Palnati Yuddham (1947 film)
Palnati Yuddham is a 1947 Telugu historical film, based on the battle of Palnadu, produced by Koganti Venkata Subba Rao under the Sri Sarada Productions banner and jointly directed by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam, L. V. Prasad. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Govindarajula Subba Rao and Kannamba, with music composed by Galipenchala Narasimha Rao. The film was recorded as a Super Hit at the box office. The film was remade once again in Telugu with the Same Title, Starring N. T. Rama Rao and Bhanumathi Ramakrishna in pivotal roles.
Plot
King Anugu of Palnadu has three sons - Nalagama Raju, Narasinga Raju and Malideva Raju - from his three wives. Before his death, he appoints Nalagama Raju the king and leaves him to the care of his minister Brahmanaidu. During Anugu's rule, a wealthy and powerful woman Nagamma enters the kingdom. Brahmana is a Vaishnavite, while Nagamma is a staunch Saivite. Progressive-minded Brahmanna allows Harijan entry into temples and appoints a Harijan, Kannama Dasu as the army commander. This irks the upper caste people and also the prince Narasinga Raju, who seeks the help of Nagamma.In the king's court, Nagamma accuses Brahmana of fomenting trouble. This leads to Malideva demanding a division of the kingdom. Much against the wish of Nagamma, Nalagama divides the kingdom, and Macherla is given to Malideva, who rules it with Brahmanaidu as his adviser. Nagamma holds control over Gurajala and its ruler Nalagama. She hatches a conspiracy to unite the country and make Narasinga Raju as the king. As part of it, Malideva is invited for Kodi Pandelu, the traditional competition held during Sankranthi. The loser has to leave the kingdom and live incognito for seven years. Nagamma cheats to win, but after the seven-year exile refuses to hand over the kingdom to Malideva. Not only that, she arranges to kill the emissary Alaraju, son-in-law of Nalagama. This results in war and the annihilation of almost the entire clan. On the battlefield, Nagamma realizes her mistake and seeks pardon from Brahmana.
Cast
- Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Balachandrudu
- Govindarajula Subba Rao as Brahmanaidu
- Kannamba as Nayakuralu Nagamma
- S. Varalakshmi as Maguva Manchala
- Teegala Venkateswarlu as Nalagama Raju
- Mudigonda Lingamurthy as Narasinga Raju
- D. S. Sadasiva Rao as Malideva Raju
- V. Koteswara Rao as Kannamadasu
- Gidugu Venkata Seetapati Rao as Kommaraju
- Koneru Kutumba Rao as Alaraju
- Vangara as Subbanna
- A. Annapoorna as Renukamba
- G. Visweswaramma as Iytamba
- J. Gangaratnam as Anmamba
- B. Narimani as Koyapilla
- T. Rajabala as Dancer
Crew
- Art: Nagoor, S. R. Valu
- Choreography: Vempati
- Dialogues - Lyrics: Samudrala Sr.
- Playback: Ghantasala, Sundaramma, Prayaga, Akkineni, Kannamba, S. Varalakshmi
- Music: Galipenchala Narasimha Rao
- Story: Vempati Sadasivabrahmam
- Editing: Maanikyam
- Cinematography: Jiten Bannerjee
- Producer: Koganti Venkata Subba Rao
- Screenplay - Director: Gudavalli Ramabrahmam, L. V. Prasad
- Banner: Sri Sarada Productions
- Release Date: 24 September 1947
Soundtrack
| S. No. | Song Title | Singers | length |
| 1 | Chandamama | S. Varalakshmi | 2:12 |
| 2 | Chutamurarayya | Ghantasala, Akkineni, Sundaramma | 3:36 |
| 3 | Ee Kuhu Raatri | Akkineni, S. Varalakshmi | 5:55 |
| 4 | Evaravaya Deva | Kannamba | 2:10 |
| 5 | Jhanajhana Kalantaka | Kannamba | |
| 6 | Kamala Manohara | ||
| 7 | Maala Kuduga Maare | ||
| 8 | Meta Daavani Macharla | Ghantasala, Akkineni, Sundaramma, Prayaga | 4:22 |
| 9 | Nedu Nijamura Nee Repu | Sundaramma | |
| 10 | Oho Bharata Yuvati | Susarla | |
| 11 | Oho Charusheela | Akkineni, S. Varalakshmi | 2:37 |
| 12 | Raa Kadali Raa | ||
| 13 | Teeripoyena Maata | Ghantasala | |
| 14 | Tera Teeyagarada Deva | Ghantasala, Kannamba | |
| 15 | Tana Pantamu Naatona | Kannamba | |
| 16 | Vachunate Raju Naa Raju Mana Raju | S. Varalakshmi |
Production
- The shooting of the movie started in 1945 when after 10% of the shoot was completed, director Gudavalli Ramabrahmam expired with illness. Then L. V. Prasad took up the megaphone and completed it with Katuri Jaganmohan as his associate. At the beginning of the movie, Gudavalli's death and funeral scenes were shown.
- Gudavalli Ramabrahmam and lyricist Samudrala were colleagues at the magazine Prajamithra, they had worked together the first time in this film.
- The movie was the first historical movie in Telugu and it is the debut film for S. Varalakshmi as a singer.