Oru Indhiya Kanavu Explained

Oru Indhiya Kanavu
Director:Komal Swaminathan
Cinematography:M. Kesavan
Editing:C. R. Shanmugam
Music:M. S. Viswanathan
Studio:Sri Muthiyalamman Creations
Runtime:141 minutes[1]
Country:India
Language:Tamil

Oru Indhiya Kanavu 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]

Plot

Anamika, 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

Production

Oru Indhiya Kanavu was based on the play of the same name by Komal Swaminathan himself. 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.

Soundtrack

Soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali & Vairamuthu.[4] [5]

Release and reception

Oru 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.[6] 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".[7] Kalki said Swaminathan took a problematic story and directed it with clarity.[8]

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Book: Rajadhyaksha . Ashish . Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema . Willemen . Paul . . 1998 . 0-19-563579-5 . 462 . Ashish Rajadhyaksha . Paul Willemen . 1994.
  2. Web site: June 1984 . 31st National Film Festival . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131112200555/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm31stNFAAward.aspx . 12 November 2013 . 11 April 2014 . . 54 . PDF.
  3. Web site: Nathan . Archana . 14 August 2017 . In 'Oru Indhiya Kanavu', an Indian dream for incomplete justice . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210710123824/https://scroll.in/reel/846934/in-oru-indhiya-kanavu-an-indian-dream-for-incomplete-justice . 10 July 2021 . 10 July 2021 . Scroll.in.
  4. Web site: Oru Indhiya Kanavu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220322111202/https://music.apple.com/in/album/oru-indhiya-kanavu-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1451802030 . 22 March 2022 . 22 March 2022 . Apple Music.
  5. Web site: Oru Indhia Kannavu Tamil Film EP Vinyl Record by M.S.Viswanathan . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929101335/https://mossymart.com/product/oru-indhia-kannavu-tamil-film-ep-vinyl-record-by-m-s-viswanathan/ . 29 September 2022 . 29 September 2022 . Mossymart.
  6. 1 July 1984 . கோமலின் தார்மீக கோபம் . 16 April 2024 . . 2-5 . ta . Internet Archive.
  7. Book: Rajagopalan, Sudha . Indian Films in Soviet Cinemas: The Culture of Movie-going After Stalin . Indiana University Press . 2005 . 978-0-253-22099-8 . 114 . 31 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626205210/https://books.google.com/books?id=cpoLAQAAMAAJ . 26 June 2019 . live.
  8. 16 October 1983 . ஒரு இந்திய கனவு . live . https://archive.today/20230426141053/https://archive.org/details/kalki1983-10-16/page/n64/mode/2up . 26 April 2023 . 26 April 2023 . . 62 . ta . Internet Archive.