Arunagirinathar (film)
Arunagirinathar (Tamil pronunciation: [aɾ̪uɳaɡiɾ̪in̪aːt̪aɾ̪]) is a 1964 Tamil-language biographical film, directed by T. R. Ramanna and written by Sakthi T. K. Krishnasamy. Based on the poet of the same name, the film stars T. M. Soundararajan in the title role, with M. R. Radha, B. S. Saroja, Sharatha, C. Lakshmi Rajyam and Master Raghunath in supporting roles.[2] It was released on 7 August 1964.
| Arunagirinathar | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | T. R. Ramanna |
| Produced by | B. S. Moorthy[1] |
| Screenplay by | Sakthi T. K. Krishnasamy |
| Starring | T. M. Soundararajan Saratha B. S. Saroja |
| Music by | G. Ramanathan T. R. Papa |
| Cinematography | G. K. Ramu[1] |
| Edited by | D. K. Shankar[1] |
Production company | Baba Art Productions |
| Distributed by | Sarathy Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 120 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Arunagirinathar was born in the town of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Arunagiri was attracted to the pleasures of the flesh and spent his youth in pursuing a life of debauchery. He frequently visited the devadasi Maragatham. His sister Aadhilakshmi tries to reform her brother, Arunagiri, so she arranges his marriage with Gnanavalli. Arunagiri was feeling unhappy in his married life. He neglects his wife and continues in his bad ways. He persuades his sister to sell all their property and their house to get money for his dissipation. He reduces himself, his wife and sister to dire poverty. His sister gave him whatever money she earned herself, to make her brother happy. It was said that since he was used to enjoying his life in debauchery, he started to suffer from leprosy and people were avoiding him.
There came a time when his sister had no money to meet his demands for his depraved life. Arunagiri said he was going to end his life because of this. To prevent Arunagiri from killing himself, his sister says that he should sell her in order to have money for prostitutes. Since he had leprosy, prostitutes could avoid him and if that were the case, Arunagiri's sister says she will offer herself to him, to stop Arunagiri from committing suicide. Hearing this shocks him to the core and changes his outlook. Till that time, he was uncaring about the consequences to his family because of his depraved lifestyle. Arunagiri feels guilty and attempts suicide by jumping off a temple tower, when Murugan himself, disguised as a pious young man saves him, cures his leprosy, shows him a path of religious devotion and initiates him to compose the Thiruppugazh, an anthology of songs dedicated to Lord Murugan.[2]
Cast
- T. M. Soundararajan as Arunagirinathar
- Master Sridhar as young Arunagirinathar
- Sharadha as Gnanavalli
- B. S. Saroja as Aadhilakshmi
- M. R. Radha as Samanthandam
- C. Lakshmi Rajyam as Maragatham
- R. Manohar as Tamil Pandit
- C. R. Parthiban as Vedan Lord Murugan (@Viralimalai)
- Master Raghunath as Lord Murugan
- Angamuthu as Maragatham's Mother
- N. S. Kolappan as Annamalai
Production
Arunagirinathar was based on the life of the poet of the same name who created Thirupugazh. This was the third film to be produced on the same name and theme. B. S. Moorthy produced the film under the production company Baba Art Productions. The script was written by Sakthi T. K. Krishnasamy. T. M. Soundararajan portrayed the title character while Sharadha played his wife, and M. R. Radha and Manohar (credited as R. Manohar) played two egotistical men who face defeat at the hands Arunagirinathar. C. Lakshmi Rajyam played the vamp Maragatham.[2][3]
Soundtrack
| Arunagirinathar | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by G. Ramanathan and T. R. Papa | |||
| Released | 1964 | ||
| Recorded | 1964 | ||
| Genre | Devotional | ||
| Length | 33:18 | ||
| Language | Tamil | ||
| Producer | G. Ramanathan and T. R. Papa | ||
| |||
Music was composed by G. Ramanathan and T. R. Pappa. Lyrics were written by T. K. Krishnasamy.[4] During the making of the film, T. R. Pappa completed the score of the film after Ramanathan fell ill.[5] The tune of "Muthai Tharu" was composed by Pappa; before the recording, he called the religious preacher Kirupanandha Variyar, who explained every word of the song and T. M. Soundararajan had rehearsals for an entire day before he recorded it.[2] The song is based on Shanmukhapriya raga.[5]
| No. | Song | Singer | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aadavendum Mayile" | T. M. Soundararajan S. Janaki | T. K. Krishnasamy | 4:03 |
| 2 | "Nilavo Aval" | T. M. Soundararajan P. Suseela | T. K. Krishnasamy | 3:23 |
| 3 | "Penn Pirantha Pavathai" | P. Suseela | T. K. Krishnasamy | 3:28 |
| 4 | "Muthai Tharu" | T. M. Soundararajan | Arunagirinathar | 4:10 |
| 5 | "Senkol Ezh Adthu" | T. M. Soundararajan | Arunagirinathar | 6:11 |
| 6 | "Ven Kudai Viruthu" | T. M. Soundararajan | Arunagirinathar | 1:13 |
| 7 | "Thandayani Vendayam" | T. M. Soundararajan | Arunagirinathar | 2:56 |
| 8 | "Pakkarai Vichitharamani" | T. M. Soundararajan | Arunagirinathar | 2:40 |
| 9 | "Yethanai Piravi Petru" | T. M. Soundararajan | T. K. Krishnasamy | 3:32 |
| 10 | "Santhaana Pushpa" | T. M. Soundararajan | Arunagirinathar | 3:10 |
| 11 | "Aadum Parivel" | T. M. Soundararajan | Arunagirinathar | 1:24 |
| 12 | "Amma Deivam Agivittal" | L. R. Eswari | T. K. Krishnasamy |
Release and reception
Arunagirinathar was released on 7 August 1964. The film was distributed by Sarathy Pictures in Madras.[1] The Indian Express positively reviewed it for Soundararajan's performance and the music.[3]
References
- "Arunagirinathar". The Indian Express. 7 August 1964. p. 10.
- Guy, Randor (13 October 2012). "Arunagirinathar (1964)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- "Fine music features 'Arunagirinathar'". The Indian Express. 15 August 1964. p. 3.
- "Arunagirinathar". Gaana.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- Mani, Charulatha (2 September 2011). "A Raga's Journey – Sacred Shanmukhapriya". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.