Anarkali (1955 film)
Anarkali (transl. Pomegranate blossom) is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language historical romance film, produced by P. Adinarayana Rao, written and directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi and music also composed by P. Adinarayana Rao. It is based on the legendary romance between Mughal prince Salim (later known as Jahangir) and the eponymous court dancer.
| Anarkali | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Vedantam Raghavaiah |
| Produced by | P. Adinarayana Rao Anjali Devi (presents) |
| Written by | Samudrala Sr (dialogues) |
| Screenplay by | Vedantam Raghavaiah |
| Starring | Anjali Devi Akkineni Nageswara Rao |
| Music by | P. Adinarayana Rao |
| Cinematography | Kamal Ghosh |
| Edited by | N. S. Prakasam |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 153 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Anarkali was released on 28 April 1955. The film was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in many theatres. It was dubbed in Tamil with the same title, which also achieved success.
Plot
Nadira, a Persian woman, migrates to Agra with her tribe. Bowled over by her mellifluous voice and beauty, Mughal prince Salim introduces himself to her as a soldier and the two fall in love and meet regularly at the pomegranate garden. Once, while strolling in his garden, Emperor Akbar, impressed by Nadira's singing, bestows on her the title "Anarkali", meaning "pomegranate blossom". Thereafter, Salim has entrusted the responsibility as a chief commander for war at Kabul, distressed Anarkali also leaves to know the whereabouts of Salim. To her misfortune, she is caught by burglars and while they are auctioning her prince Salim purchases her. On that night, they are completely under flow of romance when Man Singh I caveats the prince regarding his vocation. Immediately, Salim onslaught into the battlefield, grievously injured and goes into a coma. Right now, Man Singh I back-pedals him to Agra when Anarkali also follows. During that plight, her singing brings back to consciousness to Salim when hearten Akbar makes her the court dancer. Spotting her at the court Man Singh I warns to discard but she refuses. Meanwhile, Anarkali acclaims paramount in the court which upsets Gulnar, the former court dancer, who has secret ambitions to marry the prince.
On the occasion of Salim's coronation celebration, an envied Gulnar conspires and mixes alcohol in Anarkali's drink. Under its influence, Anarkali expresses her love for Salim which angers Akbar who orders her to be imprisoned. At that juncture, Salim expresses his love for her to his mother Jodha Bai and requests to couple up them. But Akbar rejects the proposal, so Salim rebels and amasses an army to confront his father to rescue Anarkali but Jodha Bai bar him. Right now, Akbar orders capital punishment for the lovers to decapitate Salim and Anarkali is taken to a distant place to entombed alive. At that point in time, everyone shows averse to mete out Salim, so, it is mandatory to the Emperor to do so but he collapses due to the affection of his son. Being cognizant of Anarkali entombment, Salim rushes to save her when Gulnar backstabs him, by the time he reaches there, Anarkali is already buried. Finally, grief-stricken, Salim bangs his head on her grave and dies.
Cast
- Anjali Devi as Anarkali
- Kannamba as Jodha Bai
- Nageswara Rao as Saleem
- S. V. Ranga Rao as Akbar
- V. Nagaiah as Man Singh
- S. Balasaraswathi as Gulnar
- Shivaram as Azeez
- Dr. Kamaraj as Abul Fasal
- C. Hemalatha as Anarkali's mother
- Gadiraju Kesavarao as Tansen
Production
Development
After Paradesi (1953), the inaugural production of Anjali Pictures was an average success at the box office, its producers – husband and wife P. Adinarayana Rao and Anjali Devi – considered making their sophomore production based on folklore.[1] The 1953 Hindi film Anarkali, which was based on the legendary romance between Mughal prince Salim (later known as Jahangir) and the eponymous court dancer, was a success and caught their attention, prompting them to adapt the same story in Telugu with the same title, while putting their folklore film plans on hold (this project would later be revived as Suvarna Sundari, released in 1957).[2] Vedantam Raghavaiah was chosen as director and screenwriter, Samudrala Raghavacharya as dialogue writer, Kamal Ghosh for cinematography, N. S. Prakasam for editing, and A. K. Sekhar as art director alongside Vali and Thota.[1]
Casting
Akkineni Nageswara Rao was cast as Salim, co-producer Anjali Devi as the title character, S. V. Ranga Rao as Emperor Akbar, P. Kannamba as Akbar's wife Jodha Bai, V. Nagaiah as Man Singh I and Surabhi Balasaraswathi as the dancer Gulnaar. Gadiraju Kesavarao, an associate director, also appeared briefly as the musician Tansen.[1]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by P. Adinarayana Rao, while the lyrics were written by Samudrala Raghavacharya.[3] Though the soundtrack consisted predominantly of original compositions, two were borrowed from the 1953 film. "Ravoyi Sakhaa" was adapted from "Aa Jaane Wafaa",[1] and "Jeevitame Saphalamu" was adapted from "Yeh Zindagi Usi Ki Hai".[4]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "O Anaarkali" | Ghantasala | 3:10 |
| 2. | "Jeevitame Saphalamu" | Jikki | 6:06 |
| 3. | "Kalise Nelaraaju" | Ghantasala, Jikki | 4:28 |
| 4. | "Nanu Kanugonuma" | Jikki | 4:38 |
| 5. | "Rajasekhara" | Ghantasala, Jikki | 6:24 |
| 6. | "Ninugaana Sambarana" | Jikki | 4:15 |
| 7. | "Prema Janga" | Jikki | 3:31 |
| 8. | "Anda Chandalugani" | P. Susheela | 3:25 |
| 9. | "Anandame Andalu" | Jikki | 4:08 |
| 10. | "Ravoyi Sakhaa" | Jikki | 3:09 |
| 11. | "Kulasala Sarasala" | Jikki | 3:23 |
| 12. | "O Sipaayi" | A. M. Rajah, Jikki | 3:22 |
- Tamil songs
Lyrics were by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. All the tunes for all the songs and singers for both languages are the same.
| No. | Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "O Anaarkali Anaarkali Anaarkali" | Ghantasala | 03:10 |
| 2 | "Jeevitame Sabalamo" | Jikki | 03:10 |
| 3 | "Jeevitame Sabalamo" | Jikki | 02:56 |
| 4 | "Kanindha Alliyodu Nilavin Oli Nee" | Ghantasala, Jikki | 04:28 |
| 5 | "Naan Kannda Sugamaa Sugamaa Penn Pazhi" | Jikki | 04:38 |
| 6 | "Rajasekhara En Mel Modi Seiyyalaagumaa" | Ghantasala, Jikki | 06:24 |
| 7 | "Unaal Naanee Uyirai Marandhen" | Jikki | 04:15 |
| 8 | "Kaadhalin Jodi" | Jikki | 03:31 |
| 9 | "Andha Naal Thaanidhada" | P. Susheela | 03:25 |
| 10 | "Aanandham…. Naanum Kuditthen Ena Ninaikkudhu" | Jikki | 04:08 |
| 11 | "Sippaayi…. Anbe Nee Vaaraayo" | Jikki | 03:09 |
| 12 | "Paarthanile Mudivu Kannden En Vidhi" | Jikki | 03:28 |
Release and reception
Anarkali was released on 28 April 1955. The film was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in many theatres. Its namesake Tamil-dubbed version was also successful.[1][5]
References
- Narasimhan, M. L. (28 August 2014). "Anarkali (1955)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- Tanmayi, Bhawana (17 June 2017). "Anarkali: The musical love story". Telangana Today. Archived from the original on 28 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
- Anarkali (songbook) (in Telugu). Anjali Pictures. 1955.
- Nair, Vipin (28 September 2017). "#42 Anarkali: Top 100 Bollywood Albums". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
- Bali, Karan (19 March 2016). "The fascinating tale of the many Anarkalis". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 28 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.