Tenali Raman | |
---|---|
Directed by | B. S. Ranga |
Screenplay by | B. S. Ranga Kannadasan |
Based on | Tenali Ramakrishna by Ch. Venkataramaiah |
Produced by | B. S. Ranga |
Starring | Sivaji Ganesan N. T. Rama Rao V. Nagayya P. Bhanumathi Jamuna |
Cinematography | B. S. Ranga |
Edited by | P. G. Mohan |
Music by | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy |
Production company | Vikram Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 169 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
Tenali Raman is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language historical comedy film written and directed by B. S. Ranga, based on Ch. Venkataramaiah's play Tenali Ramakrishna. Produced for the banner Vikram Productions, the film stars Sivaji Ganesan, V. Nagayya, P. Bhanumathi, Jamuna and Thiruvengadam Chettiyar. Ranga also handled the cinematography while P. G. Mohan edited the film. Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy composed the soundtrack and background score.
Tenali Raman narrates the story of the 14th century poet and scholar Tenali Rama, and his life as a member of the court of Krishnadevaraya, the king of Vijayanagara Empire. Raman, with his wits, manages to save Krishnadevaraya from the attacks made by the Bahmani Sultanate who try to invade Vijayanagara Empire. The rest of the film is about Raman's efforts in saving Krishnadevaraya from courtesan Krishnasani, a spy and convincing emperor Babur against extending support to the Sultanate in the war.
Produced as a bilingual film, it was shot simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu with a slightly altered cast. Tenali Raman was filmed in and around Revathy Studios at Madras. It was released on 3 February 1956, nearly a month after the Telugu version Tenali Ramakrishna .
During the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire, Raman is a poet and scholar whose talent is not recognised in his hometown Tenali. To earn a livelihood, he migrates to Hampi along with his wife Kamala and son Madhava. On his way to Hampi, he halts at a Kali temple where he is initially terrified looking at the goddess' idol and the animal sacrifices made to please her. That night, Kali appears before him and grants a boon: he would have to choose either wisdom or materialistic wealth. Raman opts for both, which angers Kali who warns that he might end up as a clownish poet whose wisdom is solely useful for entertaining others. Raman accepts it as a blessing and requests Kali to save him from further dangers, to which the goddess agrees and disappears.
Raman reaches Hampi and approaches Rajaguru, the royal priest of the Vijayanagara empire to find employment in the court of king Krishnadevaraya. Neither Rajaguru nor his assistants help him and he returns dejected. However, he finds an opportunity when Krishnadevaraya is unable to distribute 17 disputed elephants among three brothers as per their deceased father's will. Raman solves the problem and Krishnadevaraya appoints him as a court member. With his wit and loyalty, Raman soon earns the respect of all the court members, except Rajaguru who sees him as a problem.
The Deccan Sultans of Berar, Ahmednagar, Bidar, Bijapur, and Golconda decide to wage a war on Vijayanagara empire with united military forces. They send Kanakaraju, a spy, to Hampi where he meets Raman, who happens to be his distant relative. Some days later, Kanakaraju tries to assassinate Krishnadevaraya and Rajaguru blames Raman for giving shelter to a spy. As Raman is about to be killed as per the king's orders, he overhears a conversation between another spy and the court's astrologer. The spy bribes the astrologer to influence Krishnadevaraya in postponing the war on Bijapur so that they can have time for proper preparations. Raman escapes and meets Appaji with whose help he reveals the astrologer's intentions. The astrologer is killed and Rajaguru, who believed in him with good faith, is accused of trying to back stab the king. Raman intervenes and Rajaguru is saved, which improves their relation.
The Bahmani Sultanate then send courtesan Krishna to Hampi. With her acclaimed dancing skills, she manages to elicit the notice of Krishnadevaraya, who finds himself besotted by her wits and sensuousness. He issues orders that anyone who enters his private chamber would be beheaded and continues to spend with time with Krishna for months. Appaji and Raman learn that the Sultans are planning to take advantage of the King's inaccessibility and shall launch a combined attack on Hampi soon. Worried at the state of affairs, Raman braves the prohibitory order and enters Krishna's abode dressed as a woman, but is ignored and expelled from the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Krishnadevaraya's wife Thirumalambal falls seriously ill, and he finally realises his mistakes. Once the King is back at his palace, Raman manages to gain entry into Krishna's chamber again, this time under the guise of a 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. She kills herself preferring a dignifying death, and Raman wishes to leave for Delhi to convince emperor Babur from sending his elephantry to support the Sultanate in the war.
Raman reaches Delhi and meets Babur in the guise of an aged fakir and sings praises of him, until he empties all the gold coins he has. Babur then invites him to his palace to gift him properly. Raman goes to Babur's palace, and introduces himself as one of those innocent citizens of the Vijayanagara empire who shall suffer if Babur extends his support to the unjust Sultanate. Babur is convinced and calls off his elephantry back. Dismayed at the sudden turn of events, the Sultanate call off the war. Krishnadevaraya learns about Raman's efforts in stopping the war from Appaji. Remorseful, Krishnadevaraya invites Raman to rejoin the court, to which he agrees gladly.
After the success of his first production venture Maa Gopi (1954), B. S. Ranga wished to produce and direct a historical film based on the life of the 14th century Telugu poet and scholar Tenali Rama, who was one of the Ashtadiggajas (a collective title given to the eight Telugu poets in the court of Krishnadevaraya, which literally translates to eight great elephants). [1] He planned it as a bilingual film to be filmed simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil languages with a slightly altered cast. [2] Ranga collaborated with Samudrala Sr., Kannadasan and Murugadasa on the basic script for both the versions. [2] They decided to adapt Ch. Venkataramaiah's Kannada stage play Tenali Ramakrishna into a film, instead of following the script of H. M. Reddy 's 1941 Telugu film of the same name. [1] Ranga titled the film as Tenali Raman in Tamil, [3] while Tenali Ramakrishna was chosen for the Telugu version. [2] Tenali Raman was the second Tamil film based on Tenali Rama, after a 1938 film. [4]
Venkataramaiah's play was comical in nature, and focused plainly on the life and times of Rama. Fearing that it would fail to translate on-screen effectively, Samudrala and Kannadasan decided to incorporate political elements during the rule of Krishnadevaraya. [5] While Samudrala focused on the administrative aspects of Krishnadevaraya, Kannadasan opted to "humanise" the king by writing scenes related to his personal life and preferences. [5] Tenali Raman was filmed in and around Revathy Studios at Madras, as the floors of Ranga's production company Vikram Studios were still under construction excluding the recording and projection theatres. [6]
Ranga cast Sivaji Ganesan to play Raman in Tamil with Akkineni Nageswara Rao replacing him in the Telugu version. [2] N. T. Rama Rao and V. Nagayya were signed to play Krishnadevaraya and his minister. [6] M. N. Nambiar played the role of the kingdom's royal priest and was replaced by Mukkamala in the Telugu version. [6] [2]
Ranga approached P. Bhanumathi to play Krishna. Initially disinterested, Bhanumathi accepted the offer keeping in view Ranga's association as a cinematographer for films produced by the former's production company Bharani Pictures. [6] Surabhi Balasaraswathi, Jamuna and Master Venkateshwar were cast in key supporting roles. [3]
Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy were signed to compose the soundtrack and background score for both the versions. [2] In addition to directing, Ranga also worked as the director of photography. P. G. Mohan edited the film. Vali and Ganga were the art directors, while Chopra and Gopalakrishnan choreographed the dance sequences. [7]
The soundtrack was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. [8]
Song | Singers | Lyrics |
---|---|---|
"Ulagellaam Unatharulaal Malarum" | P. Leela | M. K. Athamanathan |
"Naattu Jananga Adaiyelam" | Karikkol Raju | Kannadasan |
"Chandana Charchita Nila Kalebara" | P. Susheela | Geetha Govindam |
"Ullaasam Thedum Ellorum Or Naal" | Ghantasala | Tamaizhmannan |
"Ulagellaam Unatharulaal Malarum" (pathos) | P. Leela | M. K. Athamanathan |
"Chittu Pole Mullai Mottuppole" | A. P. Komala | Kannadasan |
"Aadum Kalaiyellam Paruva Mangaiyar Azhagu Koorum" | P. Leela | |
"Thennavan Thaai Nattu Singaarame" | P. Susheela | |
"Thangam Pogum Meni Undhan Sondham Ini" | R. Balasaraswathi Devi | |
"Putrile Pambirukkum...Kottaiyile Oru Kaalatthile" | T. M. Soundararajan & V. Nagayya | |
"Kangalil Adidum Penmaiyin Naadagam" | P. Bhanumathi | |
"Kannamirandum Minnidum Annam" | P. Bhanumathi | |
"Pirandha Naal Mannan Pirandha Naal" | P. Bhanumathi | |
"Vinnulagil Minni Varum Thaaragaiye Po Po" | P. Bhanumathi | |
"Adari Padarndha" | V. N. Sundharam | |
"Ponnalla Porul" | V. N. Sundharam | |
"Kannaa Pinnaa Mannaa" | V. N. Sundharam | |
"Vindhiyam Vadakkaaga" | V. N. Sundharam | |
"Chandhiran Pole" | V. N. Sundharam | |
"Drru Drru Ena Madugal" | V. N. Sundharam | |
"Thaadhi Thoodho Theedhu" | V. N. Sundharam |
Tenali Raman was released on 3 February 1956, nearly a month after the Telugu version. [6] Kannadasan published a still from the film showing Raman buried neck deep, waiting to be trampled by an elephant, with a caption describing it as Ganesan's future. [9] 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." [10]
The Vijayanagara Empire was a late medieval Hindu empire that ruled much of southern India. It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, members of a pastoralist cowherd community that claimed Gadaria (Shepherd) lineage.
Tenali Ramakrishna (Telugu: తెనాలి రామకృష్ణుడు, was a Telugu language poet, scholar, thinker and a special advisor in the court of the Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya, who ruled from 1509 to 1529 CE. He hailed from the village of Tenali and wrote poetry in Telugu. He is generally known for the folk tales which focus on his wit. He was one of the Ashtadiggajas, the eight poets in the court of Krishnadevaraya.
Krishnadevaraya was an emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire reigning from 1509 to 1529. He was the third monarch of the Tuluva dynasty, and is considered to be one of the greatest rulers in Indian history. He ruled the largest empire in India after the fall of the Islamic Delhi Sultanate. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by many Indians. Krishnadevaraya earned the titles Andhra Bhoja, Karnatakaratna Simhasanadeeshwara, Yavana Rajya Pratistapanacharya, Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana, Gaubrahmana Pratipalaka and Mooru Rayara Ganda. He became the dominant ruler of the peninsula by defeating the sultans of Bijapur, Golconda, the Bahmani Sultanate and the Gajapatis of Odisha, and was one of the most powerful Hindu rulers in India.
Ashtadiggajas is the collective title given to the eight great Telugu scholars and poets in the court of Emperor Krishnadevaraya, who ruled the Vijayanagara Empire from 1509 until his death in 1529. During his reign, Telugu literature and culture reached its zenith. In his imperial court, these eight poets were regarded as the eight pillars of his literary assembly. The age of Ashtadiggajas is called the Prabandha Age. Each Ashtadiggaja had composed at least one Prabandha Kavyamu, and it was the Ashtadiggajas who gave Prabandha its present form. Most Ashtadiggajas were from Rayalaseema. The Ashtadiggajas Allasani Peddana, Dhurjati, Nandi Thimmana, Madayyagari Mallana and Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu were from Rayalaseema. Pandit Ramakrishna hailed from Tenali in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Ramarajabhushanudu and Pingali Surana were the other two Ashtadiggajas.
Bindiganavile Srinivas Iyengar Ranga was an Indian photographer, actor, producer and director who has made many landmark movies in Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil. He was also the owner of Vikram Studios. He has directed and produced about 87 films in these three languages with a maximum of 18 films in Kannada alone starring matinee idol Rajkumar.
Ramakrishna (1836–1886) or Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was an Indian Hindu religious teacher.
Tenali Ramakrishna is a 1956 Indian Telugu-language political drama film produced and directed by B. S. Ranga based on Ch. Venkataramaiah's stage play of the same name. Produced for the banner Vikram Productions, it stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, N. T. Rama Rao, V. Nagayya, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, and Jamuna in key roles. Ranga handled the cinematography with his brother-in-law B. N. Haridas while P. G. Mohan edited the film. Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy composed the soundtrack and background score.
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.
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Manamagan Thevai is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Bhanumathi. Based on the American film The Fabulous Senorita (1952), it was simultaneously produced in Telugu as Varudu Kaavaali with Jaggayya replacing Ganesan. Manamagan Thevai was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.
Marma Veeran is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language film written by A. L. Narayanan and directed by T. R. Raghunath and was produced by actor Sriram. The film starred Sriram and Vyjayanthimala with N. T. Rama Rao, Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan in guest appearances with Rajasulochana, V. Nagayya, P. S. Veerappa, J. P. Chandrababu, K. A. Thangavelu, M. N. Rajam and T. S. Balaiah forms an ensemble cast. V. Govindarajan of Jubilee Films was the co-producer.
Viswanatha Nayakudu is a 1987 Telugu historical film directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. The film won four Nandi Awards.
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Tenaliraman may refer to:
Tenali is a city in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Engirundho Vandhaal is a 1970 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar and produced by K. Balaji. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa, with K. Balaji, M. Bhanumathi, Nagesh, Sundarrajan and Raja in supporting roles. It is a remake of the 1963 Telugu film Punarjanma, which in turn was based on the novel Patthar Ke Honth by Gulshan Nanda. The film was released on 29 October 1970, and became a silver jubilee hit. It later won the Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil.
The Āmuktamālyada is a Telugu epic poem composed by Krishnadevaraya, the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, in the early 16th century. Amuktamalyada translates to "One who offered the garland after wearing it herself". Considered as a masterpiece, the Amuktamalyada describes the legendary wedding of the Hindu deity Ranganayaka, an avatar of Vishnu, and Andal, one of the poet-saints called the Alvars, at Srirangam.
Tenali Rama is an Indian Hindi-language historical comedy drama based on the life of the legendary Telugu poet Tenali Ramakrishna, one of the Ashtadiggajas at the court of Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya, who is often cited as the greatest Vijayanagara emperor. The series premiered on Sony SAB on 11 July 2017 and went off-air on 13 November 2020.
Tirumala Devi was the senior wife and chief empress of Emperor Krishnadevaraya, who is considered to be the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. She was also the most honoured wife of Krishnadevaraya, and the mother of his heir-apparent, Prince Tirumala, who died in his childhood.
Poet Kannadasan published a still from Ganesan's Tenaliraman (1956), for which he had penned the dialogues, showing Ganesan buried neck deep, waiting to be trampled by an elephant, with the caption 'Sivaji Ganesan's Future'.