Patala Bhairavi (Telugu Films)

PATALA BHAIRAVI (1951)

Patala Bhairavi (1951) is a fantasy film written by Pingali Nagendra Rao and directed by K.V.Reddy. Simultaneously taken in Telugu and Tamil languages., the film was produced by A.Chakrapani and B. Nagi Reddy under the banner Vijaya Vauhini Studios. It featured N.T.Rama Rao, S.V.Ranga Rao and K.Malathi in the lead roles and supported by C.S.R.Anjaneyulu, Relangi, Valluri Balakrishna, Padmanabham, T.G.Kamala Devi, Girija, Surabhi Kamalabai, Krishna Kumari and Savitri(as a dancer). Ghantasala composed the music and the lyrics were written by Pingali Nagendra Rao. Playback singers were Ghantasala , P.Leela, Jikki Krishnaveni. V.J.Varma, Pithapuram and T.G.Saraswathi. Relangi Venkataramaiah and T.G.Kamala Devi sang songs which were filmed on themselves. There are 10 songs in the film.
Patala Bhairavi is based on Kasi Majilee Kathalu written by Madhira Subbanna Dikshitulu. It is also influenced by the story Aladdin. It is considered as a breakthrough film for both Rama Rao and Ranga Rao.
The film focuses on a gardner's son who has to amass wealth equal to that of the king of Ujjain to marry his daughter, and a sorcerer who has to sacrifice an intelligent and brave young man to goddess Pathala Bhairavi to gain access to a statute which can grant any wish.
Patala Bhairavi achieved cult status in Telugu cinema. The theme of the film "Dhairye Sahase Lakshmi" is present throughout the film. The lines "Nijam cheppamantara Abaddham cheppamantara" ,"Jai Patala Bhairavi", "Sahasamseyara Dhimbhaka", " Naruda Emi Nee Korika", "Sanjeevini siddham seyara"," Mosam guru", and "Dhimbaka" , "Dingari," became very popular phrases and later became popular vernacular. In total the movie left an indelible mark on the public.
TRIVIA:
1. When this picture was released I was of 14 yrs and studying IV form in Hadagalli (of Bellary district). The songs"Kalavara Maye Madilo" and " yenta Ghatu Premayo" were very popular and frequently broadcasted in Radio. We never had a radio in our house but in our lane a doctor couple who were staying had one. Whenever the song was broadcasted the lady of the house used to increase the volume of the radio for the benefit of others to listen.

2. In Kurnool (1954-56) when I was studying Intermediate, during college day function students were enacting mono action of SVR (Mantrikudu) role with his dialogues.
LINKS:
Patala Bhairavi - Music Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist
Patala Bhairavi - Full Movie - https://youtu.be/o_HY7NYyhl0
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