Sri Satyanarayana Mahathyam
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	S. Rajinikanth
Written by	Samudrala Jr (dialogues)
Screenplay by	K. Gopal Rao
Based on	Satyanarayan Puja
Produced by	P. Satyanarayana
Starring	N. T. Rama Rao Krishna Kumari
Cinematography	C. Nageswara Rao
Edited by	N. S. Prakash B. Gopal Rao
Music by	Ghantasala
Production company	Aswaraja Pictures
Release date	27 June 1964 (1964-06-27)
Running time	152 mins
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Sri Satyanarayana Mahathyam (transl. Glory of Sri Satyanarayana) is a 1964 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by S. Rajinikanth. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by Ghantasala.^[1][2]

Plot

The film begins with the entrance of Kali Yuga, due to which situations on earth become disastrous. Bhudevi prays to Vishnu to take another avatar which Lakshmi opposes. So, Vishnu sends a messenger to earth in the form of a baby boy who is adopted by Saint Sunanda as God's gift and names him Satyadas. King Sivakeshava an idiotic person feels like God's incarnation who compels the public to worship himself and sends his assistants Nandi & Pakshi to execute the commandment. Once they observe Satyadas praying to Vishnu and capture him. Vishnu sends Narada for his protection and orders him to use it as a tool to propagate a religious ritual Satyanarayana Vratam on earth. Firstly, Satyadas makes a Brahmin perform the ritual, who is weeping for the death of their daughter and she becomes alive. Afterward, a poor woodcutter becomes wealthy, and a couple, Sadhu Shetty and his wife Leelavathi had a baby girl after performing this ritual. Time passes, and Satyadas grows up along with his propaganda and makes an Ashram. Ratnavalli, daughter of Sivakeshava gets knowledge about Satyadas, furiously proceeds to the Ashram, and bars his ritual. But after looking at his ardent devotion she bows her head and starts loving him. Learning of it, Sivakeshava arrests Satyadas in the fort. Parallelly, Vishnu gives an assurance to Bhudevi to protect the wise and destroy the bad. Here angered Lakshmi on the guidance of Narada gives her extraordinary power of "Sidda Lakshmi" to Sivakesava when people again start worshipping him. But before Satyadas's devotion, it fails. At the same time, Ratnavalli reveals her love interest in Satyadas to Sivakesava when he becomes furious and orders his henchmen to remove the eyes of Satyadas. Meanwhile, Sage Narada plays a drama that provokes Nandi against the Sivakesava, he captures him along with Ratnavalli when Pakshi rescues them. Immediately, they rush to the forest by the time Satyadas' eyes are removed. Now Nandi sets fire to the forest and he is knocked out by Pakshi. During the time of the forest fire, Satyadas prays to Vishnu who descends to earth, restores Satyadas's eyesight, and shows the Vishwaroopam the entire world form in him. Sridevi & Bhudevi also accompany and performs the marriage of Satyadas & Ratnavalli. Satyadas asks Lord to stay on earth to uplift the people, so, Vishnu incarnates in the form of Lord Satyanarayana Swamy and the place adored by lakhs of people at Annavaram till today.

Cast

• N. T. Rama Rao as Lord Vishnu & Satyadas (dual role)
• Krishna Kumari as Ratnavalli
• Kanta Rao as Narada Maharshi
• Relangi as Sivakesava Maharaju
• Ramana Reddy as Sadhu Shetty
• Chalam
• Mukkamala as Nandi
• Allu Ramalingaiah as Pakshi
• Prabhakar Reddy as Chandrasena Maharaju
• Dr. Sivaramakrishnaiah
• Geetanjali as Goddess Lakshmi
• Girija as Kalavathi
• Chayadevi as Leelavati
• Suryakala as Goddess Bhudevi

Soundtrack

Music composed by Ghantasala. Lyrics were written by Samudrala Jr. Music released by H.M.V. Audio Company.

References