Mangalya Balam
Mangalya Balam (transl. Power of the Wedding Chain) is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film, produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under Annapurna Pictures banner and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri and music composed by Master Venu. The film is a remake of the Bengali film Agni Pariksha, which was based on Ashapurna Devi's novel of the same name.[1] It was simultaneously made by the same banner and director in Tamil as Manjal Mahimai (transl. The Power of Turmeric).
| Mangalya Balam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster in Telugu | |
| Directed by | Adurthi Subba Rao |
| Produced by | D. Madhusudhana Rao |
| Screenplay by | Adurthi Subba Rao D. Madhusudhana Rao Acharya Aatreya (dialogues) |
| Story by | Ashapoorna Devi |
| Based on | Agni Pariksha by Ashapurna Devi |
| Starring | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Savitri |
| Music by | Master Venu |
| Cinematography | P. S. Selvaraj |
| Edited by | A. Sanjeevi |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Navayuga Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 177 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil Telugu |
Plot
The film begins, Zamindar Papa Rao (S. V. Ranga Rao) who resides in the city, Kanthamma his shrew wife (Suryakantam) always ill-treats her mother-in-law Parvatamma (Kannamba) and Papa Rao couple has two children Suryam & Saroja (Baby Sasikala). In their village, Papa Rao's sister Seeta (G. Varalakshmi) lives with her husband Rangaiah (A. V. Subba Rao), son Chandra Shekar (Master Babji) and a rift erupted between families as Seeta married against her brother's wish. Once Parvatamma learns that Seeta is terminally ill, so, she immediately packs up along with Suryam & Saroja. After looking at Saroja, Seeta aspires for the reunion of families and pleads her mother to couple up Chandram & Saroja. Thereupon, Parvathamma gives a call for Papa Rao before he reaches Seeta is about to leave her last breath, so, to accomplish her wish Parvatamma jeopardizes and espousals the children. Being cognizant to it, furious Papa Rao leaves the place carrying Suryam & Saroja away when grief-stricken Seeta passes away. On transpired about it, an infuriate Kanthamma annuls through the court and deprives the wedding chain (Mangalsutram) of Saroja which is preserved by Suryam. Years roll by, Chandra Shekar (Akkineni Nageswara Rao) returns to his village completing his education when Parvatamma divulges regarding his childhood marriage and requests him to get back his wife. Right now, Chandram moves on the mission, gets acquainted with Saroja as Shekar with the help of his friend Kailasam (Relangi) and they love each other. Parallelly, a glimpse, Kailasam rescues Saroja's friend Meenakshi (Rajasulochana) while committing suicide as she spouses to be wedlock an old man and Saroja gives her shelter. After that, Kailasam & Meena too fall in love. At the point in time, Suryam (Ramana Murthy) reveals Saroja that she is already married and handovers the wedding chain threw away by their mother. At present, Saroja is in a dichotomy, but as an Indian woman complies to the marriage and keeps Chandram a distance. Meanwhile, Parvatamma health declines, so, Suryam brings her home. On the other side, Chandram makes various attempts to meet Saroja and Papa Rao necks him out knowing his identity. Ultimately, Saroja enlightens reality by Parvatamma and the couple rejoins. Here, stubborn Papa Rao & Kanthamma forcibly fix Saroja's alliance with Kailasam which Parvatamma opposes and quits. At this juncture, Chandram enacts a play, escapes with Saroja to the village, Papa Rao chases and in enrage tries to shoot them when, unfortunately, Parvathamma is wounded. Spotting it, Papa Rao realizes his mistake also rebukes Kanthamma. Finally, the movie ends a happy note with the reunion of the entire family.
Cast
- Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Chandrasekhar
- Savitri as Saroja
- S. V. Ranga Rao as Papa Rao
- Relangi / K. A. Thangavelu as Kailasam
- Ramana Reddy as Achary
- Ramana Murthy / K. Balaji as Dr. Suryam
- A. V. Subba Rao as Rangaiah
- Dr. Sivaramakrishnaiah
- Vangara
- Suryakantham as Kanthamma
- Rajasulochana as Meena
- Kannamba as Parvatamma
- G. Varalakshmi as Seeta
Soundtrack
The music was composed by Master Venu. He borrowed only one tune from the Bengali film's composer Anupam Ghatak, for the song "Penu Cheekataye Lokam" from its original version "Ke Tumi Amare Dako".[1]
Telugu songs
The Telugu songs were written by Sri Sri. Playback singers were Ghantasala, Madhavapeddi Satyam, P. Suseela, Jikki & K. Jamuna Rani.
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Chekkili Meeda" | Madhavapeddi Satyam, Jikki | 02:58 |
| 2. | "Aakaasha Veedhilo" | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 03:51 |
| 3. | "My Dear Meena" | Madhavapeddi Satyam, Jikki | 03:16 |
| 4. | "Thirupathi Vengkateshwara" | K. Jamuna Rani | 03:55 |
| 5. | "Vaadina Poole" | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 03:32 |
| 6. | "Avunthaaraa" | P. Leela, P. Susheela | 04:43 |
| 7. | "Haayiga Alumagalai" | P. Susheela | 03:32 |
| 8. | "Theliyani Aanandham" | P. Susheela | 03:25 |
| 9. | "Penucheekataye Lokam" | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 03:14 |
| Total length: | 30:26 | ||
- Tamil Track List
Lyrics were penned by Udumalai Narayana Kavi and A. Maruthakasi. Playback singers are Ghantasala, S. C. Krishnan, P. Leela, Jikki, P. Susheela, K. Jamuna Rani and Udutha Sarojini[2]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Anbinaal Ondrai Neengal" | P. Suseela, Sarojini & group | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | 02:48 |
| 2 | "Iduvenna Aanandamo" | P. Susheela | 03:24 | |
| 3 | "Thiruppadhi Vengkadesane" | K. Jamuna Rani | ||
| 4 | "Kodai Maraindhaal Inbam Varum" | Ghantasala, P. Suseela | 03:17 | |
| 5 | "Undenbeeraa Ille Poi Enbeera | P. Leela, P. Susheela | ||
| 6 | "Aagaaya Veedhiyil Azhagaana Vennilaa" | Ghantasala, P. Suseela | 04:46 | |
| 7 | "Maaraadha Sogam Thaano" | Ghantasala]], P. Suseela | 03:21 | |
| 8 | "My Dear Meena Un Idea Enna" | S. C. Krishnan, Jikki | A. Maruthakasi | 03:17 |
| 9 | "Aanadhu Aachu Ponadhu Pochu" | 03:08 |
Production
Bhavanarayana, producer of Meghasandesham suggested to Dukkipati Madhusudhana Rao to watch the Bengali film Agni Pariksha (1954). Madhusudhana bought the remake rights after being impressed with the film and approached Atreya to write the screenplay and dialogues for the film. One of the major changes the maker brought in was while in the original version the girl's father dies of shock, in Mangalya Balam, his character was retained till the last frame. Mangalya Balam was said to be the first Telugu film to shoot in Ooty and it was also Savitri's first visit to the hill town. The Tamil version Manjal Mahimai was simultaneously made retaining all the leading actors and technicians with two changes to the cast – K. A. Thangavelu and K. Balaji replacing Relangi and Ramanamurthy respectively.[1]
Release
Mangalya Balam was released on 7 January 1959 and for the first time in the history of Telugu cinema, the hundred days function was held in an open arena, the Municipal High School grounds, Vijayawada with thousands of cine-fans participating and presided over by the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Kasu Brahmananda Reddy. Manjal Mahimai was released on 14 January 1959 and ran for a hundred days.[1]
Awards
References
- Narasimham, M. L. (8 October 2015). "Mangalyabalam (1959)". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- Neelamegam, G. (December 2014). Thiraikalanjiyam – Part 1 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers 044 25361039. p. 180.
- "6th National Film Awards". International Film Festival of India. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Times of India Press. 1984