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Pithamagan
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| Pithamagan | |
|---|---|
![]() Film poster | |
| Directed by | Bala |
| Written by | Bala |
| Produced by | V. A. Durai |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Balasubrahmannyam |
| Edited by | Suresh Urs |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 158 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Pithamagan (transl. Son of Ancestors) is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language action crime drama film written and directed by Bala. The film stars Vikram, Suriya, Laila and Sangeetha, with Karunaas, Manobala and Mahadevan in supporting roles. In the film, a man raised in a graveyard with no understanding of the world forms a bond with a con artist.
Pithamagan was released on 24 October 2003. The film became a success and Vikram won numerous accolades for his performance, including the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. It was remade in Kannada as Anatharu (2007).
Plot
[edit]An anonymous woman dies while giving birth in a graveyard. Her child, Chithan, is found and raised by the caretaker of the graveyard. Chithan grows up among corpses with minimal human contact and is seemingly autistic. He growls, runs like a beast, but seems to understand loyalty and is a social animal. He ventures into a town in search of food and gets into trouble as he does not understand the concept of money. He is rescued by Gomathi, a petty marijuana dealer. She sees his ability to be loyal and enrolls him into the service of her employer Sekar Vasudevan, a large scale marijuana grower. Chithan is caught during a drug raid and arrested.
Sakthi is a con artist. He gets into trouble when he cons a woman named Manju into losing all her personal effects in a game of dice. Sakthi gets sent to jail thanks to Manju's detective work. He meets Chithan in prison and starts protecting him out of sympathy and pity. Chithan starts to reciprocate to Sakthi's kindness with blind loyalty.
Sakthi serves his term and then clashes with Sekar to get Chithan released from jail. Chithan gets out but commits a crime when he obeys his master's instruction to burn the body of a murder victim. Sakthi, realising that Chithan is being used as accessory in crimes that he cannot comprehend, prevents Chithan from going back to working in the marijuana fields. At the same time, a budding romance starts between Sakthi and Manju, and Chithan too starts to see a shared spirit in Gomathi.
The police catches wind of the murder and arrests Chithan. Sakthi gets Chithan to side with the police as an informant. Sekar later attacks and kills Sakthi and dumps his body in the middle of the road. Chithan does not understand that Sakthi is dead and zones out when everyone surrounds him. While Gomathi, Manju, and the others are crying, Gomathi sees Chithan's confusion as indifference and angrily drives him away from Sakthi's body.
Chithan slowly starts to understand that Sakthi is dead as he sees him on the funeral pyre. His realisation is complete when he wakes up in the morning next to the burnt remains of Sakthi's corpse. He experiences emotions that he has never experienced before: fury, agony, betrayal, and pain that he has never felt, and decides to take revenge on Sekar.
Chithan sets fire to the marijuana fields, lets Sekar experience the pain of his loss, and then sets upon destroying him physically. He drives him through the street, taking his time by breaking a few bones at a time until he is done toying with him. He then kills Sekar by biting his neck, and with nothing left to lose, leaves the village.
Cast
[edit]- Opening credits[1]
- Vikram as Chithan
- Suriya as Sakthivel alias Sakthi
- Laila as Manju
- Sangeetha as Gomathi
- Karunaas as Karuvaayan
- Manobala as Sakthi's uncle
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Production
[edit]After Nandhaa (2001), Bala announced his next project Pithamagan with Vikram and Suriya, the main lead actors of his previous films who received popularity after struggle. For Gomathy's role, Bala selected Rasika P. Mani after considering Vijayashanti, Malavika and Gayatri Jayaraman and also changed her name back to Sangeetha.[3] Mahadevan and Ganja Karuppu (credited as Sivagangai Karuppu) made their Tamil debut with this film.[a] Most of the film was shot in Theni district.[4]
Music
[edit]The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[5][6] The song "Piraiye Piraiye" is set in Pantuvarali raga.[7] R. Rangaraj of Chennai Online wrote, "The maestro has not failed his fans. Although the music is not of the racy, peppy variety, it is bound to do well due to the different approach in terms of mood and tone. It is not often that one has to compose songs to be shot on a Vettiyan. Like a Phoenix rishing from the ashes, Ilayaraja too rises to the occasion".[8]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Adadaa Aghangaara Arakka Kaigalil" | Mu. Metha | K. J. Yesudas | 04:38 |
| 2. | "Aruna Runaam" | 06:39 | ||
| 3. | "Elangaathu Veesudhey" | Palani Bharathi | Sriram Parthasarathy, Shreya Ghoshal | 06:10 |
| 4. | "Elangaathu Veesudhey" (solo) | Palani Bharathi | Sriram Parthasarathy | 06:10 |
| 5. | "Kodi Yethi Vaippom" | Na. Muthukumar | Bhavatharini, Shanmugasundari, Periya Karuppa Thevar, Harish Raghavendra | 04:08 |
| 6. | "Piraiye Piraiye" | Vaali | Madhu Balakrishnan | 04:41 |
| 7. | "Yaaradhu Yaaradhu" | Na. Muthukumar | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| Total length: | 32:26 | |||
Release
[edit]Pithamagan was released on 24 October 2003, coinciding with Diwali. The film released alongside Vijay's Thirumalai, Ajith's Anjaneya and Arjun's Ottran.[9]
Critical reception
[edit]The film received critical acclaim with praise for the story, direction, screenplay and performances of Vikram, Surya, Laila and Sangeetha. Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu praised Vikram as "Without any dialogue to support him he carves a niche for himself in the viewer's mind with his expressions and excellent body language" and Suriya as "Who would have thought that this young man, pitted against the serious Chithan, would prove so perfect a foil?" going on to declare the movie as "..a symphony on celluloid".[10] A reviewer at Sify noted, "..it is the expert performance of the lead actors that elevate the film above the commonplace".[11]
Film critic Baradwaj Rangan remarked, "Bala's ingeniousness is evident everywhere .... And he gets tremendous support from his leads...It all adds up to a first-rate film that excoriates as much as it entertains".[12] Malini Mannath wrote in Chennai Online, "It's an off-beat, sensitive and a serious film, which may lack in commercial ingredients but which a discerning viewer will find a welcome change".[13] Visual Dasan of Kalki praised the performances of lead actors, Bala's direction, also praising Balasubramaniam's cinematography and Ilaiyaraaja's music for working equally hard with director and concluded Pithamagan is not Vikram and Surya film, it is Bala's unique work.[14]
Accolades
[edit]| Award | Date of ceremony[b] | Category | Nominee(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Film Awards | 2 February 2005 | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Vikram | [15] |
| Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | c. 2006 | Best Actor | Vikram | [16] |
| Best Actress | Laila | |||
| Best Character Artiste (Female) | Sangeetha | |||
| Filmfare Awards South | 12 June 2004 | Best Film – Tamil | Pithamagan | [17] [18] |
| Best Director – Tamil | Bala | |||
| Best Actor – Tamil | Vikram | |||
| Best Actress – Tamil | Laila | |||
| Best Supporting Actor – Tamil | Suriya | |||
| Best Supporting Actress – Tamil | Sangeetha | |||
| CineMAA Awards | 5 November 2004 | South India's Best Actor | Vikram | [19] |
Other versions
[edit]Pithamagan was dubbed into Telugu and released as Siva Putrudu (transl. The son of Shiva) on 2 April 2004.[20] The film was remade in Kannada as Anatharu (2007), with Mahedevan reprising his role.[21][22] In October 2011, it was reported that Satish Kaushik bought the Hindi remake rights of the film.[23] Later, it was reported that he wanted Salman Khan to reprise Vikram's role. However the project failed to materialise.[24][25]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Pithamagan (motion picture) (in Tamil). Evergreen Movie International. 2003 – via Sun NXT.
- ^ "Suriya: Tamil stars play themselves on screen". The Times of India. 13 August 2013. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ Rasika (4 December 2003). "Sangita on a high". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 24 December 2003. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ Mannath, Malini (29 August 2003). "Director Bala on 'Pithamagan'". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 31 October 2003. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ "Pithamagan (2003)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ "Pithamagan Tamil Audio CD". VintageAV.shop. Archived from the original on 18 March 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ Mani, Charulatha (30 September 2011). "A Raga's Journey — Poignant Pantuvarali". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
- ^ Rangaraj, R (26 October 2003). "Ilayaraja scores with 'Pithamagan'". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 14 February 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ Ashok Kumar, S. R. (24 October 2003). "Variety fare for Deepavali". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 November 2003. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (31 October 2003). "Pithamagan". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 November 2003. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
- ^ "Pitamagan". Sify. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ Rangan, Baradwaj (8 November 2003). "Review: Pithamagan". Baradwaj Rangan. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
- ^ Mannath, Malini (1 November 2003). "Pithamagan". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 12 December 2003. Retrieved 3 June 2002.
- ^ தாசன், விஷுவல் (9 November 2003). "பிதாமகன்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 64. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "51st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ "Tamilnadu State Film Awards – awards for Vikram, Jyotika". Cinesouth. 13 February 2006. Archived from the original on 18 February 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "Pithamagan sweeps FilmFare Awards". IndiaGlitz. 5 June 2004. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2002.
- ^ "51st Annual Manikchand Filmfare Award winners". The Times of India. 4 June 2004. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ^ "Telugu CineMaa Awards 2003". Idlebrain.com. 5 November 2004. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
- ^ Jeevi. "Siva Putrudu". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
- ^ "Anatharu (Kannada)". The Times of India. 15 September 2007. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ Vijayasarathy, R G (14 September 2007). "Upendra shines in Anaatharu". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Pithamagan is B-town bound". The Times of India. 11 October 2011. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
- ^ "Satish Kaushik wants Salman for 'Pithamagan' Hindi remake". Mid-Day. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ "Suriya-Vikram's Tamil film 'Pithamagan' to be remade in Hindi". The News Minute. 21 February 2019. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
External links
[edit]Pithamagan
View on GrokipediaSynopsis and Characters
Plot
The film opens with the birth of Chithan in a remote cremation ground, where his mother dies shortly after delivery, leaving the infant to be raised by the elderly caretaker of the site.[10] Growing up in complete isolation amid the dead, Chithan develops feral instincts, communicating through grunts and growls rather than speech, and exhibiting unwavering loyalty once a bond forms, while remaining oblivious to societal norms and human emotions. His existence revolves around assisting with funeral rites, embodying profound themes of isolation and primal survival in a rural, death-haunted world.[11] As an adult, Chithan ventures out in search of food, gets into trouble with locals as he does not understand the concept of money, drawing the attention of Gomathi, a compassionate petty cannabis dealer.[1] Gomathi intervenes, offering him shelter and employment at a cannabis farm run by a ruthless producer, marking Chithan's first exposure to communal living and rudimentary human connections.[10] This rural simplicity begins to clash with emerging criminal elements, as the farm serves as a front for illegal drug operations, pulling Chithan into the underworld.[4] A police raid leads to Chithan's arrest and imprisonment, where he encounters Sakthi, a charismatic conman serving time for swindling.[1] Despite initial wariness, a deep bond forms between the two: Sakthi, recognizing Chithan's innocence and strength, becomes his protector and guide, teaching him basic social cues and fostering a brotherly loyalty that transforms Chithan's stony demeanor.[10] Vikram's portrayal of Chithan captures this quiet, animalistic evolution with raw intensity. Upon release, Sakthi attempts to shield Chithan from further crime, but circumstances draw them into a ragtag group of outcasts, including Sakthi's romantic interest Manju, escalating their involvement in the drug trade and rival gang conflicts. Central tensions arise from Chithan's shift from feral innocence to impulsive violence, triggered by betrayals within the group and rivalries with the farm's domineering leader, while Sakthi's cunning navigates the perils of their urban-tinged criminal life.[11] Interpersonal dynamics intensify through Sakthi's budding romance with Manju, a resilient woman entangled in the underworld, and Chithan's subtle attachment to Gomathi, highlighting contrasts between loyalty and deception.[10] The narrative weaves themes of primal instincts clashing with moral complexities, as the protagonists' rural roots collide with the brutal realities of crime, underscoring the fragility of newfound humanity amid escalating dangers.Cast
The ensemble cast of Pithamagan features prominent Tamil cinema actors in roles that emphasize the film's exploration of outcasts and criminal underbelly, contributing to its raw, realistic tone. Vikram leads as Chithan, a feral young man raised in isolation among the dead, whose lack of social norms drives much of the narrative's emotional core. Suriya portrays Sakthivel (Sakthi), a hardened smuggler who draws Chithan into a world of crime and camaraderie, serving as the story's anchor for themes of loyalty and transformation. Laila plays Manju, Sakthi's devoted partner, adding layers of tenderness amid the violence, while Sangeetha embodies Gomathi, a resilient figure in the smuggling operations who highlights the perils faced by those on the fringes.[12][13]| Actor | Role | Character Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Vikram | Chithan | Feral outcast raised in a graveyard, symbolizing untamed human instinct and emotional awakening. |
| Suriya | Sakthivel (Sakthi) | Ruthless yet protective gangster who mentors Chithan, representing the pull of brotherhood in a lawless life. |
| Laila | Manju | Sakthi's love interest, providing emotional grounding and vulnerability in the male-dominated criminal world. |
| Sangeetha | Gomathi | Associate in the drug trade, underscoring the shared hardships and moral ambiguities of the ensemble. |
| Karunas | Karuvayan | Comic sidekick in the gang, offering levity while illustrating group dynamics among small-time crooks. |
| Manobala | Sakthi's uncle | Elder family figure, briefly tying Sakthi's backstory to themes of inheritance and fate. |
| Mahadevan | Drug lord | Antagonist in the smuggling ring, embodying the ruthless hierarchy that threatens the protagonists. |
| Simran | Special appearance | Brief role enhancing a key emotional sequence, amplifying the film's intimate relationships.[12][13][14] |
Production
Development
Following the success of his directorial debut Sethu (1999) and second film Nandha (2001), which both received critical acclaim for their raw portrayal of marginalized lives, Bala conceived Pithamagan as his next project. He adapted the script from the short story Nandhavanathil Oru Aandi by Tamil writer Jayakanthan, delving into themes of primal human instincts and the blurred lines between civilization and savagery.[16] This vision shaped the film's unique style, emphasizing authenticity over commercial elements, with Bala aiming to create a narrative that challenged conventional storytelling in Tamil cinema. The casting process highlighted Bala's determination to reunite with actors who could embody complex, unconventional roles. Vikram, who had starred in Sethu, was cast in the lead as Chithan, a feral man raised among the dead, agreeing to the physically and emotionally demanding dual-shade performance that required minimal dialogue and animalistic mannerisms. Suriya, fresh from his acclaimed turn in Nandha, was selected for the contrasting role of Sakthi, a cunning con artist, after Bala's persistent insistence overcame the actor's initial hesitations about the project's intensity. To complement the film's gritty emotional core, Bala approached veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja for the music, whose involvement was crucial in enhancing the raw, folk-infused tone without relying on typical melodic structures. Produced by V. A. Durai under Evergreen Movie International, Pithamagan was mounted on a budget of approximately ₹13 crore, reflecting the era's modest scale for non-star-driven dramas.[17] Key creative decisions included prioritizing natural locations in remote rural areas, which posed logistical challenges in securing permissions and logistics, and committing to natural light cinematography to capture the unfiltered essence of the story's world. These choices underscored Bala's auteur approach, focusing on realism to amplify the script's exploration of human-animal boundaries.Filming
Principal photography for Pithamagan took place over approximately six months between late 2002 and early 2003, with the production team focusing on authentic locations to capture the film's raw, rustic essence. The majority of the shooting occurred in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu, where the crew utilized real cremation grounds and nearby forests for the story's central settings, minimizing constructed sets to heighten realism. Urban sequences providing contrast were filmed in Chennai, while a key portion involving a train journey was shot over 10 consecutive days aboard an actual train, as recalled by actress Laila.[18] The outdoor shoots presented logistical challenges, including unpredictable weather in the forested and rural areas of Theni, which delayed schedules and required adaptive planning. For scenes portraying the feral behavior of Chithan (played by Vikram), the team collaborated with animal handlers to ensure safe and realistic execution of the character's wild interactions. Vikram prepared rigorously for the role through intense physical training to achieve a rugged physique and by immersing himself in isolation, drawing from observations of graveyard workers to authentically convey the character's reclusive nature. Cinematographer Balasubramaniem employed handheld cameras to film the film's chaotic and violent sequences, creating a sense of immediacy and intensity that aligned with the narrative's primal tone. The production avoided extensive visual effects, opting instead for practical methods in depicting the violence, which contributed to the film's grounded, visceral impact.[19]Music
Composition
Ilaiyaraaja composed the music for Pithamagan, as director Bala has long admired the composer's work and collaborated with him on multiple projects.[20] Ilaiyaraaja's background score enhanced the film's emotional narrative.[21] The composition process culminated in recordings during 2003, employing a live orchestra to capture the organic depth of the arrangements, as captured in a contemporaneous Sun TV segment where Ilaiyaraaja fine-tuned elements on-site.[22] Bala contributed specific guidance on tempo adjustments to synchronize the music with the film's deliberate pacing, prioritizing melodic lines over rhythmic drive to heighten the pervasive melancholy. The overall output features five principal songs integrated with an extensive background score, designed to immerse audiences in the story's somber atmosphere. The background score stands out as predominantly instrumental, incorporating rustic Tamil instruments such as the nadaswaram and veena—particularly in sequences set amid graveyard motifs—to evoke a haunting, primal resonance.[23] Ilaiyaraaja innovatively employed periods of silence alongside ambient natural sounds, fostering tension and underscoring moments of emotional isolation without overt orchestration. This approach not only supported the production's vision of unpolished realism but also elevated the auditory landscape to parallel the film's exploration of human fragility.Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Pithamagan features five songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja, blending folk, romantic, and rustic elements to underscore the film's themes of rural life, love, and loss. The lyrics were penned by Vairamuthu, Na. Muthukumar, Palani Bharathi, and Mu. Metha, with each track serving a specific narrative purpose in enhancing emotional depth without overpowering the story. Released in 2003 by Ayngaran International, the album was launched prior to the film's theatrical debut and quickly gained popularity for its authentic Tamil folk influences and Ilaiyaraaja's signature melodic orchestration.[24] The track listing includes the following songs, each contributing to key moments in the narrative:| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Lyricist | Duration | Narrative Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adadaa Aghangaara Arakka Kaigalil | K. J. Yesudas | Mu. Metha | 4:51 | An upbeat folk romance track that captures the vibrant rural celebrations and community bonds early in the story.[24] |
| 2 | Elangaathu Veesudhey | Sriram Parthasarathy, Shreya Ghoshal | Palani Bharathi | 6:06 | A melancholic duet evoking tender romance, played during the protagonist Chittan's evolving relationship with Manju.[24] |
| 3 | Aruna Runam | Ilaiyaraaja (with ensemble vocals) | Various (medley) | 6:39 | A haunting instrumental-vocal piece serving as the title track, blending traditional tunes to reflect themes of ancestry and melancholy.[24] |
| 4 | Oru Naal Podum | Tippu, Ilaiyaraaja | Vairamuthu | 5:18 | An upbeat rural anthem highlighting camaraderie and fleeting joys among the characters' daily struggles.[24] |
| 5 | Piraiye Piraiye | Madhu Balakrishnan | Na. Muthukumar | 5:27 | An emotional ballad conveying deep longing and sorrow, underscoring moments of personal reflection and grief.[24] |

