| Patala Bhairavi | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Kadri Venkata Reddy |
| Produced by | Nagireddi-Chakrapani |
| Written by | Pingali Nagendra Rao |
| Starring | N.T. Rama Rao, K. Malathi |
| Music by | Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao |
| Release date(s) | 15 March 1951 |
| Running time | 195 minutes |
| Language | Telugu |
Patala Bhairavi (Telugu - పాతాళ భైరవి) (English: The Goddess of Underground) was a Telugu fantasy film produced by Vijaya Pictures in 1951. It is directed by Kadri Venkata Reddy and Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao, who also gave the screen adaptation. Pingali Nagendra Rao wrote dialogue and song lyrics. The film is based on a story from Kasi Majilee Kathalu, written by Madhira Subbanna Deekshitulu. It was also dubbed in Tamil. It was screened successfully in 28 centers for more than 100 days. The film was screened at India International Film Festival in 1952.
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The son of the gardener, Thota Raamudu (NTR) falls in love with Indumathi, the princess of Ujjain (Malathi). When he faces resistance from the King, he goes off into the world to return as a successful man. He is approached by a Sorcerer (SVR), who actually plans to sacrifice a young, brave lad to the goddess Pataala Bhairavi (Girija) to attain a magic statuette, which grants any wish. Raamudu fits the profile; and unwittingly, agrees to help the Sorcerer so that he can attain the riches etc. the King asked for his daughter's hand in marriage.
However, Raamudu finds about the evil plan and instead he sacrifices the sorcerer and obtains Pataala Bhairavi. Raamudu wishes to be a King, have a grander palace than the King etc. to be welcomed by the Ujjain royalty. The King lives up to his promise and grants him his daughter in marriage.
Sadajapa, the Sorcerer's apprentice, finds his master at the Pataala Bhairavi site, and brings him back to life. During this time, the King's brother-in-law and the princess' Uncle (Relangi) is upset at upcoming wedding and determines to hang himself instead of witnessing the marriage. The Sorcerer catches him in time and promises him everything Raamudu has (including Indumathi) in exchange for the small statue which Raamudu has hidden in the room. He manages to steal the Pataala Bhairavi and unwittingly changes Raamudu's fate.
The Socerer then wishes to kidnap the Princess and takes all of Thota Raamudu's wealth, leaving him in his original state. Pledging to bring back his love, Raamudu and his cousin, Anji, travels to the Sorcerer's lair. The story ends with the marriage of Raamudu and Indumathi with the Uncle's, Queen, King's, and Raamudu's mother's blessing. As it turns out, Anji, marries the Princess's servant and best friend. The Sorcerer is dead, and all is well.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao | Thota Ramudu/Bhale Ramudu, the hero |
| S. V. Ranga Rao | Nepala Mantrikudu, the villain |
| K. Malathi | Indumathi, the princess |
| Chilakalapudi Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu | King of Ujjaini |
| Girija | Paatala Bhairavi, the Goddess |
| Balakrishna | Anji |
| Surabhi Kamalabai | Kanthamma (Old Female Gardener) |
| Krishna Kumari | Mosali |
| Lakshmikantam | |
| B. Padmanabham | Dingiri, the apprentice |
| Hemalathamma Rao | The Queen, Mother of princess |
| Savitri | Dancer (Ranante Rane Ranu Song) |
| Relangi Venkata Ramaiah | King's brother-in-law |
| T.G.Kamala Devi | Veera Katha Performer |
The kitschy imagery and studio sets provide an appropriate style for this emphatically Orientalist fairy tale. Ghantasala’s music is a key contribution to the film’s success. The Hindi version, dubbed by Gemini from Telugu, included a specially shot colour sequence with a dance by Lakshmikantam. The Telugu film consolidated a local version of the ‘folklore’ film, a swashbuckling Orientalist fantasy evoking both Alexandre Dumas and Hollywood’s Douglas Fairbanks films. Created by the Tamil cinema (cf. Apoorva Sahodarargal, 1949; later associated mainly with MGR), the genre was successfully transferred into Telugu where established directors like B.N. Reddi (formerly associated with reform themes) had to acknowledge its commercial infallibility (Raja Makutam, 1959).
The real success of the genre is due to its colourful invention of local pseudo-legends often adapting idioms from the folk theatre, e.g. Burrakatha. Earlier Telugu films in this idiom included Balanagamma (1942), Ratnamala (1947) and Raksharekha (1949). Savitri performed a dance in the film. [1]
Music was composed by Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao and lyrics were written by Pingali Nagendra Rao.