Devadasu (1953 film)

This article is about the 1953 film. For the 1974 Telugu film of the same name, see Devadasu (1974 film). For the 2006 Telugu film of the same name, see Devadasu (2006 film).
Devadasu

Theatrical release poster of the Telugu version
Directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah
Produced by D. L. Narayana
Written by Aluri Chakrapani (adaptation)
Samudrala Raghavacharya (Telugu dialogues)
Udayakumar (Tamil dialogues)
Screenplay by Vedantham Raghaviah
Based on Devdas 
by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay
Starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Savitri
Lalitha
Music by Soundtrack:
C. R. Subburaman
Background score: Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Cinematography B. S. Ranga
Edited by P. V. Narayana
Production
company
Revathi Studios
Narasu Studios
Vikrama Studios
Distributed by Vinoda Pictures
Release dates
 26 June 1953
Running time
 190 minutes (Telugu)
192 minutes (Tamil)
Country India
Language Telugu
Tamil

Devadasu is a 1953 Indian bilingual romance film, directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah and produced by D. L. Narayana for Vinodha Pictures. Aluri Chakrapani wrote the script based on Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel, Devdas. C. R. Subbaraman composed the film's music. The film was edited by P. V. Narayanan, while B. S. Ranga provided the cinematography.

The film focuses on Devadasu and Parvati, who have been in love since childhood. Parvati's father objects to the relationship and forces her to marry a middle-aged zamindar. Unable to cope with his failure to win Parvati, Devadas turns into a drunkard, and the rest of the film is about whether or not Devadas meets Parvati again.

The film was produced in Telugu and Tamil (as Devadas) with slightly different casts. Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, and Lalitha played the in the lead roles in both versions; supporting roles were played by S. V. Ranga Rao, Chilakalapudi Seeta Rama Anjaneyulu, Dorasamy and Surabhi Kamalabai in the Telugu version, and by M. N. Nambiar, Sachu and Chandrakumari in the Tamil version. Devadasu is the inaugural recipient of the Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu.

Devadasu was released on 26 June 1953, and the Tamil version was released three months later, on 11 September 1953. Both versions were critically and commercially successful. The Telugu version has since achieved cult status, with terms and phrases from the film being widely cited. Both versions proved to be a major breakthrough in Nageswara Rao's career.

Plot

Devadasu, the son of Ravulapalle zamindar Narayana Rao, and Parvati, daughter of his poor neighbour Neelakantham, are childhood friends. The zamindar enrolls his son in a boarding school in the city. When the grown-up Devadasu returns to the village after finishing his education, his childhood friendship with Parvati turns into love.

When Parvati's grandmother talks of the alliance, the zamindar refuses the proposal. Irritated, Neelakantham vows to find a wealthier prospective son-in-law and arranges Parvati's marriage with the zamindar of Durgapuram, an elderly widower with children. However, Parvati secretly meets Devadasu and asks him to accept her as his wife.

Devadasu is surprised at her visit, sends her away, and goes back to the city. He writes to Parvati that he cannot defy his parents, so Parvati marries the old zamindar. Unable to forget her, Devadasu is despondent. He takes to drinking alcohol excessively and is encouraged by his friend Bhagawan, who also introduces him to Chandramukhi, a prostitute.

While Parvati settles into her new house, Devadasu chooses the path of self-destruction. On the advice of Chandramukhi, he leaves for his village, but goes to Durgapuram to keep a promise he had made to Parvati that he visit her before his death. Devadasu breathes his last in front of her house. Parvati rushes to see him, but the door is closed by her family and she collapses.

Cast

Telugu version
Tamil version[1]

Production

When people saw me on screen in Devadasu, they assumed that I starved myself to look like the heartbroken, alcoholic that I played on screen. Truth is far from it. I was actually healthy with robust looks. After watching myself I realised that no matter how hard i tried, I didn't look like a drunkard because my eyes were clear. So, I requested the director to shift the shooting schedule to the night. I used to stuff myself with heavy dinner and then shoot overnight ... even as my eyes were dropping, heavy with sleep. The effect was excellent and that's how I pulled Devadasu off.

 – Akkineni Nageswara Rao, on his character in an interview with Suresh Kavirayani of The Times of India in April 2013.[2]

D. L. Narayana signed Vedantham Raghaviah to direct a bilingual film Devadasu in Telugu and Tamil under the production banner of Narasu Studios. The film's script, which was written by Aluri Chakrapani, was based on Devdas by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.[3] The story of Devadasu revolves around a feudal lord's son Devadas falling in love with a poor girl Parvati. Due to differences in their social and economic status, Devadas cannot marry his childhood love and Parvati marries an old man. Unable to forget her, he becomes alcoholic.[4] Samudrala Raghavacharya and Udaykumar wrote the dialogue for the Telugu and Tamil versions, respectively.[3][1] B. S. Ranga was recruited as the director of photography, and P. V. Narayanan edited the film. Vali and Kotwankar were the art directors.[1]

Nageswara Rao and Sowcar Janaki were chosen as the lead pair. Arani Sathyanarayana portrayed the role of Devadasu's man Friday.[5] Peketi Sivaram, who went on to become a famous director, portrayed the role of Bhagawan. S. V. Ranga Rao, Chilakalapudi Seeta Rama Anjaneyulu, and Surabhi Kamalabai were selected to portray supporting roles. Seetharam appeared in a minor role as a cartman.[3] Lalitha of the Travancore Sisters was signed to play Chandramukhi, the "golden-hearted prostitute".[6][7]

After a week of shooting, the film was shelved due to the view that such a story might not succeed in Telugu; the production company then produced Shanti, which became a failure.[6] D. L. Narayana decided to revive the film after being encouraged by the success of Stri Sahasam.[3] Janaki, who was originally chosen for the character of Parvati, opted out of the film as she could not spare the time; she was then replaced by Savitri.[3][8]

Principal photography commenced with Nagaraja Rao, a still photographer shooting some stills of Nageswara Rao in the guise of Devadasu, with a glass in his hand and the looks of a drunkard. Rao also took shots of Savitri in Parvati's make-up in Naarsu's Studio. Impressed with these stills, Narayana decided to use the same make-up for the real shooting of the film. He showed these make-up stills to Mangaiah, the make-up man, who followed the same.[3] Nageswara Rao, who portrayed the titular character, recalled that Vedantam, being a Kuchipudi dance exponent and a veteran stage actor, used to enact the scenes before the actors, thereby making their job easy. He even recalled that the character's half asleep makeup was a result of hard work by make-up man Mangaiah, and that the director shot him only at night so that he could get a "natural" feel to the hero's drunken look; those scenes were shot over 53 days.[9]

Music

Devadasu
Soundtrack album To Devadasu by C. R. Subbaraman
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Length 32:25
Language Telugu
Label HMV Records
Producer C. R. Subbaraman

The official soundtracks of Devadas were composed by C. R. Subbaraman. The lyrics were written by Samudrala Raghavacharya and Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and K. D. Santhanam for the Telugu and Tamil versions, respectively.[3][1] There was a controversy regarding crediting the lyricist in the film. Though Samudrala is credited as the lyrics writer in the film, the researcher V. A. K. Ranga Rao claims that Malladi Ramakrishna Sasthri actually wrote some of the lyrics.[3] C. R. Subbaraman died before the film's release, and the remaining songs were composed by his assistants M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy.[6][10]

The soundtracks of the Telugu and Tamil versions were released on 31 December 1953; both were marketed by HMV.[11][12] The soundtracks were a huge commercial success, with "Jagame Maaya" and "Kala Idani", in particular, achieving cult status.[13] Songs like "Ulage Maayam" and "O Devadas" became popular among the Tamil diaspora.[14] The song "Kudi Yemaithe" was composed using the Kalyani raga.[15] The song "Intha Telisi" is composed in various ragas.[16]

The film received positive reviews from critics. Randor Guy of The Hindu noted that the songs "contributed to the [film's] success".[4] M. L. Narasimham from the same newspaper also praised the songs, noting, "The major contribution to the film's success, however, came from the music director, a genius called C. R. Subbaraman. Every song he composed is a hit to this day."[6] S. Theodore Baskaran in his book The Eye of the Serpent noted, "One factor that sustains the popularity of this film to this is the songs [sic]".[17] On the song "Intha Telisi", Dakshinamurthy M. of The Hans India noted, "The 'pallavi' and 'charanam' are in Kharaharapriya, second 'charanam' is in Ranjani and the last one is in Mohana. The switching from 'charanam' to 'pallavi' and vice versa is so smooth, one forgets to notice the change in 'ragam' and 'bhavam'."[16]

Tracklist of the Telugu version[11]
No. TitleSinger(s) Length
1. "Andaala Anandam"  R. Balasaraswathi Devi 3.17
2. "Antha Bhranthi Yena"  K. Rani 03:02
3. "Chelitya Ledhu"  Ghantasala, K. Rani 04:05
4. "Jagame Maya"  Ghantasala 03:17
5. "Oh Devada"  K. Jamunarani, Udutha Sarojini 02:51
6. "Intha Telisiyundi"  R. Balasaraswathi 03:32
7. "Kudi Yedamaithe"  Ghantasala 03:08
8. "O Devada"  Ghantasala, Jikki 02:51
9. "Palleki Podam"  Ghantasala 02:27
10. "Thane Marena"  Balasaraswathi Devi 03:16
11. "Kala Idani"  Ghantasala 03.08
Tracklist of the Tamil version[12]
No. TitleSinger(s) Length
1. "Santosham Vendrum"  R. Balasaraswathi Devi 3.17
2. "Ellam Maayai"  K. Rani 03:02
3. "uravum Illai"  Ghantasala, K. Rani 04:15
4. "Jagame Maya"  Ghantasala 03:17
5. "Oh Devatha"  K. Jamunarani, Udutha Sarojini 02:51
6. "Paramugam Enaya"  R. Balasaraswathi 03:32
7. "Thunintha Pin"  Ghantasala 03:08
8. "O Devadas"  Ghantasala, Jikki 02:51
9. "Santosham Tharum"  Ghantasala 02:27
10. "Anbe Pavama"  Balasaraswathi Devi 03:16
11. "Kanavithuthan"  Ghantasala 03:08

Release and reception

The Telugu version, Devadasu, was released on 26 June 1953, and the Tamil version was released three months later on 11 September 1953.[9] Both versions were released with an approximate final reel length of 5,260 metres (17,260 ft) and were given a "U" (Universal) certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification, with a run time of 190 and 192 minutes, respectively.[18][19] Both versions were commercially successful, with the Telugu version completing a run of 100 days. The film is the inaugural recipient of the Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu.[20]

Devadasu received positive reviews from critics upon its release. M. L. Narasimham of The Hindu praised the performances of the film's cast, particularly that of Nageswara Rao. He added that B. S. Ranga's "excellent" cinematography and C. R. Subbaraman's music were the film's highlights apart from Vedantham Raghavaiah's direction.[6] Film historian Randor Guy wrote that the film was remembered for "empathetically brilliant performance of Nageswara Rao in the title role and equally impressive acting by Savithri".[4][21] Cinegoer wrote, "The superb direction by Sri Vedantham Raghavaiah made the film an immortal classic".[3] Hindustan Times stated that Nageswara Rao's performance "remains a classic portrayal of the character that has been adapted on-screen several times".[22]

Legacy and influences

Devadasu is regarded as one of the most successful films in both Tamil and Telugu cinema.[23] Later films that followed the same theme include Vasantha Maligai (1972) and Vazhvey Maayam (1982).[24] Upon release, the dialogue Thaagithe maruva galanu, thaaganivvaru, marichipothe thaagagalanu, maruvanivvaru (English: If I drink, I can forget, but they don't let me drink; if I forget, I can drink, but they don't let me forget) became famous.[25] The film proved to be a major breakthrough in Nageswara Rao's career. The success of the film made him known as the "Tragedy King" and also led to his becoming typecast in similar roles.[26][23] In order to shed the tragic-romantic hero image, he accepted a comic role in Missamma (1955).[27] Savitri too appeared in Missamma, and her character in that film was described by Pa. Dheenadhayalan of Dinamani as an antithesis of her role in Devadasu.[28]

In July 2007, S. R. Ashok Kumar of The Hindu asked eight Tamil directors to list ten of their favourite films. Balu Mahendra named Devadas as one of his top ten Tamil films. He added that the film had "superb lighting by B. S. Ranga, excellent performances by A. Nageswara Rao and Savithri, and haunting music by C. R. Subbaraman".[29] Actor Sivakumar stated, "You can’t reproduce movies like Parasakthi, Pasamalar, Devadas, Veerapandiya Kattabomman or Ratha Kanneer [...] By remaking such films, you are lowering yourself, while it enhances the original artists’ image."[30] YVS Chowdary titled his 2006 comedy film Devadasu, though it had no similarity with this film.[31] In May 2012, Radhika Rajamani of Rediff.com mentioned Devadasu for the letter D in her list, "The A to Z of Telugu Cinema".[32] During a programme titled "Telugu Cinema Prasthanam" organised by the film society of Vishakhapatnam, writer and actor Ravi Kondala Rao placed Devadasu among other Telugu films like Raja Harishchandra (1913), Bhakta Prahlada (1932), Mala Pilla (1938), Pathala Bhairavi (1951) and Lava Kusa (1963) during a speech on the role of Telugu cinema in the hundred years of Indian cinema.[33] CNN-IBN included the film in its list of "100 greatest Indian films of all time".[34] Indo-Asian News Service described Devadasu as one of Nageswara Rao's "best films".[35]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 103.
  2. ↑ Kavirayani, Suresh (5 April 2013). "Akkineni Nageswara Rao interview". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Palakodety (11 January 2006). "CineGoer.com — Nostalgia — Devadasu". Cinegoer.com. Archived from the original on 13 January 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Guy, Randor (13 February 2009). "Devadas 1953". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  5. ↑ Narasimham, M. L. (31 October 2010). "Ramadasu (1933)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Narasimham, M. L. (14 December 2013). "Devadasu (1953)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  7. ↑ Dhananjayan 2011, p. 132.
  8. ↑ Dheenadhayalan, Pa. (16 May 2015). "சாவித்ரி – 1. அடடா... அறியாப் பருவமடா!" [Savitri – 1. Naive age]. Dinamani (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 11 November 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  9. 1 2 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 104.
  10. ↑ Dhananjayan, G. (15 July 2015). "M S Viswanathan lived, breathed music". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 13 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Devadasu (Telugu)". Gaana.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Devadas (Tamil)". Gaana.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  13. ↑ "Ghantasala The playback legend". The Hans India. 11 February 2015. Archived from the original on 11 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  14. ↑ Kolappan, B. (23 January 2014). "The life and times of Tamil's own Devadas". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  15. ↑ Amruthavarshini (11 May 2014). "‘Kalyani: The queen of ragas’". The Hans India. Archived from the original on 9 November 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  16. 1 2 Dakshinamurthy, M. (15 June 2014). "Ragamalika: A garland of Ragas". The Hans India. Archived from the original on 11 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  17. ↑ Baskaran 1996, p. 92.
  18. ↑ Devadasu (Telugu) (Motion picture). India: Shalimar Telugu Movies. 19 November 2013.
  19. ↑ Devadasu (Tamil) (Motion picture). India: RajVideoVision Tamil. 16 August 2014.
  20. ↑ The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who.
  21. ↑ Guy, Randor (31 May 2002). "The immortal lover". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 August 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  22. ↑ "Akkineni Nageswara Rao: his best films". Hindustan Times. 22 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  23. 1 2 "Telugu cinema nostalgia — Devadasu — ANR & Savitri". Idlebrain. Archived from the original on 16 May 2000. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  24. ↑ Dhananjayan 2011, p. 133.
  25. ↑ Tata, Madhavi (14 October 2013). "Romance Is All". Outlook India. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  26. ↑ Sushil Rao, Ch. (23 January 2014). "Akkineni Nageshwara Rao: A Tragedy King who charmed his heroines". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 January 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  27. ↑ "Irreplaceable icon". The Hindu. 26 January 2014. Archived from the original on 5 February 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  28. ↑ Dheenadhayalan, Pa. (16 May 2015). "சாவித்ரி - 2. காதல் மந்திரவாதி!" [Savitri - 2. The magician of love!]. Dinamani (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  29. ↑ Ashok Kumar, S. R. (13 July 2007). "Filmmakers' favourites". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  30. ↑ Anand, N. (3 January 2008). "Sivakumar not for old wine in new bottle". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 March 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  31. ↑ Narasimham, M. L. (6 January 2006). "Spinning magic". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  32. ↑ Rajamani, Radhika (7 May 2012). "Special: The A to Z of Telugu Cinema". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 28 December 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  33. ↑ "Call to promote good cinema". The Hindu. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  34. ↑ "100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time". CNN-IBN. 17 April 2013. Archived from the original on 25 April 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  35. ↑ "Legendary Telugu Actor Nageswara Rao Passes Away". The New Indian Express. Indo-Asian News Service. 22 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2015.

Bibliography

External links

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