Enga Ooru Pattukaran

Enga Ooru Pattukaran ( transl. The singer of our town) is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by Gangai Amaran. The film stars Ramarajan, Rekha and Nishanthi, with Senthamarai, Vinu Chakravarthy, Senthil, Kovai Sarala and S. S. Chandran playing supporting roles. It was released on 14 April 1987, and became a major success. After this, Ramarajan and Amaran duo went on to collaborate on numerous films, including Karakattakkaran (1989).

Plot

Shenbagam, the daughter of a wealthy landlord, and Seethan, an orphan milkman, are in love but they do not express their love directly. Seethan has been brought up by Maruthamuthu. When Shenbagam's father decides to get her married to a rich man, she commits suicide. Seethan becomes distraught after his lover's death. Maruthamuthu steps in and arranges his marriage with the woman Kaveri. Seethan marries her but cannot forget Shenbagam.

Cast

Production

Shantipriya made her Tamil debut in this film, and was credited as Nishanti. The cow owned by Ramarajan's character was played by a cow named Pechi. The song "Madura Marikkozhunthu Vaasam" was shot atop the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by Gangai Amaran. The song "Azhagi Nee Perazhagi" is set to the Carnatic raga Kuntalavarali. The song "Madurai Marikozhundhu", set to Mayamalavagowla, was reused as "Yamaho" in the Telugu film Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990). There are three versions of the song "Shenbagame Shenbagame": one male, one female, and one a duet. The song, set to Sindhu Bhairavi raga, was reused as "Pavurama" in the Telugu film Aa Okkati Adakku (1992) and as "Chand Hai Tu" for the 1989 Hindi film Mahaadev both composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Release and reception

Enga Ooru Pattukaran was released on 14 April 1987, and distributed by Sri Sujatha Pictures. The Indian Express criticised the storyline as "static". The reviewer went on to say, "Ilayaraja's brand of soporific tunes mostly in the lower register blend with the unassuming style of the film". Jayamanmadhan of Kalki appreciated the cinematography by Dayalan, Ilaiyaraaja's music and Amaran's direction.

Legacy

After the film's success, Ramarajan, Amaran and Ilaiyaraja became a popular actor-director-music director collaboration in Tamil cinema; they went on to collaborate in numerous films, including Shenbagamae Shenbagamae (1988), Karakattakkaran (1989), Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu (1990), Villu Pattukaran (1992) and Themmangu Paattukaaran (1997). Shenbagamae Shenbagamae was named after the song from Enga Ooru Pattukaran.