Lava Kusha
Encyclopedia
Lava Kusha is a classical Telugu
cinema directed by C. S. Rao
and Chittajallu Pullayya and the story of the movie is written by Samudrala Raghavacharya
. It is produced by A Shankara Reddy under Lalitha Siva Jyoti Pictures. The movie was released on 29 March 1963 and instantly became one of the highest grossing Telugu movies of all time. It was also dubbed in Tamil
and Kannada and achieved similar success there as well.
and Kusha
, the sons of Rama
and Sita
. The story begins with Sri Rama Pattabhishekam and about the brief period of Rama Rajyam, Rama sending Seeta exile on hearing the accusations of a washerman, Birth of Lava and Kusha, their visit to Ayodhya, Ashwamedha Yagna and coflict between Rama and his sons and Pattabhishem of Lava and Kusha and Rama and finally ending his Avatar.
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
cinema directed by C. S. Rao
C. S. Rao
Chittajallu Srinivasa Rao better known as C. S. Rao is a South Indian actor, writer and director. He is son of famous film director Chittajallu Pullayya. He has directed about 70 films in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Oriya languages...
and Chittajallu Pullayya and the story of the movie is written by Samudrala Raghavacharya
Samudrala Raghavacharya
Samudrala Raghavacharya also known as Samudrala Senior, is a writer, producer, director and playback singer of Telugu films, Andhra Pradesh, India...
. It is produced by A Shankara Reddy under Lalitha Siva Jyoti Pictures. The movie was released on 29 March 1963 and instantly became one of the highest grossing Telugu movies of all time. It was also dubbed in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
and Kannada and achieved similar success there as well.
Plot
This movie is based on Uttara Kanda which is the later part of Sri Ramayana written by Valmiki Maharshi. It depicts the lives of LavaLava
Lava refers both to molten rock expelled by a volcano during an eruption and the resulting rock after solidification and cooling. This molten rock is formed in the interior of some planets, including Earth, and some of their satellites. When first erupted from a volcanic vent, lava is a liquid at...
and Kusha
Kusha
Kusha may refer to:* Kusha , one of six schools of Japanese Buddhism in the Nara period* Kusha , in Hindu mythology, was one of the twin sons of Lord Rama and Sita* Kusha, tall tufted perennial grass. See also: Poa cynosuroides...
, the sons of Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
and Sita
SITA
SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry...
. The story begins with Sri Rama Pattabhishekam and about the brief period of Rama Rajyam, Rama sending Seeta exile on hearing the accusations of a washerman, Birth of Lava and Kusha, their visit to Ayodhya, Ashwamedha Yagna and coflict between Rama and his sons and Pattabhishem of Lava and Kusha and Rama and finally ending his Avatar.
Cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao | Lord Rama |
| Anjali Devi Anjali Devi Anjali Devi is a veteran Telugu actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita in Lava Kusha and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.- Biography :... |
Goddess Sita SITA SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry... |
| Chittor V. Nagaiah Chittor V. Nagaiah Chitturu Nagayya or Chittor V. Nagaiah birth name - Vuppaladadiyam Nagayya was an Indian actor, composer, director, producer, writer and playback singer of Telugu film industry, Andhra Pradesh, India. Indian film journalist and the editor of Film India, Baburao Patel, described Nagiah as ‘The... |
Valmiki Valmiki Valmiki is celebrated as the poet harbinger in Sanskrit literature. He is the author of the epic Ramayana, based on the attribution in the text of the epic itself. He is revered as the Adi Kavi, which means First Poet, for he discovered the first śloka i.e... Maharshi |
| Master Nagaraju | Lava Lava (Ramayana) Lava or Luv and his twin brother Kusha, were the children of the Lord Rama and his wife Sita, whose story is recounted in the Ramayana. Per that text, he is known as the founder of Lavapuri,that is, the modern day city of Lahore,... |
| Master Subrahmanyam | Kusha Kusha (Ramayana) Kusha , in Hindu mythology, was one of the twin sons of Lord Rama and Sita . Born in the Forest after Sita had been banished from Ayodhya, they were educated and trained in military skills and were under the care of Sage Valmiki.... |
| Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao, better known as Kanta Rao , was an Indian film actor and film producer from Andhra Pradesh, India. He acted in more than 400 Telugu mythological, social and folklore movies. He also acted in a few Hindi, Kannada and Tamil movies. He produced about five films under the... |
Laxmana |
| Kaikala Satyanarayana Kaikala Satyanarayana Kaikala Satyanarayana , a versatile Telugu cine actor, was born on 25 July 1935 to Kaikala Laxmi Narayana couple at Kautaram village in Krishna district. Having completed his primary and intermediate education in Gudivada and Vijayawada, Satyanarayana graduated from Gudivada College... |
Bharata |
| Shobhan Babu | Shatrughna Shatrughna Shatrughna was the youngest brother of Lord Rama in the Hindu epic Ramayana . He is the twin brother of Lakshmana.-Birth and family:... |
| Kannamba | Kousalya |
| Sandhya Sandhya Sandhya may refer to:Film* Sandhya, Indian actress of the 1950s, wife of V. Shantaram*Sandhya Mridul, an Indian actress in Bollywood films, active 1993-present... |
Sriramas Sister |
| S. Varalakshmi S. Varalakshmi Saridey Varalakshmi, popularly known as Telugu: ఎస్. వర లక్ష్మిS. Varalakshmi was a veteran Telugu and Tamil actress and singer... |
Bhoodevi |
| Arja Janardhana Rao | Anjaneya |
| Ramana Reddy Ramana Reddy Ramana Reddy or T. V. Ramana Reddy was an Indian actor and comedian, best known for his work in Telugu cinema in the 1950s and 1960s.... |
Valmiki's disciple |
| Suryakantham | Valmiki disciple's wife |
| Relangi Venkata Ramaiah Relangi Venkata Ramaiah Relangi Venkata Ramaiah was a comedian during the golden years of Telugu film. Hailing from East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, he has acted in several films as chief comedian, hero, anti-hero and character artiste.... |
Washerman |
| Girija Girija (actress) Girija is an early Telugu film actress and comedian of 1950 and 1960s. Her first movie is Kasturi Sivarao's Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha . She acted in many films with Relangi Venkataramaiah and became famous hit comedian pair... |
Wife of Washerman |
| Sivaramakrishnaiah |
Crew
- Director: C. S. R. Rao and Chittajallu Pullayya
- Writer: Samudrala RaghavacharyaSamudrala RaghavacharyaSamudrala Raghavacharya also known as Samudrala Senior, is a writer, producer, director and playback singer of Telugu films, Andhra Pradesh, India...
- Producer: Allareddy Shankar Reddy
- Production Company: Lalitha Siva Jyoti Pictures
- Cinematography: P. L. Roy
- Film Editing: A. Sanjeevi
- Art Direction: T. V. S. Sarma
- Choreography: Vempati Satyam
- Lyrics: Samudrala RaghavacharyaSamudrala RaghavacharyaSamudrala Raghavacharya also known as Samudrala Senior, is a writer, producer, director and playback singer of Telugu films, Andhra Pradesh, India...
, Kosaraju RaghavaiahKosaraju RaghavaiahKosaraju or Kosaraju Raghavaiah or Kosaraju Raghavaiah Chowdary was a Telugu poet and writer. His lyrics are stepped in Telugu folklore and rural idiom. Born in 1905 in an agricultural family in Appikatla village, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Raghavaih studied Telugu literature, epics and...
and Vempati SadasivabrahmamVempati SadasivabrahmamVempati Sadasivabrahmam shortly Sadasivabrahmam was renowned Writer of film stories, dialogues and lyrics in the early period of Telugu cinema.... - Music Director: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao
- Playback singers: Jikki Krishnaveni, J. V. RaghavuluJ. V. RaghavuluJetti Veera Raghavulu, better known as J. V. Raghavulu was an eminent Indian Music director and Playback singer. He started as playback singer and became a music director after the sudden death of Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao. His debut was Drohi of Suresh Productions...
, K. RaniK. RaniK. Rani was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. She represented the Rasipuram constituency of Tamil Nadu and is a member of the Indian National Congress political party.-References:...
, Madhavapeddi SatyamMadhavapeddi SatyamMadhavapeddi Satyam was a renowned Telugu singer and stage-actor from the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. He entered into films as a singer-actor in Y.V. Rao's Tamil-Hindi Biligual movie Ramadas in the year 1946. He played the role of Kabir. However, he became more popular as a playback singer...
, P. B. Srinivas, P. LeelaP. LeelaPorayathu Leela better known as P. Leela was a popular Indian playback singer. She was awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously in 2006.-Early life:...
, Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, P. SusheelaP. SusheelaPulapaka Susheela is an Indian playback singer. In a career spanning more than four decades, she has recorded songs in many Indian languages including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, Bengali, Oriya, Sanskrit, Tulu, Badaga and Sinhalese.-Personal life:She is the daughter of Pulapaka...
, Mallik
Soundtrack
The film has 37 songs and padyams, many are very popular and memorable.- Sri Vidhyam Jagatam Dhatri (Solkam) (Singer: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao)
- Saptasva Rathamaroodham Prachandam Kashyapatmajam (Slokam) (Singer: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao; Cast: NTR)
- Navajyothyo (Poem) (Singer: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao)
- Intaku Boonivacchi Vachiyimpaka Podune (Singer: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao)
- Jaya Jaya Rama Srirama (Singers: Raghavulu, Sarojini)
- Ramanna Ramudu Kodanda Ramudu (Singers: P. Susheela, Rani)
- Virise Challani Vennela Marala Eenadu Maa Kannula (Singers: P. Susheela, Jamuna RaniJamuna RaniK. Jamuna Rani is a prolific Indian Playback singer who has sung over 6,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Sinhala languages....
) - Ravanu Samharinchi Raghuramudu (Poem) (Singer: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao)
- Vollanori Maamaa Nee Pillani (Singers: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, Jikki, J. V. RaghavuluJ. V. RaghavuluJetti Veera Raghavulu, better known as J. V. Raghavulu was an eminent Indian Music director and Playback singer. He started as playback singer and became a music director after the sudden death of Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao. His debut was Drohi of Suresh Productions...
, Swarnalatha) - Ye Mahaneeya Sadhvi Jagadeka Pavitrata (Poem) (Singer: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao)
- Ye Nimishaniki Yemi Jaruguno Evaroohinchedaru (Lyrics: Kosaraju; Singer: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao; Cast: Kanta Rao and Anjali Devi)
- Jagadabhi Ramudu Sreeramude (Singers: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, P. Susheela, P. Leela, Mallik)
- Yendhuke Naa Meedha Kopam Yemite Nee Paritapam (Singers: Pithapuram Nageswara RaoPithapuram Nageswara RaoPithapuram Nageswara Rao is a popular Playback singer during the early period of Telugu cinema. He sang thousands of songs mostly of comedy nature in 1950s and 1960s along with Madhavapeddi Satyam and others.-Brief lifesketch:...
, Swarnalatha) - Ramakathanu Vinarayyaa Ihapara Sukhamulanosage (Singers: P. Susheela, P. Leela; Cast: Master Nagaraju and Subramanyam)
- Voorake Kanneeru Nimpa Karanamemamma (Singers: P. Susheela, P. Leela; Cast: Master Nagaraju and Subramanyam)
- Vinudu Vinudu Ramayana Gaatha Vinudee Manasara (Singers: P. Susheela, P. Leela; Cast: Master Nagaraju and Subramanyam)
- Sriraamuni Charithamunu Telipedamamma (Singers: P. Susheela, P. Leela; Cast: Master Nagaraju and Subramanyam)
- Sriraghavam Dasaradhatmaja Maprameyam (Singers: P. Susheela, P. Leela)
- Srirama Sugunadhama Jayarama Parandhama (Singers: P. Susheela, P. Leela)
- Sandhehinchakumammu Raghuramu Premanu Seethamma (Singer: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao; Cast: Nagaiah and Anjali Devi)
- Aswametha Yagaaniki Jayamu Jayamu Jayamu (Singers: Ghantasala, Madhavapeddi, Raghavulu, Rani, Sarojini)
- Savanaswambidi Veera Maatayagu Kausalya (Poem) (Singers: P. Susheela)
- Hreemkarasana Garbhitanala Sikham (Poem) (Singers: P. Susheela)
- Leru Kusalavula Saati Sari Veerulu Dharrunilo (Singers: P. Susheela, P. Leela; Cast: Master Nagaraju and Subramanyam)
- Stree Balavrudhula Thega (Singers: Ghantasala, P. Susheela, P. Leela)
- Sriraama Paranthamaa Jayarama Parandhama (Singers: P. Susheela, P. Leela, Rani)
Box-office
- It was released in 26 centres and had run for 100-days in all the 26 centres.
- It had a 175-day run in 16 centres,grossing more than Rs.10 million.
Awards
- Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta RaoTadepalli Lakshmi Kanta RaoTadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao, better known as Kanta Rao , was an Indian film actor and film producer from Andhra Pradesh, India. He acted in more than 400 Telugu mythological, social and folklore movies. He also acted in a few Hindi, Kannada and Tamil movies. He produced about five films under the...
was awarded the Rashtrapati AwardRashtrapati AwardRashtrapati Awards are given by the President of India, in some cases the prime Minister of India, for achievements in the field of Sports, Art, Military, Literature, Cinema, Culture, Science & Technology etc. The award-giving ceremony is conducted in the Rashtrapati Bhavan - the President's...
for his role as LakshmanaLakshmanaLakshmana was the brother and close companion of Rama, and himself a hero in the famous epic Ramayana...
.
Trivia
- It's the first Telugu film to gross Rs. 10 million.
- This movie is considered to be the biggest blockbuster of all time in the annals of Telugu film history.
- Production began in 1958 but was stopped due to financial constraints. When it restarted, C. Pullaiah's health was deteriorating, so his son C.S. Rao took over.
- It is also produced in TamilTamil languageTamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
. - This film was produced by Allareddy Shankara Reddy who went on to make other blockbusters - RahasyamRahasyam (1967 film)Rahasyam is a 1967 Telugu film produced by A. Shankar Reddy starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and B. Saroja Devi in lead roles. It was a musical hit with many songs are remembered by Telugu people even today.-Songs:...
(starring ANR) and Sathi Savithri (starring the legendary N.T.Rama Rao). Prior to producing Lava Kusha, the Allareddy family produced Manavathi and Charanadasi under the Lalitha Siva Jyothi banner. - Master Nagaraju who played the role of Lava is the only son of popular stage and film actor A. V. Subba Rao. He started his career with Bhakta Ramadas of Chittor V. Nagaiah in 1957. He continued in the cine field and acted in Sepoy Kuthuru, Tiger Ramudu, Annadammulu, Laxmi Kataksham, Sampoorna RamayanamSampoorna RamayanamSampoorna Ramayanam is a 1971 Telugu mythological film directed by Bapu. It is based on the Valmiki Ramayanam. It is a commercial hit film with artistic picturisation and good songs particularly Ramaya Tandri.-Story:...
, Satynarayana Vratha Mahatyam, Bhishma, Sitarama Kalyanam, Anthasthulu, Sri Krishnavataram, Chakradhari, Vinayaka Vijayam, Astalakshmi Vaibhavam. - Master Subramanyam who played the role of Kusha is son of V. Subba Rao. He has acted in films like Velugu NeedaluVelugu NeedaluVelugu Needalu is a 1961 Telugu film directed by Adurthi Subba Rao and produced by Dukkipati Madhusudhana Rao of Annapurna Pictures. Tamil version of the film was called Tuya Ulam.-The plot:...
, Sitarama Kalyanam (as Balaramudu), Sri Venkateswara MahatyamSri Venkateswara MahatyamSri Venkateswara Mahatyam is a 1960 Magnum opus Telugu Musical film produced and directed by P. Pullaiah and starring N. T. Rama Rao. The story is based on the story of Lord Venkateswara .-The Story:Evil forces dominates the world...
. He is now established as tailor near AmalapuramAmalapuramAmalapuram is a town in East Godavari district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the headquarters of Godavari delta named Konaseema, the triangle formed by the waters of Godavari. These lands are highly fertile for growing crops like coconut and paddy. Kakinada and Rajahmundry are the...
.