| Agathiyar | |
| Director: | A. P. Nagarajan |
| Starring: | Sirkazhi Govindarajan |
| Cinematography: | W. R. Subba Rao |
| Editing: | T. Vijayarangam |
| Music: | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan |
| Studio: | Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures |
| Runtime: | 153 minutes |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil |
Agathiyar is a 1972 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film written, directed, and produced by A. P. Nagarajan. The soundtrack was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. The film stars Sirkazhi Govindarajan playing the main character, T. R. Mahalingam, A. V. M. Rajan, Kumari Padmini, R. S. Manohar, Suruli Rajan, Manorama and Sridevi were in supporting roles. This film ran for 100 days and won widespread appreciation.[1] The film was dubbed into Hindi under the title Maharish in 1986.
The story is about Agathiyar Muni, who is considered to be the embodiment of one of celestial intellectuals who descended on earth to enlighten human beings. During the wedding of Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the earth tilted to the northern side, as the whole world was witnessing the marriage. Shiva gave the responsibility of balancing the earth to Agathiyar by going to the southern side. Agathiyar is also given the additional responsibility of spreading goodness and equality. He has the additional task of spreading the Tamil language. Many small stories between heaven and earth are interwoven in the movie. The stories teach one to lead a simple existence without ego. It also shows how Agathiyar's journey facing Vindhya Mount, River Kaveri, Vilvala/Vaathapi, Lord Murugan, A Farmer,Ravana,Urvashi, Tholkappiyan thereby teaching them the greatness of humility.
Music was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan.[3] [4] The song "Isaiyai Tamizhai" is set in Kharaharapriya raga.[5] The song "Vendriduven" is a ragamalika comprising 16 ragas and is composed in such a way that the name of the raga used in each stanza is a word play on a common Tamil word which sounds similar to the raga's name starting with Natta
| Songs | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Ulagam Samanilai Peravendum" | Ulundurpet Shanmugam | 3:06 | ||
| "Aandavan Tharisaname" | 3:42 | |||
| "Malainindra Thirukumara" | T. R. Mahalingam | 2:20 | ||
| "Ventriduven Unnai" | T. M. Soundararajan, Sirkazhi Govindarajan | 8:07 | ||
| "Thaayir Chirandha" | Poovai Senguttuvan | 2:55 | ||
| "Kannai Pole Mannai Kakkum" | L. R. Eswari and Chorus | Puthuneri Subramnyam | 3:55 | |
| "Naadanthai Vaali Kaveri" | Sirkazhi Govindarajan | K. D. Santhanam | 3:33 | |
| "Thalaiva Thavaputhalvaa" | M. R. Vijaya and P. Radha | 4:35 | ||
| "Isaiyai Thamizhai" | Sirkazhi Govindarajan, T. R. Mahalingam | 3:29 | ||
| "Namachivayamena Solvome" | Sirkazhi Govindarajan, T. R. Mahalingam | Era. Pazhanisamy | 4:17 | |
| "Muzhu Muthar Porulae" | T. R. Mahalingam | Nellai Arulmani | 2:10 |