Agathiyar is a 1972 Indian Tamil mythological movie written, directed, and produced by A. P. Nagarajan under production company Sree Vijayalakshmi Pictures. The soundtrack was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. The film stars Sirkazhi Govindarajan playing title character with T. R. Mahalingam, A. V. M. Rajan, Kumari Padmini, R. S. Manohar, Suruli Rajan, Manorama and Sridevi portrayed supporting roles. This film ran for 100 days and won widespread appreciation.
The story is about Agathiyar Muni, who is considered to be the embodiment of one of celestial intellectual who descended on earth to enlighten human beings. During the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the earth tilted to the Northern side, as the whole world was witnessing the marriage. Lord Shiva gave the responsibility of balancing the earth to Agathiyar by going to Southern side. Agathiyar is also given additional responsibility of spreading goodness and equality. He has the additional task of spreading the Tamil language. Many small stories between heaven and Earth are interwoven in the movie. The stories teach one to lead a simple existence without ego. It also shows how Agathiyar in this journey destroy the ego of River Kaveri, Vindhya Mount and Ravana, thereby teaching them the greatness of humility.
Agathiyar travels Southwards, while there River Ponni was talking to Agathiyar with ego and arguing with him. Finally, Agathiyar loses his temper and traps river Ponni in his Kamandalam, and sat down to meditate. Lord Vinayagar(Lord Ganesha) in the form of Crow and pushed Agathiyar Kamandalam down, thus recusing and leading to the river formation. Then Agathiyar, named the River Ponni as River Kaveri(Crow)(In Tamil (Kakam) pushed Kamandalam and the water flows to broadly(In Tamil Virinthu Odiyathal) named as Ka + veri= Kaveri).
One time Mount Vidhayan was continually growing size is do to taunting comments by Sage Narathar(Narada). So as to temper the vainty of the mountains, Sage Agathiyar traveled to Southern side via the mount Vindhyan. On their way when the Vindhyan saw Agathiyar, he bowed with respect and reverence, upon which sage Agathiyar, Jokingly asked if he would stay bowed and subdued with respect until the sage returned. The Vindhyan were truly benevolent and promised to not grow until the sees return from the south. After Passing through the mount they would never again cross over to the Northern side of Mount Vindhyan.
Narathar was speaks to his pride to others. He is only most revere with Lord Vishnu(lord Narayana) because he always thinking and spell about only Lord Vishnu. Agathiya was told to Narathar watched one day for a potter, Narathar also do that and told to agathiyar that Potter man spell about “Narayana” for daily twice. Then, Agathiya was kept at Narathar Hand inside put small bowl and bowl full of oil. Agathiyar told the rule of the play not sting one drop of oil and surrounding the world and Narada done the job perfectly. Agathiyar was question to Narathar today how many times are you spelled “Narayana” name and narathar answered him. how to im thinking my revere name because i has burden kept my hands, so im not thing and spelled my “Narayana”. Agathiya explained to naratha you has one simplest burden,but Are forgot yours Revere. But that man has many trouble in his family and burden. But he was thinking and spelled about Lord Vishnu who is the best admire with Lord Vishnu.
Ravana was Yazh competition to Agathiyar Muni. Because taunting comments by the Narathar Muni. But Who the competition refery. Ravana was called Goddess Saraswati, but Sarswathi was told them, we both her eyes. So, she is leaves them. Then only Ravan select for “Ponmalai” because stones & rocks only not melting to anything. both are composing the instrument Yazh who turn composing the Yazh when the mount was started to melt, they won the competition. Unfortunately, Ravana lose the competition and then Agathiyar was give new name to “ponmalai”, it named by Pothigai Malai (meaning it was give judgement for constant (or) the judgement is impartial).
It is said that two demons brothers Ilavala and Vathapi used to kill Brahmins as a revenge in a simple manner. The two had special power, they came up with a plan to take revenge on Brahmin. “Vatapi” would turn in to ripe mango. He would invite any-passengers by especially Brahmins for grand feast at his home. after eat mango, ilavala would call his brother out “vatapi” , his brother would respond from the belly of the visitor and come out alive in one piece. In the process the guest would be killed. The two demons later wound enjoy a curry made of human flesh. One day, Agathiyar happened to pass through by, the plan as usual, Vatapi changed into a ripe mango and other disguised himself as brahmachari(Sage of Bachelor) who invited agathiyar to eat at the home. Agathiya knew about the plan due to his immense Vedic Power, he resolves to teach both a lesson. After the meal agathiyar simply rubbed his stomach saying “Vathapi Jeerano bhave” may Vathapi be digested, while other demon tries to bring his brother life, but in vain. Agathiya plainly informed the demon that his brother has been digest and could no longer be brought back to life bringing their treachery to end.
Directed by A. P. Nagarajan
Written by A. P. Nagarajan
Screenplay by A. P. Nagarajan
Starring Sirkazhi Govindarajan, T. R. Mahalingam, A. V. M. Rajan, R. S. Manohar, Sridevi
Music by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
Cinematography W. R. Subbah Rao
Edited by T. Vijayarangam
Production Sree Vijayalakshmi Pictures
Distributed by Sree Vijyalakshmi Pictures
Release dates June 1972
Running time 153 mins
Country India
Language Tamil
