Azhiyatha Kolangal

Azhiyatha Kolangal (transl. Enduring Patterns) is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language coming-of-age film directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Pratap K. Pothen and Shoba. Kamal Haasan played a guest role in the film. The film was Balu Mahendra's second directorial venture and his first in Tamil.[2] Partly autobiographical, the film dealt with the events that happen during the adolescence of three friends who live in a small village. In addition to directing the film, Balu Mahendra wrote the screenplay and shot the film. The film was released on 7 December 1979. Upon release, Azhiyadha Kolangal received critical acclaim, and was premièred at the "Indian Panorama" of the International Film Festival of India in 1980.

For the 2019 film, see Azhiyatha Kolangal 2.
Azhiyatha Kolangal
DVD cover
Directed byBalu Mahendra
Written byBalu Mahendra
Starring
Music bySalil Chowdhury
CinematographyBalu Mahendra
Edited byD. Vasu
Production
company
Devi Films (P) Ltd.
Release date
  • 7 December 1979 (1979-12-07)[1]
Running time
100 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Gowrishankar, a managing director of a company in Madras, receives a letter from his childhood friend Pattabi. The story goes into flashback mode where he along with Pattabi and another friend Raghupathi live in a small village. The three teenage friends are attracted to Indumathi, a school teacher who comes to their village, and try to impress her. Situations lead to Raghupathi's death by drowning.

Cast

Production

After the critical and commercial success of his directorial debut Kokila, Balu Mahendra decided to make a film in Tamil, that was partly autobiographical according to him.[3][4] It was during this time, he was approached by J. Mahendran to shoot Mullum Malarum, the latter's directorial debut.[5] Initially hesitant to work in Tamil films, Balu Mahendra accepted the offer, thus entered the Tamil film industry as a cinematographer. Because of his commitments with Mullum Malarum, he shelved his directorial venture. After the success of Mullum Malarum, he revived the project and named it Azhiyadha Kolangal.[5] The film was produced by Devi Films of Devi Theatre Complex. The film was shot at Pettavaithalai, Sirugamani and Inungoor near Trichy in 27 days within the budget of 8 lakhs.[6]

The central characters of the film are played by three adolescent boys, who are in the verge of sexuality.[7] Shoba, played a small role as a school teacher. Kamal Haasan played a guest role as a token of friendship for Balu Mahendra and his portions was shot in a day at three locations.[6]

Apart from direction, Balu Mahendra assumed his usual responsibility of cinematography and wrote the screenplay, while D. Vasu edited the film.[7]

Soundtrack
Azhiyadha Kolangal
Film score
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length20:25
LabelEMI

The music was composed by Salil Chowdhury, with lyrics by Gangai Amaran. Mahendra originally wanted his friend Ilaiyaraaja to compose the music, but Chowdhury who had previously worked with Mahendra in Kokila was keen to work in his Tamil film too.[8]

No.SongSingersLyrics
1"Poovannam"Jayachandran, P. SusheelaGangai Amaran
2"Kedacha Unakku"S. Janaki
3"Naan Ennum"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
4"Poovannam"P. Susheela

Reception

Azhiyadha Kolangal opened to critical acclaim and was commercially successful too.[3][7] Along with Uthiripookkal it was the only Tamil film to be shown at the International Film Festival of India in 1980.[7] The film's camera work was considered to be very innovative and was very different from other Tamil films that had come before.[9] The film is widely considered to be one of Mahendra's "masterpieces".[10][11][12]

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References
  1. Dhananjayan 2014, p. 258.
  2. "டைரக்டர் பாலுமகேந்திரா திடீர் மரணம்". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 13 February 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  3. P. K., Ajith Kumar (26 August 2010). "A life in cinema". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  4. Warrier, Shobha (18 August 2003). "Sex and teenage fantasies". Rediff.com. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  5. "முள்ளும் மலரும் படத்தில் நான் பாலு மகேந்திரா" (in Tamil). filmmakerbalumahendra.blogspot.in. 21 April 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  6. Dhananjayan 2014, p. 259.
  7. "Indian Cinema '79/'80" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. pp. 83–84. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  8. "இளையராஜா என்ற மகாவித்வானும் நானும்.. -1" (in Tamil). filmmakerbalumahendra.blogspot.in. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  9. Chellappan, Kumar (12 February 2012). "Balu Mahendra: A poet who used shots and scenes to tell stories". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  10. B., Kolappan; Subramanian, Karthik (13 February 2014). "Master craftsman who was also a great teacher". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  11. "Balu dead". The Telegraph. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  12. "Film Fraternity Pays Respects to the Veteran". The New Indian Express. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.

Bibliography
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