| Chandraharam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao L. V. Prasad (Supervision) |
| Written by | Pingali Nagendra Rao (story / dialogues / songs) Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass (Tamil) |
| Produced by | Nagi Reddy Chakrapani |
| Starring | N. T. Rama Rao Savitri Sriranjani |
| Cinematography | Marcus Bartley |
| Edited by | Jambulingam |
| Music by | Ghantasala |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 174 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Languages | Telugu Tamil |
Chandraharam is a 1954 Telugu-Tamil bilingual swashbuckler film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao in his debut. It was produced by Nagi Reddy-Chakrapani under the Vijaya Productions banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri and Sriranjani Jr., with music composed by Ghantasala.[1] The film was not commercially successful.[2][3]
Plot
The film begins in a kingdom Chandana Desam its king is blessed with a baby boy Chandanraju with the boon of Chandra with a necklace Chandraharam whose life is preserved in it. At the age of five, Chandan was sent to Maali who turns jack of all trades with ethical & royal moralities. Years roll by, and Chandan is obligated to get nuptial lest his life is in danger, hence his parents procure portraits of neighboring princesses. All the while, Chandan has a dream girl and affirms to knit her. The king edicts Maali to quest for the girl and sends Chandan to tour the country. Chandan's sly brother-in-law Dhoomekatu wants to usurp the kingdom and ploys to break Chandan's intention and sends his sidekick Niksheparayudu behind him. Niksheparayudu detects the girl Gauri and tricky hides her. Besides, Chanchala is an angel who entices Chandan which he denies. So, she snatches his Chadraharam and says he will be alive only in the night. Meanwhile, Gauri absconds and collapses when Chanchala's sister Achala aids her land at Chandan whom Maali splices. Dhoomketu threatens the king to crown him, and as inevitable he agrees. During this time, Niksheparayudu detects Gauri's presence at Maali's residence whom he put out of sight in a temple. Consequently, infuriated Chanchala kills Chandan when Dhoomketu incriminates Gauri and sentenced her to the funeral pyre. At last, Gauri's adoration retrieves Chandan to life. Chanchala is cursed by Indra by stripping her divinity. Dhoomekatu & Niksheparayudu also plead pardon. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the crowning ceremony of Chadanraju.
Cast
- N.T. Rama Rao as Prince Chandan
- Savitri as Chanchala
- Sriranjani Jr. as Gauri
- S. V. Ranga Rao as Mali
- Relangi as Dhumaketu
- R. Nageswara Rao
- Padmanabham
- Balakrishna
- K. V. S. Sarma
- Joga Rao
- Suryakantham
- Rushyendramani as Maridamma
Music
| Chandraharam | |
|---|---|
| Film score by | |
| Released | 1954 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Length | 47:19 |
| Producer | Ghantasala |
Music was composed by Ghantasala. Lyrics were written by Pingali Nagendra Rao. Music released on Audio Company.
| S. No. | Song Title | Singers | length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Idi Naa Cheli" | Ghantasala | 2:38 |
| 2 | "Enchesthe Adhi Ghanakaryam" | Pithapuram | 2:34 |
| 3 | "Vignana Deepamunu" | Ghantasala | 3:30 |
| 4 | "Laali Jaya Laali" | N. Lalitha | 3:36 |
| 5 | "Yemi Siksha Kaavalo" | Ghantasala | 2:38 |
| 6 | "Ye Saadhuvvlu" | P. Leela | 6:03 |
| 7 | "Neeku Neeve Thodugaa" | Madhavapeddi Satyam | 3:20 |
| 8 | "Yevarivo Yechatanundivo" | Ghantasala, A. P. Komala | 5:28 |
| 9 | "Yevare Yevare" | K. Rani | 4:48 |
| 10 | "Yenadu Modalidithivo" | Ghantasala | 2:43 |
| 11 | "Krupa Ganavaa Naa" | P. Leela | 3:28 |
| 12 | "Jaya Jaya" | Ghantasala | 3:19 |
| 13 | "Daya Ganave Thalli" | P. Leela | 3:14 |
Tamil songs
Lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. Arud Jyothi Daivam is a Thiruvarutpa by Vallalar Ramalinga Swamigal. Playback singers are Ghantasala, N. Lalitha, K. Rani, P. Leela, M. Sathyam and A. P. Komala.[4]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Arut Jyothi Devam" | Ghantasala | Ramalinga Swamigal | 02:38 |
| 2 | "Laali Jaya Laali" | N. Lalitha | Thanjai Ramaiah Dass | 03:36 |
| 3 | "Enadhaaruyir Vanithamani" | Ghantasala | 3:30 | |
| 4 | "Enna Sidshai Unakku Vendum" | 02:38 | ||
| 5 | "Vidhiye Un Leelai Idhuvo" | 02:43 | ||
| 6 | "Arul Purivai Amma" | P. Leela | 06:03 | |
| 7 | "Thayavillaiyo En Kurai Kelaayo" | |||
| 8 | "Jagam Meedhil Alai Modhum" | |||
| 9 | "Edhu Seidhaal Adhu" | M. Sathyam & Group | 03:30 | |
| 10 | "Vaazhivile Kanavu Palikkumo" | Ghantasala & A. P. Komala | 05:28 | |
| 11 | "Alaigal Sayanamael" | K. Rani | 04:48 | |
| 12 | "Unakku Neeye Thunai Enre" | M. Sathyam | 03:28 |
Production
The film was produced by Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani under the banner Vijaya Pictures simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil. This is the directorial debut for Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. The cinematography was by Marcus Bartley. Chakrapani wrote the story while Pingali Nagendra Rao wrote the dialogues and lyrics for the Telugu version.[1]
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass wrote the dialogues and lyrics for the Tamil version.[4]
References
- 1 2 Ashish Rajadhyaksha; Paul Willemen. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 1998. pp. 328 & 585. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
- ↑ Srihari, Gudipoodi. "Research - "Telugu Cinema - past and the present"". Idlebrain. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ↑ "History of Birth And Growth of Telugu Cinema (Part 13)". CineGoer.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- 1 2 G. Neelamegam. Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 2 (in Tamil). Manivasagar Publishers, Chennai 108 (Ph:044 25361039). First edition November 2016. pp. 70–71.