Oru Indhiya Kanavu (transl. An Indian Dream) is a 1983 Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by Komal Swaminathan. It is based on his play of the same name. The film stars Rajeev, Suhasini and Lalitha, with Poornam Viswanathan in a supporting role. It was released on 30 September 1983 to widespread critical acclaim and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil at the 31st National Film Awards in 1984.[2]
| Oru Indhiya Kanavu | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Directed by | Komal Swaminathan |
| Written by | Komal Swaminathan |
| Based on | Oru Indhiya Kanavu by Komal Swaminathan |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | M. Kesavan |
| Edited by | C. R. Shanmugam |
| Music by | M. S. Viswanathan |
Production company | Sri Muthiyalamman Creations |
Release date |
|
Running time | 141 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editAnamika, a postgraduate student, along with her friends visit the Javadi Hills to make a study on the tribals who live there. During her stay, she befriends a tribal girl named Gangamma. Upon returning home, she wishes to do something for uplifting the lives of the people. She is encouraged in this regard by her father, and Agni, a journalist. After a while, Anamika goes to Javadi Hills and gets to know that Gangamma is dead. She learns that Gangamma killed herself after being raped. A frustrated Anamika sets out to inquire the local people. In the process, she is accompanied by a police officer named Muthuvel. Further inquiry reveals Gangamma was raped by Dhanapal, son of an influential minister Malaiyappar.
Anamika gathers some evidence against Dhanapal and goes to the city and approaches Agni and other journalists to publish the news. When the news get published, Malaiyappar is asked to step down by the chief minister. However, Malaiayappar refuses to resign and further blackmails the chief minister of another issue. The case against Dhanapal becomes weak and Muthuvel is transferred to another city. Anamika and father are arrested under the National Protection Act for disturbing peace and security in the locality. Muthivel resigns his job and joins Anamika in her struggle to seek justice for Gangamma.
Cast
editProduction
editOru Indhiya Kanavu was based on the play of the same name by Komal Swaminathan himself.[3] The communist parties screened the play in almost all parts of Tamil Nadu. At one time, it was reported to have been witnessed by over 7,000 people.[4]
Soundtrack
editSoundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali & Vairamuthu.[5][6]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "En Payare Enakku" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam | |
| 2. | "Odakkaraiyil Oru Puliya" | P. Susheela | |
| 3. | "Nalla Kaalam Parandachu" | Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam |
Release and reception
editOru Indhiya Kanavu was released on 30 September 1983 to widespread critical acclaim. At the 31st National Film Awards, it won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.[7][8] The film was also screened at the Soviet Union where a reviewer "attributed the reformist nature of the film to the progressive strivings of its filmmaker".[9] Kalki said Swaminathan took a problematic story and directed it with clarity.[10]
References
edit- ^ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema. British Film Institute and Oxford University Press. p. 462. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.
- ^ "31st National Film Festival". Directorate of Film Festivals. June 1984. p. 54. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Nathan, Archana (14 August 2017). "In 'Oru Indhiya Kanavu', an Indian dream for incomplete justice". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 279.
- ^ "Oru Indhiya Kanavu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ "Oru Indhia Kannavu Tamil Film EP Vinyl Record by M.S.Viswanathan". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 278.
- ^ "கோமலின் தார்மீக கோபம்" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). 1 July 1984. pp. 2–5. Retrieved 16 April 2024 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Rajagopalan, Sudha (2005). Indian Films in Soviet Cinemas: The Culture of Movie-going After Stalin. Indiana University Press. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-253-22099-8. Archived from the original on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ "ஒரு இந்திய கனவு". Kalki (in Tamil). 16 October 1983. p. 62. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023 – via Internet Archive.
Bibliography
edit- Dhananjayan, G. (2014). Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013. Blue Ocean Publishers. OCLC 898765509.
