Chandraharam
Chandraharam (Telugu: చంద్రహారం; Tamil: சந்திரஹாரம்) is a 1954 Telugu-Tamil bilingual swashbuckling film, produced by Nagi Reddy-Chakrapani under the Vijaya Productions banner and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri, Sriranjani Jr. and music composed by Ghantasala.[1]
| Chandraharam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao L. V. Prasad (Supervision) |
| Produced by | Nagi Reddy Chakrapani |
| Written by | Pingali Nagendra Rao (story / dialogues / songs) Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass (Tamil) |
| Starring | N. T. Rama Rao Savitri Sriranjani |
| Music by | Ghantasala |
| Cinematography | Marcus Bartley |
| Edited by | Jambulingam |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 174 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu Tamil |
Plot
The events of the film take place in the kingdom of Chandana Desam. Its king was blessed with a baby boy with the boon of Lord Chandra. which he named Chandanraju. Chadan was born with a necklace called Chandraharam and his life is preserved in it. At the age of five, Chandan was sent to Maali (S. V. Ranga Rao) for education and was brought up in the care of Maali. Chandan (N. T. Rama Rao) is obligated to get married lest his life be in danger, hence his parents procure portraits of neighboring princesses. All the while, Chandan has a dream girl and wants to marry her. The king asks Maali to search for such a girl and sends Chandan to tour the country. Chandan's brother-in-law Dhoomekatu (Relangi) is greedy for the kingdom and wants to break the marriage of Chandran so that he will die. He sends Niksheparayudu to follow Chandan. Niksheparayudu sees Chandan's dream girl Gauri (Sriranjani Jr.) in a village. Niksheparayudu cleverly manages Gauri's stepmother and hides Gauri there. Gauri's father disapproves of this proposal and sends away Gauri secretly. Chanchala (Savitri), an angel, loves Chandan but he refuses. She snatches his Chadraharam and says he will be alive only in the night. Chanchala's sister Achala notices Gauri in an unconscious state and takes her to Chandan. Maali performs their marriage. Dhoomketu threatens the king to get him crowned, to which the helpless king agrees. During this time, Niksheparayudu notices Gauri at Maali's house. Maali takes Gauri and hides her inside a temple. Meanwhile, Chanchala gets angry at Chandan as he has left for the palace, so she kills him. Dhoomketu orders to keep Gauri also on the funeral pyre. Finally, Gauri's devotion and willpower brings Chandan back to life. Chanchala is cursed by Lord Indra (R. Nageswara Rao) by stripping her supernatural powers. Dhoomekatu and Niksheparayudu also realize their mistake. 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
Soundtrack
| Chandraharam | |
|---|---|
| Film score by | |
| Released | 1954 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Length | 47:19 |
| Producer | Ghantasala |
Music 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, Lalitha, K. Rani, P. Leela, M. Sathyam and A. P. Komala.[2]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Arut Jyothi Devam" | Ghantasala | Ramalinga Swamigal | 02:38 |
| 2 | "Laali Jaya Laali" | Lalitha & K. Rani | 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.[2]
References
- Ashish Rajadhyaksha & Paul Willemen. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 1998. pp. 328 & 585.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
- G. Neelamegam. Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 2 (in Tamil). Manivasagar Publishers, Chennai 108 (Ph:044 25361039). First edition November 2016. pp. 70–71.