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Deivam
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Deivam
Poster
Directed byM. A. Thirumugam
Written bySandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar
Produced bySandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar
StarringGemini Ganesan
K. R. Vijaya
Srikanth
Sowcar Janaki
Edited byM. A. Thirumugam
Music byKunnakudi Vaidyanathan
Production
company
Release date
  • 4 November 1972 (1972-11-04)
Running time
139 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Deivam (transl. God) is a 1972 Indian Tamil-language devotional anthology film, starring Gemini Ganesan, R. Muthuraman, A. V. M. Rajan, Srikanth, K. R. Vijaya, Sowcar Janaki, Nagesh and Thengai Srinivasan. The film was edited and directed by M. A. Thirumugam and written by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar.[1] It was released on 4 November 1972.

Plot

[edit]

The film serves as an anthology of stories that highlight the miracles performed by Lord Muruga in the lives of his devotees on a day-to-day basis in the present times which are narrated by Thirumuruga Kripananda Variyar.

First story

A thief (Major Sundarajan) who comes to steal Lord Muruga's jewels from the Arulmigu Thirumurugan Thirukovil, Marudhamalai. He loses the ability to use his leg while he attempts to steal the lord's jewels and later he reforms and he repents for his mistakes and he becomes a devotee and serves the temple. Later, a different thief comes to steal the temple collections. While fighting him, he regains the use of his leg. Turns out that the thief was none other than the god himself who came to make him run and thereby regain his mobility.

Second story

Vellammal (Sowcar Janaki) is a lone wife whose husband has abandoned her who came to Swamimalai there she gets the contact of a banana vendor Nagesh and he gives her a job. Circumstances leads her to get into a fire accident where her husband Swaminathan (Srikanth), now a fire fighter, comes and saves her and their child thereby reuniting the family. Turns out that the husband got a prank call saying that the temple of Swamimalai is on fire where she ends up coming and there happens to be a fire accident in the slum she is residing. The Lord saves their child by hiding the baby behind a huge Swamimalai Muruga photo through which all three are united.

Third story

Kathirvelu (A.V.M. Rajan) and Vadivelu (V. Gopalakrishan) are friends. Vadivelu wants to start a business and needs fund. Both being staunch devotees of Muruga, Kathirvelu proceeds to give out the money without any promissory note with only Shanmugam (Thengai Sreenivasan) a camphor seller as a coincidental witness. The agreement goes like a 50-50 partnership with Kathirvelu's 50% going to the services of temple. After a few years, Vadivelu becomes immensely successful as well as greedy. He refuses to give the share meant for God. Kathirvelu, angry that Vadivelu has cheated God, applies a case on him. Without a note and Shanmugam dead in an accident, Vadivelu gloats. However, Shanmugam comes at the right time to the court, gives witness and helps to recover the money. It turns out that the Lord came in the form of Shanmugam and helped Kathirvelu.

Fourth story

Arumugam (Gemini Ganesan) and Valliyammal (K.R. Vijaya) are a merchant couple. Arumugam goes to join an investment scheme of his friend taking what is left of his family jewels which gets stolen by a gang. Arumugam disowns and just teases the God until his wife points out that his life was safe and the God saved his life. Unable to go to a wedding due to the abject and huge poverty they are now facing, neighbours give Valliyammal their jewels for safe keeping and approve using it for going to the wedding. The same gang of thieves attack Valliyammal but get caught by police this time due to a power cut, thanks to minor miracles performed by Lord and all the jewels are restored to the family. The friend who Arumugam was going to join turns out to be scammers who planned to dupe Arumugam. Thus, Muruga saved the family.

Fifth story

Mani (R. Muthuraman) and his best friend Kumaresan (Senthamarai) are polar opposites when it comes to faith in God. Senthamarai is a staunch devotee of Thiruparankundaram Murugan who visits the God's marriage every year, who tells him that background where he needed some money to save his wife's life. He found a cigarette pack with the exact amount he needs and that is how he became a devotee of the lord and visits every year on the marriage day of the lord. Circumstantially, Mani gets into a spot where he owes money failing which he would lose his respect which he values above his life. He prays to Muruga as a last resort. He too finds a cigarette pack but it is empty. He gives up saying though his prayer was sincere, his faith probably wasn't. A vehicle pushes him off-road and he falls down a slope. He scolds Muruga. At the same time, another vehicle in the accident scene drops off a suitcase due to the minor skirmish on the road. The suitcase contains Rs.25,000. He takes it to the police station to find the owner. The owner is there and thanks him profusely for returning such a huge amount. He offers him a reward but Mani insists on taking a loan of the required amount to save his respect and thanks the God understanding that only after being tested and put through trouble, both times at which he called the God even if it was for scolding/complaining, God gave him what he wanted.

Sixth story

Subramaniyam (Sivakumar) and Deivanai (Jaya) are a couple who are devoted to the lord. At a visit to the temple, A rogue (S. A. Ashokan) first harasses Deivanai and tries to molest her after hurting Subramaniyam. However, Muruga comes in the form of his vahanas and saves them.

Cast

[edit]

Lead actors

Special appearance (actors)

Special appearances (singers)

Production

[edit]

K. R. Vijaya initially refused to act in the film since she did not want to continue her acting career after giving birth, but accepted after her husband advised her against quitting. The song "Thiruchendooril Poar Purindhu" was shot at Thiruchendur, in three hours time.[2] The film was shot at the six Abodes of Murugan while also capturing different festivals celebrated at those abodes.[3]

Soundtrack

[edit]

Music was by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan and lyrics were by Kannadasan.[4] The song "Maruthamalai Maamaniye" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Darbari Kanada.[5]

Songs Singer Length
"Maruthamalai Maamaniye" Madurai Somu 6:28
"Naadariyum 100 Malai Naan Ariven" Pithukuli Murugadas 4:12
"Varuvaandi Tharuvaandi Malayaandi" Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & M. R. Vijaya 4:27
"Thiruchendoorin Kadalorathil Senthilnaathan" T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan 4:59
"Kundarathile Kumarakukku Kondattam" Bangalore A. R. Ramani Ammal 2:28
"Thiruchendooril Poar Purindhu" Radha Jayalakshmi 5:05

Release and reception

[edit]

Deivam was released on 4 November 1972.[6][7] Kanthan of Kalki praised Thirumugam's direction and editing, along with Vaidyanathan's music.[8]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Deivam

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Deivam is a 1972 Indian Tamil-language devotional anthology film directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced by M. M. A. Chinnappa Devar under Dhandayuthapani Films. The film features an ensemble cast including Gemini Ganesan, K. R. Vijaya, Sowcar Janaki, A. V. M. Rajan, Srikanth, R. Muthuraman, and Nagesh, portraying various characters in interconnected stories. It consists of multiple episodes based on real-life accounts of miracles and divine interventions in the lives of devotees of Lord Murugan, the Hindu deity associated with war and victory. The soundtrack was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan, with lyrics by Kannadasan, emphasizing themes of faith and devotion. Released on November 4, 1972, Deivam exemplifies the devotional cinema popular in during the era, blending spirituality with dramatic storytelling to inspire audiences. The film's narrative structure highlights how unwavering belief in Lord Murugan leads to resolution of personal crises, drawing from purported true events to underscore the power of . Despite its anthology format, it maintains a cohesive message of religious fervor, contributing to the genre's tradition of promoting and traditions.

Synopsis and characters

Plot

Deivam is structured as a devotional , narrated by the revered Thirumuruga Kripananda Variyar, who frames the narrative around six interconnected stories depicting real-life miracles attributed to Lord Muruga, the Hindu deity of war and victory. These tales, drawn from devotees' experiences, underscore the power of unwavering faith in invoking divine intervention to overcome personal and communal hardships. The film's episodic format weaves these accounts together, emphasizing how Lord Muruga manifests in various forms to guide and protect the faithful, without relying on a single continuous plotline. The first story follows a notorious thief who infiltrates the Arulmigu Thirumurugan Thirukovil at Marudhamalai to steal the deity's sacred jewels. During the attempt, he mysteriously loses the use of his legs, prompting profound remorse and a vow of devotion to Lord Muruga. Upon repenting and thwarting a subsequent , he miraculously regains his mobility, symbolizing redemption through surrender to divine will. This narrative highlights the theme of transformation from to sanctity via encounters with the divine. In the second story, a devoted wife named Vellammal, abandoned by her husband, receives aid from a compassionate vendor and faces a devastating fire that threatens her life and her child's. Her husband, unaware of her plight, heroically rescues them, leading to a family reunion facilitated by a seemingly prankish yet divinely orchestrated phone call from the temple. The episode illustrates divine intervention in restoring familial bonds and providing succor in moments of despair. The third tale centers on a legal dispute involving temple funds between two friends, Kathirvelu and , who had signed a witnessed by a man named Shanmugam. When cheats Kathirvelu out of his share, the case reaches court, but Shanmugam—revealed to be an incarnation of Lord Muruga—returns from the presumed dead to testify, ensuring justice is served. This story emphasizes miraculous resolution of conflicts rooted in greed, reinforcing trust in divine oversight for righteous causes. Another story involves the devoted couple Arumugam and Valliyammai, where the husband abandons his wife, but divine intervention leads to their reunion, highlighting themes of familial restoration through faith. The fourth story depicts the couple Subramaniyam and Deivanai, who face danger when Deivanai is threatened by a molester; Lord Muruga intervenes in the forms of his sacred vahanas—peacock and —to protect her, affirming the deity's role as guardian. It portrays the protective power of devotion in everyday perils. While the film features six stories in total, detailed accounts of the remaining narratives are not widely documented in available sources. Across all stories, the anthology stresses core themes of faith as a catalyst for redemption, the assurance of divine protection amid adversity, and the transformative impact of devotion, portraying Lord Muruga as an accessible and compassionate guardian. Key protagonists in these tales are portrayed by prominent actors, including in several lead roles.

Cast

Deivam is an that employs an ensemble cast of leading actors to portray the diverse devotees and figures in its six devotional stories inspired by real-life miracles attributed to Lord Murugan. This approach allows for a variety of character archetypes, from skeptical individuals transformed by faith to faithful spouses enduring trials, emphasizing themes of devotion across different social strata. The principal cast includes:
  • Gemini Ganesan as Arumugam, the husband who abandons his but whose story involves familial reunion through divine intervention in one segment. He takes on multiple lead roles across the stories, representing key male protagonists in the narratives.
  • K. R. Vijaya as Valliyammai, Arumugam's devoted facing abandonment and hardship, exemplifying the female leads who embody unwavering .
  • R. Muthuraman as Mani, a supporting character in a segment highlighting friendship and divine justice.
  • A. V. M. Rajan as Kadhirvelu, a cheated friend who receives aid from a divine figure disguised as an ordinary witness.
  • Sowcar Janaki as Vellammal, a lone abandoned by her husband and miraculously saved from peril, portraying another central female devotee.
  • Srikanth in a supporting role as a devotee navigating trials of in one of the anthology's tales.
  • Sivakumar as Subramaniyam, a devoted husband whose is protected from harm through Murugan's intervention.
  • Jaya as Deivanai, Subramaniyam's , who faces molestation but is rescued divinely, underscoring spousal devotion.
  • Nagesh as the banana vendor providing comic relief while aiding Vellammal in her time of need.
  • Thengai Srinivasan as Shanmugam, a witness who turns out to be the divine of Muruga, assisting the wronged Kadhirvelu.
  • Major Sundarrajan as the reforming thief who attempts to steal temple jewels, loses the use of his legs as punishment, but regains them upon becoming a devotee.
This casting choice underscores the film's exploration of multifaceted devotion, with actors' performances tying into the miraculous resolutions of each story's conflicts.

Production

Development

Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar, a prominent Tamil and ardent devotee of Lord Muruga, conceived Deivam as a devotional project to propagate worship of the deity and highlight miracles associated with his temples, such as Marudhamalai. Thevar's lifelong commitment to Murugan , evidenced by his contributions to temple like roads and electrification at sites including , , and Marudhamalai, directly inspired the film's thematic focus. Thevar selected his younger brother, , to direct and edit Deivam, drawing on Thirumugam's established expertise in the industry. Thirumugam had honed his skills as an editor on mythological and fantasy films, including the 1951 production , a tale of adventure and supernatural elements produced by Jupiter Pictures. His prior directorial work for Thevar's banner, such as Utthami Petra Rathinam (1960), further solidified his suitability for handling the film's devotional narrative. The script structured Deivam as an anthology comprising six interconnected stories drawn from real-life experiences of Lord Muruga's devotees, emphasizing themes of faith and divine intervention. These tales were framed and narrated by the revered spiritual leader Thirumuruga Kripananda Variyar, whose presence lent authenticity and elevated the film's religious tone. Thevar wrote the screenplay himself under his production banner, Dhandayuthapani Films, ensuring alignment with his vision of promoting Muruga devotion through cinema.

Filming

Principal photography for Deivam took place at the six sacred abodes of Muruga, known as the Arupadai Veedu, across , to capture the authentic essence of the film's devotional narratives. These locations, including Thiruchendur and , provided a sacred backdrop that immersed the production in the spiritual atmosphere central to the stories of divine intervention. The choice of these sites not only lent visual authenticity but also enhanced the plot's exploration of faith and miracles through real-world temple settings. Post-shoot, director handled the editing to weave the segments into a cohesive , ensuring smooth transitions between the miracle-driven vignettes while preserving the emotional and spiritual flow. The final cut resulted in a runtime of 137 minutes, balancing the format's diversity with a unified devotional message. Given the 1972 production era, the film relied on practical effects for depicting miracles, such as on-location staging and simple mechanical illusions, eschewing any modern technology.

Soundtrack

Track listing

The soundtrack of Deivam consists of five devotional songs composed by , with lyrics penned by , emphasizing traditions in . These songs are integrated into the film's anthology structure, each tied to specific story segments, such as one highlighting a thief's reformation through divine intervention.
No.TitleSinger(s)Duration
1Maruthamalai MaamaniyeMadurai Somasundaram6:51
2Nadariyum Noorumalai Naan Ariven SaamimalaiPithukuli Murugadas4:08
3Thiruchendoorin Kadalorathil Senthilnaathan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan4:59
4Thiruchenduril Poar PurindhuRadha Jayalakshmi3:43
5Kundarathile Kumarakukku KondattamBangalore Ramaniyammal2:29

Composition and recording

The for Deivam was composed by , a renowned Carnatic violinist whose approach drew heavily from classical traditions to create devotional melodies suited to the film's anthology of miracles attributed to Lord Muruga. Vaidyanathan incorporated Carnatic ragas into the songs, notably employing for "Maruthamalai Maamaniye," which lent an evocative, reverent tone to the piece. Vaidyanathan collaborated closely with lyricist , whose verses centered on Muruga-centric devotion, emphasizing themes of faith and divine intervention while steering clear of secular motifs to align with the film's spiritual narrative. This partnership resulted in songs that reinforced the devotional essence, such as "Maruthamalai Maamaniye," where Kannadasan's directly appealed to the deity's benevolence.

Release

Theatrical release

Deivam was theatrically released on 4 November 1972 in theaters across . The film, produced under Films, received a U certificate from the and has a runtime of 139 minutes. Its release timing aligned with the festival season and associated temple celebrations, capitalizing on the devotional appeal of its Muruga-centric stories to engage audiences. Promotional efforts emphasized this thematic connection to attract devotees during the festive period. Initial screenings occurred in key urban centers such as and , facilitating broad accessibility in the region.

Home video

Following its theatrical run, Deivam became available on formats starting with releases in the 1980s, distributed by regional companies targeting devotional film enthusiasts in Tamil-speaking markets. A DVD edition was re-released in the 2000s, offering improved accessibility for collectors of classic . In 2024, the full film was uploaded to by LMM Cinemas, enabling free digital streaming and broadening its reach to global audiences. As of 2025, it is also available for streaming on Select. No official Blu-ray version has been produced, though copies remain obtainable via secondhand markets and Tamil classic archives, which house deteriorating prints of early 1970s titles. Preservation initiatives for Tamil devotional films like Deivam have gained attention amid broader efforts to combat the archival degradation affecting much of the industry's pre-1980s output, including nitrate-based negatives prone to chemical decay. This progression of home media formats has sustained the film's devotional themes for subsequent generations.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Contemporary reviews of Deivam are scarce due to the era's limited documentation. In modern retrospectives, Deivam holds a 9.5/10 rating on The Movie Database based on one user vote, underscoring its enduring appeal to niche viewers who value its timeless exploration of faith and spiritual upliftment.

Commercial performance

No exact box office figures are available for Deivam, a common occurrence for many Tamil releases from that era. It was produced under Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar's Dhandayuthapani Films banner, aligning with the track record of his other productions that achieved steady profitability through targeted appeal. Devotional films like Deivam were popular in during festival seasons such as Thai Poosam, which celebrate Lord Murugan.

Cultural impact

Deivam played a role in promoting the worship of Lord Muruga by presenting an anthology of stories inspired by real-life miracles and blessings to devotees, thereby reinforcing traditions in . Produced by the devout filmmaker M.M.A. Chinnappa Thevar, who contributed extensively to Murugan temples such as those at , , and Marudhamalai through infrastructure like roads and electricity lines, the film aligned with his oeuvre of devotional cinema that emphasized spiritual narratives. Narrated by the revered preacher Thirumuruga Kripananda Variyar, Deivam spotlighted sacred sites like the Marudhamalai temple, fostering a connection between cinema and religious practice. Songs from Deivam, such as "Maruthamalai Maamaniye" rendered by Madurai Somu, continue to hold relevance in religious festivals and temple rituals across , where they are performed during poojas and celebrations dedicated to Lord Muruga, sustaining the film's devotional legacy. These musical pieces, rooted in Carnatic traditions, have become staples in worship practices, evoking the deity's grace and reinforcing community bonds through shared spiritual expression. As a preserved classic of Tamil mythological cinema, Deivam contributes to the archival efforts safeguarding early devotional films, with its availability on digital platforms such as as of ensuring accessibility for new generations interested in the evolution of faith-themed storytelling in Indian cinema. Its status as an enduring underscores the lasting impact of Chinnappa Thevar's vision in blending artistry with .

References

  1. https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/movies/deivam.html
  2. https://letterboxd.com/film/deivam/
  3. https://www.justdial.com/streaming/watch-movies-online/Deivam/1532628016495
  4. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/262366-deivam
  5. https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Deivam/0GI27EJ91W1LL3T5YPTC1D8SB1
  6. https://www.news18.com/movies/as-deivam-completes-51-years-heres-what-tamil-devotional-anthology-was-about-8652285.html
  7. https://www.venpura.com/movie/Deivam-1972
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9SGeOu3avQ
  9. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/deivam/cast-and-crew
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5759896/
  11. https://www.allmovie.com/movie/dheivam-am247264/cast-crew
  12. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/mma-chinnappa-devar-coimbatore-dream-merchant-who-turned-out-nearly-60-films/article67415529.ece
  13. https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/utthami-petra-rathinam-1960/article6275448.ece
  14. https://indiaglitz.com/mgr-marmayogi-tamil-cinema-action-film-historical-drama-tamil-news-361763
  15. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/deivam
  16. https://music.apple.com/us/album/dheivam-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1396414788
  17. https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/the-incomparable-genius-of-madurai-somu/article28376662.ece
  18. https://www.angelfire.com/biz/columbiafilms/
  19. https://macsendisk.com/product/deivam-tamil-movie-dvd-3/
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b87ND2dhZ9I
  21. https://www.justwatch.com/in/movie/deivam
  22. https://bpasjournals.com/library-science/index.php/journal/article/download/228/2575/5732
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc7T6TdXgKs
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