Desiya Geetham (/ðeɪsiˌjəˈɡiːðəm/ transl. National Anthem) is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language political drama film written and directed by Cheran. The film, co-produced by R. Chandru, Abuthahir, Sathish Kumar and G. V. Suresh Kumar, stars Murali and Rambha. It revolves around a group of people kidnapping a chief minister and bringing him to their village to make him understand the hardships of village life. The film was released on 19 October 1998, during Diwali.[1] Cheran won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil.[2]
| Desiya Geetham | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Cheran |
| Written by | Cheran |
| Produced by | Dharam Chand Lunked |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Priyan |
| Edited by | K. Thangichalam |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | Taras Creations |
Release date |
|
Running time | 164 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (July 2023) |
The film is about a chief minister and his family being kidnapped by a group of people and taken to a remote village making them undergo the hardships of village life to learn about it.
Cast
edit- Murali as Pandian
- Rambha
- Vijayakumar
- Nagesh
- Nassar
- Manivannan as Indian
- Ranjith as Ganga
- Vijayasarathy
- Andavar
- Anandaraj
- Rajeswari (Padmashri) as Kaveri
- Sathyapriya
- Nalinikanth
- Scissor Manohar as Rathnam
- Crane Manohar
- Master Hari
- Nirmala Periyasamy
- P. Shwetha as cameo appearance in song "En Kanavinai"
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[3][4]
| Song | Singers | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|
| "Ladies Special" | Sujatha | Palani Bharathi |
| "En Kanavinai" | Hariharan | Vaasan |
| "Desiya Geetham" | K. J. Yesudas | Arivumathi |
| "Naan Vaakkapattu" | Sujatha | Palani Bharathi |
| "Mannana Poranthavuga" | Pushpavanam Kuppusamy | Vaasan |
| "Appan Veettu" | ||
| "Nanba Nanba" | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| "Anal Gandhi" |
Reception
editA critic from Dinakaran noted "Cheran has won in highlighting minutely and emotively the village maladies and it's disastrous shortcomings".[5] Kala Krishnan-Ramesh from Deccan Herald noted "This film has a message, which is meant for all of us, “Before the last Indian goes mad, let’s do something".[6] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote, "A thought-provoking movie on the plight of the villagers denied basic necessities like water, roads, hospitals and consumable rice at the FP shops, has been brought out with a lot of thrust by director Cheran".[7]
Controversy
editThe film elicited controversy from politicians because of its plot involving a chief minister's kidnapping.[8] M. Karunanidhi, then the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, was reportedly displeased by the same. Cheran, who claimed his intentions were not to hurt anyone, invited Karunanidhi to watch the film and decide, but he refused. However, politician G. K. Moopanar lauded the film for Cheran's work, and actor Rajinikanth, who supported the alliance of Karunanidhi's party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Moopanar's Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) in the 1996 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly (which TMC won), said Cheran brought out whatever messages he (Rajinikanth) would have liked to deliver.[9]
References
edit- ^ Kummar, S. R. Ashok (16 October 1998). "Varied fare for Deepavali". The Hindu. p. 27. Archived from the original on 18 August 2001. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- ^ "Filmfare (South) awards presented". The Tribune. 26 April 1999. Archived from the original on 27 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ^ "Desiya Geetham Tamil Audio Cassette By Ilayaraaja". Banumass. Archived from the original on 13 September 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ "Desiya Geetham (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. 9 October 1998. Archived from the original on 13 September 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ "Cinema Riviews [sic] "Desiya Geetham"". Dinakaran. 6 November 1998. Archived from the original on 14 August 2003. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ^ K K R (14 February 1999). "Film: DESHIYAGEETHAM (Tamil)". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 3 May 1999. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ Ramanujam, D. S. (30 October 1998). "Film Reviews: Veeram Velanja Mannu/Puthumaippithan/Desiya Geetham". The Hindu. p. 27. Archived from the original on 7 April 2001. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- ^ Srinivasan, Pavithra (13 August 2009). "Cheran's celluloid treasures". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- ^ Gobichetipal, Chandra (November 1998). "Controversial Cheran". Minnoviyam. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2023.