Vemulawada Bheemakavi (film)

Vemulawada Bheemakavi
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	D. Yoganand
Produced by	N. T. Rama Rao
Written by	Samudrala Jr (dialogues)
Screenplay by	N. T. Rama Rao
Story by	N. T. Rama Rao
Starring	N. T. Rama Rao Nandamuri Balakrishna
Music by	Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Cinematography	J. Satyanarayana
Edited by	G. D. Joshi
Production company	Ramakrishna Cine Studios[1]
Release date	8 January 1976 (1976-01-08)
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Vemulawada Bheemakavi is a 1976 Telugu, hagiographical film produced by N. T. Rama Rao on his Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner and directed by D. Yoganand. Starring N. T. Rama Rao, Nandamuri Balakrishna in the lead roles and music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao.^[2][3]

Plot

The story is based on the life of Vemulawada Bheemakavi famous Telugu poet of the 9th century. Wherever society is spoilt by superstitions, crime level increase in the name of religion, great people are born to protect the piety and reform the society. One among them is Vemulawada Bheemakavi. The story begins with Machamma, is a child widow, her husband an old man married her for sake of children but dies before his wish is fulfilled. Machamma lives in her brother’s house like a slave. Machamma once goes to Bhimeshwara temple in Vemulawada and innocently prays him to fulfill her husband’s wish. Bhimeshwara feels happy about her innocent wish and promises her that she will give birth to a baby boy. When Machamma becomes pregnant society rejects her and she gives birth to Bheemakavi. Society outcasts Bheemakavi and he could not get any education. He observes himself and also fellow outcasts & their plights. He says all are humans and to be treated equally and starts debating in the streets and the people used to abuse him as an illegal child. Once he goes to Kaalipuja and he is thrown out. Bheema asks his mother to tell about his father, she replies to go and ask Lord Bhimeshwara. Bhima goes to the temple and asks God and warns if he is not going, to tell the truth, he will commit suicide before him. Lord Siva appears, tells him that he is the gift given to his mother by god and gives him a boon that Whatever he says becomes True. Bheema comes to the ritual ground, recites a poem and says that Rice becomes lime, Appam sweet becomes a frog and it happens. All poets & priests fall on his feet, agrees that Machamma is a noble lady and take them into their societies fold. Bheemakavi visits many kingdoms and makes miracles. In a kingdom, the King dies before crowning his son Kalinga Gangu. There arises a lot of criminal elements which create unrest in the kingdom. People revolt and attempt to murder Kalinga Gangu. At this juncture, Bheemakavi enters the king's court. But king asks him to come later. Bhimakavi becomes angry and curses that he will lose his kingdom in 32 days and it happens. After some time Bheemakavi sees Kalinga Gangu on the streets, sympathise with him and assures him that he will get back his kingdom by next full moon day. Rest of the story is how it happens.

Cast

• N. T. Rama Rao
• Nandamuri Balakrishna
• Satyanarayana
• Rajanala
• Kanta Rao
• Thyagaraju
• Raavi Kondala Rao
• K. V. Chalam
• K. K. Sarma
• Shavukaru Janaki
• Vijayalalitha
• Girija
• Hemalata

Crew

• Art: Gokahle
• Choreography: Vempati
• Dialogues: Samudrala Jr
• Lyrics: Samudrala Jr, Kosaraju
• Playback: V. Ramakrishna, S. Janaki, P. Susheela, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Tulasi Das, Madhavapeddi Ramesh
• Music: Pendyala Nageswara Rao
• Editing: J. Satyanarayana
• Cinematography: G. D. Joshi
• Story - Screenplay - Producer: N. T. Rama Rao
• Director: D. Yoganand
• Banner: Ramakrishna Cine Studios
• Release Date: 8 January 1976

Soundtrack

Music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao. Lyrics were written by C. Narayana Reddy. Music released on AVM Audio Company.

References