Devadasu (1953 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
Vinodha Pictures
Distributed by Vinodha Pictures
Release dates
 26 June 1953
Running time
 191 minutes[1]
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 Sarat 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 languages (the latter titled Devadas) with slightly different casts. Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, and Lalitha played the lead roles in both versions; supporting roles were played by S. V. Ranga Rao, Chilakalapudi Seeta Rama Anjaneyulu, Dorasamy and Surabhi Kamalabai.

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. It 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, although they also led to him being typecast in similar roles.

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

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.[3]

D. L. Narayana signed Vedantham Raghaviah to direct a bilingual film Devadasu in Telugu and Tamil languages under the production banner of Vinodha Pictures. The film's script, which was written by Aluri Chakrapani, was based on Devdas by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.[4] 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.[5] Devadasu was the first Telugu adaptation of Chattopadhyay's novel, and Devadas was the second Tamil adaptation of the same, following the 1937 Devadas directed by and starring P. V. Rao.[6]

Samudrala Raghavacharya and Udaykumar wrote the dialogue for the Telugu and Tamil versions, respectively.[7] B. S. Ranga was recruited as the director of photography,[8] and P. V. Narayanan edited the film.[7] Vali and Kotwankar were the art directors.[9]

Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Sowcar Janaki were chosen as the lead pair. Arani Sathyanarayana portrayed the role of Devadasu's man Friday.[10] 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.[2] Lalitha of the Travancore Sisters was signed to play Chandramukhi, the prostitute.[2][5]

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 instead produced Shanti, which became a failure.[2] D. L. Narayana then decided to revive Devadasu as an independent producer. Janaki, who was originally chosen for the character of Parvati, was replaced by Savitri.[2][11]

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.[4] Nageswara Rao, who portrayed the titular character, later recalled that Vedantam, being a Kuchipudi dance exponent and an experienced stage actor, used to enact the scenes before the actors, thereby making their job easy.[2] He even recalled that that the director shot him only at night so that he could give the character a "drunken, droopy" look.[12] Those night-time shots were filmed over 50 days.[2]

Music

Devadasu
Soundtrack album 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.[13][14] Though Samudrala is credited as the lyricist in the film, M. L. Narasimham of The Hindu believes that Malladi Ramakrishna Sasthri also wrote some of the lyrics.[2] 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.[2][15]

The soundtracks of the Telugu and Tamil versions were released on 31 December 1953; both were marketed by HMV.[13][14] The soundtracks were a huge commercial success, with "Jagame Maaya" and "Kala Idani", in particular, achieving cult status.[16] Songs like "Ulage Maayam" and "O Devadas" became popular among the Tamil diaspora.[17] The song "Kudi Yemaithe" was composed using the Kalyani raga.[18] The song "Intha Telisi" is composed in various ragas.[19] The song "Palleku Podam" was later remixed by Anup Rubens for Aatadukundam Raa (2016).[20]

The soundtracks received positive reviews from critics. Reviewing the Tamil version, Randor Guy of The Hindu noted that the songs "contributed to the [film's] success".[5] Reviewing the Telugu version, 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."[2] 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]".[21] On "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'."[19]

Track list of the Telugu version[13]
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. Jamuna Rani, Udutha Sarojini 02:51
6. "Intha Telisiyundi"  R. Balasaraswathi Devi 03:32
7. "Kudi Yedamaithe"  Ghantasala 03:08
8. "O Devada"  Ghantasala, Jikki 02:51
9. "Palleku Podam"  Ghantasala 02:27
10. "Thane Marena"  R. Balasaraswathi Devi 03:16
11. "Kala Idani"  Ghantasala 03.08
Track list of the Tamil version[14]
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. "Ulagaae Maayam"  Ghantasala 03:17
5. "Oh Devatha"  K. Jamunarani, Udutha Sarojini 02:51
6. "Paramugam Enaya"  R. Balasaraswathi evi 03:32
7. "Thunintha Pin"  Ghantasala 03:08
8. "O Devadas"  Ghantasala, Jikki 02:51
9. "Santosham Tharum"  Ghantasala 02:27
10. "Anbe Pavama"  R. Balasaraswathi Devi 03:16
11. "Kanavithuthan"  Ghantasala 03:08

Release and reception

The Telugu version, Devadasu, was released on 26 June 1953,[2] and the Tamil version was released three months later on 11 September 1953.[7] Both versions were commercially successful, playing for over 100 days in theatres.[2]

Devadasu received positive reviews from critics upon its release.[22] M. L. Narasimham 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.[2] Reviewing Devadasu, 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".[5] S. Theodore Baskaran described the casting of Nageswara Rao and Savitri as "near perfect".[23] Hindustan Times stated that Nageswara Rao's performance "remains a classic portrayal of the character that has been adapted on-screen several times".[24] C. S. H. N. Murthy, author of the 2012 Routledge article Film remakes as cross-cultural connections between North and South, praised Devadasu for "follow[ing] closely the text of the novel as a hypotext".[25] Murthy was the first author to interpret the Devadas phenomenon in terms of de-westernizing media studies by appropriately locating the character of Devdas into the relevant and contemporary religious ethos of India that time. Murthy was not only critical of the Western Scholars' interpretations of Devadas as a narcissist and pseudo-masochist but also questioned their theoretical frameworks based on Western Sexualities and Post-feminism. While placing the crux of the adaptation studies using film as text, he rightly pointed out the dissonance in trying to draw such comparisons based on Western film theories. His article endeavours to make a critical intervention in current South Asian Studies by aiming to provide novel theoretical frame work, hitherto unknown and unheard in Indian film studies, to which philosophical and traditional tenets grounding the novella of Devdas can be anchored.[26]

Legacy and influences

Devadasu and Devadas are regarded as among the most successful films in Telugu and Tamil cinema respectively.[27] 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.[28] The film proved to be a major breakthrough in Nageswara Rao's career.[29] The success of the film made him known as the "Tragedy King" of Telugu cinema and also led to his becoming typecast in similar roles.[30][27] In order to shed the tragic-romantic hero image, he accepted a comic role in Missamma (1955).[31] 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.[32] Vazhvey Maayam (1982), which was named after a line from "Ulagaae Maayam",[33] was described by Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema as an "update of the Devdas plot".[1]

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 said that it had "superb lighting by B. S. Ranga, excellent performances by A. Nageswara Rao and Savithri, and haunting music by C. R. Subbaraman".[34] 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."[35] YVS Chowdary titled his 2006 comedy film Devadasu, though it had no similarity with this film.[36] In May 2012, Radhika Rajamani of Rediff.com mentioned Devadasu for the letter D in her list, "The A to Z of Telugu Cinema".[37] 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.[38] In April 2013, CNN-News18 included the film in its list of "100 greatest Indian films of all time".[39] Indo-Asian News Service described Devadasu as one of Nageswara Rao's "best films".[40] Dilip Kumar, who portrayed Devadas in the 1955 film directed by Bimal Roy, admitted that Nageswara Rao's performance as the character was better than his own,[41] remarking, "There is only one Devadas (1953), and that is Akkineni Nageswara Rao."[42] A scene from Devadasu, in which the title character converses with a street dog while drunk, was parodied in a promotional still from Majnu (2016), where the male lead (Nani) humorously converses with a stuffed puppy, while imitating Devadasu's mannerisms.[43]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 331.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Narasimham, M. L. (14 December 2013). "Devadasu (1953)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. 1 2 Palakodety (11 January 2006). "CineGoer.com — Nostalgia — Devadasu". Cinegoer.com. Archived from the original on 13 January 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Guy, Randor (13 February 2009). "Devadas 1953". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  6. ↑ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 331; Baskaran 1996, p. 116.
  7. 1 2 3 Jeyaraj, D. B. S. (21 April 2014). "The Unforgettably Popular Film Songs of Tamil Cinema Classic "Devadas" ♫". dbsjeyaraj.com. Archived from the original on 31 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  8. ↑ "B.S. Ranga, veteran film director, passes away". The Hindu. 12 December 2010. Archived from the original on 1 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  9. ↑ Devadas (motion picture) (in Tamil). India: Vinodha Pictures. 1953. Event occurs at 2:08.
  10. ↑ Narasimham, M. L. (31 October 2010). "Ramadasu (1933)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  11. ↑ Dheenadhayalan, Pa. (16 May 2015). "சாவித்ரி – 1. அடடா... அறியாப் பருவமடா!" [Savitri – 1. Naive age]. Dinamani (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  12. ↑ Guy, Randor (31 May 2002). "The immortal lover". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 March 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 "Devadasu (Telugu)". Gaana.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 "Devadas (Tamil)". Gaana.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ "Ghantasala The playback legend". The Hans India. 11 February 2015. Archived from the original on 11 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  17. ↑ Kolappan, B. (23 January 2014). "The life and times of Tamil's own Devadas". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  18. ↑ Amruthavarshini (11 May 2014). "'Kalyani: The queen of ragas'". The Hans India. Archived from the original on 9 November 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  19. 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.
  20. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (19 August 2016). "Aatadukundam Raa: The joke is on the audience". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  21. ↑ Baskaran 1996, p. 115.
  22. ↑ Srivatsan (20 September 2016). "Happy Birthday Akkineni Nageswara Rao: 5 best films of the legendary actor". India Today. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  23. ↑ Baskaran 1996, p. 116.
  24. ↑ "Akkineni Nageswara Rao: his best films". Hindustan Times. 22 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  25. ↑ Murthy, C. S. H. N. (13 November 2012). "Film remakes as cross-cultural connections between North and South: A case study of the Telugu film industry's contribution to Indian filmmaking" (PDF). Routledge. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  26. ↑ Murthy, C.S.H.N.; O.B., Meitei (February 2016). "Intertextuality of Film Remakes of Devdas: Romanticism From the Perspectives of Indian Aesthetics". 36 (1). SAGE Publications: 24–40. doi:10.1177/0262728015615477.
  27. 1 2 Sastry, K. N. T. (1986). Alanati Chalana Chitram. Cinema Group. Archived from the original on 16 May 2000.
  28. ↑ Tata, Madhavi (14 October 2013). "Romance Is All". Outlook. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  29. ↑ Kumar, M Bharat (13 February 2016). "Kollywood kadhal: From black & white till now". News Today. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  30. ↑ 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.
  31. ↑ "Irreplaceable icon". The Hindu. 26 January 2014. Archived from the original on 5 February 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  32. ↑ 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.
  33. ↑ "தெலுங்கின் சிவாஜி, நாகேஸ்வரராவ்!" [Nageswara Rao, the Telugu Sivaji!]. Ithayakkani (in Tamil). 28 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  34. ↑ Ashok Kumar, S. R. (13 July 2007). "Filmmakers' favourites". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  35. ↑ 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.
  36. ↑ Narasimham, M. L. (6 January 2006). "Spinning magic". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  37. ↑ Rajamani, Radhika (7 May 2012). "Special: The A to Z of Telugu Cinema". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  38. ↑ "Call to promote good cinema". The Hindu. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  39. ↑ "100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time". CNN-News18. 17 April 2013. Archived from the original on 25 April 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  40. ↑ "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.
  41. ↑ Nichenametla, Prasad (23 January 2014). "Akkineni Nageswara Rao: the grand old man of Telugu cinema". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  42. ↑ "There is only one Devadas, and that is ANR: Dilip Kumar". Sify. Archived from the original on 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  43. ↑ Pasupulate, Karthik (1 August 2016). "A touching love story of a happy, new-age Majnu". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.

Bibliography

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/7/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.