Bhishma (1962 film)


Bhishma is a 1962 Telugu mythological film, based on the life of Bhishma from the epic Mahabharata, produced and directed by B. A. Subba Rao under the B. A. S. Productions banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi in the lead roles and music composed by Saluri Rajeswara Rao.

Plot

The film begins in the court of Brahma where Mahabhisha and Ganga are attracted to each other and Brahma curses them to be born as mortals. After that, Mahabhisha takes rebirth as Shantanu in the Kuru dynasty and he meets Ganga on banks of the river, requests her to marry him, she accepts on condition that he will not ask any questions about her actions. They married and she later gave birth to 7 children and drowns them in the river, when Ganga was about to drown the eighth son, Shantanu, devastated, could not restrain himself and confronted her. Finally, Ganga disappears along with the child. The child grows up as Devavratha a great warrior trained by Parasurama. Once he meets his father Shantanu while hunting, without knowing his identity, Ganga appears and reunites father and son and goes away. A few years later, Shantanu comes across Satyavati, daughter of Dasaraju, king of the fishermen and falls in love with her. Upon asking for his consent, her father agreed to the marriage on the condition that Satyavati's son would inherit the throne of Hastinapura. For his father's happiness, Devavratha a powerful vow that lifelong celibacy and of service to whoever sat on the throne of their dynasty, from that day he is named as Bhishma and his father gives him a boon to him that death will not come near to him until he calls.
After some time, Shantanu passes away and Satyavathi son Vichitravirya becomes the king, in the process of finding a bride for him, Bhishma abducted princesses Amba, Ambika, & Ambalika of Kashi by defeating all the princes. After reaching Hastinapura, Amba reveals that she is already in love with King Salwa, So Bhishma sends her back, but Salwa refuses to marry her because now she is owned by Bhishma. Amba approaches Bhishma and asks him to marry her, but he also refuses because of his oath. Then Amba reaches Parasurama and he orders Bhishma to marry her, Bhishma disagrees, the war begins between them and Parasuram is defeated. There, Amba takes an oath that she will take revenge against Bhishma, so, she performs severe penance to please Lord Shiva and takes a boon that she will be the reason for Bhishma's death. As a result, Amba was reborn as Sikhandi, the beautiful woman later transformed into a man.
The Kurukshetra war begins, Bhishma was supreme commander of the Kauravas. The Pandavas are not able to defeat him for 10 days. Therefore, on the ploy of Lord Krishna, Arjuna shoots arrows at Bhishma, keeping Sikhandi in front and he is collapsed on Ampashayya. After completion of the war, Bhishma gives up his body on Uttarayana Punyakalam. Lord Krishna gives him a boon that the day shall be celebrated as Bhishma Ekadashi.

Cast

Music composed by Saluri Rajeswara Rao. Lyrics were written by Aarudhra. Music released by Audio Company.
S. NoSong TitleSingerslength
1Brahmadevasutha BhagyavidhaataGhantasala, P. Susheela
2Teliyagalere Nee LeelaluGhantasala
3Jo Jo Jola Garala BalaP. Susheela
4Hailo HailessaJamuna Rani
5Naa JanmambuGhantasala
6Manasuloni KorikaP. B. Srinivas, P. Susheela
7Mahadeva SambhoP. Susheela
8Bhavi Bharatha KathaAakula
9Durasache DuryodhanaduluGhantasala
10Madhava MadhavaP. Susheela, S. Janaki
11Bava KarunudeP. B. Srinivas
12SamaramatanchuP. B. Srinivas
13EmanuvaruMadhavapeddi Satyam
14Poru NashtambuP. B. Srinivas
15Nannu NevvanigaP. B. Srinivas
16Chesina KarmayeP. B. Srinivas
17Kuppinchi YegasinaGhantasala
18Pandavulunu KunthiP. B. Srinivas
19Deva DevaGhantasala
20Namo Tyaga CharithaPithapuram

1942 film