Thaayillamal Naan Illai

Thaayillamal Naan Illai
Theatrical release poster
Directed by R. Thyagarajan
Screenplay by
Story by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar
Produced by C. Thandayuthapani
Starring
Cinematography P. N. Sundaram
Edited by M. G. Balu Rao
Music by Shankar–Ganesh
Production
company
Release date
  • 14 April 1979
Running time
135 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil

Thaayillamal Naan Illai (transl. I cannot live without my mother) is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language film directed by R. Thyagarajan. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Major Sundarrajan and Jai Ganesh, with Rajinikanth and Nagesh in guest roles. It was released on 14 April 1979.

Plot

Raja, the son of a poor and widowed washerwoman, is well-talented in the arts from his childhood. A man who runs a drama troupe is impressed with Raja's talent and enlists him in this troupe and Raja's mother travels with the troupe as well. While performing in a zameen with the troupe, Raja meets and falls in love with the zamindar's daughter Bhuvana and they engage in a secretive romance assisted by Bhuvana's pet peacock Vadivelan. When the zamindar becomes aware of their relationship, he agrees to get them only married only if Raja cuts all ties with his mother, considering her poor status. Raja refuses and unable to convince her adamant father, Bhuvana elopes with Raja and joins the troupe as well. This enrages the zamindar's villainous nephew Mohan, who had been eyeing the zameen's ownership by marrying Bhuvana. Whether Raja and Bhuvana are able to thwart the odds against them form the rest of the story.

Cast

Production

Kamal Haasan was given a "curly wig" and he grew a French beard to portray his character. This was the last film in which Haasan, Sridevi and Rajinikanth acted together.

Soundtrack

All songs are written by Kannadasan and Vaali. Composed by Shankar–Ganesh.

Tamil
No. Title Lyrics Singer(s) Length
1. "Vadivelan Manasu Vachaan" Kannadasan T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela 3:41
2. "Nadiganin Kaadhali" Vaali S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 4:56
3. "Vanakkam Vanakkam" (Naveena Allidurbar Natakam) Vaali T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela, S. C. Krishnan and Chorus 5:48
4. "Eena Meena" Vaali P. Susheela 3:33
5. "Podi Vaikkiren" Vaali S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 4:09
Total length: 22:07

For the dubbed Hindi version, the lyrics were written by Madhukar.

Hindi
No. Title Lyrics Singer(s) Length
1. "Ina Mina Yeh Aankhen Meri" Madhukar Vani Jairam  
2. "Iss Kadar Ishq Se Laj Sharam Kis Liye" Madhukar Raj Sitaraman  
3. "Mantar Tere Jadoo Mantar Tere" Madhukar Raj Sitaraman  
4. "Matwala Mann Ho Gaya" Madhukar Raj Sitaraman, Vani Jairam  

Release

Thaayillamal Naan Illai was released on 14 April 1979, and ran for over 200 days in theatres. It was dubbed into Hindi as Aakhri Sangram in 1984.