| Theertha Karaiyinile | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Manivannan |
| Screenplay by | Manivannan |
| Story by | P. Kalaimani |
| Produced by | Pala. Karuppiah |
| Starring | Mohan Rupini |
| Cinematography | A. Sabapathy |
| Edited by | B. Lenin V. T. Vijayan |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
| Production company | Kamala Chithram |
| Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Theertha Karaiyinile (transl. By the banks of the sacred river) is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Manivannan. The film stars Mohan and Rupini. It was released on 11 September 1987. The film was remade in Telugu as Varasudochadu (1988).
Plot
Ganesan an unemployed man, once met with an accident and was admitted to the hospital. There, he meets a TB patient, Raghu, who is going to die in few days; both of them become good friends. Raghu tells Ganesan regarding his past that he is the son of his mother Chellathayee, a major landlord in a village. Raghu used to do a lot of mischief in his childhood; one day his friend Seenu died because of his mistake and he ran away from home. After listening to his story, Ganesan tells him to go back to his village, but since he will not live for many days, he sends Ganesan in his place.
Ganesan reaches the village as Raghu, everyone accepts him as Raghu expect two uncles, who are eagerly waiting for their mother-in-law's property. They try in many ways to eliminate Raghu / Ganesan but fail, finally, they want to make any one of their daughters marriage with him. Meanwhile, Raghu / Ganesan falls in love with a girl Pooncholai, sister of Seenu, whom Raghu killed in childhood. In the beginning, she hates him but after knowing the truth, she also starts love him. Arulvakku aiyasami, who knows the entire story regarding Ganesan and Raghu comes to the village and starts blackmailing Raghu / Ganesan. At the same time, the original Raghu also enters the village to spend his last days with his mother.
Meanwhile, those two uncles start torturing Pooncholai, to remove her from Raghu / Ganesan's life. Simultaneously, Raghu is in his last minutes, even then he sends Ganesan to protect Pooncholai. Mom chellathayi listens to everything and learns who is her original son. Finally, Ganesan saves Pooncholai, reveals the truth to everyone, Mom chellathayi accepts Ganesan also as her son and Raghu dies, leaving his mother's responsibility to Ganesan.
Cast
- Mohan as Ganesan (Raja)
- Rupini as Poonjolai
- Senthil
- Janagaraj as Panchayat
- Vinu Chakravarthy as Sarasu's Husband
- Malaysia Vasudevan as Kova Sarala's husband
- Vennira Aadai Moorthy as 'Arul Vaakku' Ayyasamy
- S. N. Vasanth as Ganesan
- Thyagu as Village President
- Gandhimathi as Chellathayi
- Kovai Sarala as Sarasu's sister
- Vijaya Chandrika as Sarasu
Production
During filming, Rupini, who is not a native Tamil speaker, had difficulties with the lengthy dialogues, but managed to Manivannan's satisfaction.
Soundtrack
The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The title song is set to the raga Shubhapantuvarali.
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Theerthakkarai" (Title Song) | Ilaiyaraaja | Gangai Amaran | 02:04 |
| "Ushaar" | Ilaiyaraaja, Gangai Amaran | Gangai Amaran | 04:43 |
| "Kotti Kidakkuthu" | K. S. Chithra | Ilaiyaraaja | 04:36 |
| "Asai Kiliyey Naan Solli" | Mano | Gangai Amaran | 04:16 |
| "Theerthakkarai" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | Gangai Amaran | 04:18 |
| "Vizhiyil Pudhu Kavithai" | Mano, K. S. Chithra | Gangai Amaran | 04:19 |
| "Theychu" | S. P. Sailaja | Gangai Amaran | 04:34 |
Release and reception
Theertha Karaiyinile was released on 11 September 1987. NKS of The Indian Express called the film "well told", and was particularly appreciative of Gandhimathi's performance. Jayamanmadhan of Kalki reviewed the film more negatively, saying the cinematography looked like that of an art film.
References
- "Happy Birthday Venkatesh Daggubati: Take a look at life and times of the ace actor". The Times of India. 13 December 2019. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- NSK (20 August 1988). "How Roopini graduated to stardom". The Indian Express. p. 18. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022 – via Google News Archive.
- "Theertha Karaiyinile (1987)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- "Theertha Karaiyinile Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraja". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- Mani, Charulatha (17 February 2012). "A Raga's Journey — Sorrowful Subhapantuvarali". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- Sundararaman (2007) . Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music (2nd ed.). Pichhamal Chintamani. p. 161. OCLC 295034757.
- "Theertha Karaiyinile / தீர்த்தக்கரையினிலே". Screen 4 Screen. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- NKS (11 September 1987). "Well told". The Indian Express. p. 5. Retrieved 13 December 2019 – via Google News Archive.
- ஜெயமன்மதன் (11 October 1987). "தீர்த்தக்கரையினிலே...!". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 68. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
