Thiruneelakantar
About Thiruneelakantar
Potter-saint Neelakanta gives away the clay bowls he makes because of his devotion to Shiva. Shiva comes disguised as a yogi, leaves a bowl in Neelakanta's care, and returns to find it gone. Charged with stealing it, Neelakanta and his wife are ordered into a temple pond to prove they are innocent. They come out purified, and the yogi reveals himself as Shiva, with Parvati.
Cast & crew
More about Thiruneelakantar
Raja Sandow directed. M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar produced and played Neelakanta. Elangovan wrote the screenplay. The film opened on September 9, 1939.
Themes
Making
Bhagavathar's own company, Trichy Thyagaraj Films, made the picture from the life of Tirunilakanta Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.
Reviews
In The Hindu in 2009, Randor Guy wrote that the film was remembered for Bhagavathar's songs and for the comedy of N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram.
Audiences
Randor Guy reported a 52-week run.
Look
Jitan Banerji was the cinematographer.
Music
Papanasam Sivan composed the score and wrote the lyrics. Bhagavathar sings 'Dheena Karunakarane,' 'Saraasarangal,' and the duet 'Un Azhagai Kaana' with Thirunelveli Papa.
Preservation
A copy circulates from surviving picture elements and is on Wikimedia Commons.
Notes
- Serukalathur Sama plays the yogi who is Shiva.
- Thirunelveli Papa plays Neelakanta's wife, Neelaya Thatchi.
- N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram play the comic pair Chokan and Bommi.
- S. S. Rajamani plays Kalavathi.
- Nadaswaram player T. N. Rajarathinam Pillai makes a guest appearance and set the tune of 'Pavazhamaal' in the raga Nattai.
- 'Pavazhamaal' is a Thiruvisaippa by Thiruvaliyamudhanar.
- R. S. Mani edited.
Scenes
- The yogi leaves his clay bowl and later accuses Neelakanta of taking it.
- Neelakanta and his wife enter the temple pond and come out blessed, as Shiva shows himself.
Influenced by
- The Periya Puranam life of Tirunilakanta Nayanar
Also available
- Wikimedia Commons (Thiruneelakantar (1939).webm)