| Gumastha | |
| Director: | R. M. Krishnasami |
| Producer: | V. C. Subburaman |
| Screenplay: | Acharya Aatreya |
| Story: | Acharya Aatreya |
| Starring: | V. Nagayya Pandari Bai B. Jayamma P. V. Narasimha Bharathi |
| Music: | C. N. Pandurangam G. Ramanathan Nagayya |
| Cinematography: | R. M. Krishnasami |
| Editing: | P. V. Manikkam Bal G. Yadhav |
| Studio: | Aruna Films |
| Distributor: | Film Center Limited |
| Runtime: | 184 minutes (Tamil) 187 minutes (Telugu) |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil Telugu |
Gumastha is a 1953 Indian film starring V. Nagayya, R. S. Manohar and Pandari Bai. The film was produced in Tamil and Telugu languages under the same title. It is based on the play NGO (Non-Gazetted Officer) by Acharya Aatreya.[1] [2] The film was released on .[3]
Ranganathan is a government clerk struggling in life with a low salary and a big family. He has to support his aged father, his wife, two children, his brother Gopu and an unmarried sister, Susheela.
Though Gopu is a smart young man, he couldn't continue with his college education due to the financial situation in the family.In the meantime, a rich man's son, Ravi meets Susheela and is attracted to her. Eventually, they both become lovers.Ravi has a medical problem in the heart. The doctor advises him against marriage. But he dismisses it and marries Susheela. She learns of Ravi's medical condition and refuses to be intimate with him. However, one day Ravi forces and make love to her due to which she becomes pregnant.
People, who know about Ravi's medical condition, suspects Susheela as carrying someone else's child. She becomes distressed. Her old father, learning about her plight, dies of shock.
How the government clerk Ranganathan, her brother, solves the problems forms the rest of the story.
Cast adapted from the songbook[4]
The film was produced by V. C. Subburaman under the banner Aruna Films and was shot at Film Centre, Madras.
Music was scored by C. N. Pandurangam, G. Ramanathan, Nagayya and while the lyrics were penned by A. Maruthakasi and S. D. S. Yogiar.
| Song | Singer(s) | Lyricist | Composer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Aadhari Jegadheeswari Amba" | C. N. Pandurangam | |||
| "Aiyavin Penndattikku" | M. L. Vasanthakumari, K. R. Chellamuthu | S. D. S. Yogi | ||
| "Aasaiye Veen Aanadhe!" | Maruthakasi | Pandurangam | ||
| "Sopalangi Mappillaikku" | Rani, G. Kasthoori & Party | Maruthakasi | G. Ramanathan | |
| "Inbamo! Thunbamo | Edhuvume Nilladhe!" | Maruthakasi | Pandurangam | |
| "Theeradha Varumaiyudan" | B. Jayamma | Maruthakasi | ||
| "Hey Manidha! Enge Odugirai?" | Nagayya | Nagayya | ||
| "Dance Baby Dance!" | Maruthakasi |
According to historian Randor Guy, the film performed average at the box office due its "predictable storyline".