Aalayam (film)

Aalayam (transl. Temple) is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by the duo Thirumalai–Mahalingam and written by A. Bhimsingh. Based on the play Nenje Nee Vaazhga, it stars Major Sundarrajan, with Nagesh, Srikanth and V. K. Ramasamy playing supporting roles.

Aalayam
Poster
Directed byThirumalai–Mahalingam
Screenplay byA. Bhimsingh
Based onNenje Nee Vaazhga
by Pilahari
StarringMajor Sundarrajan
Nagesh
Srikanth
V. K. Ramasamy
CinematographyG. Vittalrao
Edited byA. Pauldurai Singam
Music byT. K. Ramamoorthy
Production
company
Sunbeam
Distributed bySri Venkateswara Cinetone
Release date
  • 11 August 1967 (1967-08-11)
Running time
169 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

The film happens in one day, largely in an office and revolves around the theme of human values of honesty and integrity. The soundtrack was composed by T. K. Ramamoorthy. The film's cinematography was handled by Vittalrao, while A. Pauldurai Singam handled the editing. The film was released on 11 August 1967. It was critically acclaimed, and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.

Plot

Ramalingam is an honest, principled man, working as a clerk in a company. He values integrity and discipline as the doctrines of daily life. But his honesty is put to test when his son-in-law Raghu comes to him with a big problem. Raghu has misplaced some money in the bank in which he works, and he requests Ramalingam to give him money so that he could make good the loss. Ramalingam expresses his inability to raise such an amount at short notice. At that instant, a businessman approaches Ramalingam with a bribe of Rs. 5000 to get his work done. Ramalingam sends him away in a rage. His daughter Kamala and wife keep pressuring him to help Raghu. The inner conflicts that torture Ramalingam in that single day and the final decision that he takes form rest of the film.

Cast

Production

Aalayam was an adaptation of the stage play Nenje Nee Vaazhga, written by S. Raman, who wrote under the pseudonym Pilahari.[2][3] Major Sundarrajan played the role of a poor Brahmin clerk, a departure from the roles he was previously known for: zamindars or wealthy, assertive men.[4] Gopu who did the character of typist in the play repeated his character in the film and went on to be known as Typist Gopu.[5] The film's editing was by A. Paulduraisingam, cinematography by G. Vittal Rao and H. Shantaram handled art direction. The final length of the film was 3,880 metres (12,730 ft).[6]

Music

The soundtrack was composed by T. K. Ramamoorthy.

No.SongSingersLyrics
1"Koyil Enbathum Aalayame"T. M. SoundararajanKannadasan
2"Paasam Thudithathamma"
3"Sivanai Thedi Bhakthargal Ponar"

Release and reception

Aalayam was released on 11 August 1967.[6] Kalki appreciated the film for Thirumalai–Mahalingam's direction, and absence of Tamil cinema clichés like duets.[7] It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil,[8] and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film – Second Prize.[6]

References
  1. Cowie & Elley 1977, p. 253.
  2. Guy, Randor (9 August 2017). "Aalayam (1967)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  3. "Daaham 1965". The Hindu. 11 March 2013. Archived from the original on 1 December 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  4. Krishnamachari, Suganthy (27 August 2015). "Made a 'Major' impact". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  5. Rangarajan, Malathi (30 April 2004). "The 'Typist' is a contented man". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 November 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  6. "1967–ஆலயம் –சன்பீம்" [1967-Aalayam –Sunbeam]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  7. "ஆலயம்". Kalki (in Tamil). 27 August 1967. p. 31. Archived from the original on 31 July 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  8. "National Awards for Films-1967" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. 25 November 1968. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2015.

Bibliography
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