| Annai Velankanni | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | K. Thangappan |
| Written by | Sham De Thomson |
| Produced by | K. Thangappan |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | G. K. Ramu |
| Edited by | N. M. Sankar |
| Music by | G. Devarajan |
Production company | Giri Movies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 148 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Annai Velankanni (transl. Mother Velankanni) is 1971 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by K. Thangappan. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Jayalalithaa, Padmini and K. R. Vijaya. Kamal Haasan briefly appears in an uncredited role as Jesus Christ. It comprises three stories pertaining to Catholic beliefs. Velankanni, where the film is set, is a real village in India, and has a large church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Jesus.
Plot
Mary (Jayalalithaa) is a nurse in a hospital at Nagapattinam and is a devotee of Mother Mary of Velankanni.
\While Mary is away from the hospital meeting Susainathan, the Kind mother attends to Mary's duties disguised as a nurse.
Cast
- Srividya as Chellayee
- Sivakumar as Rangaiah
- Jayalalithaa as Nurse Mary
- Gemini Ganesan as Susai Nathan
- Padmini as Swarnam
- Master Sekhar as Raasa, Swarnam's Son
- Major Sundarrajan as Sudararajan, Head Doctor
- K. R. Vijaya as Kamkshi
- R. Muthuraman as landlord
- Devika as Kannamma, landlord's Wife
- Sachu as Candle Seller Woman
- Manorama as Doll Seller Woman
- S. V. Subbaiah as Father Francis
- Nagesh as Kannaiah
- Thengai Srinivasan
- Srikanth as Doctor Antony
Cameo appearance
- Kamal Haasan as Jesus
- Baby Sumathi as patient
- S. Ramadoss as Karuppaiah, Chellayee's father
- Janaki as Velayee, Kamakshi's Neighbour
- I. S. R. as Thangaiah
- Gemini Balu as Mayandi
- Siva Sooriyan as villager
- A. Veerappan as villager
- Karikol Raju as villager
- G. Sakunthala as Annam
- S. Rama Rao as Sundaram
- V. R. Thilagam as Sundaram's wife
- Pushpamala in Cameo Appearance
- Master Prabhakar as Ayyakannu
- Suruli Rajan as Arunachalam, Village President
- Lakshmi Prabha as Susainathan's mother
Production
Annai Velankanni was produced and directed by K. Thangappan under the company Giri Movies. The film dialogues were written by Sham De Thomson.[1] Kamal Haasan worked as the assistant director of the film and appeared in a cameo as Jesus Christ in the film.[1][2] Srividya and Sivakumar paired first time in this movie.[3]
Release and reception
Annai Velankanni was released on 15 August 1971.[4] The film was dubbed Telugu-language as Mary Matha and released on 25 December 1971.[5] The film was later dubbed into Malayalam-language as Velankanni Mathavu released on 27 May 1977.[1]
Box office
B. Vijayakumar Stated in the article that the Tamil and Malayalam-dubbed versions were box office hits. Both versions were box office hits in Kerala.[1]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by G. Devarajan, while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan, Vaali and Ayyasamy.[6]
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Devamaindhan Pogindran" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:23 |
| "Kadal Alai Thaalaattum" | P. Madhuri | 04:01 |
| "Karunai Kadale" | P. Susheela | 03:40 |
| "Karunai Mazhaiyae" | P. Susheela | 03:39 |
| "Neelakkadalin Oratthil" | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Madhuri | 03:22 |
| "Pera Orani" | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Madhuri | 06:39 |
| "Thandhana Thaana" | K. J. Yesudas, P. Madhuri | 06:01 |
| "Vaanamennum Veedhiyile" | K. J. Yesudas, P. Madhuri | 03:12 |
Accolades
Annai Velankanni won the Chennai Film Fans' Association Award for Best Popular Film and Sekar won for Best Child Star.[7]
References
- 1 2 3 4 B. Vijayakumar (20 December 2015). "Old is Gold - Velankanni Mathavu 1977". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
- ↑ "ஜெமினிகணேசன் உதவியால் எனக்கு வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்தது - கமலஹாசன் வெளியிட்ட தகவல்". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 29 January 2021. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ↑ Rangarajan, Malathi (27 October 2006). "Subtle portraits, eloquent eyes". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- ↑ "ஜெயலலிதா நடித்த திரைப்படங்களின் பட்டியல்". Dinamani (in Tamil). 6 December 2016. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ↑ "Mary Matha". Andhra Patrika (in Telugu). 25 December 1971. p. 6.
- ↑ "Annai Velankanni (1971)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ↑ "அன்றிலிருந்து இன்றுவரை சினிமா" (PDF). Vlambaram (in Tamil). 15 January 2000. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.