Agathiyar

Agathiyar அகத்தியர்
DVD Cover
Directed by	A. P. Nagarajan
Written by	A. P. Nagarajan
Screenplay by	A. P. Nagarajan
Starring	Sirkazhi Govindarajan T. R. Mahalingam A. V. M. Rajan R. S. Manohar Sridevi
Music by	Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
Cinematography	W. R. Subbah Rao
Edited by	T. Vijayarangam
Production company	Sree Vijayalakshmi Pictures
Distributed by	Sree Vijyalakshmi Pictures
Release date	June 1972
Running time	153 mins
Country	India
Language	Tamil

for 1972 film based on his history, see Agastya

Agathiyar (தமிழ்: அகத்தியர்)is a 1972 Indian Tamil mythological film written, directed, and produced by A. P. Nagarajan under production company Sree Vijayalakshmi Pictures. The soundtrack was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. The film stars Sirkazhi Govindarajan playing main characters with T. R. Mahalingam, A. V. M. Rajan, Kumari Padmini, R. S. Manohar, Suruli Rajan, Manorama and Sridevi portrayed supporting roles. This film ran for 100 days and won widespread appreciation. The film was dubbed into Hindi under title Maharish in year 1986.

The story is about Agathiyar Muni, who is considered to be the embodiment of one of celestial intellectual who descended on earth to enlighten human beings. During the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the earth tilted to the Northern side, as the whole world was witnessing the marriage. Lord Shiva gave the responsibility of balancing the earth to Agathiyar by going to Southern side. Agathiyar is also given additional responsibility of spreading goodness and equality. He has the additional task of spreading the Tamil language. Many small stories between heaven and Earth are interwoven in the movie. The stories teach one to lead a simple existence without ego. It also shows how Agathiyar in this journey destroy the ego of River Kaveri, Vindhya Mount and Ravana, thereby teaching them the greatness of humility.