Vaazhkai (pronounced [ʋaːɻkaɪ] transl. Life) is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by C. V. Rajendran and produced by Chitra Raamu and Chitra Lakshmanan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Ambika and Pandiyan, with Jaishankar, M. N. Nambiar and Raveendran in supporting roles. It is a remake of the Hindi film Avtaar.[1] The film was released on 14 April 1984 and ran for over 100 days in theatres.[2][3]
| Vaazhkai | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | C. V. Rajendran |
| Screenplay by | Panchu Arunachalam |
| Story by | Mohan Kumar |
| Produced by | Chitra Raamu Chitra Lakshmanan |
| Starring | Sivaji Ganesan Ambika Pandiyan |
| Cinematography | T. S. Vinayagam |
| Edited by | Chandran–Muthu |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | P. A. Art Productions |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editRajasekar is a hard-working mechanic whose family consists of wife Radha, oldest son Bhaskar, daughter-in-law Sumathi, youngest son Ramesh and adopted son Kannan. Rajasekar loses the use of one arm in an accident at work and, for the first time in his life, finds himself out of work. He wants to use his insurance payout from the accident to buy the family home and pay for Ramesh's education. Bhaskar buys the house but registers it in Sumathi's name rather than his mother's name. Ramesh falls in love with Swapna. Her father, rich businessman Seetharaman, is supportive of the couple but wants Ramesh to live in his home and take charge of his businesses. Rajasekar is sceptical of this arrangement as he is worried about Ramesh being dependent on Seetharaman. Ramesh, however, abandons his parents to live with Swapna. Bhaskar's duplicity also comes to light after a family argument. Utter disappointed in his children, Rajasekar leaves the home with Radha and Kannan. With hard work and determination, Rajasekar becomes a very wealthy man. His sons' fortunes, on the other hand, fall and family is set against each other.
Cast
edit- Sivaji Ganesan as Rajasekar
- Ambika as Radha
- Pandiyan as Kannan
- Jaishankar as David
- M. N. Nambiar as Seetharaman
- Nizhalgal Ravi as Bhaskar
- Raveendran as Ramesh
- Deepa as Sumathi
- Silk Smitha as Swapna
- V. K. Ramasamy as Baai
- Y. Vijaya as Ayesha
- Manorama as Kannaatha
- Y. G. Mahendran as Anwar
- Thengai Srinivasan
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[4][5] The song "Kaalam Maaralam" is set in Hamsadhvani raga.[6] The song "Mella Mella" is adapted from the background music which Ilaiyaraaja composed for Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983), Mani Ratnam's directional debut film.[7]
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Ennarumai Selvangal" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja, Deepan Chakravarthy | Pulamaipithan | 04:21 |
| "Kaalam Maaralaam" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam | Vairamuthu | 04:22 |
| "Kattikollava" | P. Jayachandran, Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja | 04:17 | |
| "Manamey Nee" | Ilaiyaraaja | Muthulingam | 04:14 |
| "Mella Mella" | P. Susheela, Raj Seetharaman | M. G. Vallabhan | 04:02 |
| "Yaavum Neeyappaa" | Malaysia Vasudevan | Panchu Arunachalam | 04:22 |
Reception
editJayamanmadhan of Kalki praised the acting of Sivaji Ganesan and other actors but panned Ilaiyaraaja's music and concluded even though it is a film similar to the old films of Ganesan, the film is said to be for the motherland who takes joy in crying.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b ஜெயமன்மதன் (22 April 1984). "வாழ்க்கை". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 49. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "241-250". nadigarthilagam.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ "வாழ்க்கை". Dina Thanthi (in Tamil). 22 July 1984.
- ^ "Vaazhkai (1984)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
- ^ "Vaazhkai (1984) Tamil Super Hit Film LP Vinyl Record by Ilaiyaraaja". Disco Music Center. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
- ^ Mani, Charulatha (March 2013). "A bright start". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 March 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- ^ "Mani Ratnam And Ilaiyaraaja: A Shared Birthday And A Lifetime Of Musical Memories". Silverscreen. 2 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2024.