Mani Malai

Mani Malai is a 1941 Indian Tamil-language anthology film. It consists of four short comedy films — Ashaadabuthi, Minor-in Kaathal, Abbuthi Adigal and Naveena Markandeyar — each made by a different director and featuring a different cast. The anthology film was successful.

Cast

 * Ashaadabuthi
 * P. B. Rangachari as the bhagavathar
 * Jaya as the domestic help
 * K. S. Adhilakshmi as the bhagavathar's wife
 * T. V. Sethuraman as the bhagavathar's disciple
 * M. R. Subramaniam as the village headman


 * Minor-in Kaathal
 * T. S. Durairaj as the "minor"
 * K. S. Adhilakshmi as the washerwoman
 * M. R. Swaminathan as the washerwoman's husband


 * Abbuthi Adigal
 * P. B. Rangachari as Adigal
 * T. N. Meenakshi as Adigal's wife
 * V. N. Sundaram as the saint/poet
 * V. N. Janaki as a dancer
 * Krishna Bai as a dancer


 * Naveena Markandeyar
 * Kali N. Rathnam as Yama
 * T. R. Ramachandran as Markandeya
 * K. Hiranaiah is Chitragupta

Production
Mani Malai is an anthology film consisting of four short comedy films, each made by a different director. The first, Ashaadabuthi, explores the serious issue of untouchability in a light manner, and was directed by Fram Sethna. The second, Minor-in Kaathal, revolves around a "minor" refusing to marry the woman of his mother's choice. The third, Abbuthi Adigal, is a story of "godly devotion dealt with humour". The fourth, Naveena Markandeyar, tells the story of Markandeya in a parodical manner and was directed by A. T. Krishnaswamy. Shooting for Mani Malai took place at Vel Pictures Studio, Guindy.

Release and reception
Mani Malai was released in 1941 and emerged a commercial success; according to Krishnaswamy, it was due to "the presence of top comedy actors of that era". The Indian Express wrote, "Usual slap-stick inescapably lapsing into cheap humourising of domestic life is provided."