Nalla Thanka is a 1950 Indian Malayalam-language mythological film directed by P. V. Krishna Iyer and produced by K. V. Koshy and Kunchacko under the banner of Udaya Studios and K & K Combines. It was the second film produced at the Udaya Studios, the first being Vellinakshatram (1949). The film stars Miss Kumari in the title role along with Augustine Joseph, Vaikom Mani and Miss Omana in other supporting roles. The film is based on the legend of Nalla Thanka, which is based on a popular Tamil folk tale. Plot Nallannan is the King of Madhurapuri. His sister Nalla Thanka is married to Somanathan, the King of neighbouring country Ratnapuri. Alankari, the wicked queen of Madhurapuri becomes jealous of the happy married life of Nalla Thanka. Years pass and one day, drought strikes Ratnapuri. Nalla Thanka and her seven children seeks refuge in Nallannan's palace. Nallannan promises all help while Alankari tortures Nalla Thanka. Nalla Thanka is forced to leave her brother's palace. She decides to kill her children and herself. She throws her children into a well. Lord Shiva descends and saves them. Nallannan discovers his wife's misdeeds, and banishes her from the country. Meanwhile, Ratnapuri regains its glory and Nalla Thanka returns to her country to lead a happy life. Cast Principle cast Miss Kumari as Nalla Thanka, Queen of Ratnapuri and Nallannan's sister Augustine Joseph as Nallannan, the King of Madhurapuri Vaikom Mani as Somanathan, the King of Ratnapuri and Nalla Thanka's husband Miss Omana as Alankari, Queen of Madhurapuri and Nallannan's wife Baby Girija as one of Nalla Thanka's children S. P. Pillai TR Omana Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai as Lord Shiva Production Development The success of Tamil operas based on the folk tale of Nalla Thanka in Kerala prompted Vaidyaratnam P. S. Varier to script a Malayalam drama based on the same story. He then authored the musical opera Nalla Thanka, for the drama troupe Kottakkal Paramasiva Vilasam. The drama became very popular in Kerala. After the failure of their first feature film Vellinakshatram (1949), K. V. Koshy and Kunchacko were in deep debt. They decided to produce another feature film to recover the costs of Vellinakshatram. They decided to adopt the drama into a film as it was already popular and was a guaranteed success. Kunchacko mortgaged all his land and sold his jewellery to complete the film. The screenplay and dialogues were written