Patala Bhairavi
Encyclopedia
Patala Bhairavi (English
: The Goddess of Underground) was a Telugu
fantasy film
produced by Vijaya Pictures in 1951. It is directed by Kadri Venkata Reddy
and Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao, who also gave the screen adaptation. Pingali Nagendra Rao wrote dialogue and song lyrics. The film is based on a story from Kasi Majilee Kathalu, written by Madhira Subbanna Deekshitulu
. It was also dubbed in Tamil
. It was screened successfully in 28 centers for more than 100 days. The film was screened at India International Film Festival in 1952.
However, Raamudu finds about the evil plan and instead he sacrifices the sorcerer and obtains Pataala Bhairavi. Raamudu wishes to be a King, have a grander palace than the King etc. to be welcomed by the Ujjain royalty. The King lives up to his promise and grants him his daughter in marriage.
Sadajapa, the Sorcerer's apprentice, finds his master at the Pataala Bhairavi site, and brings him back to life. During this time, the King's brother-in-law and the princess' Uncle (Relangi) is upset at upcoming wedding and determines to hang himself instead of witnessing the marriage. The Sorcerer catches him in time and promises him everything Raamudu has (including Indumathi) in exchange for the small statue which Raamudu has hidden in the room. He manages to steal the Pataala Bhairavi and unwittingly changes Raamudu's fate.
The Socerer then wishes to kidnap the Princess and takes all of Thota Raamudu's wealth, leaving him in his original state. Pledging to bring back his love, Raamudu and his cousin, Anji, travels to the Sorcerer's lair. The story ends with the marriage of Raamudu and Indumathi with the Uncle's, Queen, King's, and Raamudu's mother's blessing. As it turns out, Anji, marries the Princess's servant and best friend. The Sorcerer is dead, and all is well.
The real success of the genre is due to its colourful invention of local pseudo-legends often adapting idioms from the folk theatre, e.g. Burrakatha. Earlier Telugu films in this idiom included Balanagamma (1942), Ratnamala (1947) and Raksharekha (1949). Savitri performed a dance in the film.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: The Goddess of Underground) was a 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...
fantasy film
Fantasy film
Fantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic, supernatural events, make-believe creatures, or exotic fantasy worlds. The genre is considered to be distinct from science fiction film and horror film, although the genres do overlap...
produced by Vijaya Pictures in 1951. It is directed by Kadri Venkata Reddy
Kadri Venkata Reddy
Kadiri Venkata Reddy or K. V. Reddy B.Sc. was a Director, Writer, Producer and Production Manager of Telugu films in Andhra Pradesh, India.-Brief life sketch:...
and Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao, who also gave the screen adaptation. Pingali Nagendra Rao wrote dialogue and song lyrics. The film is based on a story from Kasi Majilee Kathalu, written by Madhira Subbanna Deekshitulu
Madhira Subbanna Deekshitulu
Madhira Subbanna Deekshitulu is the creator of the famous Kasi Majilee Kathalu, series of short stories in Telugu language, known for their wit and humor....
. 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...
. It was screened successfully in 28 centers for more than 100 days. The film was screened at India International Film Festival in 1952.
Plot Summary
The son of the gardener, Thota Raamudu (NTR) falls in love with Indumathi, the princess of Ujjain (Malathi). When he faces resistance from the King, he goes off into the world to return as a successful man. He is approached by a Sorcerer (SVR), who actually plans to sacrifice a young, brave lad to the goddess Pataala Bhairavi (Girija) to attain a magic statuette, which grants any wish. Raamudu fits the profile; and unwittingly, agrees to help the Sorcerer so that he can attain the riches etc. the King asked for his daughter's hand in marriage.However, Raamudu finds about the evil plan and instead he sacrifices the sorcerer and obtains Pataala Bhairavi. Raamudu wishes to be a King, have a grander palace than the King etc. to be welcomed by the Ujjain royalty. The King lives up to his promise and grants him his daughter in marriage.
Sadajapa, the Sorcerer's apprentice, finds his master at the Pataala Bhairavi site, and brings him back to life. During this time, the King's brother-in-law and the princess' Uncle (Relangi) is upset at upcoming wedding and determines to hang himself instead of witnessing the marriage. The Sorcerer catches him in time and promises him everything Raamudu has (including Indumathi) in exchange for the small statue which Raamudu has hidden in the room. He manages to steal the Pataala Bhairavi and unwittingly changes Raamudu's fate.
The Socerer then wishes to kidnap the Princess and takes all of Thota Raamudu's wealth, leaving him in his original state. Pledging to bring back his love, Raamudu and his cousin, Anji, travels to the Sorcerer's lair. The story ends with the marriage of Raamudu and Indumathi with the Uncle's, Queen, King's, and Raamudu's mother's blessing. As it turns out, Anji, marries the Princess's servant and best friend. The Sorcerer is dead, and all is well.
Cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao | Thota Ramudu/Bhale Ramudu, the hero |
| S. V. Ranga Rao S. V. Ranga Rao Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao Popularly Known as S.V.R. was an Indian Theater actor, Tollywood actor, director and producer... |
Nepala Mantrikudu, the villain |
| K. Malathi | Indumathi, the princess |
| Chilakalapudi Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu Chilakalapudi Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu Chilakalapudi Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu , better known as C. S. R. Anjaneyulu or just CSR was an Indian film renowned actor in Telugu Cinema. He acted in many stage dramas and portrayed hero, character and mythological roles in over 175 movies.... |
King of Ujjaini |
| 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... |
Paatala Bhairavi, the Goddess |
| Balakrishna | Anji |
| Surabhi Kamalabai Surabhi Kamalabai Surabhi Kamalabai is a Telugu drama and film actress. She has the distinction of first Telugu heroine in the Talky film Bhakta Prahlada directed by H. M. Reddy. She played the role of Leelavathi, the wife of Hiranyakasipa... |
Kanthamma (Old Female Gardener) |
| Krishna Kumari Krishna Kumari (actress) Krishna Kumari is a noted Telugu actress of the 1960s and 1970s. She was a leading actress and competed Savitri and acted alongside great legendary actors N.T.R, A.N.R etc. She acted in Tamil movies too. She has done many films in Kannada too that also with the kannada veteran Dr... |
Mosali |
| Lakshmikantam | |
| B. Padmanabham B. Padmanabham Basavaraju Venkata Padmanabha Rao , popularly known as Padmanabham, was a Tollywood actor known for his comedian roles... |
Dingiri, the apprentice |
| Hemalathamma Rao | The Queen, Mother of princess |
| Savitri | Dancer (Ranante Rane Ranu Song) |
| 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.... |
King's brother-in-law |
| T.G.Kamala Devi | Veera Katha Performer |
Trivia
The kitschy imagery and studio sets provide an appropriate style for this emphatically Orientalist fairy tale. Ghantasala’s music is a key contribution to the film’s success. The Hindi version, dubbed by Gemini from Telugu, included a specially shot colour sequence with a dance by Lakshmikantam. The Telugu film consolidated a local version of the ‘folklore’ film, a swashbuckling Orientalist fantasy evoking both Alexandre Dumas and Hollywood’s Douglas Fairbanks films. Created by the Tamil cinema (cf. Apoorva Sahodarargal, 1949; later associated mainly with MGR), the genre was successfully transferred into Telugu where established directors like B.N. Reddi (formerly associated with reform themes) had to acknowledge its commercial infallibility (Raja Makutam, 1959).The real success of the genre is due to its colourful invention of local pseudo-legends often adapting idioms from the folk theatre, e.g. Burrakatha. Earlier Telugu films in this idiom included Balanagamma (1942), Ratnamala (1947) and Raksharekha (1949). Savitri performed a dance in the film.
Soundtrack
Music was composed by Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao and lyrics were written by Pingali Nagendra Rao.- Tiyani Oohalu by P. Leela.
- Itihasam Vinara by Kamala Chandrababu.
- Kalavaramaye madhilo, by Ghantasala and P. Leela.
- Enta ghaatu premayo, by Ghantasala and 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:...
. - Vinave Bala Naa Prema Gola by Relangi.
- Vagaloy Vagalu Taluku Beluku Vagaulu by Jikki.
- Prema Kosamai Valalo Padine Pasivadu, by V. J. Varma.
- Hayeega Manaminka by Ghantasala and P. Leela.
- Talalene Ne Talalene by Relangi
- Kanugonagalano Leno by Ghantasala.
- Ranante Rane Ranu by 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:...
and T. K. Savitri.
External links
- http://www.pingali.info/ - A Website Dedicated To Patalabhairavi Writer Sri Pingali Nagendra Rao
- Patala Bhairavi at Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...