Avvaiyyar (1953 film)

Infobox Film
name = Avvaiyyar


director = Kothamangalam Subbu
writer =
starring = K. B. Sundarambal Gemini Ganesan
producer = S.S.Vasan
distributor =
released = 1953
runtime = 174 min
cinematography = Thambu
language = Tamil
music = M.D. Parthasarathy
imdb_id = 0045528
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Avvaiyyar is a Tamil film starring K. B. Sundarambal and Gemini Ganesan.

Plot

When a childless Brahmin couple find a baby left alone; they prefer to adopt her. Since they are rich and childless; they grew her up in wealth and pomp. But; when the girl grows up; she concentrates upon Lord Murugan and not thinking of marriage like other girls of her age. When the parents think of her marriage; she tries to escape from it; as she is devoted more to Murugan. Hence; she prays to become an old-aged woman. (As no young man likes to marry an old lady.) Murugan obliges and when others see it; they feel shell-shocked and understand what has happened. Now; this old woman is called as Avvaiyar (K.B.Sundarambal). Avvaiyar leaves her parent's village to go around many places preaching Murugan's greatness through her songs. She also goes around and solves many problems. Impressed by her devotion; a local king and his 2 daughters ask her to stay at the court for some days. Avvaiyar gets impressed by their hospitality and blesses them. And once again she goes around preaching and solving many problems. Now; after a long time; she once again comes across the 2 princesses; but in ordinary dress living in a hut. She then comes to know that their father's enemies killed him and they imprisoned the person (Gemini Ganesan) who was to marry the 2 girls. Now; Avvaiyar approaches the kings who were the slain king's former friends. But; they refuse as they are afraid of the powerful enemies. Hence; Avvaiyar herself goes to save the person (Gemini Ganeshan). When she prays to Murugan; he sends many elephants towards the enemies' fort and the wild elephants destroy the enemies and bring back the man. Now; with her mission over; she moves to another place where a boy asks a funny question; towards which she could not give a convincing reply. Then; the boy reveals his real self; i.e he himself is the Lord Murugan whom Avvaiyar worshipped. Murugan now says that Avvaiyar can now leave the world to join the place of the divine.

Box Office and Critical acclaim

*The film had successful run in its Tamil and also Telugu version. [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2003101700370901.htm&date=2003/10/17/&prd=th&]
*The film received praises and admiration from many critics and also politicians [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2003101700370901.htm&date=2003/10/17/&prd=th&] ;although Rajaji criticised the film as a 'poor picture' [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2001/12/31/stories/2001123100100300.htm] .

Trivia

*Rajaji attended the preview of this film. [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2001/12/31/stories/2001123100100300.htm] .Sometime in 1985, Asokamithran, the famous Tamil writer who had spent his formative years with Gemini Studios had written his memoirs in 'The Illustrated Weekly of India' (not published anymore!!). He had mentioned that Rajaji (along with Kalki) came for the 'Avvaiyar' premier. Kalki, who was keen to patch up with SS Vasan after a short period of estrangement, wrote a beautiful piece in 'Kalki' ' KandaRiyaathana KaNdEn' (A caption apparently from 'DEvaram' meaning 'Saw things which I have never ever seen or known earlier'). Very soon, Rajaji , who was CM of Tamilnadu that time, came to see the picture again during a night show at Wellington theatre, Mount Road. Everyone was taken by surprise and Rajaji himself was upset about the unnecessary importance given to the event as he wanted it to be a purely private affair! Everyone, including SS Vasan, concluded that Rajaji must have liked the film as he had volunatarily come for a second helping!!

Many years later, SS Vasan died. After a few years, Rajaji also died and his diary entries were published in 'Kalki' which disclosed the following:

"In 1953, C.R. had written, "Seen Gemini Vasan's Avvaiyar. T. K. Shanmugam's play is a hundred times superior to this picture... A lot of stock scenes of thunder, lightning and storm, of water flowing and elephants trooping and cardboard fortresses falling. Avvai is too angry and cursing... The picture is poor but when so much has been spent on it and the stake is so great how can one frankly condemn it... " "

Asokamitran expresses his surprise about this closely held view of Rajaji and is happy that SS Vasan died much before Rajaji without ever coming to know of his shocking views on his dream project 'Avvaiyar'!