Mannukkul Vairam

Mannukkul Vairam (transl. Diamond in the soil) is a 1986 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Manojkumar and produced by Motherland Pictures. The film features Sivaji Ganesan, Sujatha, Rajesh and Murali. The film, had musical score by Devendran.[1]

Mannukkul Vairam
Theatrical release poster
Directed byManojkumar
Produced byKovaithambi
Screenplay byManojkumar
Story byManojkumar
StarringSivaji Ganesan
Sujatha
Rajesh
Murali
Music byDevendran
CinematographyK. S. Selvaraj
Edited byR. Baskaran
Production
company
Motherland Pictures
Release date
  • 12 December 1986 (1986-12-12)
Running time
138 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Chittu (Ranjini) returns to her hometown of Mettupatti after being raised by her grandmother in a neighboring town. The two most powerful and rich men in town are brothers Thavasi, known as Periyavar (Sivaji Ganesan), and Virumandi, known as Chinnavar (Vinu Chakravarthy). Periyavar believes in equal justice above all else and is highly respected in the village while Chinnavar believes is his own caste-superiority. Periyavar has a very young grandchild, Chinnathayee, who's been widowed after a child marriage. Chittu's parents, Velappa (Rajesh) and Velaiamma (Sujatha), launder the town's clothes. Chittu finds it difficult to adjust to the town's rigid caste hierarchy after being raised with more freedom by her grandmother. She also clashes with her classmate Mayilsamy (Murali), Chinnavar's son. He constantly teases and humiliates her due to her caste. Chittu eventually convenes the panjayath to ask for justice and Periyavar punishes Mayilsamy. Chittu intervenes as she's worried his punishment will only breed more resentment and retaliation. In the aftermath of this incident, Mayilsamy realizes his errors and soon falls in love with Chittu while Periyavar grows closer to Velappa's family. Chinnavar is incensed by Chittu's arrogance and what he believes is Velappa rising above his station. When Periyavar is called away, Chinnavar, the town's doctor and a few others force Velappa to work during the town's Pongal festival celebrations. Velappa is burned terribly in an accident while he's working. Chittu begs the doctor for help but is rebuffed by him and Chinnavar. Vellappa dies in agony and, in anger, Chittu yells at Chinnavar and his friends for their cruelty. In retaliation, he drives Chittu and Vellamma out of town. Years later, the two women return to the town when Chittu becomes the town's new doctor. Some of the townspeople have changed significantly, however some things are still very much the same. Chittu must face Chinnavar's continued hatred and the ramifications this has on many of those she cares about.

Cast

Production

Manojkumar, brother-in-law of director Bharathiraja made his directorial debut with this film. Producer Kovaithambi was impressed with the story narrated by Manojkumar and he immediately narrated the story to Sivaji Ganesan who agreed to act in the film.[2]

Soundtrack

Soundtrack was composed by Devendran.[3]

  • Pongiyathe – SPB, S Janaki
  • Achuvella – SPB
  • Muthu Siritathu – SPB
  • Kizhakku Veluthachu – Malaysia Vasudevan
  • Jaathimalliye – Malaysia Vasudevan

Reception

Mannukkul Vairam was released on 12 December 1986.[4] The Indian Express praised Manoj Kumar's "treatment of caste discrimination is [..] subdued".[5] Kovaithambi said the film ran for 50 days in theatres, and though it was not that successful, it gave him the satisfaction of working with Sivaji Ganesan.[2]

References
  1. "Mannukkul Vairam". nadigarthilagam.com. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  2. "மண்ணுக்குள் வைரம்: சிவாஜிகணேசனை வைத்து கோவைத்தம்பி தயாரித்த படம்". Maalai Malar. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  3. https://gaana.com/album/mannukul-vairam
  4. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19861212&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
  5. "Tears all the way". The Indian Express. 19 December 1986. p. 14.


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