[3] The film was directed by Muruga Dossa[4] and produced by S. S. Vasan under his production company Gemini Studios.

[5][6] The story of Nandanar was told as a musical title by Gopalakrishna Bharathiyar's Nandan Charithram in the early 19th century.

The most successful among these versions was made by Gemini Studios in 1942 with M. M. Dandapani Desikar, a well known Carnatic musician with a melodious voice and one of the early singing stars who played the role Nandhan.

He is the bonded slave of Brahmin landlord Vediyar (Serukalathur Sama), who is an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva (Ranjan).

Valluvan (M. R. Swaminathan), a priest at the village's Karuppuswamy temple, gets angry with Nandan's propaganda on Lord Shiva.

The word spreads on the power of Nandan's prayer; more villagers join him and start chanting Lord Shiva's name.

Valluvan gets upset and complains to Vedhiyar about Nandan's behavior of converting the villagers and stopping the sacrifices.

However, Nandan seeks Vedhiyar's permission to go to Chidambaram to see Thillai Nataraja Temple which is his long-cherished dream.

Finally, to put him in his place, Vedhiyar permits him go to Chithambaram with the condition that he can go only after cultivating the crop in 40 acres (veli) land.

Vedhiyar realises his mistake, understands the power of Nandan's prayer, falls at his feet, seeks his forgiveness and allows him go to Chithambaram.

[3] The songs "Sivaloka Nathanai", "Pirava Varam" and "Ananda Nadamidum" were based on ragas Mayamalavagowla, Lathangi and Kedaragowla respectively.

Moviegoers were asked to choose the three best songs in the order of merit and the drop the answer sheet along with counterfoil of the cinema ticket in a box provided at movie houses where the film was being screened.

Vasan had deposited the pre - chosen list of best three songs in a sealed envelope with Indian Bank at First Line Beach (now Rajaji Salai) well before the prize scheme was announced.

The contest drew huge crowds; 20 winners were selected and prize money was equality distributed among them by S. S.