Thenmerku Paruvakatru (transl.Southwest Monsoon Breeze) is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Seenu Ramasamy and produced by Shibu Issac. The film is named after a song composed by A. R. Rahman for the 1994 film Karuthamma. It stars Vijay Sethupathi (in his lead debut), Vasundhara Kashyap and Saranya Ponvannan in her 100th film. The music was composed by debutant N. R. Raghunanthan with cinematography by Chezhiyan and editing by Mu. Kasivishwanathan.

Thenmerku Paruvakkaatru was released on 24 December 2010. The film won multiple awards at the 58th National Film Awards ceremony, including Best Tamil Feature Film while Saranya and lyricist Vairamuthu were awarded the Best Actress and Best Lyricist prizes, respectively.

Plot

Set in the backdrop of Theni, the story is about Murugaiyan (aka Murugan), who is a goatherder. He has a loving mother, Veerayi, who is a widow. She struggles hard to raise Murugan but has an overflowing affection for him. Meanwhile, there is a gang which attacks the villagers at night and steals their goats. Murugan, along with his group, manages to catch one of the members in an attack, a girl named Pechi. Pechi's family steals goats for their livelihood. While Murugan develops feelings for her, Pechi's family is known to be quite dangerous. Veerayi learns of this and asks Murugan to forget Pechi and marry a girl of her choice. He refuses to accept her wish and complications arise between mother and son. An old lady of her house advises Veerayi to let her son marry the girl whom he loves. A possessive widow tells how her husband was killed by a group of thieves. The head of the gang is none other than the father of the girl whom her son loves.

Cast

Soundtrack

The music was composed by N. R. Raghunanthan, in his debut.

All lyrics are written by Vairamuthu.

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Aathaa Adikayilae"Harini00:54
2."Chinna Chinnangattula"Shankar Mahadevan5:00
3."Kalli Kallichedi"Shweta Mohan2:29
4."Kallikkaatil Pirandha Thaaye"Vijay Prakash5:28
5."Kallikkaatil Pirandha Thaaye" (Version 2)Unni Menon5:26
6."Nanmaikkum"Vijay Prakash1:54
7."Yedi Kallachi"Vijay Prakash, Shreya Ghoshal5:03
Total length:26:14

Release and reception

Thenmerku Paruvakkaatru was released on 24 December 2010. The Hindu wrote, "Thenmerku Paruvakkaatru with its mother sentiment makes a mark among films with rural themes". Sify called the film "OK" and wrote, "It is made like a [1970s] tear jerker with the central character being the all sacrificing mother". The New Indian Express wrote, "A film that has worked out well in all departments, Thenmerku Paruvakaatru is worth a watch.

Accolades

EventCategoryRecipient(s)Ref.
58th National Film AwardsBest ActressSaranya Ponvannan
Best LyricistVairamuthu (for "Kallikattil Pirantha Thayae...")
Best Tamil Feature FilmSeenu Ramasamy
58th Filmfare Awards SouthBest Supporting Actress – TamilSaranya Ponvannan
5th Vijay AwardsBest Supporting ActressSaranya Ponvannan
Best LyricistVairamuthu
Special Jury AwardThenmerku Paruvakaatru

External links