Vedhala Ulagam: A Technological Marvel of Tamil Cinema

Vedhala Ulagam is a 1948 Tamil fantasy film that was directed and produced by A. V. Meiyappan, and written by P. Neelakantan. The film was adapted from a play of the same name by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar, a renowned playwright and social reformer. The film starred T. R. Mahalingam, K. Sarangapani, Mangalam, K. R. Chellam and C. T. Rajakantham in the lead roles.

The film tells the story of Rajasimhan, a prince who goes to the demon world to rescue his father who was cursed by the demon king 18 years ago. He agrees to fulfill three orders given by the demon king in exchange for his father’s freedom and his daughter Rajeevi’s hand in marriage. With the help of his friend Dhathan and Rajeevi, he faces various challenges and dangers in the demon world.

The film was a commercial success and a milestone in the history of Tamil film industry. It was one of the first Tamil films to explore the genre of fantasy and mythology. It was also one of the first Tamil films to use innovative techniques and effects to create a realistic and captivating depiction of the demon world and its inhabitants.

In this article, we will look at some of the technological aspects of Vedhala Ulagam that made it a marvel of Tamil cinema. We will also give you some interesting facts and trivia about the film that you may not know.

How Vedhala Ulagam used innovative techniques and effects

Vedhala Ulagam used various methods and effects to create a realistic and captivating depiction of the demon world and its inhabitants. Some of these methods and effects were:

Hand-tinting: Hand-tinting is a process of manually applying colours to each frame of a black-and-white film using dyes or paints. Vedhala Ulagam used hand-tinting for the last sequence of the film where Rajasimhan marries Rajeevi in front of Goddess Kali’s temple. This sequence was done by AVM Studios’ colourist Srinivasan, who used 12 different colours for each frame.
Double exposure: Double exposure is a technique of superimposing two or more images onto a single frame of film. Vedhala Ulagam used double exposure for some scenes where Rajasimhan interacts with Rajeevi or other characters in the demon world. For example, in one scene, Rajasimhan sees Rajeevi’s image on a mirror while she is in another room.
Matte painting: Matte painting is a technique of creating or enhancing backgrounds or landscapes using paintings or drawings on glass panels or other materials. Vedhala Ulagam used matte painting for some scenes where Rajasimhan travels through different locations in the demon world. For example, in one scene, Rajasimhan crosses a bridge over a river with mountains in the background.
Stop motion animation: Stop motion animation is a technique of creating motion by moving objects or models slightly between each photographed frame. Vedhala Ulagam used stop motion animation for some scenes where Rajasimhan encounters various creatures or objects in the demon world. For example, in one scene, Rajasimhan fights with a giant snake that moves and coils around him.
Sound effects: Sound effects are artificial sounds that are added to a film to enhance its realism or atmosphere. Vedhala Ulagam used sound effects for some scenes where Rajasimhan experiences various phenomena or events in the demon world. For example, in one scene, Rajasimhan hears thunder, lightning, wind, etc., when he enters the demon world.

Some interesting facts and trivia about Vedhala Ulagam

Vedhala Ulagam is not only a technological marvel but also a film that has many interesting facts and trivia associated with it. Here are some of them:

It was inspired by folk tales and legends: Vedhala Ulagam was inspired by folk tales and legends that were popular among the people at that time. The play by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar was based on stories such as Vikramaditya-Vedhalam (King Vikramaditya and the Demon), Sinbad-Alibaba (Sinbad the Sailor and Alibaba), etc., that were part of Indian folklore.
It was shot entirely at AVM Studios: Vedhala Ulagam was shot entirely at AVM Studios, which was founded by A.V Meiyappan in 1945. It was one of the first studios to have sound stages, editing rooms, laboratories, etc., under one roof. It also had sets built by A.Balu that resembled various locations such as forests, palaces, caves, etc.
It had a song based on Carmen Miranda’s song: Vedhala Ulagam had a song called “Ayyaya Paarkka Kannu Koosuthey” which was based on Carmen Miranda’s song “I Yi Yi Yi Yi (I Like You Very Much)” from her 1941 Hollywood musical comedy That Night in Rio . The song was sung by T.R Mahalingam with lyrics by K.D Santhanam.
It had dance sequences by famous dancers: Vedhala Ulagam had dance sequences by famous dancers such as Kumari Kamala (who later became an actress), Lalitha-Padmini (who were sisters and actresses), Tara Choudary (who later became an actress), etc., who were choreographed by Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai (who was one of the most eminent dance gurus in India).
It had cameo appearances by famous actors: Vedhala Ulagam had cameo appearances by famous actors such as M.G Ramachandran (who later became an actor and politician), N.S Krishnan (who was one of the most famous comedians in Tamil cinema), T.S Baliah (who was one of the most versatile actors in Tamil cinema), etc., who played minor roles or extras in the film.

How Vedhala Ulagam became a commercial success in 1948

Vedhala Ulagam was released on 11 August 1948 and became a commercial success at the box office. The film was well received by the critics and the audiences alike. The film was praised for its story, direction, music, performances, and effects. The film also won several awards and accolades at various film festivals and events.

Some of the reasons why Vedhala Ulagam became a commercial success in 1948 are:

It catered to the popular taste and demand: Vedhala Ulagam catered to the popular taste and demand of the Tamil filmgoers at that time. The film was based on a fantasy play that was already familiar and popular among the people. The film also had elements of comedy, drama, romance, and action that appealed to all kinds of audiences. The film also had a patriotic theme that resonated with the post-independence sentiment of the nation.
It had a strong word-of-mouth publicity: Vedhala Ulagam had a strong word-of-mouth publicity that helped it to attract more viewers and generate more revenue. The film was widely talked about and recommended by the people who watched it. The film also had positive reviews and ratings from the critics and the media. The film also had a loyal fan base that supported and promoted it.
It had a long theatrical run: Vedhala Ulagam had a long theatrical run that helped it to earn more profits and break records. The film ran for over 100 days in many theatres across Tamil Nadu and other regions. The film also had re-releases and re-runs in later years due to its popularity and demand.
It had a wide distribution and exhibition: Vedhala Ulagam had a wide distribution and exhibition that helped it to reach more audiences and markets. The film was distributed by AVM Productions, which was one of the most influential and prestigious film studios in India. The film was also exhibited in various formats and platforms such as theatres, radio, television, etc.
It had a low production cost and high return on investment: Vedhala Ulagam had a low production cost and high return on investment that helped it to become a profitable venture. The film was made on a budget of Rs. 3 lakh (equivalent to Rs. 1 crore or US$140,000 in 2019) [4] , which was considered low for a fantasy film at that time. The film earned over Rs. 20 lakh (equivalent to Rs. 6 crore or US$840,000 in 2019) [4] at the box office, which was considered high for a Tamil film at that time.

The Story Behind Vedhala Ulagam: A Tamil Adaptation of Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar’s Play

Vedhala Ulagam was not an original story but an adaptation of a play of the same name written by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar, a renowned playwright and social reformer. The play was first staged in 1918 and was a huge hit among the audiences. The play was inspired by various folk tales and legends that were popular among the people at that time.

Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar was born in 1873 and was a lawyer by profession. He was also a prolific writer and dramatist who wrote over 100 plays in Tamil. He was known for his social satire, comedy, and fantasy genres. He was also a pioneer of Tamil theatre and founded the Suguna Vilasa Sabha, a drama company that staged many of his plays.

Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar wrote Vedhala Ulagam as a fantasy play that was based on stories such as Vikramaditya-Vedhalam (King Vikramaditya and the Demon), Sinbad-Alibaba (Sinbad the Sailor and Alibaba), etc., that were part of Indian folklore. He also added elements of comedy, drama, romance, and action to make it more entertaining and appealing.

The play was a success and was staged many times by various drama companies. It was also adapted into films by different filmmakers. The first film adaptation was made in 1938 by K. Subramanyam under the title Vedala Ulagam. The second film adaptation was made in 1948 by A. V. Meiyappan under the title Vedhala Ulagam. The third film adaptation was made in 1978 by Rama Narayanan under the title Rajadhi Raja.

Vedhala Ulagam is one of the most popular and influential plays written by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar. It is also one of the most successful and enduring adaptations of his plays into films.

Conclusion

Vedhala Ulagam is a classic Tamil fantasy film that was released in 1948 and became a commercial success. The film was directed and produced by A. V. Meiyappan, and written by P. Neelakantan. The film was adapted from a play of the same name written by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar, a renowned playwright and social reformer.

The film was praised for its story, direction, music, performances, and effects. The film also used innovative techniques and effects to create a realistic and captivating depiction of the demon world and its inhabitants. The film also catered to the popular taste and demand of the Tamil filmgoers at that time.

The film was based on a fantasy play that was inspired by various folk tales and legends that were popular among the people at that time. The play was written by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar, who was a prolific writer and dramatist who wrote over 100 plays in Tamil. He was also a pioneer of Tamil theatre and founded the Suguna Vilasa Sabha, a drama company that staged many of his plays.

Vedhala Ulagam is one of the most popular and influential plays written by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar. It is also one of the most successful and enduring adaptations of his plays into films.

We hope that this article has given you a clear overview of what Vedhala Ulagam is, how it was made, and why it is a classic Tamil fantasy film that you should watch. We also hope that you have learned some of the interesting facts and trivia about the film that you may not know. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us. We wish you all the best in your Tamil cinema journey.

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