Guna Sundari

B. N. Reddy and A. Chakrapani produced the film under the banner Vijaya Productions. The film was made in Telugu with the title Gunasundari Katha[1] with Sriranjani and Kasturi Siva Rao in the lead roles. The Telugu film was released in 1949.[2] The film is said to be inspired from Shakespeare's King Lear.[3]

Ugra Senan is the king of Dhara Nagaram. He has three daughters, Rupasundari, Hemasundari and Gunasundari.

Gunasundari is the youngest. Their mother dies when Gunasundari is born. Ugra Senan brings up the three girls with the utmost care. After the girls are grown up, one day during a chat between father and daughters, the two older daughters declare that the father is the most important person in a girl's life. However, Gunasundari differs from them and says that the husband is the most important person in a girl's life. Father Ugra Senan becomes displeased and angry at Gunasundari. He marries off the two older daughters to their cousins. But in order to teach Gunasundari a lesson, he marries her off to an aged pauper with a physical deformity.

After the wedding, the king learns that the pauper is actually a young prince but suffers from a curse. The king orders Gunasundari and her husband to go away from his kingdom. They leave and start living a simple life, in a hut outside the kingdom as ordered.

The king become ill. The native physicians says his illness can be cured only with a rare gem called Mahendra Mani. Gunasundari's husband goes in search of the gem and succeeds in finding it. He is turned into a bear due to another curse. His two elder brothers-in-law rob the gem from him and give it to the king who is then cured.

Gunasundari prays to Lord Shiva and Parvati regularly. Shiva and Parvati are pleased with her devotion and bless her and her husband. Relieved of his curses, Gunasundari's husband regains his handsome princely form.

The king comes to know the truth. He recalls Gunasundari and her husband back to the kingdom and crowns them King and Queen. Thus, Gunasundari stands tall above all others.[4]

Producer: Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani
Director: K. Kameswara Rao
Dialogues: Thanjai N. Ramiah Doss
Lyrics: Thanjai N. Ramiah Doss
Cinematography: Marcus Bartley
Audiography: A. Krishnan B.A.
Processing: N. C. Sen Gupta B.Sc.
Special Effects: Harban Singh
Editing: C. P. Jambulingam & G. Kalyanasundaram
Art: Kaladhar
Choreography: P. Krishnamoorthy
Studio: Vauhini Studios[4]

Music was composed by Ghantasala and lyrics for all songs were penned by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. Playback singers are Ghantasala, A. M. Rajah, S. C. Krishnan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, P. Leela, Jikki, K. Rani & Kamala.

This Tamil version Gunasundari was a flop. However, the Telugu version Gunasundari Katha was a success and remained a favourite of producer B. Nagi Reddy.[2]

• Guna Sundari Titles on YouTube