Annai Oru Aalayam (transl. Mother is a Temple) is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language adventure film directed by R. Thyagarajan. It was simultaneously shot in Telugu with the title Amma Evarikaina Amma (transl. Mother is mother for all).[1] The film stars Rajinikanth as an animal hunter who helps a baby elephant to reach its mother. It was a commercial success and included music composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[2] The film was a remake of the Hindi film Maa (1976).[1]
| Annai Oru Aalayam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster in Tamil | |
| Directed by | R. Thyagarajan |
| Written by | Thooyavan (dialogues) |
| Story by | Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Devar |
| Produced by | C. Dhandayudhapani |
| Starring | Rajinikanth Sripriya |
| Cinematography | P. N. Sundaram |
| Edited by | M. G. Balurao P. Nandakumar Reddy |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | |
Release dates |
|
| Country | India |
| Languages | Tamil Telugu |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (September 2021) |
An animal hunter seeks to help a baby elephant reach its mother.
Cast
edit- Rajinikanth as Vijay
- Sripriya as Nimmi
- Anjali Devi as Vijay's mother
- Mohan Babu as Raja
- Major Sundarrajan as Himself (Tamil)
- Nagesh as Himself
- S. A. Ashokan (Tamil)
- Y. G. Mahendran
- Chalam (Telugu)
- Allu Ramalingiah (Telugu)
- Jayamalini
Production
editThe film prominently features two elephant actors: Ganesh, then a calf,[3] and Rathi, an elder female.[4][5]
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali.[6] The song "Amma Nee Sumandha" is set in Charukesi raga.[7][8] For the Telugu version, lyrics were written by Acharya Aatreya.[9] The song "Appane Appane" is played frequently during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi annually.[10]
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Amma Nee Summandha Pillai | T. M. Soundararajan | 04:04 |
| Appane Appane | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela | 04:32 |
| Nadhiyoram | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela | 04.14 |
| Malai Aruvi (Malayoram) | S. P. Sailaja | 03:48 |
| Nilavu Neram | P. Susheela | 03:59 |
| Nandhavanathil | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 04:10 |
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Amma Neevuleni Nenu | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 04:04 |
| Appane Appane | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela | 04:32 |
| Nayaka Vinayaka | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela | 04.14 |
| Chinnamma Chittimama | S. P. Sailaja | 03:48 |
| Prema Beram Teepi Neram | P. Susheela | 03:59 |
| Gunnami Komma Medha | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 04:10 |
Reception
editAnanda Vikatan rated the film 52 out of 100, appreciating the cinematography. The critic said the film faltered in the first half but did better in the second half with the arrival of the elephant calf.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b Ramachandran, Naman (2014) [2012]. Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography. Delhi: Penguin Books. p. 98. ISBN 978-0-14-342111-5.
- ^ "யானைகளுடன் ரஜினி நடித்த 'அன்னை ஓர் ஆலயம்': சிறுத்தையை தோள் மீது சுமந்த அபூர்வ காட்சி". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ^ Shanmugavadivu, T (1 October 2018). "R Thyagarajan: A perfectionist behind the camera". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
- ^ "81-year-old 'actor' female elephant dies". Deccan Herald. PTI. 4 May 2018. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ Kannadasan, Akila (3 February 2013). "A requiem for Rathi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Annai Ore Aalayam Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraja". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ Mani, Charulatha (3 February 2012). "A Raga's Journey — The charm of Charukesi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
- ^ Sundararaman (2007) [2005]. Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music (2nd ed.). Pichhamal Chintamani. p. 123. OCLC 295034757.
- ^ "Amma Evarikaina Amma (1979)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ ராம்ஜி, வி. (19 October 2022). "தாயன்பின் ஆழம் சொன்ன 'அன்னை ஓர் ஆலயம்'". Kamadenu (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 24 November 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "அன்னை ஒரு ஆலயம் - ஆனந்த விகடன் விமர்சனம்". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 11 November 1979. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023 – via Rajinifans.com.
