Vipra Narayana
Vipra Narayana is a 1954 Telugu biographical film, produced & directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao under the Bharani Studios banner. It stars Bhanumathi Ramakrishna and Akkineni Nageswara Rao in the lead roles and music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. The film is based on the life of Thondaradippodi Alvar, also called Vipranarayanar or Bhaktanghri Renu Swamy who was a Tamil Vaishnava Saint. He led his life in devotion to Lord Narayana and worked for the Perumal by dedicating him with garlands. He is one of the 12 Alvars. The film is also dubbed in Tamil with the same title and released in 1955.
Plot
, a staunch devotee of Vishnu, lives in a hermitage on the banks of the river Kaveri along with his disciple Rangaraju. He worships Vishnu in the form of Ranganatha, the presiding deity of the nearby Srirangam temple. Every day, Narayana makes garlands out of flowers from his garden and offers them to Ranganatha and sings hymns in praise of him.One day, Devadevi, a devadasi, performs a dance recital at the court of the Chola King and is on her way back to home along with her sister Madhuravani. When Devadevi passes through the hermitage, Narayana does not notice her; this hurts Devadevi's vanity. She mistakes his devotion towards Ranganatha as arrogance and decides to teach him a lesson, ignoring Madhuravani's advice.
Devadevi enters Narayana's hermitage as an orphan and narrates her woes, requesting for a stay to support herself. Narayana agrees despite Rangaraju's objection and Devadevi becomes the former's disciple. In a turn of events, Rangaraju is expelled from the hermitage when he tries to send Devadevi away after realising her intentions. As time passes, Narayana finds himself attracted to Devadevi and falls for her charms.
Once her ego is satisfied, Devadevi begins to regret her act. Madhuravani asks her to return and Narayana follows them. Devadevi's mother Rangasani, upon knowing that Narayana is penniless, throws him away. To help Narayana win, Ranganatha visits Devadevi's house in the disguise of Rangaraju. He presents a golden vessel from the kitchen of Srirangam temple as a gift from Narayana to Devadevi.
The next day, the priests at the temple complain that the golden vessel is missing and find it at Devadevi's house. Narayana is accused of stealing the vessel and is produced in the court. The King orders that Narayana's hands be amputated as a punishment for theft. Ranganatha appears at the scene and reveals the truth. Ranganatha adds that Narayana is an incarnation of Vyjayanthi, a garland that adorns him at his heavenly abode Vaikuntha and that Devadevi is a gandharva who took a human birth due to a curse. Narayana and Devadevi visit Srirangam temple and sing praises of the deity, before attaining salvation.
Cast
- Bhanumathi Ramakrishna as Devadevi
- Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Vipranarayana
- Relangi Venkataramaiah as Rangaraju
- Rushyendramani as Mother of Devadevi
- V. Sivaram as Maharaja
- Allu Ramalingaiah
- Sandhya as Madhuravani
Crew
- Art: D. S. Godgaonkar
- Choreography: Pasumarthi, Elappa
- Story - Dialogues - Lyrics: Samudrala Raghavacharya
- Playback: A. M. Rajah, T. V. Ratnam, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
- Music: S. Rajeswara Rao
- Cinematography: P. S. Selvaraj
- Editing - Producer - Director: P. S. Ramakrishna Rao
- Banner: Bharani Studios
- Release Date: 10 December 1954
Soundtrack
| S. No. | Song Title | Singers | Length |
| 1 | "Meluko Sriranga" | A. M. Rajah | 3:15 |
| 2 | "Anuraagalu Dhooramu" | A. M. Rajah, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 5:42 |
| 3 | "Choodumadhe Cheliya" | A. M. Rajah | 3:54 |
| 4 | "Dharicherukora Ranga" | A. M. Rajah | 2:00 |
| 5 | "Endhukoyi Thotamali" | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 4:32 |
| 6 | "Evvade Athadevvade" | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 6:24 |
| 7 | "Madhura Madhuramee" | A. M. Rajah & P. Bhanumathi | 3:25 |
| 8 | "Aadadhi Ante" | Relangi | 2:13 |
| 9 | "Nanu Vidanadakura" | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 3:40 |
| 10 | "Paalinchara Ranga" | A. M. Rajah | 3:19 |
| 11 | "Raa Raa Naa Swamy" | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 4:16 |
| 12 | "Ranga Kaaveti Ranga" | A. M. Rajah | 1:06 |
| 13 | "Ranga Rangayani" | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 1:26 |
| 14 | "Saavirahe Thava Dheena" | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 5:12 |
| 15 | "Thillana" | N. L. Gana Saraswathi | 2:57 |
| 16 | "Yela Naapai Dhaya Choopavu" | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 3:57 |
| 17 | "Baddenajali" | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | 1:10 |
Legend
The story revolves around a Brahmin who makes flower garlands. He devotes his life to Perumal. He is seduced by a woman who is determined to make him break his vow.1937 film
Vipra Narayana was made in Telugu language for the first time in 1937 by Aurora Pictures. It stars Kasturi Narasimha Rao, Kanchanamala and Tanguturi Suryakumari, and was directed by Ahindra Chaudhari.It was made in Tamil too with Rajamadam G. Sundara Bhagavathar featuring as Vipra Narayana. The film was produced by Sri Gopalakrishna Films at Madras Sound Studios and was directed by K. Ranga Rao. T. Suryakumari featured as Andal in the film.
1938 film
Vipra Narayana was made in the Tamil language again in 1938 by Srinivas Cinetone. It stars Kothamangalam Cheenu and T. V. Rajasundari in the lead roles, the film was produced and directed by A. Narayanan. Meena Narayanan did the audiography.1954 film
Vipra Narayana was made in both Telugu and Tamil, directed and produced by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao and P. Bhanumathi of Bharani Pictures. The title role was played by A. Nageswara Rao.S. D. Sundharam wrote the dialogues and lyrics for the Tamil version.Awards
- The film won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu - Certificate of merit in 1954 at 2nd National Film Awards