Bharathi is a 2000 Indian Tamil-language biographical film based on the life of Subramania Bharati starring Sayaji Shinde, Devayani and Nizhalgal Ravi. The film was directed by Gnana Rajasekaran[2] and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for the year 2000.
| Bharathi | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Gnana Rajasekaran |
| Written by | Gnana Rajasekaran |
| Produced by | Sujatha M. Varadaraja K. Maniprasad |
| Starring | Sayaji Shinde Devayani Nizhalgal Ravi Ramesh Kumar |
| Cinematography | Thangar Bachan |
| Edited by | B. Lenin V. T. Vijayan |
| Music by | Ilayaraja |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Media Dreams |
Release date |
|
Running time | 149 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
| Budget | ₹1.5 crores[1] |
Plot
editIt is a biographical film based on the life of Tamil poet Subramania Bharati.
Cast
edit- Sayaji Shinde as Subramania Bharathi
- Pushpak Ramesh as young Subramania Bharathi
- Devayani as Chellamal
- Ramesh Kumar as Subramania Bharathi's friend
- Nizhalgal Ravi as S. P. Y. Surendranath Arya
- T. P. Gajendran as Kuvalai kannan
- Srikanth
- Junior Balaiah
- Delhi Kumar
- Balu Anand
- Bala Singh
- Kumar Natarajan
- Amarasigamani
- Ganesh Babu as Bharathi's son-in-law[3]
Production
editDuring his days as a district collector, Gnana Rajasekaran was invited as guest for an event where a student suggested him to make a film on poet Subramania Bharati which created a spark in him and went to Coimbatore and read books about him.[1] The director wanted to cast Kamal Haasan in the lead role, but the film's budget did not allow it. So he chose Marathi actor Sayaji Shinde, who made his debut in Tamil cinema.[4][5] The dubbing voice for Shinde was given by actor Rajeev.[6]
The female lead role was initially offered to actress Suvalakshmi, whose refusal prompted the team to sign on Devayani.[7] The filming was held at locations like Kadaya, Ettayapuram, Kasi and Pondicherry. The film's budget was 11⁄2 crores.[1]
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song "Nirpadhuve" is set in Kalyani raga.[8] Sajahan Waheed of New Straits Times wrote "Isaignani Illayaraja showcases his three-decade experience in the Tamil music industry thorough this brilliant effort".[9]
All lyrics are written by Subramania Bharati (Except noted)
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Agini Kunjondru" | K. J. Yesudas | ||
| 2. | "Baratha Samuthayam" | K. J. Yesudas | ||
| 3. | "Ethilum Ingu" | Pulamaipithan | Madhu Balakrishnan | |
| 4. | "French Music" | Ilaiyaraaja | ||
| 5. | "Keladaa Manida" | Rajkumar Bharathi | ||
| 6. | "Mayil Pola Ponnu onnu" | Mu. Metha | Bhavatharini | |
| 7. | "Nallathor Veenai" | Ilaiyaraaja, Mano | ||
| 8. | "Ninnaichcharan Adainthen" | Bombay Jayashree | ||
| 9. | "Ninnaichcharan" | Ilaiyaraaja | ||
| 10. | "Nirpathuve Nadapathuve" | Harish Raghavendra | ||
| 11. | "Vante Matharam" | Madhu Balakrishnan |
Reception
editMalathi Rangarajan of The Hindu said, "THE MAJESTIC GAIT, the intimidating, piercing eyes that sparkle with a mix of eccentricity, anger, defiance and passion – Shayaji Shinde is indeed a remarkable choice for the role of Bharati" and "It is another fantastic break for Devyani as Chellamma, the wife of Subramania Bharati. Her soft, vulnerable docility and her helpless effete submission to her husband's impractical way of life have been beautifully portrayed".[10] Rediff.com said, "Sayaji Shinde as Bharati is simply splendid. His is an impressive performance, with nary an inkling of the trepidation that he is enacting Bharati's role -- he, a Maharashtrian and Tamil, an alien tongue".[11]
Tamil Star wrote "Bharathi" may not be a commercial success. All said and done, with its superior quality it is certain that the film is bound to bag plenty of awards in near future".[6] Seetha Ravi of Kalki praised the acting of Shinde and other actors, Ilaiyaraaja's music, Thangar Bachan's cinematography and Krishnamoorthy's art direction.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b c "வாழும் பாரதி!" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). 17 September 2000. pp. 28–30. Retrieved 4 July 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Viswanathan, S. (10 November 2000). "In search of an Answer". Frontline. Vol. 17, no. 22. Archived from the original on 21 June 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
- ^ ஜெயந்தன், ஆர்.சி. (22 January 2021). "மரங்களுக்குள்ளே ஒரு மரபணுக் கூட்டம்! - இ.வி. கணேஷ் பாபு நேர்காணல்". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ Subramanian, Anupama (7 July 2018). "Sayaji Shinde joins Aghori bandwagon". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ "Movie on Bharathiyaar". Minnoviyam. Archived from the original on 30 October 2000. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Movie: Bharathi". Tamil Star. Archived from the original on 25 August 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ Rasika. "It's a call sheet from fortune". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 2 November 2004. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ Parthasarathy, Dhanya (18 December 2004). "The walking Google of Tamil film songs". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Waheed, Sajahan (16 November 2000). "Brilliant and enchanting". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (8 September 2000). "Film Review: Bharati". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ Aarkay (26 September 2000). "To the poet born". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ ரவி, சீதா (17 September 2000). "பாரதி". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 71. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023 – via Internet Archive.