Directed by A. P. Nagarajan Written by A. P. Nagarajan Music by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | Produced by Indra Rajan Story by A. P. Nagarajan | |
Starring Lakshmi
K. B. Sundarambal
R. Muthuraman
Sivakumar
Srividya
Manorama
V. S. Raghavan
S. V. Sahasranamam
Suruli Rajan | ||
Karaikkal Ammaiyar (தமிழ்: காரைக்கால் அம்மையார்) is a 1973 Indian Tamil Hindu mythological film written and directed by A. P. Nagarajan and produced by EVR Films. The film's soundtrack was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. The film stars Lakshmi—who played the younger-age Punithavathi role—and K. B. Sundarambal—who played the old-age role—as the title characters, with R. Muthuraman, Manorama , Suruli Rajan, V. S. Raghavan, S. V. Sahasranamam, Sivakumar and Srividya playing supporting roles. Karaikkal Ammaiyar is one of the three women saints among the 63 Nayanmars and is considered one of the greatest figure of Tamil literature. She was born in Karaikkal during the Chola period, a maritime center. Ammaiyar was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and she is believed to have lived during the 6th century. Named Punithavathi.
Contents
Plot
Punithavathi (Lakshmi) right from childhood she had great faith in Lord Shiva and worshipped him daily. As a young girl, she built a Sivalingam in sand stunning people. Her father Dhanathatthan(V. S. Raghavan) was a Merchant. As a young girl, She chanted Namshivaya Mantra of Lord Shiva several times daily, and took care of devotees of Shiva coming to her village. Later She was married to Paramathathan(R. Muthuraman) son of a wealthy merchant from Nagapattinam. Devotee of Lord Shiva continued to visit her home, who she lavishly food and gave cloths to. Once, her husband sent her two Mangoes to be kept for him. That day, a hungry Siva devotee come to her residence. As lunch was not yet ready. Punithavathi gave the guest Curd rice and one of the Mangoes. Later, when the husband came home she served a mango, he asked for the second. She was at a loss and prayed to Lord Shiva(Sivakumar). Suddenly, a mango appeared in her hands. She served the mango to her husband, who found it extremely divine delicious compared to the previous one and asked her now she got the second fruit. Since he was not religious, she was scared of revealing the truth. He began suspecting her and asked to get another fruit. She gave him a Mango that she got by prayer, the fruit disappeared when he touched it. He realised that his wife was no ordinary women.
But a divine person and began to call her "Ammaiyar". As he could no longer treat her as his wife, he left her and moved to Madurai, where he married another women named by Bhakyavathi(Kumari Padmini) through whom he had child. They named also Punithavathi(Baby Sumathi). Ammaiyar prayed to Lord Shiva asking for a boon—that she may worship Shiva as a disembodied wraith. Her wish was granted, leaving all her beauty and body being. She then took on different form (K. B. Sundarambal). She became a fiery form of Mount Kailash, climbing it upside down on her head. There, the Goddess Parvati(Srividya) asked about Ammaiyar. Shiva told amaiyar is the mother, who take care of ourselves. Ammaiyar worshiped Shiva. Shiva greeted her with calling "Ammaiyae"("my mother"), and Ammaiyar replied "Appa"("father to all"). Shiva asked for her wish, to which Ammaiyar replied "I want endless and delightful love with you, I don't want to be born, Even if I have any birth, should not forgot you".Shiva asked her to visit him in Thiruvalangadu, which she again did, travelling on her hands and sang and performed a holy dance (Rudhra Thandavam). Ammaiyar visited Thiruvalangadu. Ammaiyar sang "Thiruvaalangattu mootha Thirupathigam".
Cast
Crew
Reception
The film was directed and written by A. P. Nagarajan. It was produced and distributed by EVR Films. The film star Lakshmi played the lead role for younger age "Punithavathi". K. B. Sundarambal was very popular during that time; she was act as Karaikkal Ammaiyar in old age. R. Muthuraman usual brilliant performance. Sivakumar as played Lord Shiva role for his well speeching activity and his performed the film climax for "Shiva Thandavam". Suruli Rajan and Manorama provided comic relief. S. Varalakshmi was acclaimed for her role as a woman saint and her song "Anbe Sivam Endru Paaduvome".
Sivakumar recalled this song Thakka Thakka Thakkavena Aadava is an interview. He said seeing him K. B. Sundarambal expressed her apprehens to A. P. Nagarajan it this Puthuppaiyan(English:A New Boy) could do justice to the intricate number composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. A. P. Nagarajan gave sivakumar one week to learn his steps. Sivakumar fears were doubled as his co - dancer was to be Srividya, who was a famed classical dancer. Training under choreographer P. S. Gopalakrishnan and his assistant Vimala for more than 12 hours for a day. Sivakumar managed to acquit himself creditably when the song was shot over 7 days.
Soundtrack
Music composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan and lyrics written by Kannadasan and K. D. Santhanam. Paaduvome Anbe sivam Endru by that song that being in Sivaranjini steers and gradually to Punnagavarali by S. Varalakshmi scintillates when she sings Vedha Nayagaa, Sangeetha naayagaa the same strain of the song Aadu paambe. the next song Ulagamengum Nee Iruppai Sivapermane' and Nayagan Vadivai Naan Parthen that bounds with joy of the martial bliss is a mesmerising semi - classical delight from P. Suseela.
The climax dance drama Shiva Thandavam by the famous danced performed by Sivakumar – Srividya pair,with Choreography by P. S. Gopalakrishnan and the music by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan and the song by Thaka Thakavena Aadava Shiva Sakthi sing by K. B. Sundarambal is the high point of the album karaikkal Ammaiyar watches, the bewitching dance of the divine couple at Thiruvalangadu and sings in an awestruck trance. The heavenly voice of K. B. S. that traverse unimaginable octaves exudes the behave and rasa of the song and KV's interludes which up the frenzy of the divine dance.
Releases
The Karaikkal ammaiyar film was initially released in 1943, black-and-white film directed and produced by C. V. Raman. Music by Papanasam sivam assets to the movie. The film production and distributor by Kandhan Company. The Film starring B. Sarawathi was played the film titled character. K. Sarangapani(Paramathathan), V. A. Chellapa(Lord Shiva), K. R. Chellam(Bhakyalakshmi), T. S. Jaya(Goddess Parvathi) and Baby Kalyani(Punithavathi).
Saraswathi now totally forgotten, played lead role while V. A. Chellapa as siva was his usual brilliant self. T. S. Durairaj, M. E. Madhavan and Kunchithapatha Pillai comic relief. T. S. Jaya, Popular those days, played parvathi. The dance drama shiva Thandavam by the famous danced pair Nataraj – Sakuntala, the music composed Papanasam Sivam.