Agathiyar

for 1972 film based on his history, see Agastya

Agathiyar அகத்தியர்
DVD Cover
Directed by	A. P. Nagarajan
Produced by	Movie Makers Council
Written by	A. P. Nagarajan
Screenplay by	A. P. Nagarajan
Starring	Sirkazhi Govindarajan T. R. Mahalingam A. V. M. Rajan R. S. Manohar Sridevi
Music by	Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
Cinematography	W. R. Subba Rao
Edited by	T. Vijayarangam
Production company	Movie Makers Council
Distributed by	Sree Vijyalakshmi Pictures
Release date	14 January 1972
Running time	153 mins
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Agathiyar (தமிழ்: அகத்தியர்)is a 1972 Indian Tamil periodic film written, directed, and produced by A. P. Nagarajan under production company Sree Vijayalakshmi Pictures. The soundtrack was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. The film stars Sirkazhi Govindarajan playing main characters with T. R. Mahalingam, A. V. M. Rajan, Kumari Padmini, R. S. Manohar, Suruli Rajan, Manorama and Sridevi portrayed supporting roles. This film ran for 100 days and won widespread appreciation.^[1][2][3] The film was dubbed into Hindi under title Maharish in year 1986.

Plot

The story is about Agathiyar Muni, who is considered to be the embodiment of one of celestial intellectual who descended on earth to enlighten human beings. During the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the earth tilted to the Northern side, as the whole world was witnessing the marriage. Lord Shiva gave the responsibility of balancing the earth to Agathiyar by going to the Southern side. Agathiyar is also given the additional responsibility of spreading goodness and equality. He has the additional task of spreading Tamil language. Many small stories between heaven and Earth are interwoven in the movie. The stories teach one to lead a simple existence without ego. It also shows how Agathiyar in this journey destroyed the ego of River Kaveri, Vindhya Mount and Ravana, thereby teaching them the greatness of humility.

Agathiyar travels Southwards, while there, River Ponni talks to Agathiyar egoistically and argues with him. Finally, Agathiyar loses his temper and traps river Ponni in his Kamandalam, and sat down to meditate. Lord Vinayagar(Lord Ganesha) in the form of Crow and pushes Agathiyar Kamandalam down, thus rescuing and leading the river into its formation. Then Agathiyar, named the River Ponni as River Kaveri(Crow)(In Tamil (Kakam) pushed Kamandalam and the water flows to broadly(In Tamil Virinthu Odiyathal) named as Ka + viri= Kaviri (became Kaveri in later usage).

One time Mount Vidhayan was continually growing in size due to taunting comments by Sage Narathar(Narada). So as to temper the vanity of the mountains, Sage Agathiyar travelled to Southern side via the mount Vindhyan. On their way when Vindhyan saw Agathiyar, he bowed with respect and reverence, upon which sage Agathiyar, Jokingly asked if he would stay bowed and subdued with respect till the sage returned. Mount Vindhyan was truly benevolent and promised to not grow until the sage returns from the south. However, after passing through the mount, the sage will not require again to cross over to the Northern side of Mount Vindhyan.

Narathar was speaking proudly to others. He is most reverent to Lord Vishnu(lord Narayana) because he always thinks and chants about only Lord Vishnu. Agathiyar tells Narathar to watch one day for a potter. Narathar also does that and tells Agathiyar that Potter man chants about "Narayana" twice daily. Then, Agathiyar kept Narathar a small bowl full of oil in Narathar's hands. Agathiyar gives a rule asking Narathar to not spill one drop of oil while going around the world, and Narada does the job perfectly. Agathiyar then questions Narathar, "how many times did you chant "Narayana"'s name today?" for which Narathar answered saying "how can I even think of revering my name, when I have a burden kept in my hands?". Agathiyar explains to Narathar, that he has one smallest burden, but even while doing that you forgot to chant your name. But that man has much troubles in his family and many burdens. But he still remembered and chanted Lord Vishnu's name, which makes him the best devotee of Lord Vishnu.

Ravana was Yazh competition to Agathiyar Muni. Because taunting comments by the Narathar Muni. But Who the competition refery. Ravana was called Goddess Saraswati, but Sarswathi was told them, we both her eyes. So, she is leaves them. Then only Ravan select for "Ponmalai" because stones & rocks only not melting to anything. both are composing the instrument Yazh who turn composing the Yazh when the mount was started to melt, they won the competition. Unfortunately, Ravana lose the competition and then Agathiyar was give new name to "ponmalai", it named by Pothigai Malai (meaning it was give judgement for constant (or) the judgement is impartial).

It is said that two demons brothers Ilavala and Vathapi used to kill Brahmins as a revenge in a simple manner. The two had special power, they came up with a plan to take revenge on Brahmin. "Vatapi" would t urn in to ripe mango. He would invite any-passengers by especially Brahmins for grand feast at his home. after eat mango, ilavala would call his brother out "vatapi" , his brother would respond from the belly of the visitor and come out alive in one piece. In the process the guest would be killed. The two demons later wound enjoy a curry made of human flesh. One day, Agathiyar happened to pass through by, the plan as usual, Vatapi changed into a ripe mango and other disguised himself as brahmachari(Sage of Bachelor) who invited agathiyar to eat at the home. Agathiyar knew about the plan due to his immense Vedic Power, he resolves to teach both a lesson. After the meal agathiyar simply rubbed his stomach saying "Vathapi Jeerano bhave" may Vathapi be digested, while other demon tries to bring his brother life, but in vain. Agathiyar plainly informed the demon that his brother has been digest and could no longer be brought back to life bringing their treachery to end.^[4][5]

Cast

• Sirkazhi Govindarajan as Agathiyar
• T. R. Mahalingam as Narathar
• A. V. M. Rajan as God Siva
• Kumari Padmini as Goddess Parvathi
• R. S. Manohar as Ravaneswaran/Langeswaran
• C. R. Vijayakumari as Mandothari
• Lakshmi as River Ponni/Kaveri
• Sivakumar as Poet Tholkappiyan
• Sridevi as God Murugan
• Devika
• Rajkokila
• Typist Gopu as Ilavala
• Usilai Mani as Vathapi
• O. A. K. Devar as Vinthiyan (Vindhya mount)
• A. Sakunthala as Oorvasi (Apsaras)
• Sasikumar as Jayandran (Devendran Son)
• T. K. Bagavathy as Devendran
• M. Bhanumathi as Poet Kakkaipadini.^[6]
• T. N. Sivathanu as Vadhaapi or Saththamuni
• Typist Gopu as Vilvala or Saagaramuni

Crew

• Art = Ganga
• Stills = Murugappan and Madhavan
• Design = Baktha
• Publicity = Minnal
• Choreography = P. S. Gopalakrishanan
• Audiography(Indoor) = S. C. Gandhai, Vimalan and V. Janarthanam
• Audiography(Outdoor) = C. P. Kanniyappan and C. B. Gopal
• Re - Recording = P. V. Kodieswara Rao
• Studio(indoor) = Gemini and Vijaya Studios
• Outdoor = Sree Vijayalakshmi photo Sounds
• Processing = Gemini color lab
• Camera man = N. Karthikeyan

Soundtrack

Music composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan.^[7][8] lyrics were written by Ulundurpet Shanmugam, Poovai Senguttuvan, K. D. Santhanam, Era. Pazhanisamy, Puthaneri Subramanyam and Nellai Arulmani.^[9][10] All of this Solo and Duets with T. R. Mahalingam were stark contrast of music of that period.^[11]

See also

• T. R. Mahalingam filmography
• Agastya
• River Kaveri
• Pothigai
• Ravana

References

External links

• Agathiyar on IMDb
• Agathiyar on YouTube