Agathiyar

For the title character, see Agastya.

Agathiyar
Poster
Directed byA. P. Nagarajan
Written byA. P. Nagarajan
StarringSirkazhi Govindarajan
CinematographyW. R. Subba Rao
Edited byT. Vijayarangam
Music byKunnakudi Vaidyanathan
Production
company
Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures
Release date
  • 15 January 1972 (1972-01-15)[1]
Running time
153 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Agathiyar is a 1972 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film written, directed, and produced by A. P. Nagarajan. The soundtrack was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. The film stars Sirkazhi Govindarajan playing the main character, T. R. Mahalingam, A. V. M. Rajan, Kumari Padmini, R. S. Manohar, Suruli Rajan, Manorama and Sridevi were in supporting roles. This film ran for 100 days and won widespread appreciation.[2] The film was dubbed into Hindi under the title Maharish in 1986.

Plot

The story is about Agathiyar Muni, who is considered to be the embodiment of one of celestial intellectuals who descended on earth to enlighten human beings. During the wedding of Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the earth tilted to the northern side, as the whole world was witnessing the marriage. Shiva gave the responsibility of balancing the earth to Agathiyar by going to the southern side. Agathiyar is also given the additional responsibility of spreading goodness and equality. He has the additional task of spreading the Tamil language. Many small stories between heaven and earth are interwoven in the movie. The stories teach one to lead a simple existence without ego. It also shows how Agathiyar's journey facing Vindhya Mount, River Kaveri, Vilvala/Vaathapi, Lord Murugan, A Farmer,Ravana,Urvashi, Tholkappiyan thereby teaching them the greatness of humility.

Cast

Actors
Actresses

Soundtrack

Music was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan.[4][5] The song "Isaiyai Tamizhai" is set in Kharaharapriya raga.[6] The song "Vendriduven" is a ragamalika comprising 16 ragas and is composed in such a way that the name of the raga used in each stanza is a word play on a common Tamil word which sounds similar to the raga's name starting with Nattai,[7] Bhairavi,[8] Todi, Arabhi, Shanmukhapriya, Darbar, Hamsadhwani, Vasantha, Mohanam, Manolayam, Bageshri, Saranga, Kamboji, Gowrimanohari, Kalyani and Saraswathi.

Songs Singers Lyrics Length (m:ss)
"Ulagam Samanilai Peravendum" Sirkazhi Govindarajan Ulundurpet Shanmugam 3:06
"Aandavan Tharisaname" T. R. Mahalingam 3:42
"Malainindra Thirukumara" T. R. Mahalingam 2:20
"Ventriduven Unnai" T. M. Soundararajan, Sirkazhi Govindarajan 8:07
"Thaayir Chirandha" T. K. Kala Poovai Senguttuvan 2:55
"Kannai Pole Mannai Kakkum" L. R. Eswari and Chorus Puthuneri Subramnyam 3:55
"Naadanthai Vaali Kaveri" Sirkazhi Govindarajan K. D. Santhanam 3:33
"Thalaiva Thavaputhalvaa" M. R. Vijaya and P. Radha 4:35
"Isaiyai Thamizhai" Sirkazhi Govindarajan, T. R. Mahalingam 3:29
"Namachivayamena Solvome" Sirkazhi Govindarajan, T. R. Mahalingam Era. Pazhanisamy 4:17
"Muzhu Muthar Porulae" T. R. Mahalingam Nellai Arulmani 2:10

Reception

[9]

References

  1. ^ "Agathiyar (1972)". Screen 4 Screen. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  2. ^ ""KALAIMAMANI" SIRKALI'S MEMORABLE MOVIES". sirkali.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  3. ^ "7 memorable performances by Sridevi as a child actor, watch". The Indian Express. 25 February 2021. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Agathiyar (1972)". Music India Online. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Agathiyar (1972)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  6. ^ Mani, Charulatha (13 April 2012). "A Raga's Journey — Kingly Kharaharapriya". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  7. ^ Mani, Charulatha (20 December 2013). "Versatile Nattai". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  8. ^ Mani, Charulatha (6 July 2012). "Bewitching Bhairavi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  9. ^ "அகத்தியர்". Theekkathir (in Tamil). 6 February 1972. p. 3. Retrieved 4 August 2024 – via Endangered Archives Programme.