Vivasayi (/ˈvɪvəs.i/ transl. Farmer) is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and K. R. Vijaya, with M. N. Nambiar, S. A. Ashokan, Nagesh and Manorama in supporting roles. It was released on 1 November 1967, during Diwali.

Vivasayi
Theatrical release poster
Directed byM. A. Thirumugam
Story bySandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar
Produced bySandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar
Starring
CinematographyN. S. Varma
Edited byM. A. Thirumugam
M. G. Balu Rao
Music byK. V. Mahadevan
Production
company
Distributed bySenthil Movies
Release date
  • 1 November 1967 (1967-11-01)
Running time
155 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

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Muthaiya, a young agronomist and a farmer, full of ingenuity, a high integrity, a worker and a pride of his parents, the rich big landowner, Pannaiyar Duraiswamy and of his wife, the devoted Sivagami, revolutionise the exploitation of his father, by applying new methods of sowing. He so hopes to multiply tenfold the yield for humanitarian purposes and not necessarily for profit. Because one day, he takes the defence of unfortunate farmers despoiled of their ground, by his neighbour, another big farmer, Pannaiyar Velupandhiyan, an unscrupulous man, Muthaiya incurs the wrath of this very vindictive character. The situation complicates when the attractive Vijaya falls in love with the beautiful Muthaiya. Indeed, she is to be the sister-in-law of Velupandhiyan. And that the latter desired her ardently under the nose of his wife, the devoted believer Kaveri. To see her taking off from between his fingers, makes him particularly dangerous and obnoxious with his wife, Kaveri. Now, Muthaiya is even more in danger, Velupandhiyan wants to kill him.

Cast

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Production

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After M. G. Ramachandran was shot in the throat by M. R. Radha on 12 January 1967, and was recovering in the hospital, Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar visited him there and paid the advance for Vivasayi.[1] The title song was filmed at the fields of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.[2]

Soundtrack

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The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan.[3][4] The song "Ippadithaan Irukka Venum" stipulates how women should behave through its lyrics like "uduppugalai iduppu theriya maatakoodadhu" and "udhattu melay sivapu saayam poosa koodadhu".[5]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Nalla Nalla Nilam Parthu"Udumalai Narayana KaviT. M. Soundararajan3:39
2."Ennama Singara"A. MaruthakasiT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela3:34
3."Ippadithan Irukka Venum"Udumalai Narayana KaviT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela3:41
4."Kadavul Ennum"A. MaruthakasiT. M. Soundararajan3:45
5."Yevaradithum"Udumalai Narayana KaviP. Susheela3:21
6."Kadhal Enthan"Udumalai Narayana KaviT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela3:45
7."Vivasayi"A. MaruthakasiT. M. Soundararajan4:22
Total length:24.77

Release and reception

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Vivasayi was released on 1 November 1967, Diwali day,[6][7] and distributed by Senthil Movies.[8] The Indian Express wrote, "The film is conspicuous for its lack of living with reality—though pretending to be one."[9] Kalki said there was nothing to say about the film's story or cast performances.[10]

References

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  1. ^ சுவாமிநாதன், ஸ்ரீதர் (2 March 2016). "எம்ஜிஆர் 100 | 12 - நட்புக்கு எம்.ஜி.ஆர் கொடுத்த மரியாதை!". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  2. ^ Jeshi, K. (31 August 2021). "Why MGR loved Coimbatore". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Vivasayee (1967)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  4. ^ "Vivasayi Tamil Film EP Vinyl Record by MS Viswanathan". Macsendisk. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  5. ^ Srinivasan, Sudhir (18 December 2015). "What's the big deal with Simbu's 'Beep song'?". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Vivasaayee". The Indian Express. 1 November 1967. p. 3. Retrieved 17 February 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  7. ^ "Table: Chronological List of MGR's Movies released between 1960 and 1967" (PDF). Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  8. ^ "Vivasayi". The Indian Express. 26 October 1967. p. 3. Retrieved 18 December 2022 – via Google News Archive.
  9. ^ "Vivasayi—film with lots of MGR". The Indian Express. 12 November 1967. p. 3. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  10. ^ "விவசாயி". Kalki (in Tamil). 19 November 1967. p. 15. Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
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