. He was moved by the social conditions around him to make reform oriented films. Balayogini (lit. Child Saint) was made to expose the plight and suffering of widows in middle class BrahminBrahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
communities in Tamil Nadu. Subramanyam produced this film under his "Madras United Artists Corporation" banner to express his criticism of the existing social norms and his disapproval of priesthood. He wrote the story, screenplay & dialogues and directed it himself. He cast his niece Saroja as the titular character. The film was started in 1936 and released in 1937. The completed film was 19,000 feet (210 minutes runtime) in length.
Telugu film
It was remade in TeluguTelugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
with dialogues written by B.T. Raghavacharya, under the banner of Mahalakshmi Studios. Baby Saroja, played the key role of Widow's Daughter and the other main characters are played by Arani Satyanarayana, Vangara
Vangara
Vangara is a village and a Mandal in Srikakulam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.-Features:*Vangara mandal is meeting place of three rivers...
, Kamala Kumari, Thilakam and S. Varalakshmi
S. Varalakshmi
Saridey Varalakshmi, popularly known as Telugu: ఎస్. వర లక్ష్మిS. Varalakshmi was a veteran Telugu and Tamil actress and singer...
.
Plot
Sarasa's (K. R. Chellam) father is arrested by Police for being a debtor. She goes to the sub collector's (K. B. Vatsal) house to ask for help. The collector's widowed sister Janaki and her niece (Baby Saroja) take pity on her. They are driven out of the house by the angry collector. They take refuge in the house of their low-caste servant Munuswamy. Munuswamy dies and Janaki cares for his children as her own. This causes outrage in the conservative society and Munuswamy's house is burned down by a mob. The child Saroja changes everyone's mind with her arguments.Cast and crew
- K. R. Chellam
- Baby Saroja
- C. V. V. Panthulu
- Bharathan - Gopalayyar
- K. B. Vatsal (K. Viswanathan) - District Collector
- Raavu BalasaraswathiRaavu BalasaraswathiR. Balasaraswathi, Raavu Balasaraswathi or Rao Balasaraswathi Devi is famous singer and actress of 1930 to 1960s in Telugu and Tamil languages....
- "Baby" Rukmini
- Salem Sundaram
- K. Subramanyam - Story, Screenplay and Director
- Papanasam SivanPapanasam SivanPapanasam Sivan was a prominent composer of Carnatic music and a singer.A famous composer, Sivan was also known as Tamil Thyagayya. Using Classical South Indian as a base, Sivan created numerous hits popularised by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and M. S...
- Lyrics - Moti Babu - Music
- Maruti Seetharamiah - Music
- Dharam Veer - Editor
- Sailen Bose - Cinematographer
- Kamal Ghosh - Assistant Cinematographer
- Batuk Sen - Art Director
Reception
The film was released on 5 February 1937 to critical and public acclaim. "Baby" Saroja was hailed as "Shirley TempleShirley Temple
Shirley Temple Black , born Shirley Jane Temple, is an American film and television actress, singer, dancer, autobiographer, and former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia...
of India". Many girls were named "Saroja" after her. The film's success inspired a number of socially themed films in South India.
Reviewing the film in the magazine Jaganmohini in February 1937, reviewer Vatsakumari wrote:
A similar review was written in Manikodi magazine in its February 1937 issue:
Film historian Theodore Baskaran has called it the most significant Tamil film of its period.