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Direction
Story
Cinematography
Music
Editing

Panduranga Mahatyam story at a glance

Panduranga Mahatyam can be termed as one of the top notch devotional based musical films which ever graced Telugu Cinema. This film marks the debut of actress B.Saroja in Telugu as well.  The film is based on the story of a great devotee named Pundarikarudu belonging to Maharashtra. The story deals with this devotee, who initially gets addicted to a prostitute by deserting his family and wife- but later changes to a great devotee. This film can be termed as one of the all time greatest performances of Sr.NTR in his career. It was in fact remade by K.Raghavendra Rao in the title ‘Pandurangadu’ starring Balakrishna. After watching Panduranga Mahaytam, many people realized the importance of giving value to parents in life! This is the second film for Pouranika Bramha Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao. Prominent actress Vijayanirmala acted as a child artist in the role of Lord Krishna in this film as well. Her dance as little Lord Krishna was so beautiful in the film. Infact, she fainted during the shooting because of weakness but Sr.NTR fondly got her rid of the ill looks of people (Dishti in Telugu)

Story Details:
There existed a great Lord Shiva devotee whose penance is disturbed by Lord Indra. Because of this, the devotee is born to an affluent family of devotees. The father (Nagaiah) and mother (Rushyendramani) name the kid Pundarikudu (Sr.NTR). They pamper him a lot and raise him. Because of the penance getting disturbed in his past life, Pundarikudu gets attracted to bad habits in this current life. He becomes a womanizer going around every woman he sets his eyes on. He doesn’t bother his family or parents in this regard. In order to reform and keep their child in discipline, Pundarikudu’s parents get him married to a nice woman Rama (Anjali). Before she is all set to enter the in laws house, Pundarikudu goes to a beautiful prostitute Kalavathi (B.saroja). Even after his wife’s arrival in the house, Pundarikudu continues his illicit relationship with Kalavathi. To make things worse, he even gives his wife’s jewelry to this prostitute. Meanwhile, the cruel prostitute takes all the jewelry and kicks Pundarikudu out of her house. Pundarikudu realizes his mistake and feels ashamed to face his parents. He leaves to an ashram eventually. He faces hurdles and insults there and because of his enemies he loses his legs. As an orphan and a limp man, Pundarikudu yearns to meet his parents. He finally meets them and expresses his guilt. He becomes a great man by doing service to his parents. The film ends by Pundarikudu getting the grace of Lord Krishna and becoming one with the divine.

Performances:
Sr.NTR is phenomenal in the lead role Pundarikudu. He showed great contrast in the irresponsible person’s role first and a realized son’s role later. B.Saroja gets a negative role as the prostitute and she performs par excellence. Popular actress T.G.Kamala lent her voice for the role of B.Saroja in the film because the latter didn’t know Telugu by then. Nagaiah and Rusheyndramani are brilliant as the suffering parents of Pundarikudu. Anjali is decent as the troubled wife of Pundarikudu.

Technical Aspects:
Samudrala Junior’s dialogues and lyrics act like strong pillars for such a good film of this sort. Ghantasala’s rendition of Hey Krishna Mukunda Murari became an all time hit and would live forever in the hearts of Telugu People. T.V.Raju’s great music is a lifeline for this film. Songs like ‘Amma Ani Pilichina’,’Taram Taram Nirantaram’, ‘Neevani Nenani Talachitira’, ‘Vannela Chinnela Dora’, ‘Jaya Jaya Gokula Bala’ (Sung by Nagaiah himself) became evergreen hits. Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao crafted this film into a great Epic which would make anyone engrossed in it.

Cast and Crew:
Pundarikudu- Sr.NTR
Pundarikudu’s Father- Nagaiah
Pundarikudu’s Mother- Rusheyendramani
Kalavathi- B.Saroja
Rama- Anjali
Dialogues- Lyrics:  Samudrala Junior (This film has a Traditional Telugu Bhajan written by Pandari, Shantaram Adhwale’s Marathi Song, and a Hindi Song Written by Namdev)
Music:  T.V.Raju
Producer: N.Trivikrama Rao
Director: Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Banner:  N.A.T
Release Date: 29th November 1957
 

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