Kallukkul Eeram

Kallukkul Eeram
VCD cover
Directed byP. S. Nivas
Screenplay byBharathiraja
Story byChandrabose
Produced byNeelima
StarringBharathiraja
Sudhakar
Mucherla Aruna
Vijayashanti
CinematographyP. S. Nivas
Edited byChandy
Music byIlaiyaraaja
Production
company
Neelima Movie Makers
Release date
  • 29 February 1980 (1980-02-29)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Kallukkul Eeram (transl. Moisture in the stone) is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by P. S. Nivas in his directorial debut,[1] starring Bharathiraja, Sudhakar, Mucherla Aruna and Vijayashanti. The film marked the cinematic debut for both Aruna and Vijayashanti.[2][3] It was released on 29 February 1980.[4]

Plot

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This is a story of two innocent village girls who fall in love with the Director and Hero of a cinema crew visiting their village for a shoot. Aruna falls in love with Bharathiraja and Vijayashanthi with Sudhakar.

Bharathiraja's movie crew lands on the picturesque and primeval village. The villagers are enthralled by the visiting crew. Vijaya Shanthi, a witty girl and Aruna, who perpetually wears an expression of shock and surprise combined, her marble-eyes not letting any other emotions through, are constant on lookers. Aruna steps into the frame of the movie and is admonished by Bharathiraja. Vijayshanthi and Aruna stage a role play song with the village children, with V. Shanthi as the heroine and Aruna as the director. Bharathiraja and Sudhakar walk by and catch them in the act. They appreciate the villagers amateur attempt and praise them. Aruna returns some money she finds, which belongs to Bharathiraja and he further appreciates her honesty.

Goundamani, who is Aruna's dad, runs the village laundry. Aruna delivers the laundered clothes to the crew. As she visits Bharathiraja each time, she also secretly sends him a flower or a note.

Vijayashanthi develops romantic feelings towards Sudhakar, only to be told by him that he meets several girls like her and she mistook his friendly gestures. In a moment when a supporting artiste did not show up, Bharathiraja grabs Aruna from the crowd and makes her play a one line part.

Karuppan, who wounded the arm of another villager who once teased Aruna, returns from jail. He finds out about Bharathiraja grabbing Aruna's arm and tries to kill him by rolling rocks on him. However, Aruna finds out and saves Bharathiraja. He notices later that the cloth tied around his injured arm belongs to Aruna's saree. During the village temple festival, Vijayashanthi dances in the play. However, as she was jilted by Sudhakar, she commits suicide. Karuppan tries to molest Aruna in the groves, but Chandrashekar, the village madman kills him.

The crew leaves the village. As they leave, Aruna stops Bharathiraja, but doesn't tell him anything. Hounded by memories of her, he returns and they unite on the river banks. As he holds her hand, Chandrashekar kills him from behind.

Cast

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Soundtrack

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The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[5][6]

Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Endhan Kairasi Parum" S. Janaki Gangai Amaran 4:19
"Ennatthil Yedho" S. Janaki 4:08
"Kothamalli Poove" Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki 4:10
"Siru Ponmani" Ilaiyaraaja, Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki 3:59
"Thoppiloru Natakam" Ilaiyaraaja, Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja Muthuvendhan 4:29

Reception

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Kanthan of Kalki praised the performances of the cast and the cinematography, and called the film a must watch.[7]

In other media

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The song "Siru Ponmani" is reused in Subramaniapuram (2008) in a single scene, playing on a radio set when Azhagar (Jai) and Thulasi (Swathi Reddy) exchange romantic glances.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Cinematographer PS Nivas passes away". The Indian Express. 1 February 2021. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  2. ^ Thatipalli, Mallik (27 June 2019). "Vijayashanti is back to her first love". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  3. ^ Shilpa (11 June 2021). "WHAT! THIS IS MANOBALA? GUESS THE POPULAR DIRECTORS AND ACTRESS SHARING THE FRAME WITH THE COMEDIAN - THROWBACK PIC FROM THE 80S!". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Kallukkul Eeram (1980)". Screen 4 Screen. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Kallukkul Eeram (1980)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  6. ^ "Kallukkul Eeram Tamil Super 7 Vinyl Record by Ilayaraja". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  7. ^ காந்தன் (23 March 1980). "கல்லுக்குள் ஈரம்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 64. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ^ R, Manoj Kumar (3 June 2019). "Ilaiyaraaja should be thankful to young composers". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
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