Sarangadhara (1957 film)

The film begins, Raja Raja Narendra (S. V. Ranga Rao) ruling the Andhra kingdom, Raja Mahendravaram as his capital, his Queen Ratnangi (Santha Kumari) and son Sarangadhara (N. T. Rama Rao). He has two ministers Singanna (Gummadi), good samaritan, Ganganna (Mukkamala) a diabolic person and Nannaya Bhattaraka (Mikkilineni) is his personal poet who is translating Mahabharatam into Telugu. Sarangadhara learns ethical & royal moralities at him and gets expertise in all fields. During that time, some riots arise in the kingdom. Raja Raja doubts on Rangaraju, the ruler of Rangaseema, so, he sends Sarangadhara as an emissary along with his two friends Subuddhi (Chalam) son of Singanna and Mandavya (Relangi) an entertainer. In the forest, he acquainted with Chitrangi (Bhanumathi Ramakrishna) daughter of Rangaraju. Chitrangi loves him at first sight. Sarangadhara calms down Rangaraju and leaves back. Eventually, Raja Raja & Ratnangi get various portraits of princesses for Sarangadhara, they like Chitrangi and sends the portrait of Sarangadhara. After seeing it, Chitrangi happily agrees for the proposal. But Sarangadhara rejects the alliance because he is already in love with Kanakangi (Raja Sulochana) daughter of a king under their empire. Now Minister Ganganna ploys by spoiling Raja Raja's mind and lures him marry Chitrangi. So, Raja Raja sends his sword, instead of him and performs the marriage. After the truth is revealed, Rangaraju decides to declare the war but Chitrangi stops him and tells that she will take avenge in a soft manner.

In Rajamahendravaram, Raja Raja arranges a separate palace for Chitrangi and she stays along with her own maids. She also keeps Raja Raja faraway on the pretext of special prayers and waiting for the opportunity to meet Sarangadhara. Through her maid Mallika (Surabhi Balasaraswathi) she learns, Sarangadhara is fond of pigeon games. Mallika makes friendship with Mandavya and steals one of the pigeons. At the same time, Raja Raja goes for hunting and Sarangadhara starts the pigeon game. Chitrangi throws the stolen pigeon, which attracts Sarangadhara's pigeon into her palace and for it, Saragadhara enters her palace. Chitrangi holds him, tells him the reality and reveals her love towards him. But Sarangadhara denies her and leaves the place. In a hurry, he forgets his knife & shoes. Meanwhile, Raja Raja arrives and announces Sarangadhara's marriage & crowning ceremony. After that, he notices Sarangadhara's shoes & knife in Chitrangi's palace when he suspects him. Moreover, envied Chitrangi provokes by lying that Sarangadhara has molested her. Then he immediately paces an ordinance to amputate Sarangadhara's legs. Here Subuddhi & Mandavya bring out the facts and prove the Sarangadhara's innocence. By the time, they reach a punishment area, it is too late. Chitrangi also lands and blames Raja Raja for his deed, says that she has wholeheartedly married only Sarangadhara and commits suicide. At that point in time, Lord Shiva appears in the form of a sage and gives rebirth to Sarangadhara. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the crowning & marriage ceremony of Sarangadhara. The place where Lord Siva blessed Sarangadhara a temple adored been by the name Sarangadhareswara temple at Rajamandry till today.

• N. T. Rama Rao as Sarangadhara
• Bhanumathi Ramakrishna as Chitrangi Devi
• S. V. Ranga Rao as Rajaraja Narendra Chalukya
• Relangi as Mandavya
• Gummadi as Mahamantri Singanna
• Mikkilineni as Nannaya Bhattaraka
• Mukkamala as Ganganna
• Chalam as Subuddhi
• P. Santha Kumari as Ratnangi Devi
• Rajasulochana as Kanakangi
• Surabhi Balasaraswati as Malathi

Music composed by Ghantasala. Lyrics written by Samudrala Sr. Music released on H. M. V. Audio Company.[1][2]

• Sarangadhara at IMDb
• Sarangadhara on YouTube