Arunagirinathar (film)

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Arunagirinathar
Theatrical release poster
Directed byT. R. Ramanna
Screenplay bySakthi T. K. Krishnasamy
Produced byB. S. Moorthy[1]
StarringT. M. Soundararajan
Saratha
B. S. Saroja
CinematographyG. K. Ramu[1]
Edited byD. K. Shankar[1]
Music byG. Ramanathan
T. R. Pappa
Production
company
Baba Art Productions
Distributed bySarathy Pictures
Release date
  • 7 August 1964 (1964-08-07)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Arunagirinathar (pronounced [aɾ̪uɳaɡiɾ̪in̪aːt̪aɾ̪]) is a 1964 Indian Tamil-language devotional 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, supported by M. R. Radha, B. S. Saroja, Sharatha, C. Lakshmi Rajyam and Master Raghunath.[2] It was released on 7 August 1964.

Plot[edit]

Arunagirinathar was born in the town of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Arunagiri is portrayed as attracted to the pleasures of the flesh and spent his youth pursuing a life of debauchery. He frequently visited the devadasi Maragatham. His sister, Aadhilakshmi, wants to reform her brother, so she arranges his marriage with Gnanavalli. However, he is unhappy with his life, neglects his wife and continues his bad ways. He persuades his sister to sell all their property and their house to get money for his dissipation. Despite his sister giving him the money she earns, he reduces himself, his wife, and his sister to dire poverty. He contracts leprosy, and people avoid him.

Eventually Aadhilakshmi is unable to meet his demands for money to support his depraved life. Arunagiri says he will 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. However, as Arunagiri has leprosy, prostitutes avoid him. Aadhilakshmi offers herself to him in order to stop Arunagiri from committing suicide. This deeply shocks Arunagiri, and he realises the consequences his actions have had on his family. Arunagiri feels guilty and attempts suicide by jumping off a temple tower, but Murugan himself, disguised as a pious young man, saves him. Murugan cures his leprosy, shows him a path of religious devotion, and initiates his composition of the Thiruppugal, an anthology of songs dedicated to Murugan.[2]

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

Arunagirinathar is based on the life of the poet of the same name who created Thirupugazh. This is the third film to be produced on this theme. B. S. Moorthy produced the film for Baba Art Productions. The script was written by Sakthi T. K. Krishnasamy.[2][3]

Soundtrack[edit]

The music was composed by G. Ramanathan and T. R. Pappa. The lyrics were by T. K. Krishnasamy.[4] During production, Pappa completed the score after Ramanathan fell ill.[5] The tune "Muthai Tharu" was composed by Pappa; before the recording, he called the religious preacher Kirupanandha Variyar, who explained its meaning. T. M. Soundararajan rehearsed for an entire day before he recorded it.[2] The song is based on Shanmukhapriya raga.[5]

Song Singer Lyrics Length
"Aadavendum Mayile" T. M. Soundararajan S. Janaki T. K. Krishnasamy 4:03
"Nilavo Aval" T. M. Soundararajan P. Susheela T. K. Krishnasamy 3:23
"Penn Piranha Pavathai" P. Susheela T. K. Krishnasamy 3:28
"Muthai Tharu" T. M. Soundararajan Arunagirinathar 4:10
"Senkol Ezh Adthu" T. M. Soundararajan Arunagirinathar 6:11
"Ven Kudai Viruthu" T. M. Soundararajan Arunagirinathar 1:13
"Thandayani Vendayam" T. M. Soundararajan Arunagirinathar 2:56
"Pakkarai Vichitharamani" T. M. Soundararajan Arunagirinathar 2:40
"Yethanai Piravi Petru" T. M. Soundararajan T. K. Krishnasamy 3:32
"Santhaana Pushpa" T. M. Soundararajan Arunagirinathar 3:10
"Aadum Parivel" T. M. Soundararajan Arunagirinathar 1:24
"Amma Deivam Agivittal" L. R. Eswari T. K. Krishnasamy

Release and reception[edit]

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[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Arunagirinathar". The Indian Express. 7 August 1964. p. 10. Retrieved 2 October 2017 – via Google News Archive.
  2. ^ a b c d Guy, Randor (13 October 2012). "Arunagirinathar (1964)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Fine music features 'Arunagirinathar'". The Indian Express. 15 August 1964. p. 3. Retrieved 5 December 2018 – via Google News Archive.
  4. ^ "Arunagirinathar". Gaana. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b 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.

External links[edit]