Vaidehi Kathirunthal
Poster
Directed byR. Sundarrajan
Written byR. Sundarrajan
Produced byThooyavan
StarringVijayakanth
Revathi
CinematographyRaja Rajan
Edited byM. Shrinivasan
B. Krishnakumar
Music byIlaiyaraaja
Production
company
Appu Movies
Distributed byK. R. Enterprises[1]
Release date
  • 23 October 1984 (1984-10-23)
Running time
140 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Vaidehi Kathirunthal (transl. Vaidehi waited) is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film stars Vijayakanth and Revathi as two villagers, Vellaisamy and Vaidehi, whose lives undergo a drastic turn when they meet. They discover that they must join forces to save a young couple from the wrath of the other villagers.

Vaidehi Kaathirundhal's story was developed based on songs that Ilaiyaraaja had composed, hoping to use them in potential film. The film was released on 23 October 1984, became a commercial success. and emerged a breakthrough in Vijayakanth's career. It was remade in Telugu as Manchi Manasulu (1986), and in Kannada as Preethi Nee Illade Naa Hegirali (2004).

Plot

Vellaisamy is an unkempt derelict who lives by the village temple doing menial jobs to survive but has an impressive singing ability. Vaidehi is a young widow who lives in the village with her sorrowing, alcoholic father. Minutes after Vaidehi's marriage, the groom and his parents died in a boat accident. This led to the village ostracising her and not letting her practice dance, which she was talented in. Her father, though rich, took to drinking upon seeing his daughter's fate.

One day when some villagers spot Vellaisamy scribbling Vaidehi's name on the temple walls, rumours about them start circling. When a distressed Vaidehi approaches and questions Vellaisamy why he has been writing her name on the walls, he reveals his tragic past and how he lost the woman of his affection, also named Vaidehi.

Vellaisamy and his widowed mother lived in another village. His cousin Vaidehi, who was also brought up with him, had high hopes of marrying him. Despite being in love with Vaidehi, Vellaisamy neglected her for fun. After buying wedding jewels for Vaidehi, he played a final prank on her by telling her that he has been engaged with someone else. Distraught, Vaidehi ate poisonous seeds and died in Vellaisamy's arms. Within weeks, Vellaisamy's mother also died. Vellaisamy gave his properties to poor people and moved to his present village for closure.

Vellaisamy and Vaidehi now share a mutual respect for each other's melancholic lives but soon realize that they need to work together to unite Nataraj and Sengamalam, a young couple in love, against the wrath of the whole village, particularly Sengamalam's ruthless brother Vellikizhamai Ramasamy. Vellaisamy is killed by Ramasamy's goons in the melee, and the young lovers are united, while Vaidehi is left alone.

Cast

Production

After Ilaiyaraaja finished composing the songs of Kaakki Sattai (1985) in half-a-day, well before the three-day schedule, he started to compose other songs since he was free at that time; he ended up composing six songs, hoping to use them in a potential film. Producer-lyricist Panchu Arunachalam, who used to listen to Ilaiyaraaja's unused songs and pick any of them he liked for future projects, wanted one of the six tunes for the film that would become Vaidehi Kathirunthal. But Ilaiyaraaja insisted that he listen to all six tunes; the producer did so, and the storyline of Vaidehi Kathirunthal was developed based on them.[6][7]

The title was derived from a line from the song "Vasanthathil Orr Naal" from Moondru Deivangal (1971) which goes, "Vasanthaththil or naal Manavarai oram Vaidhegi kaththirunthaalo".[8] The film was written and directed by R. Sundarrajan, and produced by Thooyavan under the banner Appu Movies, while Arunachalam was credited as presenter. Cinematography was handled by Raja Rajan, and editing by M. Shrinivasan and B. Krishnakumar.[5] Vijayakanth agreed to play a "soft role" at a time when he starred in many action films and was branded an action hero.[9] Anitha Kuppusamy was initially offered to be the lead actress, but she declined, citing a lack of interest in an acting career; the role went to Revathi.[10] This was the Tamil debut of Kannada actress Pramila Joshai (credited as Parimalam),[11] and the feature film debut of T. S. Raghavendra (credited as Raghavendar) and Sivankumar.[2] Shooting took place predominantly at the banks of Kanchima (Noyyal) River.[12]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[13] The song "Kaathirunthu" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Shivaranjani,[14] "Azhagu Malaraada" is set in Chandrakauns,[15] and "Inraiku Yen Indha" is set in Abhogi.[16] Y. G. Mahendran's wife Sudha had been contacted by Ilaiyaraaja's manager to sing in the film but, incorrectly believing it was a prank call, declined.[17] For every day Vaidehi Kaathirundhal played at a theatre in Cumbum, "Rasathi Unna" attracted the attention of wild elephants which came near the theatre and remained till the song ended before returning to the forest. P. Jayachandran, the singer of this song, "Kaathirunthu" and "Inraiku Yen Indha", said all three songs were recorded within a day.[18]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Rasathi Unnai"VaaliP. Jayachandran5:36
2."Azhagu Malaraada"VaaliS. Janaki, T. S. Raghavendra5:31
3."Kaathirunthu"VaaliP. Jayachandran4:23
4."Megam Karukayilae"Panchu ArunachalamIlaiyaraaja, Uma Ramanan4:28
5."Inraiku Yen Indha"Gangai AmaranP. Jayachandran, Vani Jairam4:29
6."Raasavae Unnai"VaaliP. Susheela3:25
Total length:27:52

Release and reception

Vaidehi Kaathirundhal was released on 23 October 1984,[19] Diwali day.[20] The Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan, in its issue dated 2 December 1984, carried the reviews of multiple people who had seen the film. The review board of the magazine gave the film a rating of 44 out of 100 based on these reviews, with the consensus being favourable towards Ilaiyaraaja's music and critical towards the multiple storylines stitched together.[21] Kalki's critic posted similar views, praising the music but noting that despite so many positives, the film fell apart due to the subpar story.[22] Despite facing competition from other Diwali releases such as Nallavanukku Nallavan and the Tamil-dubbed version of the Malayalam-language My Dear Kuttichathan,[20] the film was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.[19] It was remade in Telugu as Manchi Manasulu (1986),[23] and in Kannada as Preethi Nee Illade Naa Hegirali (2004).[24]

Legacy

Vaidehi Kathirundhal emerged a breakthrough in Vijayakanth's career.[25] According to film journalist Sreedhar Pillai, it was one of the films that made him the "Raja of B and C stations"[26] The waterfalls where the film was shot was renamed Vaideki Falls after the film.[27] The quote "Petromax lightey venuma" (transl. Do you want only the Petromax light?) spoken by Goundamani's character became a popular phrase in Tamil Nadu and refers to someone wanting and persisting on something particular.[28] The quote also inspired a song of the same name in Aranmanai (2014).[29] The Chennai-based brand Dude Thamizha prints T-shirts that carry the dialogue which are their best-sellers too.[30][31][32] The character name of Goundamani, All in All Azhagu Raja, was also used as the title a 2013 film,[33][34] while the 2019 film Petromax derives its title from All in All Azhagu Raja's dialogue.[35]

References

  1. ^ "சோதனைகளை வென்று 'மை டியர் குட்டிச்சாத்தான்' மகத்தான வெற்றி!". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 19 August 2013. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f ராம்ஜி, வி. (25 August 2018). "வைதேகி காத்திருந்தாள் – அப்பவே அப்படி கதை!". Kamadenu (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  3. ^ நியூட்டன், ஷாலினி (14 February 2020). "நான்...செந்தில்" [I...Senthil]. Kungumam. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  4. ^ "நடிகை மேக்னாராஜ் திருமணம்: கிறிஸ்தவ, இந்து முறைப்படி நடந்தது" [Actress Meghana Raj marriage: Happened as per Christian and Hindu practices]. Dinamalar. 3 May 2018. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  5. ^ a b Vaidehi Kathirunthal (motion picture) (in Tamil). Appu Movies. 1984. Opening credits, from 0:00 to 2:44.
  6. ^ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (31 May 2018). "The Ilaiyaraaja interview: 'Why should filmmakers know about music creation?'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  7. ^ "கற்பனையால் ரசிகர்களை வியக்க வைப்பதே வெற்றி; எல்லாவற்றையும் தாண்டிய இசை ஒன்று இருக்கிறது!: இசைஞானி இளையராஜா சிறப்பு நேர்காணல்" [It's a huge gamble to attract fans by imagination; there is a music beyond it: Ilaiyaraaja interview]. Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 2 June 2018. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  8. ^ ராம்ஜி, வி. (23 October 2020). "'பெட்ரோமாக்ஸ் லைட்டேதான் வேணுமா?'வுக்கு 36 வருடம்; 'ராசாத்தி உன்னைக் காணாத நெஞ்சு' காதலின் கீதம்; கேரக்டர் நடிகராக கேப்டன் அசத்திய 'வைதேகி காத்திருந்தாள்'!". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  9. ^ Umashanker, Sudha (13 October 2000). "Settled in an invincible slot". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  10. ^ "'வைதேகி காத்திருந்தாள்' படத்தில் ரேவதிக்கு பதில் இவரா நடிக்க வேண்டியது?.. மிஸ் பண்ண சோகத்தில் பிரபல பாடகி!". CineReporters (in Tamil). 28 February 2023. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  11. ^ வினோத், இரா. (6 October 2020). "மறைந்த கணவரின் 'கட் அவுட்'டுடன் வளைகாப்பு: கண்ணீரில் நனைந்த நடிகை மேக்னா ராஜ் குடும்பத்தார்". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  12. ^ "வைதேசி காத்திருந்தாள்... வைதேகி நீர்வீழ்ச்சி...!". Newstm (in Tamil). 19 January 2019. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Vaidhegi Kaathirunthal (1984)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  14. ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 138.
  15. ^ Mani, Charulatha (8 November 2013). "Of love and longing". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  16. ^ Mani, Charulatha (2 March 2012). "A Raga's Journey – Arresting Abhogi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  17. ^ Rajinikanth-க்கு கல்யாணம் பண்ணி வச்சதே நாங்கதான்! - YG Mahendran & Sudha Reveals Unknown Stories (in Tamil). BehindwoodsTV. 9 February 2020. Event occurs at 18:28. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022 – via YouTube.
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  19. ^ a b "சிவாஜி, கமல், ரஜினி படங்களுக்கு வசனம் எழுதிய தூயவன்" [Thooyavan, who wrote the dialogues for Sivaji, Kamal and Rajini's films]. Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 17 July 2017. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  20. ^ a b Menon, Vishal (12 November 2018). "My Dear Kuttichathan: The Unforgettable Story of India's First 3D Film". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
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  22. ^ "வைதேகி காத்திருந்தாள்". Kalki (in Tamil). 25 November 1984. p. 28. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  23. ^ Atluri, Sri (16 September 2005). "Mohan Gandhi – Interview". Telugucinema.com. Archived from the original on 5 January 2006. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  24. ^ "Preethi Nee Illade Naa Hegirali (ಪ್ರೀತಿ ನೀ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ನಾ ಹೇಗಿರಲಿ)". Chiloka. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  25. ^ "Captain comes under attack". IndiaGlitz. 29 December 2011. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
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  27. ^ "Top 4 Places to Visit in Coimbatore with Family". Lemon Tree Hotels. 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Filmi dialogues used in everyday lingo". The Times of India. 17 August 2013. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  29. ^ M, Serena Josephine (30 July 2016). "Light goes out of petromax lamps". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  30. ^ Vijayan, Naveena (26 August 2013). "Flaunt the Tamizhan in you". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  31. ^ Parthasarathy, Anusha (16 March 2012). "A 'Tee' kadai!". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  32. ^ Krishnakumar, Anupama (5 May 2012). "A Melange of Inspiring Measures". Spark. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  33. ^ "Cracker of a Diwali". Bangalore Mirror. 29 October 2013. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  34. ^ "City Times – Comic caper". Khaleej Times. 31 October 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  35. ^ "Tamannaah's next with Athe Kangal-fame Rohin Venkatesan titled Petromax; Title look revealed". Cinema Express. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.

Bibliography

External links

Films directed by R. Sundarrajan
Categories