Tenali Ramakrishna (film)

"Tenali Raman (film)" redirects here. For the 2014 film, see Tenaliraman (film).
Tenali Ramakrishna

Poster of the Telugu version
Directed by B. S. Ranga
Produced by B. S. Ranga
Written by Samudrala Raghavacharya (Telugu)
Kannadasan (Tamil)
Story by Ch. Venkataramaiah
Based on Tenali Raman
by Ch. Venkataramaiah
Starring N. T. Rama Rao
A. Nageswara Rao (Telugu)
Sivaji Ganesan (Tamil)
Jamuna
Chittor V. Nagaiah
P. Bhanumathi
Mikkilineni
Mukkamala
M. N. Nambiar (Tamil)
Sandhya
Rajanala
Vangara
Surabhi Balasaraswati
Laxmikantam
Ramakoti
Music by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Cinematography B. S. Ranga
Edited by P. G. Mohan
Production
company
Vikram Productions
Distributed by Vikram Productions
Release dates
 12 January 1956
3 February 1956 (Tamil)[1]
Country India
Language Telugu
Tamil

Tenali Ramakrishna is a 1956 Indian bilingual historical comedy film produced and directed by B. S. Ranga under the production company Vikram Studios. Apart from directing, Ranga also handled the cinematography for the film. The film was made simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil languages, with the Tamil version titled Tenali Raman. It features N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jamuna and Bhanumathi Ramakrishna in the lead roles. Mukkamala, Chittor V. Nagaiah and Surabhi play supporting roles in the Telugu version, while Sivaji Ganesan and M. N. Nambiar replaced Nageswara Rao and Mukkamala respectively in the Tamil version.

Tenali Ramakrishna was adapted from the stage play Tenali Raman written by C. K. Venkataramaiah, itself based on the life of the Telugu poet Tenali Rama and the Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya. The film was edited by P. G. Mohan. Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy composed the film's music. The Telugu version has garnered the All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film. Tenali Ramakrishna was released on 12 January 1956 while Tenali Raman was released a month later, on 3 February 1956. Both versions were commercially successful. Tenali Ramakrishna was remade in Kannada as Hasyaratna Ramakrishna by Ranga; however, that version was a commercial failure.

Plot

The Deccan Sultans of Berar, Ahmednagar, Bidar, Bijapur and Golconda who the splinters from the erstwhile Bahmani Sultnate 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 Krishnasini. Krishnasini 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 repartees 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 Krishnasini’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 Krishnasini’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 Ramakrishna manages to gain entry into Krishnasini’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, Krishnasini 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

Production

Tenali Ramakrishna was made as a bilingual film; it was shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil (the latter titled Tenali Raman). 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 Nagewsara 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.[1] Tenali Raman was the second Tamil film based on Tenali Rama, after a 1938 film.[2]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy.

Telugu songs

Lyrics by Samudrala Raghavacharya. Singer is P. Bhanumathi, Chittor V. Nagaiah & Ramakoti. Playback singers are Ghantasala, P. Leela, P. Suseela, R. Balasaraswathi Devi & A. P. Komala.

When Ghantasala refused to take money for the 14 poems he sang, Ranga went to his home and gave his wife Savithri Ghantasala, Rs.100 for each poem that Ghantasala sang.[1]


Tamil songs

Lyrics by Kannadasan, M. K. Athmanathan & Tamizhmannan. Singer is P. Bhanumathi, Chittor V. Nagaiah & Karikkol Raju. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, Ghantasala, V. N. Sundharam, P. Leela, P. Suseela, R. Balasaraswathi Devi & A. P. Komala.

No. Song Singers Lyrics Length (m:ss)
1 Ulagellaam Unatharulaal Malarum P. Leela M. K. Athamanathan
2 Naattu Jananga Adaiyelam Karikkol Raju Kannadasan
3 Chandana Charchita Nila Kalebara P. Suseela Geetha Govindam
4 Ullaasam Thedum Ellorum Or Naal Ghantasala Tamaizhmannan
5 Ulagellaam Unatharulaal Malarum (pathos) P. Leela M. K. Athamanathan
6 Chittu Pole Mullai Mottuppole A. P. Komala Kannadasan
7 Aadum Kalaiyellam Paruva Mangaiyar Azhagu Koorum P. Leela Kannadasan
8 Thennavan Thaai Nattu Singaarame P. Suseela Kannadasan
9 Thangam Pogum Meni Undhan Sondham Ini R. Balasaraswathi Devi Kannadasan
10 Putrile Pambirukkum.... Kottaiyile Oru Kaalatthile T. M. Soundararajan & Chittor V. Nagaiah Kannadasan
11 Kangalil Adidum Penmaiyin Naadagam P. Bhanumathi
12 Kannamirandum Minnidum Annam P. Bhanumathi Kannadasan
13 Pirandha Naal Mannan Pirandha Naal P. Bhanumathi Kannadasan
14 Vinnulagil Minni Varum Thaaragaiye Po Po P. Bhanumathi Kannadasan
15 Adari Padarndha V. N. Sundharam Kannadasan
16 Ponnalla Porul V. N. Sundharam Kannadasan
17 Kannaa Pinnaa Mannaa V. N. Sundharam Kannadasan
18 Vindhiyam Vadakkaaga V. N. Sundharam Kannadasan
19 Chandhiran Pole V. N. Sundharam Kannadasan
20 Drru Drru Ena Madugal V. N. Sundharam Kannadasan
21 Thaadhi Thoodho Theedhu V. N. Sundharam Kannadasan

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Tenali Ramakrishna (1956)". The Hindu. 14 November 2014. Archived from the original on 30 September 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  2. ↑ http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Vadivelu-gets-60s-style-return-tune/2013/05/21/article1598604.ece
  3. ↑ "4th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
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