Sati Sumathi
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Vedantam Raghavayya
Written by	Samudrala Sr Samudrala Jr (dialogues)
Screenplay by	Vedantam Raghavayya
Produced by	Chinna Rao Anjali Devi (presents)
Starring	Kanta Rao Anjali Devi
Cinematography	Kamal Ghosh C. Nageswara Rao
Edited by	N. S. Prakasham
Music by	P. Adinarayana Rao
Production company	Chinni Brothers[1]
Release date	5 August 1967 (1967-08-05)
Running time	164 minutes
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Sati Sumathi is a 1967 Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced by Chinna Rao under the Chinni Brothers banner, presented by Anjali Devi and directed by Vedantam Raghavayya.^[2] It stars Kanta Rao, Anjali Devi and music composed by P. Adinarayana Rao.^[3]

Plot

The film begins with Rama in his exile period reaching Atri Mahamuni's Ashram where his wife Anasuya narrates Sita a story of an ardently devoted wife Sumathi whose husband Kaushika is a debaucher who gets attracted to a prostitute Mohanang, but Sumathi never says a word against him and gives away all her belongings. After some time, Kaushika is affected by leprosy when Mohanangi and her mother Nagamani cheat him, take his property, and throw him out. At that point, Sumathi arrives to his rescue and on the guidance of Anasuya, they go on pilgrimage. On the way, they reach a kingdom where King Chandrasena gets a divine feeling by seeing Sumathi and giving her hospitality as a brother. But Kaushika suspects their relationship and asks Sumathi to undergo an Agni Pariksha test of fire to prove her chastity when she plunges into the sacrificial fire, Lord Agni of fire raises Sumathi, unharmed, attesting to her divinity. After that, once Kaushika visits Chandrasena's court, views the dance performance of Madana Manjali. Therefrom, he is burning out of lust when Sumathi is not able to tolerate her husband's pain, so, she requests Madana Manjali, looking at her devotion towards her husband Madana Manjari agrees to bring him. On that night, Sumathi keeps him in a basket and carries him on her head, while traveling Kaushika's legs hit Sage Mandavya when he curses him to die at sunrise. Angered, Sumathi edicts and bars the sunrise, when the entire universe stands still. At that moment, Trimurti's Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva reach Sumathi and try to divert her, but they too are frozen. Knowing it, Trimata's Lakshmi, Parvathi & Saraswati immediately rush to Anasuya and plead with her to protect the universe. At the request of Anasuya, Sumathi takes back her word and Kaushika dies. However, with the blessings of Anusuya, Kaushika is rejuvenated as normal. At last, Anasuya tells Sita to follow in the footsteps of Sumathi. Finally, the movie ends with Sita & Rama continuing their journey.

Cast

Crew

• Art: Vaali
• Choreography: Vempati
• Dialogues – Lyrics: Samudrala Sr., Samudrala Jr
• Playback: P. Susheela, S. Janaki, Vasantha, Swarnalata, L. R. Eswari, Madhavapeddi Satyam, P. B. Sreenivas
• Music: P. Adinarayana Rao
• Editing: N. S. Prakasham
• Cinematography: Kamal Ghosh, C. Nageswara Rao
• Producer: Chinna Rao
• Presenter: Anjali Devi
• Screenplay – Director: Vedantam Raghavayya
• Banner: Chinni Brothers
• Release Date: 5 August 1967

Soundtrack

Music composed by P. Adinarayana Rao. Lyrics were written by Samudrala Sr. & Samudrala Jr.

References