Thank you Mr.Murali, saradha_sn, Groucho and Mr.Raghavendran.
The triple DVD of Uththamapuththiran, Punar Jenmam and kAthavarAyan is out on Moser Baer. As I have seen UP earlier I saved it for later and watched the other two. It is surprising that Kathavarayan has found little mention thus far in this thread and even in general. I found it quite interesting and visually quite innovative.
One piece of trivia which Vairamuththu mentioned in a meeting (held as part of Chennai Sangamam) in Jan last year. Apparently MGR had declined this role. His stated grounds were that man-turning-into-bird etc. were against the principles of his party.