Mayura (film)
Encyclopedia
Mayura is a 1975 Kannada historical drama film
. It is one of the most popular films of acclaimed Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar, who plays the role of Prince Mayurasharma
of the Kadamba dynasty, the earliest native kingdom to rule over what is today the modern state of Karnataka
. The film depicts the life of Mayura, a Brahmin
youth, as he discovers his royal heritage and realizes his destiny of ascending to the throne of the then-Pallava
kingdom.
Based on a novel of the same name by Devudu Narasimhashastri, the film is notable for its various scenes filmed inside and around the famous Mysore Palace
. It is considered by many as a symbol of Kannada pride.
youth challenging an arrogant wrestler and defeating him. Mayura had never been formally trained and had only learned techniques of wrestling by observing other wrestlers. As a Brahmin, he was required to study Vedas, yet he was deeply interested in martial arts and after this wrestling encounter, Ranga Jetti (M. P. Shankar
), the premier wrestler in Kanchi, takes him under his wing and trains him. After becoming proficient in all the martial arts, one day, while observing the training of Pallava princes, Mayura accidentally gets into a fight with and gives a thrashing to Vishnugopa (Vajramuni
), the Pallava
prince, thereby earning his enmity.
After this, Mayura has to flee Kanchi as per the advice of Ranga Jetti, to escape from pursuing Pallavas. He also then learns that he is in fact the son of Raja Chandravarma, the Kadamba king who was killed by deceit by the Pallava king, Sivaskandhavarma. Upon learning from his father's minister about his Kshatriya antecedents and his illustrious lineage, Mayura dedicates himself to throw the Pallava (foreign) yoke and liberate his motherland. Returning to Banavasi
in the guise of a merchant called Nilakanthagupta, Mayura builds a following and an army. Through clever strategies, he conquers both Banavasi and the Telugu
speaking regions around Srishaila
, thus building a vast kingdom.
While the film builds the rivalry between Vishnugopa and Mayura, it also throws light on the mutually admiring friendship between Mayura and the Pallava crown prince (Srinath
) and also on the growing love between Mayura and the Pallava princess Premavati (Manjula
). In the end, Vishnugopa overcomes his anger and hatred towards Mayura, who marries Premavati, with the blessings of Sivaskandhavarma himself.
.
.
Historical drama film
The historical drama is a film genre in which stories are based upon historical events and famous persons. Some historical dramas attempt to accurately portray a historical event or biography, to the degree that the available historical research will allow...
. It is one of the most popular films of acclaimed Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar, who plays the role of Prince Mayurasharma
Mayurasharma
Mayurasharma , a Brahmin scholar and a native of Talagunda , was the founder of the Kadamba Kingdom of Banavasi, the earliest native kingdom to rule over what is today the modern state of Karnataka, India. He took the name of Mayuravarma to emphasise his change from the Brahmin to the Kshatriya...
of the Kadamba dynasty, the earliest native kingdom to rule over what is today the modern state of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
. The film depicts the life of Mayura, a Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
youth, as he discovers his royal heritage and realizes his destiny of ascending to the throne of the then-Pallava
Pallava
The Pallava dynasty was a Tamil dynasty which ruled the northern Tamil Nadu region and the southern Andhra Pradesh region with their capital at Kanchipuram...
kingdom.
Based on a novel of the same name by Devudu Narasimhashastri, the film is notable for its various scenes filmed inside and around the famous Mysore Palace
Mysore Palace
The Palace of Mysore is a palace situated in the city of Mysore in southern India. It is the official residence of the Wodeyars - the erstwhile royal family of Mysore, and also houses two durbar halls ....
. It is considered by many as a symbol of Kannada pride.
Plot
The film opens in Kanchi with Mayura, a BrahminBrahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
youth challenging an arrogant wrestler and defeating him. Mayura had never been formally trained and had only learned techniques of wrestling by observing other wrestlers. As a Brahmin, he was required to study Vedas, yet he was deeply interested in martial arts and after this wrestling encounter, Ranga Jetti (M. P. Shankar
M. P. Shankar
M.P. Shankar was a veteran Kannada film actor. He acted in films like Satya Harishchandra as "Veera Baahu", Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu, Ratnamanjari etc....
), the premier wrestler in Kanchi, takes him under his wing and trains him. After becoming proficient in all the martial arts, one day, while observing the training of Pallava princes, Mayura accidentally gets into a fight with and gives a thrashing to Vishnugopa (Vajramuni
Vajramuni
Vajramuni was an actor in the Kannada film industry who acted in more than 300 movies. He died at the age of 62.. He had been suffering from protracted kidney-related illness and was on dialysis for a couple of years...
), the Pallava
Pallava
The Pallava dynasty was a Tamil dynasty which ruled the northern Tamil Nadu region and the southern Andhra Pradesh region with their capital at Kanchipuram...
prince, thereby earning his enmity.
After this, Mayura has to flee Kanchi as per the advice of Ranga Jetti, to escape from pursuing Pallavas. He also then learns that he is in fact the son of Raja Chandravarma, the Kadamba king who was killed by deceit by the Pallava king, Sivaskandhavarma. Upon learning from his father's minister about his Kshatriya antecedents and his illustrious lineage, Mayura dedicates himself to throw the Pallava (foreign) yoke and liberate his motherland. Returning to Banavasi
Banavasi
Banavasi is an ancient temple town in Uttara Kannada District bordering Shivamogga district in the South Indian state of Karnataka .-History:Banavasi is one of the oldest towns in the Karnataka state...
in the guise of a merchant called Nilakanthagupta, Mayura builds a following and an army. Through clever strategies, he conquers both Banavasi and the Telugu
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...
speaking regions around Srishaila
Srisailam
Srisailam is a holy town and mandal, situated in Nallamala Hills of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located on the banks of River Krishna, about 232 km south of Hyderabad....
, thus building a vast kingdom.
While the film builds the rivalry between Vishnugopa and Mayura, it also throws light on the mutually admiring friendship between Mayura and the Pallava crown prince (Srinath
Srinath
For the cricket player see Javagal Srinath. And for Malayali actor see SreenathSrinath , real name Narayana Swamy , is a Kannada cinema actor and the vice-president of Kannada TV Channel Udaya TV....
) and also on the growing love between Mayura and the Pallava princess Premavati (Manjula
Manjula (Kannada actress)
Manjula was an Indian film actress who acted in Kannada language films. She was one of the most successful and prominent actress of Kannada films. She has acted in more than 100 films-Personal life:...
). In the end, Vishnugopa overcomes his anger and hatred towards Mayura, who marries Premavati, with the blessings of Sivaskandhavarma himself.
Cast
- RajkumarRajkumarRajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...
as MayuraMayurasharmaMayurasharma , a Brahmin scholar and a native of Talagunda , was the founder of the Kadamba Kingdom of Banavasi, the earliest native kingdom to rule over what is today the modern state of Karnataka, India. He took the name of Mayuravarma to emphasise his change from the Brahmin to the Kshatriya...
: A young Brahmin who rises against the PallavaPallavaThe Pallava dynasty was a Tamil dynasty which ruled the northern Tamil Nadu region and the southern Andhra Pradesh region with their capital at Kanchipuram...
rulers upon being humiliated by one of their kingsmen. - SrinathSrinathFor the cricket player see Javagal Srinath. And for Malayali actor see SreenathSrinath , real name Narayana Swamy , is a Kannada cinema actor and the vice-president of Kannada TV Channel Udaya TV....
as the YuvarajaCrown PrinceA crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
of the Pallavas: The Yuvaraja is a wise and far-sighted prince who admires Mayura for his boldness in standing up to his brother Prince Vishnugopa. - VajramuniVajramuniVajramuni was an actor in the Kannada film industry who acted in more than 300 movies. He died at the age of 62.. He had been suffering from protracted kidney-related illness and was on dialysis for a couple of years...
as Prince Vishnugopa: The antagonistAntagonistAn antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...
of the film, his arrogance and ruthless ambition infuriates Mayura and drives him to rally the populace against his oppression. - BalakrishnaBalakrishna (Kannada actor)Balakrishna was an Indian actor in the Kannada film industry, known for the comedy roles and drama roles. He had acted in movies such as Bangarada Manushya and many others. Though he had acted in many movies, he was ill and penniless towards end of his life.-Notable filmography:He was born on 1911...
as Madhukeshwara: An aide to Mayura in his days as an outlawOutlawIn historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
and vigilanteVigilanteA vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....
, his loyalties are tested when the authority puts out a reward on any information leading to Mayura's capture. - ManjulaManjula (Kannada actress)Manjula was an Indian film actress who acted in Kannada language films. She was one of the most successful and prominent actress of Kannada films. She has acted in more than 100 films-Personal life:...
- K. S. AshwathK. S. AshwathK. S. Ashwath was a veteran Kannada film actor. He has acted in more than 350 films during his five-decade-long career.-Early life:Aswath was born in Karaganahalli Village, Arakalagudu Taluk, Hassan district, Karnataka, India...
- M. P. ShankarM. P. ShankarM.P. Shankar was a veteran Kannada film actor. He acted in films like Satya Harishchandra as "Veera Baahu", Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu, Ratnamanjari etc....
Historical and Cultural Significance
Mayuravarma is the earliest known native ruler to rule over areas which now form Karnataka. Before the rise of the Kadambas, the centers of power ruling the land were outside of the Karnataka region. But with the Kadambas' ascent to power, Kannada language and culture was brought into the mainstream and attained the status of majority, due to which Mayuravarma's reign, and his depiction in the film, is regarded with pride by present-day KannadigasKannadigas
Kannadiga , or Kannadati is a reference to the people who natively speak the Kannada language. Kannadigas are mainly located in the state of Karnataka in India and in the neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra...
.
Soundtrack
Mayura soundtrack consists of 3 songs all composed by G. K. Venkatesh, written by Chi. Udayashankar and sung by Dr. Rajkumar and S. JanakiS. Janaki
S. Janaki is an Indian female playback singer. Renowned for her voice modulation abilities, she has sung in many Indian languages, most frequently in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, she has won four National Film Awards and 35...
.
| Track # | Song | Singer(s) | Lyricist |
| 1 | Naaniruvude Nimagaagi | Dr. Rajkumar | Chi. Udayashankar |
| 2 | Ee Mounava Taalenu | Dr. Rajkumar, S. Janaki | Chi. Udayashankar |
| 3 | Hagala Irula | S. Janaki | Chi. Udayashankar |