View source for Swathi Muthyam

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Swathi Muthyam
| image          = Swathi Muthyam.jpg
| caption        = Poster
| director       = [[K. Viswanath]]
| producer       = [[Edida Nageswara Rao]]
| writer         = K. Viswanath
{{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes
    | label1= Dialogue by
    | data1 = [[Sainath Thotapalli]]
}}
| starring       = [[Kamal Haasan]]<br />[[Radhika Sarathkumar|Radhika]]
| music          = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| cinematography = [[M. V. Raghu]]
| editing        = G. G. Krishna Rao
| studio         = Poornodaya Movie Creations
| distributor    = Sri Venkata Krishna Films<br />Ramana Movies
| released       = {{film date|1986|3|13|df=yes|}}
| runtime        = 161 minutes
| country        = India
| language       = Telugu
}}

'''''Swathi Muthyam''''' ({{translation|White pearl}}) is a 1986 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[romantic drama film]] written and directed by [[K. Viswanath]] and produced by [[Edida Nageswara Rao]].<ref name="Phalke nomination">{{Cite news |date=17 March 2012 |title=Phalke nomination |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/phalke-nomination/article3006309.ece |access-date=2020-12-27 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309000414/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/phalke-nomination/article3006309.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The film stars [[Kamal Haasan]] and [[Radhika Sarathkumar|Radhika]], while [[Gollapudi Maruti Rao]], [[J. V. Somayajulu]], [[Nirmalamma]], [[Sarath Babu]], and [[Y. Vijaya]] play supporting roles. The soundtrack and background score were composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 March 2016 |title=30 Years: Swathi Muthyam...Priceless Pearl |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/news/30-Years-Swathi-MuthyamPriceless-Pearl |access-date=2020-12-27 |website=[[Telugucinema.com]] |archive-date=21 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021010511/http://www.telugucinema.com/news/30-Years-Swathi-MuthyamPriceless-Pearl |url-status=live |author1=Admin }}</ref> ''Swathi Muthyam'' depicts the plight of a young widow who is rescued by a man with a cognitive disability.

''Swathi Muthyam'' was a box office success and attained [[cult status]].<ref name="Frame by frame" /> The film was screened at the [[Moscow Film Festival]], the Asian and African film festival in Tashkent, the [[11th International Film Festival of India|11th IFFI]] in the inaugural mainstream section.<ref name="Phalke nomination" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 December 2012 |title=Festival of world cinema begins Bollywood style |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/festival-of-world-cinema-begins-bollywood-style/article4225111.ece |access-date=2020-12-27 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308143727/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/festival-of-world-cinema-begins-bollywood-style/article4225111.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kamal Haasan |url=http://www.bharatwaves.com/portal/modules/piCal/index.php?action=View&event_id=0000005609 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904023705/http://www.bharatwaves.com/portal/modules/piCal/index.php?action=View&event_id=0000005609 |archive-date=2012-09-04 |access-date=2011-08-14 |website=Bharatwaves.com}}</ref> The film received the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu]], three [[Nandi Awards]] and the [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu]]. The film was selected by [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|India as its entry]] for the [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]] for the [[Academy Awards]] in 1986, but was [[List of Academy Award winners and nominees for Best Foreign Language Film|not nominated]].<ref>{{Cite press release |title=K Viswanath's film at the Oscars |date=2012-03-29 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know/k-viswanaths-film-at-the-oscars/articleshow/12456035.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223085441/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-29/did-you-know-/31254415_1_official-entry-telugu-film-oscars |url-status=live |archive-date=2013-02-23 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=}}</ref><ref name="Frame by frame">{{Cite news |date=8 August 2009 |title=Frame by frame |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/Frame-by-frame/article15919290.ece |access-date=2020-12-27 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308133632/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/Frame-by-frame/article15919290.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> It is currently the only Telugu film to be selected as the Indian Oscar submission.

The film was later dubbed into [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''Sippikkul Muthu'', released on October 2, 1986. Upon its success, Viswanath directed its Hindi version ''[[Eeshwar (1989 film)|Eeshwar]]'' (1989) and in Kannada it was remade as ''[[Swathi Muthu]]'' (2003).<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=29 July 2012 |title=Poster boy |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/poster-boy/article3699698.ece |url-status=live |access-date=2020-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020070022/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/poster-boy/article3699698.ece |archive-date=20 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-20 |title=They copied it from us : Kamal Haasan [Interview] |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/they-copied-it-from-us--kamal-haasan-interview--telugu-news-128311.html |access-date=2020-12-27 |website=IndiaGlitz |archive-date=9 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209062820/https://www.indiaglitz.com/they-copied-it-from-us--kamal-haasan-interview--telugu-news-128311.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Krishnamoorthy |first=Suresh |date=24 May 2015 |title=Kamal Haasan to act in a Telugu movie after 20 years |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/kamal-haasan-to-act-in-a-telugu-movie-after-20-years/article7241387.ece |access-date=2020-12-27 |archive-date=1 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801094820/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/kamal-haasan-to-act-in-a-telugu-movie-after-20-years/article7241387.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Plot==
Sivayya ([[Kamal Haasan]]) is an innocent orphan with a brain injury resulting in low intellectual function. He lives along with his grandmother ([[Nirmalamma]]) in a village. In that village, Lalitha ([[Radhika Sarathkumar|Radhika]]), a young widow with a five-year-old son, lives along with her brother Chalapati's ([[Sarath Babu]]) family. She and her son often get abused by her sister-in-law ([[Y. Vijaya]]), but Lalitha, having nowhere to go, bears it all.

Sivayya often encounters Lalitha and gets appalled by her condition. One day, during [[Sri Rama Navami]] festival, Sivayya marries Lalitha, shocking all the villagers. His grandmother ([[Nirmalamma]]) approves of his marriage as she also has much sympathy and regard for Lalitha, but his uncle and Orthodox villagers oppose that marriage as they consider remarriage of a widow as a sin. In that brawl, Sivayya's grandmother dies, leaving innocent Sivayya in the hands of Lalitha. Lalitha moves in with her husband with the blessings of her brother.

Some of the villagers help them to build a new life. Gradually, Lalitha makes Sivayya understand the household duties and responsibilities of a man. Sivayya finds work and starts to support his wife and stepson. Later they have a son and live happily for a long time. Years pass, and Lalitha becomes ill and dies in her husband's arms. In the climax, Sivayya walks out of his house surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He carries a [[tulsi]] plant, which was his memory of Lalitha's love.

==Cast==
{{colbegin}}
* [[Kamal Haasan]] as Sivayya
* [[Radhika Sarathkumar|Radhika]] as Lalitha
* [[Gollapudi Maruthi Rao]] as Landlord
* [[J. V. Somayajulu]] as Lalita's guru
* [[Nirmalamma]] as Sivayya's grandmother
* Master Karthik as Balasubrahmanyam, Lalita's first son, whom later adopted or accepted by Sivayya after their marriage
* [[Sarath Babu]] as Chalapati, Lalita's brother
* [[Y. Vijaya]] as Lalita's sister-in-law
* [[Allu Arjun]] as Sivayya's grandson
* [[Major Sundarrajan]] as Rao
* [[Deepa (actress)|Deepa]]
* [[Dubbing Janaki]] as Rajyam
* [[Mallikarjuna Rao (actor)|Mallikarjuna Rao]]
* [[Suthi Veerabhadra Rao]] as Guruvaya
* Edida Sriram
*[[Ali (actor)|Master Ali]]
{{colend}}

==Production==
Arun Kumar and Venkatesh were the production designers for the film.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="telugu360.com">{{cite web |date=15 March 2016 |title=Swati Mutyam: 30 Years & Still a Classic |url=https://www.telugu360.com/swati-mutyam-30-years-still-classic/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021001636/https://www.telugu360.com/swati-mutyam-30-years-still-classic/ |archive-date=21 October 2016 |access-date=20 October 2016 |website=Telugu360}}</ref> The film was shot for nearly 70 days near the shores of [[Rajahmundry]], Torredu, Tadikonda, [[Pattiseema]], [[Chennai]], and [[Mysore]].<ref name="auto"/><ref name="telugu360.com"/> [[Allu Arjun]] did a small role as one of the grandsons of Kamal Haasan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 27, 2017 |title=Fans remember Bunny's 'Swathi Muthyam' stint |work=IndiaGlitz |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/fans-remember-bunny-swathi-muthyam-stint-telugu-news-184279.html |url-status=live |access-date=2018-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509214840/http://www.indiaglitz.com/fans-remember-bunny-swathi-muthyam-stint-telugu-news-184279.html |archive-date=9 May 2017}}</ref>

The scene where Haasan dances like someone who cannot dance took so many days to get it "rightly wrong", as Haasan is a seasoned dancer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shivakumar |first=S. |date=2016-06-23 |title=Playing the cold-hearted |language=en-IN |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/Playing-the-cold-hearted/article14397065.ece |url-status=live |access-date=2018-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218123209/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/Playing-the-cold-hearted/article14397065.ece |archive-date=18 February 2023}}</ref>

Initially, the team had approached actress [[Sridevi]] for the role of Lalitha, but she declined due to a packed shooting schedule, as she was continuously working in Bollywood.

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name       = Swathi Muthyam
| type       = soundtrack
| artist     = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = 1986
| recorded   =
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]] 
| length     =
| language   = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| label      = 
| producer   = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  =
| misc       = {{External media
 | audio1     = {{YouTube|F585zRyd5UM&t|Official Audio Jukebox}}
| video1     = {{YouTube|ls1DyCd-OAs&t|Video Song Jukebox}}
}}
}}
The music was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swathimuthyam |url=https://indiancine.ma/AAKQ/info |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230711053031/https://indiancine.ma/AAKQ/info |archive-date=11 July 2023 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=indiancine.ma}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| total_length = 33:35
| headline = Telugu Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Suvvi Suvvi
| lyrics1 = [[C. Narayana Reddy]]
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[S. Janaki]]
| length1 = 5:43
| title2 = Vatapathra Saayiki
| lyrics2 = C. Narayana Reddy
| extra2 = [[P. Susheela]]
| length2 = 4:33
| title3 = Ramaa Kanavemiraa
| lyrics3 = C. Narayana Reddy
| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[S. P. Sailaja]]
| length3 = 6:54
| title4 = Manasu Palike
| lyrics4 = C. Narayana Reddy
| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
| length4 = 5:34
| title5 = Chinnaari Ponnaari
| lyrics5 = [[Acharya Aatreya]]
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
| length5 = 4:45
| title6 = Dharmam Saranam
| lyrics6 = C. Narayana Reddy
| extra6 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja & Chorus
| length6 = 2:50
| title7 = Pattu Cheera
| lyrics7 = [[K. Viswanath]]
| extra7 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
| length7 = 1:19
| title8 = Vatapathra Saayiki (Pathos)
| lyrics8 = C. Narayana Reddy
| extra8 = P. Susheela
| length8 = 1:04
| title9 = Laali Laali (Ending Song)
| lyrics9 = [[Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry]]
| extra9 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
| length9 = 2:53
}}

{{Track listing
| all_writing = 
| all_lyrics = 
| all_music = 
| total_length = 34:06
| collapsed = 
| headline = [[Tamil Language|Tamil]] Track List
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Kannodu Kannana
| note1 = 
| length1 = 04:49
| lyrics1 = [[Vairamuthu]]
| music1 = 
| writer1 = 
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[S. Janaki]]
| title2 = Dharmam Sharanam Gacchaami
| note2 = 
| length2 = 02:52
| lyrics2 = Vairamuthu
| music2 = 
| writer2 = 
| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[S. P. Sailaja]]
| title3 = Varam Thantha Saamikku
| note3 = 
| length3 = 04:38
| lyrics3 = Vairamuthu
| music3 = 
| writer3 = 
| extra3 = [[P. Susheela]]
| title4 = Manasu Mayangum
| note4 = 
| length4 = 05:23
| lyrics4 = Vairamuthu
| music4 = 
| writer4 = 
| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
| title5 = Pattu Chelai
| note5 = 
| length5 = 01:22
| lyrics5 = Vairamuthu
| music5 = 
| writer5 = 
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
| title6 = Raman Kathai
| note6 = 
| length6 = 06:22
| lyrics6 = Vairamuthu
| music6 = 
| writer6 = 
| extra6 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S.P. Sailaja
| title7 = Thulli Thulli!
| note7 = 
| length7 = 05:38
| lyrics7 = Vairamuthu
| music7 = 
| writer7 = 
| extra7 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
| title8 = Varam Thantha Saamikku (sad)
| note8 = 
| length8 = 03:02
| lyrics8 = Vairamuthu
| music8 = 
| writer8 = 
| extra8 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
}}

== Reception ==
[[Baradwaj Rangan]] said in 2017, "K. Viswanath, this year's recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, made three films with Kamal Haasan. ''Sagara Sangamam'' is the best, ''Subha Sankalpam'' the weakest&nbsp;– and between these two films, chronologically and quality-wise, lies ''Swathi Muthyam'' (White Pearl)."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |date=2017-05-04 |title=Southern Lights: Two Shots, Two Songs |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/article/southern-lights-two-shots-two-songs |url-status=live |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=[[Film Companion]] |archive-date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128012541/https://www.filmcompanion.in/article/southern-lights-two-shots-two-songs }}</ref> Reviewing the Tamil dubbed version ''Sippikul Muthu'', [[Subha (writers)|Jayamanmadhan]] of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' wrote that even if it seems like an aimless story that started somewhere and suddenly stopped, the reality is that we have connected with the story until it happened.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=ஜெயமன்மதன் |author-link=Subha (writers) |date=26 October 1986 |title=சிப்பிக்குள் முத்து |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1986-10-26/page/n53/mode/2up |url-status=live |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |language=Ta |page=53 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230218122726/https://archive.org/details/kalki1986-10-26/page/n53/mode/2up |archive-date=2023-02-18 |access-date=2023-02-17}}</ref> Reviewing Tamil dubbed version, Balumani of ''Anna'' praised acting, dialogues, music, screenplay and direction.<ref>{{cite news|title=சிப்பிக்குள் முத்து|work=Anna|language=ta|access-date=15 July 2025|url=https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP372-6-23-10-324|date=5 October 1986|page=4|via=[[Endangered Archives Programme]]|last=பாலுமணி }}</ref>

==Accolades==

{| class="wikitable sortable" width="99%"
|-
! scope="col" | Award / Film festival
! scope="col" | Date of ceremony
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Recipient(s) and nominee(s)
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}
|-
! [[National Film Awards]]
| [[34th National Film Awards|September 1987]]
| [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu|Best Feature Film in Telugu]]
| '''Producer:''' Edida Nageswara Rao <br /> '''Director:''' K. Viswanath
| {{Won}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref name="34thaward">{{cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm34ndNFAAward.aspx|title=34th National Film Awards|publisher=[[International Film Festival of India]]|access-date=7 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205060141/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm34ndNFAAward.aspx|archive-date=5 February 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 
|-
! scope=row rowspan="3"| [[Nandi Awards]]
| rowspan="3"| 1987
| [[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film|Best Feature Film - Gold]] 
| '''Producer:''' Edida Nageswara Rao
| {{Won}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)|trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)|publisher=[[Andhra Pradesh (magazine)|Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh]]|access-date=21 August 2020|language=Telugu|archive-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223135739/http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Nandi Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Kamal Haasan 
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[Nandi Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| K. Viswanath 
| {{Won}}
|-
! [[Filmfare Awards South]]
| [[34th Filmfare Awards South|9 August 1987]]
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu|Best Director]]
| K. Viswanath
| {{Won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/34thAnnualFilmfareAwardsSouthWinners |title = 34th Annual Filmfare Awards South Winners : Kumar : Free Download & S… |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170528093416/https://archive.org/details/34thAnnualFilmfareAwardsSouthWinners |archive-date=28 May 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Q5UqAAAAYAAJ&q=1986+Swathi+Muthyam+K.+Vishwanath|title = Collections|year = 1991|access-date = 15 October 2020|archive-date = 18 February 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230218123211/https://books.google.com/books?id=Q5UqAAAAYAAJ&q=1986+Swathi+Muthyam+K.+Vishwanath|url-status = live}}</ref>
|}

==Remakes==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Language !! {{Tooltip|Ref.|References}}
|-
| 1989 || [[Eeshwar (1989 film)|''Eeshwar'']]|| Hindi || <ref>{{Cite news |last=Shiva Kumar |first=S. |date=2019-05-16 |title=Making, and remaking |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/making-and-remaking/article27149444.ece |access-date=2020-12-27 |archive-date=28 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228062456/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/making-and-remaking/article27149444.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Swathi Muthu]]'' || Kannada || <ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-06 |title=The curious case of Sudeep |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/metrolife/metrolife-cityscape/the-curious-case-of-sudeep-766648.html |access-date=2020-12-27 |website=[[Deccan Herald]] |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218123148/https://www.deccanherald.com/metrolife/metrolife-cityscape/the-curious-case-of-sudeep-766648.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title|0090109}}

{{K. Viswanath}}
{{National Film Award Best Feature Film Telugu}}
{{Indian submission for Academy Awards}}

[[Category:1980s Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1986 films]]
[[Category:1986 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Best Telugu Feature Film National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Films about disability in India]]
[[Category:Films about widowhood in India]]
[[Category:Films directed by K. Viswanath]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Indian nonlinear narrative films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Telugu films remade in other languages]]