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{{short description|1981 film by Bharathiraja}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Alaigal Oivathillai poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Bharathiraja]]a
| screenplay = Bharathirajaa
| story = [[Manivannan]]
| starring = {{ubl|[[Karthik (actor)|Karthik]]|[[Radha (actress)|Radha]]}}
| producer = R. D. Bhaskar
| music = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| cinematography = [[B. Kannan]]
| editing = R. Bhaskaran
| studio = Pavalar Creations
| runtime = 138 minutes{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=64}}
| released = {{film date|1981|7|18|df=y}}
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Alaigal Oivathillai''''' ({{translation|Waves never cease}}) is a 1981 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[Teen film|teen]] [[romantic drama film]] written and directed by [[Bharathiraja]]a, from a story by [[Manivannan]]. The film stars [[Karthik (actor)|Karthik]] and [[Radha (actress)|Radha]], in their acting debuts. [[Thiagarajan]], [[Silk Smitha]] and [[Kamala Kamesh]] appear in supporting roles. The story follows a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] boy who falls in love with a [[Christianity in Tamil Nadu|Christian]] girl. How the lovers unite braving all the obstacles, forms the crux of the story.

The story and screenplay were written by [[Manivannan]] and Bharathiraja, respectively. The cinematography was handled by [[B. Kannan]], and editing was handled by R. Bhaskaran while the music was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]]. The film was simultaneously shot along with its [[Telugu language|Telugu]] version titled ''[[Seethakoka Chilaka]]'' (1981) where Karthik and Smitha reprised their roles. Filming took place entirely in [[Muttom, Kanyakumari]].

''Alaigal Oivathillai'' was released on 18 July 1981 to majorly positive reviews and became a commercial success. The film received eight [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]], including [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film|Best Film]], [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]] and [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer|Best Story Writer]]. It was remade by Bharathiraja in [[Hindi]] as [[Lovers (1983 film)|''Lovers'']] in 1983.

== Plot ==
Vichu, a laidback teenager from an orthodox [[Brahmin]] family, lives with his widowed mother, a music teacher, in a coastal village. Mary, a modernised [[Christianity in Tamil Nadu|Christian]] girl studying in a nearby town, returns to the village after finishing her examinations, where her wealthy brother David lives with his wife Elissy. David is ruthless, arrogant and feared by the villagers. However, he is extremely protective of his sister. Once when she sings with her friends, Vichu and his friends mock her singing skills. Feeling insulted, she decides to learn singing, obtains permission from David and enrolls in music classes under Vichu's mother.

Mary soon excels and gets the appreciation of Vichu's mother. Vichu gets impressed with Mary's perseverance and when she sings a song exceedingly well, he loses his heart to her. He starts chasing her and expresses his love. Mary, however, avoids him and goes to the extent of slapping him. But the same anger turns into love when she realises his true love for her.

The relationship between Vichu and Mary grows and they become very close to each other without their families knowing. Two children playing on the beach see Vichu and Mary romancing; one of them informs her mother, who in turn informs Elissy about their affair. Elissy berates Mary for courting a non-Christian and warns her of the consequences, should David learn. Elissy prevents Mary from leaving her house, instead arranging for Vichu's mother to teach her there. Vichu and Mary start exchanging messages written on paper pieces tucked in the [[harmonium]]. Despite Elissy's control, Mary manages to meet Vichu. Vichu's mother accidentally sees a note in the harmonium and cautions Vichu. However, he explains his true love and seeks her support.

Mary gets admission in a city college, but her love for Vichu prompts her to adopt ingenious techniques to fall ill to enable her to get excuses to cancel the trip. Vichu's friends say the best way to resolve the matter is by proposing formally. Vichu and his friends visit David at his house and propose Vichu's marriage with Mary; David angrily refuses, beats Mary and berates Elissy for being irresponsible. He then locks up Mary and vows to stop her love affair with Vichu.

During the course of events, David gets aroused by his servant Mari's wife undressing, enters her bath hut (which had no door lock) and rapes her. Elissy who sees the whole thing is too afraid to stop David and she frantically tries to divert Mari's attention to avoid exposing David and thereby shaming her family. Though he is caught in the act, David cleanly gets away due to his clout and Mari and his wife, realizing David's power and influence in the village quietly leave the house, after sarcastically telling David that he had already 'repaid' them for their loyalty, and Elissy — rather than they — should be given the final payment for [[coolie]] services rendered, for standing 'guard' so faithfully during the shameful act.

Hurt by the barbed comment but knowing she did wrong and enraged at David's lack of remorse and callousness when she confronted him about the rape, Elissy now turns against David. She decides to help Mary, who truly loves Vichu and helps Mary meet Vichu secretly. David, who comes to know of this, decides to get Mary married to a relative in a hurry. The priest at the local church meets David and advises him to understand true love and support the young lovers, but David disagrees as he feels religion is more important than emotions. Elissy is against his plan, and advises Mary to meet Vichu and decide their future.

Mary and Vichu decide not to run away, but to live in the same village. When they are together, David ends up beating Vichu and his friends, takes Mary away and speeds up the process of her forced marriage. When Mary is determined to marry Vichu, Elissy takes her to Vichu's house and hands her over to his mother. Though Vichu's mother is apprehensive, she does not wish to abort their love and accepts Mary. However, David and his people arrive; Vichu's mother asks him and Mary to run away to a safer place. They both run away but remain at the beach. The night passes with protection from their friends. David meets the villagers and provokes them for allowing a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] to elope with a Christian. All the villagers join him and come to attack the lovers the next morning.

Vichu and Mary notice the armed crowds coming and decide to face them. An armed David comes to attack Vichu, but is stopped by the priest who advises David to be a human and respect love. David insists that as a true Christian he will not allow Mary to marry a non-Christian as long as she is Christian. In response, Vichu and Mary renounce their respective religions, much to the shock of David and the villagers, then walk away. Vichu's friends celebrate the lovers' newfound happiness and peace.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Karthik (actor)|Karthik]] as Vichu
*[[Radha (actress)|Radha]] as Mary
* [[Thiagarajan]] as David
*[[Silk Smitha]] as Elissy
*[[Kamala Kamesh]] as Vichu's mother
* Mohamad as Vagai
*Deepak
*Yunes
*Ranga
*Ramesh
*Purushothaman
*[[Periya Karuppu Thevar]] as Mari
* Renu Chandra as Mari's wife
*[[Vellai Subbaiah]]
*Suresh Chakravarthy
}}

== Production ==
''Alaigal Oivathillai'' is the first film produced by R. D. Bhaskar through the company Pavalar Creations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=அமலன் |date=6 January 2014 |title=பாரதிராஜாவுக்காக படம் எடுத்த இளையராஜா! |trans-title=Ilaiyaraaja produced a film for Bharathiraja! |url=http://www.kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=6449&id1=67&issue=20140106 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905044831/http://www.kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=6449&id1=67&issue=20140106 |archive-date=5 September 2022 |access-date=5 September 2022 |website=[[Kungumam (magazine)|Kungumam]] |language=ta}}</ref> [[Bava Lakshmanan]], who had finished the ninth grade, initially screen tested for the film before [[Karthik (actor)|Karthik]] was selected.<ref>{{cite web |last=பாரதிராஜா |first=மை. |date=11 May 2015 |title=எங்கேயோ பார்த்த முகம் |trans-title=A familiar face |url=http://kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=8695&id1=3&issue=20150511 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810091205/http://www.kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=8695&id1=3&issue=20150511 |archive-date=10 August 2022 |access-date=22 December 2024 |website=[[Kungumam (magazine)|Kungumam]] |language=Tamil}}</ref> Karthik and [[Radha (actress)|Radha]] made their acting debut with this film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raghavan |first=Nikhil |date=23 April 2011 |title=Baby steps to fame? |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Baby-steps-to-fame/article14694089.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123080501/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Baby-steps-to-fame/article14694089.ece |archive-date=23 November 2019 |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2018 |title=Radha and Karthik made their debut in the same film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/did-you-know/radha-and-karthik-made-their-debut-in-the-same-film/articleshow/64538444.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200406120150/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/did-you-know/radha-and-karthik-made-their-debut-in-the-same-film/articleshow/64538444.cms |archive-date=6 April 2020 |access-date=6 April 2020 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> When Karthik's father, actor [[R. Muthuraman|Muthuraman]] asked Karthik if he would accept the film, Karthik readily agreed without giving it a second thought.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |date=5 July 2018 |title=Wouldn't advise Gautam to do adult comedies like 'Iruttu Araiyil Murattu Kuthu', says dad Karthik |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/how-a-popular-dialogue-from-mouna-ragam-went-on-to-become-the-title-of-a-film/article24339256.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718092651/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/how-a-popular-dialogue-from-mouna-ragam-went-on-to-become-the-title-of-a-film/article24339256.ece |archive-date=18 July 2018 |access-date=18 July 2018 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[Suresh (actor, born 1963)|Suresh]] said he was also approached for the role but he opted to do ''[[Panneer Pushpangal]]''.<ref>{{Cite interview |last=Suresh |subject-link=Suresh (actor, born 1963) |interviewer=Jyothsna |title=Interview |url=http://www.videos.behindwoods.com/videos-q1-09/actor-actress-interview/suresh.html |access-date=6 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141109/http://www.videos.behindwoods.com/videos-q1-09/actor-actress-interview/suresh.html |archive-date=12 June 2018 |work=Behindwoods}}</ref> Bharathiraja had also contemplated casting [[Murali (Tamil actor)|Murali]] in the lead role, but ultimately did not do so.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kadal Pookkal |url=http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/kadal_pookkal.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040804003526/http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/kadal_pookkal.htm |archive-date=4 August 2004 |access-date=6 April 2020 |website=Cinema Today}}</ref> [[Thiagarajan]], who was then working as regional manager of [[Polydor Records|Polydor]], made his acting debut with the film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=9 October 2002 |title=It's all about choices |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/its-all-about-choices/article28383484.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406111059/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/its-all-about-choices/article28383484.ece |archive-date=6 April 2020 |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> None of the three actors recorded their dialogues in their own voices; Karthik's voice was dubbed by [[S. N. Surendar]], Radha's by Anuradha and Thiagarajan's by Bharathiraja.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=65}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=கண்ணன் |first=சுரேஷ் |date=10 July 2020 |title=இளமை காதல், மரபை உடைத்த 'புரட்சி' க்ளைமாக்ஸ்... 80-களில் புதிய அலையை உண்டாக்கிய 'அலைகள் ஓய்வதில்லை!' |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/revisiting-bharathirajas-80s-classic-movie-alaigal-oivathillai-nostalgia-series |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716230944/https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/revisiting-bharathirajas-80s-classic-movie-alaigal-oivathillai-nostalgia-series |archive-date=16 July 2022 |access-date=5 September 2022 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=ta}}</ref> The film was shot entirely in [[Muttom, Kanyakumari]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=ராம்ஜி |first=வி. |date=21 July 2019 |title='' 'அலைகள் ஓய்வதில்லை' க்ளைமாக்ஸை வைத்து முதல் காட்சி எடுத்தார் பாரதிராஜா'' - சித்ரா லட்சுமணன் பேட்டி |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/508049-alaigal-oivathillai.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226123020/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/508049-alaigal-oivathillai.html |archive-date=26 December 2024 |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref> For the song "Aayiram Thamarai", Bharathiraja wanted a set with swaying lotuses, for which assistant directors [[Manobala]] and [[Manivannan]] "ran from pillar to post to get it ready". According to Manobala, "We peeled off a plantain sheath and stuck lotus stems to it. Then, both of us raised and swayed the lotus flowers from underwater".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saravanan |first=T. |date=9 January 2011 |title=Always in reckoning |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/Always-in-reckoning/article15512011.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200406123443/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/Always-in-reckoning/article15512011.ece |archive-date=6 April 2020 |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The music was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alaigal Oyvathillai Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraja |url=https://mossymart.com/product/alaigal-oyvathillai-tamil-film-lp-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraja-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902112324/https://mossymart.com/product/alaigal-oyvathillai-tamil-film-lp-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraja-2/ |archive-date=2 September 2022 |access-date=2 September 2022 |website=Mossymart}}</ref> The song "Vizhiyil Vizhundhu", set in [[Shuddha Dhanyasi]] raga,{{Sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=168}} was composed within 10 minutes while the other songs were composed within half an hour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=மனோபாலா |author-link=Manobala |date=2 November 2015 |title=நான் உங்கள் ரசிகன் 6 |url=http://kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=9534&id1=3&issue=20151102 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221155625/http://kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=9534&id1=3&issue=20151102 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |access-date=21 February 2023 |website=[[Kungumam (magazine)|Kungumam]] |language=ta}}</ref> The song "Putham Pudhu Kaalai", set to [[Natabhairavi]],{{Sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=155}} was originally recorded for a film titled ''Maruthani'' to be directed by [[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]]. As that film was shelved, the song was included on the LP records of ''Alaigal Oivathillai'',<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44YQC1oCeVQ |title=Putham Pudhu Kaalai – Megha {{!}} Making Video – Part 01 |date=28 April 2016 |language=ta |publisher=GB STUDIO FILMS |time=3:35 |access-date=2 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902111300/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44YQC1oCeVQ |archive-date=2 September 2022 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=துரைக்கண்ணு |first=குமார் |date=2 June 2023 |title=மனத்திரையில் மட்டும் காட்சிப் படிமங்களாக நீந்தும் இளையராஜாவின் 10 பாடல்கள் {{!}} Ilayaraja Birthday Special |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/1000362-unpicturised-songs-of-ilayaraja.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620070203/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/1000362-unpicturised-songs-of-ilayaraja.html |archive-date=20 June 2023 |access-date=24 October 2023 |website=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref> but it was not featured in the film itself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yamunan |first=Sruthisagar |date=10 March 2019 |title=Ilaiyaraaja at 75: His preludes and interludes changed the way we listened to Tamil film music |url=https://scroll.in/reel/914398/ilaiyaraaja-at-75-his-preludes-and-interludes-changed-the-way-we-listened-to-tamil-film-music |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928072005/https://scroll.in/reel/914398/ilaiyaraaja-at-75-his-preludes-and-interludes-changed-the-way-we-listened-to-tamil-film-music |archive-date=28 September 2019 |access-date=6 February 2020 |website=[[Scroll.in]]}}</ref> The flute portions in the song were performed by Sudhakar.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kolappan |first=B. |date=28 March 2023 |title=Flautist Sudhakar, who collaborated with Ilaiyaraaja on many memorable songs, no more |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/flautist-sudhakar-who-collaborated-with-ilaiyaraaja-on-many-memorable-songs-no-more/article66670957.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118171121/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/flautist-sudhakar-who-collaborated-with-ilaiyaraaja-on-many-memorable-songs-no-more/article66670957.ece |archive-date=18 November 2023 |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> It was later remastered for ''[[Megha (2014 film)|Megha]]'' (2014), in which Ilaiyaraaja was also the composer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=13 September 2013 |title=Audio Beat: Megha — Musical cloudburst |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/audio-beat-megha-musical-cloudburst/article5124165.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028044602/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/audio-beat-megha-musical-cloudburst/article5124165.ece |archive-date=28 October 2017 |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The song was also reused as "Halke Se Bole" in the [[Hindi]] film ''[[Paa (film)|Paa]]'' (2009),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kini |first=Nandan |title=A Novel Score |url=http://www.planetradiocity.com/musicreporter/music-review-details/Paa/135 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150209124652/http://www.planetradiocity.com/musicreporter/music-review-details/Paa/135 |archive-date=9 February 2015 |access-date=2 April 2018 |website=Planet Radio City}}</ref> and was sampled for a [[Hindustan Unilever|Kissan Fruit Kick]] commercial.<ref>{{Cite web |last=S |first=Karthik |title=Indian Advertisements |url=https://www.itwofs.com/advt.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718201220/https://itwofs.com/advt.html |archive-date=18 July 2024 |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=[[ItwoFS]]}}</ref> The song "Kadhal Oviyam" was reused as "Meri Zindagi" in the Hindi film ''[[Aur Ek Prem Kahani]]'' (1996), which was also composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Arunachalam |first=Param |title=BollySwar: 1991–2000 |publisher=Mavrix Infotech |isbn=978-81-938482-1-0 |pages=670}}</ref> The song "Aayiram Thamarai", set to [[Shubhapantuvarali]],{{Sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=125}} was reused in ''[[Vaigai (film)|Vaigai]]'' (2009).<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 April 2009 |title=Sabesh and Murali's musical journey |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Sabesh-and-Muralis-musical-journey/articleshow/4444364.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506142020/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/sabesh-and-muralis-musical-journey/articleshow/4444364.cms |archive-date=6 May 2023 |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The song "Vaadi En Kappa Kelange" was remixed by [[Dhina]] in ''[[Sandai]]'' (2008).<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 October 2019 |title=Lights Camera Playback: 12 times filmmakers tried their hands at playback singing |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2019/oct/09/lights-camera-playback-12-times-filmmakers-tried-their-hands-at-playback-singing-666.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231020064717/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2019/oct/09/lights-camera-playback-12-times-filmmakers-tried-their-hands-at-playback-singing-666--10.html |archive-date=20 October 2023 |access-date=20 October 2023 |work=[[Cinema Express]] |pages=10}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Aayiram Thaamarai
| lyrics1 = [[Vairamuthu]]
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[S. Janaki]]
| length1 = 4:30
| title2 = Darisanam Kidaikaathaa
| note2 = Female
| lyrics2 = [[Vairamuthu]]
| extra2 = S. Janaki
| length2 = 1:12
| title3 = Darisanam Kidaikaathaa
| note3 = Male
| lyrics3 = Vairamuthu
| extra3 = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| length3 = 1:50
| title4 = Kaadhal Oviyam
| note4 = Version 1
| lyrics4 = Panchu Arunachalam
| extra4 = Ilaiyaraaja, [[Jency Anthony]]
| length4 = 4:38
| title5 = Kaadhal Oviyam
| note5 = Version 2
| lyrics5 = Panchu Arunachalam
| extra5 = Ilaiyaraaja, Jency Anthony
| length5 = 1:51
| title6 = Lambodhara
| lyrics6 = Ilaiyaraaja
| extra6 = S. Janaki
| length6 = 0:53
| title7 = Putham Pudhu Kaalai
| lyrics7 = [[Gangai Amaran]]
| extra7 = S. Janaki
| length7 = 4:34
| title8 = Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa
| lyrics8 = Ilaiyaraaja
| extra8 = Guruvayoor Rajam, S. Janaki
| length8 = 2:03
| title9 = Thothiram Paadiye
| lyrics9 = Ilaiyaraaja
| extra9 = Ilaiyaraaja, B. S. Sasirekha
| length9 = 0:47
| title10 = Vaadi En Kappa Kelange
| lyrics10 = Gangai Amaran
| extra10 = Ilaiyaraaja, [[Gangai Amaran]], Bhaskaran, Jency Anthony
| length10 = 4:45
| title11 = Vaazhvellaam Aanandame
| lyrics11 = Ilaiyaraaja
| extra11 = Ilaiyaraaja, S. Janaki
| length11 = 1:27
| title12 = Vizhiyil Vizhundhu
| lyrics12 = Vairamuthu
| extra12 = Ilaiyaraaja, B. S. Sasirekha
| length12 = 4:03
| total_length = 32:33
}}

== Release and reception ==
''Alaigal Oivathillai'' was released on 18 July 1981.<ref>{{Cite news |last=ராம்ஜி |first=வி. |date=18 July 2019 |title=''முதல் படத்துல ஒரு திட்டு கூட வாங்கலை'' - நடிகை ராதாவின் 'அலைகள் ஓய்வதில்லை' ப்ளாஷ்பேக் பேட்டி |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/507685-alaigal-oivathillai-radha.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718100035/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/507685-alaigal-oivathillai-radha.html |archive-date=18 July 2019 |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref> In a review dated 2 August 1981, the Tamil magazine ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' rated the film 50 out of 100.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 1981 |title=சினிமா விமர்சனம்: அலைகள் ஓய்வதில்லை! |url=https://www.vikatan.com/arts/nostalgia/43116--2 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200406113401/https://www.vikatan.com/arts/nostalgia/43116--2 |archive-date=6 April 2020 |access-date=6 February 2020 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=ta}}</ref> Sindhu-Jeeva of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' praised Kannan's cinematography, Ilaiyaraaja's music, editing and the climax for creating excitement and concluded calling it another colourful painting by Bharathiraja highlighting love.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=சிந்து-ஜீவா |date=16 August 1981 |title=அலைகள் ஓய்வதில்லை |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1981-08-16/page/7/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230410130304/https://archive.org/details/kalki1981-08-16/page/7/mode/2up |archive-date=10 April 2023 |access-date=10 April 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=7 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> The then [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]], [[M. G. Ramachandran]] applauded the performance of Smitha, and encouraged her to perform more similar roles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramesh |first=Neeraja |date=23 September 2019 |title=Decoding Silk Smitha for Gen Z |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/decoding-silk-smitha-for-gen-z/articleshow/71250400.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020103717/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/decoding-silk-smitha-for-gen-z/articleshow/71250400.cms |archive-date=20 October 2021 |access-date=10 April 2020 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

== Accolades ==
''Alaigal Oivathillai'' won eight [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]]. They were [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film|Best Film]], [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]] (Bharathiraja), [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] (Ilaiyaraaja), [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Lyricist|Best Lyricist]] (Vairamuthu), [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer|Best Cinematographer]] (B. Kannan), [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer|Best Story Writer]] (Manivannan), Best Debut Actor Male (Karthik) and Best Debut Actor Female (Radha).{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=66}}

== Other versions ==
''Alaigal Oivathillai'' was simultaneously shot along with its Telugu version titled ''[[Seethakoka Chilaka]]'' by Bharathiraja himself with Karthik and Smitha reprising their roles, which was released one month later.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2018 |title=నువ్వు పట్టుచీర కడితే... |url=https://www.sakshi.com/news/family/describing-seethakoka-chilaka-movie-song-1070024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207131939/https://www.sakshi.com/news/family/describing-seethakoka-chilaka-movie-song-1070024 |archive-date=7 February 2022 |access-date=2 April 2021 |website=[[Sakshi (newspaper)|Sakshi]] |language=te}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 August 2021 |title=నాలుగు ప‌దుల సీతాకోక‌చిలక‌ |url=https://ntvtelugu.com/40-years-for-seethakoka-chilaka-movie/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821053922/https://ntvtelugu.com/40-years-for-seethakoka-chilaka-movie/ |archive-date=21 August 2021 |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=[[NTV (India)|NTV]] |language=te}}</ref> Bharathiraja remade it in Hindi as ''[[Lovers (1983 film)|Lovers]]'' in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Sukanya |date=11 April 2016 |title=Ranbir's forgotten romance in Bachna Ae Haseeno |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/column/ranbirs-forgotten-romance-in-bachna-ae-haseeno/20160411.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207063101/https://www.rediff.com/movies/column/ranbirs-forgotten-romance-in-bachna-ae-haseeno/20160411.htm |archive-date=7 February 2020 |access-date=6 April 2020 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |title=The Best of Tamil Cinema, 1931 to 2010: 1977–2010 |publisher=Galatta Media |year=2011 |oclc=733724281}}
*{{Cite book |last=Sundararaman |title=Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music |publisher=Pichhamal Chintamani |year=2007 |edition=2nd |oclc=295034757 |orig-date=2005}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
{{Bharathiraja}}
{{TamilNaduStateFilmAwardBestFilm}}
[[Category:1981 Indian films]]
[[Category:1981 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1980s teen romance films]]
[[Category:1981 films]]
[[Category:1981 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Bharathiraja]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Bharathiraja]]
[[Category:Indian interfaith romance films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Indian teen romance films]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language romantic drama films]]

Alaigal Oivathillai - Revision history

Filmeekeeda at 05:06, 3 March 2026