Oru Kai Osai

Oru Kai Osai
VCD cover
Directed byK. Bhagyaraj
Written byK. Bhagyaraj
Produced byK. Bhagyaraj
StarringK. Bhagyaraj
Ashwini
CinematographyB. S. Pasavaraj
Edited byR. Bhaskaran
Music byM. S. Viswanathan
Production
company
Ammulu Productions
Release date
  • 25 July 1980 (1980-07-25)
Running time
140 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Oru Kai Osai (transl. The sound of one hand) is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language film, written, produced and directed by K. Bhagyaraj, starring himself and Ashwini. It was released on 25 July 1980. The film created an impact and was well received by the audience for its unique characterisation and unexpected climax.[1] It was remade in Telugu as Pranaya Geetham (1981).[2]

Plot

Ashwini is a doctor who enters the Siruvallur village to lead a peaceful life. She sees Bhagyaraj at different instances trying to attempt suicide. Bhagyaraj, during his childhood, had lost his voice by seeing his mother drowning and losing her life while crossing a flooded river. Due to his disability, he thinks that life has no meaning for him anymore, which becomes the reason for his multiple suicide attempts. Ashwini, as a doctor, gives basic treatment to Bhagyaraj, which eventually leads to him falling in love with her. Bhagyaraj also has a relative, Ponni, who has a crush on him irrespective of his disability. When Ponni decides to express her love to Bhagyaraj, she learns that he is already in love with Ashwini. She leaves her love aside and decides not to express her love to him anymore.

One fine day, Ashwini's daughter and her brother arrives to the village to stay with her. Ashwini actually used to have a lover who was killed in a train accident before their marriage. The little girl (i.e., Ashwini's daughter) gets attached to Bhagyaraj. Ashwini's cousin brother and Ponni get attracted to each other as well. After a point of time, Bhagyaraj is separated from his village and stays on the other side of the river for seven days as he had fought with his fellow villagers. During that time, he sees Ashwini's daughter attempting to cross the flooding river to see him. He gets into the river and shouts at her to not come towards him. By doing so, he regains his voice as before. After getting back his voice, he decides to talk to Ashwini before talking to anyone. Meanwhile, Ashwini decides to marry Bhagyaraj as she feels that hewould be a good father to her daughter. On their marriage day, Ashwini sees her 'dead' lover as one of the marriage attendees. It is revealed that he did not die. He was pickpocketed by a thief, who was the one who died, and seeing the wallet, he was believed to be the one who died.

Finally, Bhagyaraj decides to unite Ashwini with her lover, and Ponni with Ashwini's cousin, and they get married. Bhagyaraj remains unmarried and acts like he is dumb until the end.

Cast

Production

Oru Kai Osai is Bhagyaraj's second film as a director.[3] It is the debut film for Kovai Senthil.[4] The main theme of the film is casteism, which Bhagyaraj based on his experiences in Vellankovil, Gobichettipalayam and the film was entirely shot there itself.[5][6] The doctor character played by Ashwini was partially inspired by Bhagyaraj's mother.[3]

Soundtrack

The music composed by M. S. Viswanathan.[7] The song "Muthuthaaragai" is set in the Carnatic raga Charukesi.[8]

Song Singers Lyrics
Naan Neerodaiyil S. Janaki Chidambaranathan
Muthu Tharagai vaana Veedhi S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela Viswam
Selai Illai M. S. Viswanathan Bairavi
Machchaane Vaangaiya L. R. Eswari Muthulingam

Release and reception

Oru Kai Osai was released on 25 July 1980,[3] delayed from June.[9] Kanthan of Kalki lauded Bhagyaraj's performance as a mute man, but played on the film's title by calling it "oru pakkam vendha dosai" (dosa fried on only one side).[10] Pa. Vanmathi of Anna praised Bhagyraja's acting and noted the film does not bore anywhere and it can be enjoyed by everyone.[11]

References

  1. ^ "K. Bhagyaraj, The Tamil Actor-Director Who Delivered Four Back-To-Back Hits". News18. 13 May 2022. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  2. ^ Sri (12 June 2010). "K.Bhaagya Raj – Chitchat". Telugucinema.com. p. 2. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b c ராம்ஜி, வி. (25 July 2019). " அம்மாதான் அஸ்வினி டாக்டர் ; சங்கிலி முருகன் கேரக்டர் எங்க ஊர்ல இருந்தவருதான்; டைட்டில் பாட்டு பாடிய எம்.எஸ்.வி - கே.பாக்யராஜின் 'ஒரு கை ஓசை' அனுபவங்கள்". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  4. ^ "Veteran Tamil film actor Kovai Senthil passes away at 74". The New Indian Express. 9 September 2018. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  5. ^ Subramanian, Anupama (31 January 2020). "Casteism is all-pervasive: K Bhagyaraj". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  6. ^ "வெள்ளாங்கோயிலில் வெள்ளோட்டம்". Kalki (in Tamil). 20 April 1980. pp. 4–5. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  7. ^ "Oru Kai Osai Tamil FIlm EP Vinyl Record by M S Viswanathan". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  8. ^ Mani, Charulatha (3 February 2012). "A Raga's Journey — The charm of Charukesi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  9. ^ "ஒரு கை ஓசை". Anna (in Tamil). 12 April 1980. p. 6. Retrieved 27 May 2024 – via Endangered Archives Programme.
  10. ^ காந்தன் (17 August 1980). "ஒரு கை ஓசை". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 22. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  11. ^ வான்மதி, பா. "ஒரு கை ஓசை". Anna (in Tamil). p. 4. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024 – via Internet Archive.