As Deivam Completes 51 Years, Here’s What Tamil Devotional Anthology Was About – News18

It’s been 51 years since the release of Deivam, a Tamil language devotional anthology. Released on 4 November 1972, the film stars Gemini Ganesan, R. Muthuraman, A. V. M. Rajan, Srikanth, K. R. Vijaya, Sowcar Janaki, Nagesh and Thengai Srinivasan. It was directed by M. A. Thirumugam whereas Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar took charge of writing the script of the film.

Based on stories highlighting the miracles performed by Lord Muruga, the film explores how he blesses devotees. These stories were narrated by Thirumuruga Kripananda Variyar.

In the film, six stories were narrated. The first one is about a thief, Major Sundarajan, who wants to steal Lord Muruga’s jewels from the Arulmigu Thirumurugan Thirukovil, Marudhamalai. During an attempt to steal the lord’s jewels, he loses the ability to use his leg and realises his mistakes. He becomes a devotee and starts serving the temple. Later, he regains his leg while fighting another thief only to find out that it was god who helped him.

The next story explores the life of Vellammal (Sowcar Janaki), a lone wife abandoned by her husband. A banana vendor Nagesh helps her find a job. Circumstances trap her in a fire accident and she is saved by her husband, who is now a firefighter. Her family reunites. Later, it is found that the husband got a prank call from god who helped the family to be reunited.

The third story is based on two friends Kathirvelu (A.V.M. Rajan) and Vadivelu (V. Gopalakrishan). Both start with any promissory note with only Shanmugam (Thengai Sreenivasan) as a coincidental witness. After a few years, Vadivelu becomes immensely successful and cheats his friend by not keeping his promises. However, the lord comes in the form of Shanmugam and helps Kathirvelu.

The last story displays another miracle of god as he blessed Subramaniyam (Sivakumar) and Deivanai (Jaya), a couple who are devotees. Murugua comes in the form of his Vahanas and saves the woman when she gets molested by a criminal. There were a few other similar stories in the film.

Notably, the song Thiruchendooril Poar Purindhu of the film Deivam was shot at Thiruchendur, in merely three hours.