Panduranga Mahatyam
| Panduranga Mahatyam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao |
| Produced by | N. Trivikrama Rao |
| Written by | Samudrala Jr |
| Based on | life of Pundarika |
| Starring |
N. T. Rama Rao Anjali Devi B. Saroja Devi |
| Music by | T. V. Raju |
| Cinematography | M. A. Rehman |
| Edited by | G. D. Joshi |
Production company |
National Art Theatre Pvt. Ltd. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 175 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Panduranga Mahatyam (English: Glory of Panduranga) is a 1957 Telugu biographical devotional film, based on the life of Pundarika, produced by N. Trivikrama Rao under the National Art Theatres banner and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi and B. Saroja Devi in the lead roles, with music composed by T. V. Raju. The film was recorded as a Blockbuster at the box office. The film was dubbed as the Tamil movie Annaiyum Pithavum Munnari Dheivam(1959) and it was again remade as the Telugu movie Pandurangadu (2008), starring Nandamuri Balakrishna in the pivotal role.
Plot
Pundarika (N. T. Rama Rao) is from a pious Brahmin family, who is not interested in the worship of God and irreligious, a complete rebel who is asked to mend the ways, he neglects his parents Jahnu Sarma (Chittoor V. Nagaiah), Lakshmi (Rushendramani) and wife Rama (Anjali Devi). He steals their gold for a prostitute Kalavathy (B. Saroja Devi), she takes all his wealth and throws him out. Not yet a changed man, the wandering Pundarik sets his sight on the three river goddesses Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati who is serving sage Kukkuta’s ashram to get rid of the impurities passed on to them by the sinners who took a bath in their rivers. He also insults Kukkuta who is serving his parents at that time. When he tries to kick the sage, Pundarik loses his legs. Repentant, Pundarik crawls his way to find his parents and falls at their feet seeking pardon. He regains his limbs and prays to Lord Panduranga to grant him the boon of merging into him along with his parents — giving the message that one has to serve one's parents and it is the quickest way to Salvation.
Cast
- N. T. Rama Rao as Pundarika
- Anjali Devi as Rama
- B. Saroja Devi as Kalavati
- Chittor V. Nagaiah as Jahnavi
- Padmanabham
- Govindarajula Subba Rao
- Vangara
- K. V. S. Sarma as Vikatasura
- Kasturi Siva Rao
- Peketi Sivaram
- Balakrishna
- Rushyendramani as Lakshmi
- Chhaya Devi
- Ammaji as Champa
- Showkar Janaki
- Vijaya Nirmala as Lord Krishna
Crew
- Art: Thota
- Choreography: Vempati
- Stills: Nagaraja Rao
- Dialogues - Lyrics: Samudrala Jr
- Playback: Ghantasala, P. Susheela, P. Leela, Jikki, M. S. Rama Rao, Pithapuram, Madhavapeddi Satyam, A. P. Komala
- Music: T. V. Raju
- Editing: G. D. Joshi
- Cinematography: M. A. Rehman
- Producer: N. Trivikrama Rao
- Direction: Kamalakara Kameswara Rao
- Banner: National Art Theatres
- Release Date: 28 November 1957
Soundtrack
Music was composed by T. V. Raju. Lyrics were written by Samudrala Jr. The songs Jaya Krishna Mukunda Murari, Amma Ani Pilichina are evergreen blockbusters. Music released on Audio Company.
| S. No. | Song Title | Singers | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aanandhamidhenoi" | P. Susheela | 2:49 |
| 2 | "Amma Ani" | Ghantasala | 7:37 |
| 3 | "Chebithe Vintivaa Guru Guru" | Pithapuram, Madhavapeddi Satyam | 2:48 |
| 4 | "Ekkadoyi Muddula Bava" | Pithapuram, A. P. Komala | 4:06 |
| 5 | "Hara Hara Sambho" | Ghantasala | 2:07 |
| 6 | "Jaya Jaya Gokula" | Chittor V. Nagaiah | 2:32 |
| 7 | "Jaya Krishna Mukunda Murari" | Ghantasala | 11:03 |
| 8 | "Kanavera Muni Raja" | P. Leela | 3:44 |
| 9 | "Neevani Nenani" | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 3:14 |
| 10 | "Oh Daari Kaanan" | M. S. Rama Rao | 2:51 |
| 11 | "Pedhavula Ragam" | Jikki | 03:01 |
| 12 | "Sannuthi Seyave Manasaa" | Chittor V. Nagaiah | 03:28 |
| 13 | "Tharam Tharam Nirantharam" | Ghantasala | 3:21 |
| 14 | 'Tholu Thitthi Idhi" | Pithapuram, Madhavapeddi Satyam | 3:12 |
| 15 | "Vannela Chinnela" | Ghantasala, P. Leela | 2:55 |
| 16 | "Laxmi Nrusimha Vibhave" | Chittor V. Nagaiah | 0:53 |
| 17 | "Sri Kamini Kamitakara" | Ghantasala | 2:03 |
| 18 | "Akkadavunde Panduranga" | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 1:50 |
Trivia
- "Jaya Krishna Mukunda Murari" rendered by Ghantasala and composed by T.V. Raju is one of the longest songs in Telugu, lasting for about 15 minutes.
- "Amma Ani Pilichina Aaalakinchavemamma" is another song in this movie that melted many hearts and brought them to tears.
- One person wrote to NTR to say that it made him realize the value of parents, who he had thrown out previously, and gotten back home after watching the movie.[1]
- B. Saroja Devi, an actress in Tamil and Kannada movies was happy for getting the chance to act with N. T. Rama Rao in her debut film in Telugu language.
- Vijaya Nirmala, who debuted in Telugu with this as a child artiste, played the baby Krishna.
- It had a 100-day run in 9 centers and celebrated a silver jubilee in Vijayawada and Guntur centers.[2][3]
Awards
- Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao won the Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) (fourth in succession) for his portrayal of Pundarika.