Pattinathar (1936 film)

Pattinathar
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	T. C. Vadivelu Nayakar
Written by	T. C. Vadivelu Nayakar
Produced by	M. T. Rajan
Starring	M. M. Dandapani Desikar V. N. Sundaram D. R. Muthulakshmi T. K. Rukmini
Cinematography	K. Ramnoth
Music by	Gopal Sharma
Production company	Vel Pictures
Release date	1936 (1936)
Running time	5, 485 ft
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Pattinathar (தமிழ்: பட்டினத்தார்) is a 1936 Indian Tamil film written and directed by T. C. Vadivelu Nayakar and produced by M. T. Rajan. Music by Gopal Sharma is an added asset to the film. The film stars M. M. Dandapani Desikar (his acting debut) playing the titled role with other actors like V. N. Sundaram, D. R. Muthulakshmi, T. K. Rukmini, M. S. Radhabai and P. G. Venkatesan portraying supporting roles. The film was a major success, and ran for 25 weeks and established Desikar as an excellent singer - actor on the ladder of success. Pattinathar is about saint who lived in Kaveripoompattinam, his devotion to Lord Shiva and the miracles the saint performed.

Pattinathar was a subject made thrice in Tamil Cinema. The first version was made in 1935 by Lotus Pictures with C. S. Sundaramoorthy Odhuvaar as the saint, the Second was made in 1936 by Vel Pictures with M. M. Dandapani Desikar (this film) and it was made again in 1962 with T. M. Soundararajan as the saint.^[1][2] In those days, only actors trained in theatre were given roles in films, but occasionally, good musicians were also given opportunities when the film demanded good singing from actors. M. M. Dandapani Desikar, a musician well versed in Thevaram recitals, was picked to play the eponymous hero.^[1][3][4]