Thunaivan ([Companion] Error: ((Lang-xx)): text has italic markup (help)) is a 1969 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by M. A. Thirumugam.^[1] The film stars A. V. M. Rajan and Sowkar Janaki in lead roles while Major Sundararajan, Nagesh, Sachu, Vennira Aadai Nirmala and K. B. Sundarambal play supporting roles. Sri Devi made her acting debut with this film in the role of little Lord Muruga. This film was half taken in Black & White and Eastman color. This film was a musical hit and won a national award for singer K. B. Sundarambal.

Summary

Velayutham, (A. V. M. Rajan) is an orphan who gets his two square meals daily by ringing the bell at a Murugan Temple. His honesty is questioned when a precious stone from the idol of Lord Muruga is found missing. Dissillutioned and angry, Velayutham leaves for Coimbatore. After overcoming many hurdles, he finds Paramasivam (Nagesh), a well wishes, who gives him a job as a fruit-seller. Due to his good nature, fortune favours him and Velayutham becomes a rich businessman. He marries Maragatham (Sowkar Janaki) who is a loving wife, but does not share his religious beliefs. They often argue about this. The final straw of the story is when the couple is blessed with a child, but handicapped by birth. Velayutham continues to believe that Lord Muruga will bring his child back to normal but Maragatham only believes in consulting the best doctor. The doctor couldn't do anything. Maragatham's father (Major Sundararajan) advised her to believe in god. Distressed, Maragathan step out from her believes and took the child to all the murugan temples. She was deeply praying for her child. At climax, Kirupananda Variyar and K.P.Sundarambal assamble with them in the temple singing and praying to god. Sri Devi as little Lord Muruga comes and bless the child.

Plot

Velayudham(A. V. M. Rajan), an orphan and a devotee of Lord Murugan lives in the Murugan Temple of Pooncholai town with the support of the priest Ponnambalam(Senthamarai). The temple trustee(Major Sundararajan) cones for a special Pooja and notices the ruby stone missing in the deity's spear. He blames Velayudham and beats him and threatens to send him out of the town if it not returned by him the next day. An upset Velayudham pleads with Lord Murugan for justice and since the stone could not be traced, Ponnambalam gives his relative contact in Coimbatore and tells him to leave the town to avoid getting any punishment from the trustee. The next day, Ponnambalam finds the ruby inside the temple and rushes to stop him but it is too late as Velayudham has already left by train. On reaching Coimbatore, he loses his bag containing the address of Ponnambalam's relative. Lost in a new place, he finds solace in a discourse happening there by Kirupananda Variar and believes that Lord Murugan will certainly help him.

While buying Lord Murugan's portrait from Paramasivam(Nagesh) shop, Velayudham gets the address chit which he had lost and realises that the person he was supposed to meet is none other than Paramasivam. Velayudham gets a job from Bhama(Sachu), a fruit shop vendor close to paramasivam, and sells fruits on the roadside. He does very good business and saves up all the money. One day he gets help from Maragatham(Sowcar Janaki) in getting the money due from her friends, who try to cheat him.

One day, Velayudham helps an old man(V. S. Raghavan) with epilepsy struggling at the Murugan temple. Velayudham's help and sincerity in taking care of the old man's briefcase full of money impresses him and he offers Rs.10, 000/- as a token of his appreciation. Using that money, Velayudham starts a fruit stall, which becomes successful. He later starts jewellery shop and many other businesses. He soon becomes a rich businessman in the city and helps many people with his wealth.

Velayudham helps to retrieve Maragatham's stolen chain from his shop by a thief and she is very grateful. He chances upon the temple trustee on the road and invites him for lunch and the trustee comes with his daughter who to Velayudham's surprise is Maragatham. They both likes each other and the trustee notices this and proposes marriage between them. The marriage takes place and they commence a happy life.^[2]

One day, Velayudham asks Maragatham to accompany him to the Murugan temple at his hometown for the annual Pooja but she refuses. She tells him that she is an atheist and Velayudham is God to her and her home is her temple. She does not believe in God and temples. Velayudham is shocked and carries on with his plan. One day Kirupananda Variar comes home and Maragatham refuses to take his blessings as she does not believe in Sadhus also. Variar leaves a letter advising him to let her be for now.

Days pass by and Maragatham becomes pregnant. She delivers a very sick baby boy with birth defeats. Velayudham is shattered and keeps praying to God and blames her disbelief. Velayudham requests her to come with him to the temples with the child but she refuses. A year passes by and all doctors give up on the baby and finally her that only God can save the child without going to the temple and agrees to join him.

They both start visiting Lord Murugan temples across many towns with the child. One day, while maragatham is bathing, a snake comes near the child and in desperation she calls out Lord Murugan's name and a peacock appears and takes away the snake. She realises the presence of God there and starts believing and joins Velayudham in praying for the recovery of her child. They both meet Kirupananda Variar and seek his blessings in one of the temples. Finally, they visit Tiruchendur Temple along with another Devotee(K. B. Sundarambal) and pray to Lord Murugan there.

They both pleads to Lord Murugan by ringing the temple bell continuously for many hours and faint. Their prayers work and Lord Murugan(Sridevi) appears as a child and rings the bell. The bell falls down, breaking the floor and water seeps out on the baby. The child recovers and becomes normal making everyone happy. Velayudham, Maragatham and others pray to Lord Murugan for his blessings.^[3]

Cast

Award

1969 National Film Awards

• Won - National Film Award for Best Female Playback - K. B. Sundarambal^[3]

1969 Tamil Nadu State Film Award

• Won - Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer - Balamurugan
• Won - Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback - K. B. Sundarambal
• Won - Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Lyricist - A. Maruthakasi

Production

Sridevi made her acting debut at the age of four with this film in the role of little Lord Muruga.^[4] This film was half taken in Black & White and Eastman color.^[1]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and assisted by Pugazhendhi. Lyrics were written by Kannadasan and A. Maruthakasi.^[1] The album was released under the label Saregama.^[5]