Tenali Raman (1956 film)

Tenali Raman
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	B. S. Ranga
Produced by	B. S. Ranga
Written by	Kannadasan (dialogues)
Screenplay by	B. S. Ranga
Story by	Ch. Venkataramaiah
Based on	Tenali Ramakrishna (drama)
Starring	N. T. Rama Rao Sivaji Ganesan Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Jamuna
Music by	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Cinematography	B. S. Ranga
Edited by	P. G. Mohan
Production company	Vikram Productions[1]
Release date	3 February 1956 (1956-02-03)
Running time	169 mins
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Tenali Raman is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film, based on the life of Tenali Rama Krishna famous jester poet of 15th century, produced and directed by B. S. Ranga on Vikram Productions banner.^[2] Starring N. T. Rama Rao, Sivaji Ganesan, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, Jamuna in the lead roles and music composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy.^[3] The film was adapted from the stage play Tenali Ramakrishna written by Ch. Venkataramaiah. The film was remade as Telugu Movie Tenali Ramakrishna (1956) where Akkineni Nageswara Rao played the title role; both the movies are made simultaneously by same banner & director and some of the scenes & artists are same in both versions.^[4] Both versions were commercially successful. Tenali Ramakrishna was remade in Kannada as Hasyaratna Ramakrishna by Ranga; however, that version was a commercial failure.^[5]

Plot

The Deccan Sultans of Berar, Ahmednagar, Bidar, Bijapur and Golconda who the splinters from the erstwhile Bahmani Sultans now unite with the common purpose to defeat of Krishnadeva Raya and the conquest of the prosperous Vijayanagaram. They send their stooge Kanakaraj to assassinate Krishnadeva Raya, but Kanakaraj fails in his mission and is put to death.

Then they planned courtesan Rangasani. Rangasani enters Vijayanagaram, and with her acclaimed dancing skills, manages to elicit the notice of the King, a great connoisseur of arts and beauty. She then plays her cards cleverly and besotted by her intelligent repartee's and smoldering sensuousness, the susceptible King is soon a puppet in her hands.

Orders are given that anyone who enters their private chamber would be beheaded and the King spends with Rangasani’s for months. Reports reach the ministers that the Sultans are planning to take advantage of the King’s inaccessibility and launch a combined attack on Vijayanagaram. Worried at the state of affairs, Tenali Raman braves the prohibitory order and enters Rangasani’s abode dressed as a woman, but all his appeals to the King seem to fall on deaf ears.

Meanwhile, Queen Tirumalamba falls seriously sick and the King finally comes out of his daze. Once the King is at his wife’s bedside, Tenali Raman manages to gain entry into Rangasani’s house again, this time under the guise of an omniscient saint who assures her that he would bring the King back to her. He catches her red-handed with her gang of spies, and signals to the hidden soldiers to surround her. Realized that the game is up, Rangasani prefers a dignified death. Shocked to see her stab herself, Timmarusu remonstrates with her that she has acted in haste, for the King would have certainly forgiven her.

Cast

• N. T. Rama Rao as Sri Krishna Deva Raya
• Sivaji Ganesan as Tenali Raman
• Bhanumathi Ramakrishna as Rangasani
• Jamuna as Kamala
• Chittor V. Nagaiah as Timmarusu
• M. N. Nambiar as Rajaguru
• Surabhi Balasaraswathi as Radha
• Sandhya as Maharani Tirumaladevi
• Master Venkateswar as Son of Ramakrishna

Crew

• Art: Vaali, Ganga
• Choreography: Chopra, PS Gopala Krishnan
• Dialogues: Kannadasan
• Lyrics: Kannadasan, M. K. Athmanathan, Tamizhmannan.
• Playback: Ghantasala, P. Susheela, P. Leela, T. M. Soundararajan, V. N. Sundharam, Chittor V. Nagaiah Bhunumathi Ramakrishna, Raavu Balasaraswathi, A. P. Komala
• Music: Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
• Story: Ch. Venkataramaiah
• Editing: P. G. Mohan
• Producer - Cinematography - Director: B. S. Ranga
• Banner: Vikram Productions
• Release Date: 12th January 1956

Soundtrack

Music composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy. Music released on Audio Company

Production

Tenali Raman was made as a bilingual film; it was shot simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu (the latter titled Tenali Ramakrishna).^[6] The film which was based on Tenali Raman was based on a stage play written by Kannada writer Ch. Venkataramaiah. B. S. Ranga who produced and directed this film was also recruited as the cinematographer and the film was edited by P. G. Mohan. The music was composed by Viswanathan and Ramamoorthy.

N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao portrayed the characters of Krishnadevaraya and Tenali Raman respectively. Jamuna and Bhanumathi were the lead actresses. Mukkamala, Chittoor Nagaiah, and Surabhi are seen in supporting roles in the Telugu version while Sivaji Ganesan and M. N. Nambiar replaced Nageswara Rao and Mukkamala respectively in the Tamil version. Bhanumathi signed this film only for Ranga who earlier worked as a cameraman for her production company.^[7] Tenali Raman was the second Tamil film based on Tenali Rama, after a 1938 film.^[8]

Reception

The Hindu wrote, "It is a film which deserves to be seen.... It is a narrative well told, in terms of resourceful acting, (from [Sivaji] Ganesan in the central role in particular, and from others) attractive high flown language, and impressive backgrounds built with an eye to period." The Indian Express said, ".... is a very entertaining picture. Some of the songs in the classical style are pleasing. There are a few delightful dances which ought to enhance the entertainment value of the picture." The Mail said, "With witty dialogues, and a number of pleasing dances and songs the film is entertaining." The Screen said, "[Sivaji] Ganesan portrays the role of Tenali Raman extremely well. The film should appeal to all sections of picture-goers."^[9]

References