Gunasundari Katha

Last updated

Gunasundari Katha
Gunasundari Katha.JPG
Telugu గుణసుందరి కథ
Directed by K. V. Reddy
Screenplay byK. V. Reddy
Kamalakara Kameswara Rao
Dialogue by
  • Pingali Nagendra Rao
Story by Pingali Nagendra Rao
Produced byK. V. Reddy
Starring Sriranjani
Kasturi Siva Rao
Vallabhajosyula Sivaram
Relangi
Govindarajula Subba Rao
Santha Kumari
K. Malathi
Cinematography Marcus Bartley
Edited byC. P. Jamboolingam
Music by Ogirala Ramachandra Rao
Production
company
Release date
  • 28 December 1949 (1949-12-28)
Running time
172 minutes
Country India
LanguageTelugu

Gunasundari Katha is a 1949 Indian Telugu language fantasy film produced and directed by K. V. Reddy, starring Sriranjani, Kasturi Siva Rao, Santha Kumari. The script was written by Pingali Nagendra Rao, K. V. Reddy, and Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. Kameswara Rao was also the associate director. [1] William Shakespeare's play King Lear was the inspiration for the core plot. [2] However the writers changed the tone from the tragedy of King Lear to a more entertaining one for the film. [1] The film was commercially successful. [3] [1]

Contents

Plot

King Ugrasena (Govindarajula Subba Rao) of Dhara Nagaram had three daughters: Rupasundari (Santakumari) who is married to her cousin Haramati (Subba Rao), Hemasundari (Malathi) who is married to her cousin Kalamata (Relangi), and Gunasundari (Sriranjani).

During a discussion, the King asked his daughters who they loved the most. Rupa and Hema told him they loved him the most, even more than their husbands. Gunasundari who is unmarried insists that she will love her husband the most once she is married. She goes on to say that she will love him more than her father regardless of his appearance or physical condition.

Her father the King was offended by this and forced Gunasundari to marry a hideous and disabled man, Daivadheenam (Kasturi Siva Rao). After the arranged marriage to the ugliest man in the country, the king exiles his daughter to live outside the palace with her new husband whom she now loves more than the King.

Eventually, the King is wounded and develops a chronic illness. The Physicians tell him the wound could only be cured with the diamond "Mahendra Mani". The King sends his three sons-in-law on a journey to find the diamond.

Daivadheenam overcomes his disabilities during the quest for "Mahendra Mani". No one knew that Daivadheenam was once a handsome prince who had been cursed by his guru for misconduct and character flaws. While fulfilling the quest of finding the diamond and overcoming his physical limitations Daivadheenam's character was fixed. He then brings the diamond to the palace and cures the king. This breaks Daivadheenam's curse and he is returned to his original form.

Cast

Actor / ActressCharacter
Govindarajula Subba Rao King Ugrasena
Sriranjani Gunasundari
Santha Kumari Rupasundari
MalathiHemasundari
Vallabhajosyula Sivaram
Kasturi Siva Rao Daivadeenam
Relangi Kalamati
Subba RaoHaramati
T. G. Kamala Devi

Songs

The Music is composed by Ogirala Ramachandra Rao. There are many lyrics, all of them written by Pingali Nagendra Rao. "Sri Tulasi Jaya Tulasi", sung by P. Leela, was a hit with the public.

Related Research Articles

Kadiri Venkata Reddy was an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who primarily worked in Telugu cinema. He is regarded as an influential director in South Indian cinema. He directed 14 feature films and won three National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award South.

<i>Satya Harishchandra</i> (1965 Telugu film) 1965 Indian film

Satya Harishchandra is a 1965 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, based on the life of Harishchandra, produced and directed by K. V. Reddy under the Vijaya Productions banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and S. Varalakshmi, with music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao.

<i>Pedda Manushulu</i> (1954 film) 1954 Indian film

Pedda Manushulu is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced and directed by K. V. Reddy. It stars Jandhyala Gaurinatha Sastry, Mudigonda Lingamurthy, Relangi, Vangara, Sriranjani Jr. in prominent roles. The film portrays corruption among so called respectable persons of the society. It was loosely based on The Pillars of Society, a 1877 play by famous Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen.

<i>Chandraharam</i> 1954 Indian film

Chandraharam is a 1954 Telugu-Tamil bilingual swashbuckler film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao in his debut. It was produced by Nagi Reddy-Chakrapani under the Vijaya Productions banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri and Sriranjani Jr., with music composed by Ghantasala. The film was not commercially successful.

<i>Mahamantri Timmarusu</i> (film) 1962 Indian film

Mahamantri Timmarusu is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language historical drama film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Devika, Gummadi with music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao. The film was produced by N. Ramabrahmam, A. Pundarikakshayya under the Gowtami Productions banner. The film won the President's silver medal for Best Feature Film in Telugu at the 10th National Film Awards.

<i>Mahakavi Kshetrayya</i> 1976 film directed by C. S. Rao, Adurthi Subba Rao

Mahakavi Kshetrayya is a 1976 Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of Kshetrayya, produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali Pictures banner and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao & C. S. Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao in the title role, with Anjali Devi, Manjula as female leads, and music also composed by P. Adinarayana Rao. Actually the film direction was started by veteran Adurthi Subba Rao but he had expired in the middle of the movie and director C. S. Rao completed the movie.

<i>Mahakavi Kalidasu</i> 1960 Indian film

Mahakavi Kalidasu is a 1960 Indian Telugu-language biographical film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and written by Pingali. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Sriranjani Jr., with music composed by Pendyala. It was produced by K. Nagamani and P. Suri Babu. The film is based on the life of the poet Kalidasa.

<i>Prema</i> (1952 film) 1952 Indian film

Prema (transl. Love) is a 1952 Indian romance film, produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao under the Bharani Studios banner. The film is simultaneously made in Telugu and Tamil languages, the latter titled Kaadhal. It stars Bhanumathi Ramakrishna and Akkineni Nageswara Rao with music composed by C. R. Subburaman. Bhanumathi wrote the story, for the first time.

<i>Vindhyarani</i> 1948 Indian film

Vindhyarani is a 1948 Indian Telugu-language film directed by C. Pullayya. It is a film based on a drama written by Pingali Nagendra Rao. Pushpavalli played the title role of Vindhyarani.

<i>Jagadeka Veeruni Katha</i> 1961 Indian film

Jagadeka Veeruni Katha is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language fantasy swashbuckler film, produced and directed by K. V. Reddy under the Vijaya Productions banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, B. Saroja Devi with music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kasturi Shankar</span> Indian Kannada singer (born 1950)

Kasturi Shankar is an Indian singer who sings mainly in Kannada language. She has recorded few films songs in Malayalam and Tulu languages and many non-film songs in Konkani, Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu and Hindi.

<i>Uma Chandi Gowri Sankarula Katha</i> 1968 Indian film

Uma Chandi Gowri Sankarula Katha is a 1968 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by K. V. Reddy. The film was produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under the Vijaya Productions banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and B. Saroja Devi, with music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao. Released on 11 January 1968, the film was a commercial failure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kasturi Siva Rao</span> Indian actor

Kasturi Siva Rao was an Indian actor, comedian, playback singer, producer and director known for his works in Telugu cinema. He was one of the first star comedians of Telugu cinema.

<i>Missamma</i> (soundtrack) 1955 soundtrack album by S. Rajeswara Rao

Missamma is the soundtrack of the 1955 Indian Telugu-language film of the same name directed by L. V. Prasad. Composed by S. Rajeswara Rao, the soundtrack contains 11 songs with lyrics by Pingali. The film was written by Chakrapani, who co-produced it with B. Nagi Reddi for Vijaya Productions. N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri played the lead roles the Telugu version, with Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jamuna, S. V. Ranga Rao, Rushyendramani, Relangi and Ramana Reddy in supporting roles.

<i>Guna Sundari</i> 1955 Indian film

Guna Sundari or Gunasundari is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language film starring Gemini Ganesan and Savitri. The film was a remake of the 1949 Telugu film Gunasundari Katha. It was not successful at the box office.

<i>Paramanandayya Sishyulu</i> 1950 Indian film

Paramanandayya Sishyulu is a 1950 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckling comedy film, produced and directed by Kasturi Siva Rao under the Allied Productions banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Lakshmi Rajyam, C.S.R. and music jointly composed by Ogirala Ramachandra Rao and Susarla Dakshinamurthi. The film was remade again in Telugu in 1966 as Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha starring N. T. Rama Rao, K. R. Vijaya in pivotal roles, which went on to be remade in Kannada in 1981 as Guru Shishyaru.

<i>Mantra Dandam</i> 1951 Indian film

Mantra Dandam is a 1951 Telugu-language fantasy swashbuckler film, produced by C. K. C. Chitti under the Sri Gnanambika Pictures banner and directed by K. S. Ramachandra Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Sriranjani Jr. and music composed by Nallam Nageswara Rao, while S. Rajeswara Rao has taken care of the background score.

<i>Aapta Mitrulu</i> 1963 Indian film

Aapta Mitrulu is a 1963 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Kadaru Nagabhushanam under the Sri Raja Rajeswari Film Company banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna Kumari, Kanta Rao and music composed by Ghantasala.

<i>Bala Nagamma</i> (1959 film) 1959 film directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah

Bala Nagamma is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language fantasy swashbuckler film directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi, and S. V. Ranga Rao with music composed by T. V. Raju. It is a remake of the 1942 Telugu film of the same name.

<i>Velaikari Magal</i> Tamil-language drama film

Velaikari Magal is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by C. V. Ranganatha Das and starring N. T. Rama Rao, C. Lakshmi Rajyam, and S. V. Ranga Rao. The film is a remake of the 1952 Telugu film Daasi.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Narasimham, M. L. (29 September 2012). "Guna Sundari (1949)". The Hindu . Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  2. ↑ Radhakrishnan, Sruthi (23 April 2018). "400 years later, Shakespeare still remains relevant in Indian cinema". The Hindu . Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  3. ↑ Gudipoodi, Srihari. "Telugu Cinema - Past and Present". Idlebrain . Retrieved 1 October 2022. Gunasundari Katha was an experiment by itself with Kasturi Siva Rao, a comedian, as hero. It clicked and made good profits.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.