Annai Velankanni (transl. Mother Velankanni) is a 1971 Indian Tamil-language 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.
| 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 |
Premise
editVelankanni, where the film is set, is a town in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus.
Plot
editMary 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 her love interest Susainathan, the Deity attends to Mary's duties, assuming her form.
Cast
edit- 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-selling woman
- Manorama as doll-selling Burmese woman
- S. V. Subbaiah as Father Francis
- Nagesh as Kannaiah
- Thengai Srinivasan
- Srikanth as Doctor Antony
- Cameo appearances
- 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
editAnnai 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
editAnnai 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] Historian B. Vijayakumar Stated in an article that the Tamil and Malayalam-dubbed versions were box office hits. Both versions were box office hits in Kerala.[1]
Soundtrack
editThe 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
editAnnai Velankanni won the Chennai Film Fans' Association Award for Best Popular Film and Sekar won for Best Child Star.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Vijayakumar, B. (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. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "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.