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BLAST FROM THE PAST

UMMA 1960

SOCIAL FILM B. S. Saroja in Umma

Udaya Studios made a comeback through this film which was a huge hit. After the failure of the film “Kidappadam” (1955) Udaya had withdrawn from film production. This film brought them back to business.

“Umma” is considered the first Muslim social film in Malayalam. This is also the first Malayalam film based on a novel authored by noted writer Moidu Padiyath whose several other novels were filmed later.

The story of the film pivots mainly around marital evils that prevailed in the Muslim community, particularly in the Malabar region. The didactic script by Vimal and the vehement dialogues penned by Sarangapani revolves around the social evils like polygamy, divorces, social oppression of women etc. The local parlance of the Malabar region used in the film was a new experience. Sarangapani established himself as a dialogue writer through this film.

Aboobacker Haji (Thikkurissi), an illiterate, rich landlord of the village married three times and divorced all the three wives. Ibrahim Kakka’s (K. Sadanandan) daughter Ayisha (B.S. Saroja) becomes his next prey. His crooked manager Vattathil Kurup (S.P. Pillai) hatches the plot for the marriage. Ayisha gives birth to a daughter. Khadeeja (Kanchana) is employed as a servant maid to nurse Ayisha and the child.

Now Haji’s lustful eyes falls on Khadeeja. The Haji divorces Ayisha to marry Khadeeja. With her infant child Ayisha seeks refuge in Ibrahim Kakka’s house. Ignoring protests from the community Ayisha sends her daughter Zainaba (Rajakumari) to school. Zainaba falls in love with her classmate Hameed (K.P. Ummer, Snehajan in the title cards). Haji comes to know about this and tries to take his daughter Zainaba with him. Ayisha and Ibrahim Kakka do not accede to Haji’s plan. This makes Haji furious.

Ayisha and Ibrahim Kakka decide to conduct the marriage of Zainaba with Hameed. But the marriage does not take place owing to a lot of confusion and misunderstanding. Hameed leaves the village in disappointment. Haji takes Zainaba to his house where she is ill treated by Khadeeja, but Haji’s mother Pathumma (L. Ponnamma) comes to the help of her grand daughter. Ibrahim Kakkka dies.

A rich jeweller from Bombay comes to the village to set up a jewellery shop. Haji decides to conduct the marriage of Zainaba with the rich jeweller. Zainaba and Pathumma plead with the Haji to change his decision. At this moment in time the Haji comes to know of the cruel tricks played by Khadeeja. His heart melts. He withdraws from his decision to marry Zainaba to the jeweller. Hameed returns to the village, weds Zainaba.

Thikkurissi and B. S. Saroja excelled in the key roles. Bahadur as ‘Chumma’ Mammoonju and S. P. Pillai generated some healthy laughs. The film hit out against some of the customs and practices in the Muslim community.

“Umma” is considered as one of the popular musical hits in Malayalam cinema. The 12 songs penned by P. Bhaskaran were set to tune by M.S. Baburaj. Jikki sang her most popular number “Kadali vazha kayyilirunnu kakka innu virunnu vilichu...” which is widely considered as one of the best songs in Malayalam. The song was a close copy of an old Hindi song, “Mori atariya pe kaaga bole…” sung by Meena Kapoor in the film “Ankhen” (1950). But Jikki’s song turned out to be much more popular than the Hindi one. The other hit songs in the film were, “Appam thinnan thappu kottu...” (Jikki), “En kaanninte...” (A.M. Raja, P.Leela), “Paalanu thenanu...” (Raja). A comedy number sung by Mehaboob, “Velikku kanumbam...” also became very popular.

Will be remembered: As the first Muslim social in Malayalam. The first film directed by M. Kunjacko. As the debut film of novelist Moidu Padiyath, dialogue writer Sarangapani, and actress Rajakumari. It will also be remembered for the super hit song, “Kadali vazha kayyilirunnu...” and the other melodious numbers.

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