Nalla Thanka (1950)
The Good Sister
Release date : 14 January 1950
The 1st Super Hit movie in Malayalam cinema – that was Nalla Thanka, produced under the K & K Banner, which would go on to produce two more landmark commercial successes onscreen, Jeevitha Nouka (1951) & Viyarppinte Vila (1962) before KK Koshy left the partnership. The movie saw the launch of Malayalam cinema’s first actor-star , Miss Kumari, who would go on to rule the marquee undisputed for the next decade. As the deeply attached sister of Nallanna (Augustine Joseph) – one of the reigning Malayalam musical opera superstars (it was his screen debut as well), the story was about the melodramatic twists and turns. The spotlight this time was on the evil sister-in-law and her machinations to harm Nalla Thanka, and how all ends well.
Movie Handbill
Nalla Thanka (1950) – Movie Snippet
More about the Movie
| Augustine Joseph | Miss Kumari |
| Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai | Baby Girija |
| Vaikkom Mani | SP Pillai |
| Miss Omana | TR Omana |
| Mathappan | Mulavana Joseph |
| Jagadamma | JG Punnooran |
| Pallom Joseph |
| Director | PV Krishnayyer |
| Producer | M Kunchacko, KV Koshy |
| Banner | K&K Productions |
| Story | Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai |
| Screenplay | Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai |
| Dialogues | Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai |
| Lyrics | Abhayadev |
| Music | V Dakshinamoorthy, A Ramarao |
| Playback Singers | P Leela, Augustine Joseph, CS Radhadevi, Janamma David, Mrs Kuruvilla, Vaikkom Mani |
| Editing | KD George |
Copyrights & Courtesy : The Hindu (B Vijayakumar’s MetroPlus Kochi Column)
Nalla Thanka (Miss Kumari), the only sister of Nallannan (Augustine Joseph), the King of Madhurapuri, is wedded to Somanathan (Vaikom Mani), the king of the neighbouring kingdom Ratnapuri. Alankari (Miss Omana), the wicked wife of Nallannan becomes envious of the prosperity of Ratnapuri and the happy married life of Nalla Thanka. Years pass and Nalla Thanka gives birth to seven children.
Drought strikes Ratnapuri and severe famine follows. Nalla Thanka leaves Ratnapuri with her children to seek the help of her kind brother. Nallannan promises all help. Alankari tortures Nalla Thanka. Nalla Thanka hides the misdeeds of Alankari from Nallannan as she does not want their family life to be disturbed.
Out of shame and grief, Nalla Thanka leaves her brother’s palace. She decides to kill herself and her children. Nalla Thanka prays to Lord Shiva to forgive her for the decision. She throws her children one by one into a well. Lord Shiva descends and saves her life. All the children are brought back to life.
Nallannan comes to know about the misdeeds and cruelty of Alankari and she is banished from the country. Ratnapuri regains its glory. Nalla Thanka and Somanathan live happily with their children.
Nalla Tangal (1935) – Tamil Version
