Annai Velankanni () is a 1971 Indian Tamil-language film directed by K. Thangappan. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Jayalalithaa, Padmini, and K. R. Vijaya. Kamal Haasan briefly appears in an uncredited role as Jesus Christ. It comprises three stories pertaining to Catholic beliefs.
Premise Velankanni, the film's setting, is a town in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, built over sites where three Marian apparitions are believed to have taken place since the 16th century.
Plot Mary (Jayalalithaa) is a nurse in a hospital at Nagapattinam and is a devotee of the Mary, mother of Jesus who is believed to have appeared in Velankanni thrice in the past. While the nurse is away from the hospital meeting her love interest Susainathan (Gemini Ganesan), the Virgin Mary assumes the nurse's form and attends to her duties.
Cast
Cameo appearances
Production Annai Velankanni was produced and directed by K. Thangappan under the company Giri Movies. The film dialogues were written by Sham De Thomson. The leading stars, including Jayalalithaa, worked without remuneration, as the film was a labor of love produced and directed by her dance guru and choreographer K. Thangappan. The cast waived their acting fees out of respect for Thangappan. Kamal Haasan worked as the assistant director of the film and appeared in a cameo as Jesus Christ in the film. Srividya and Sivakumar paired first time in this movie.
Release and reception Annai Velankanni was released on 15 August 1971. The film was dubbed Telugu-language as Mary Matha and released on 25 December 1971. The film was later dubbed into Malayalam-language as Velankanni Mathavu released on 27 May 1977. Historian B. Vijayakumar Stated in an article that the Tamil and Malayalam-dubbed versions were box office hits. Both versions were box office hits in Kerala.
Soundtrack The music was composed by G. Devarajan, while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan, Vaali and Ayyasamy.
Song Singers Length "Devamaindhan Pogindran" T. M. Soundararajan 03:23 "Kadal Alai Thaalaattum" P. Madhuri 04:01 "Karunai Kadale" P. Susheela 03:40 "Karunai Mazhaiyae" P. Susheela 03:39 "Neelakkadalin Oratthil" T. M. Soundararajan, P. Madhuri 03:22 "Pera Orani" T. M. Soundararajan, P. Madhuri 06:39 "Thandhana Thaana" K. J. Yesudas, P. Madhuri 06:01 "Vaanamennum Veedhiyile" K. J. Yesudas, P. Madhuri 03:12
Accolades Annai Velankanni won the Chennai Film Fans' Association Award for Best Popular Film and Sekar won for Best Child Star.
References
External links