Pathala Bhairavi

Patala Bhairavi
Directed by	Kadri Venkata Reddy
Written by	Pingali Nagendra Rao
Produced by	Nagireddi-Chakrapani
Starring	N.T. Rama Rao, K. Malathi
Music by	Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao
Release date	15 March 1951
Running time	195 minutes
Language	Telugu

Patala Bhairavi (Telugu - పాతాల భైరవి) (English - The Goddess of Underground) is a popular Telugu cinema produced by Vijaya Pictures in 1951. It is directed by Kadri Venkata Reddy and Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao, who also gave the screen adaptation. The great writer Pingali Nagendra Rao wrote dialogues and song lyrics. This movie is based on a story from Kasi Majilee Kathalu, written by Madhira Subbanna Deekshitulu. It was also produced in Tamil. It was screened successfully in 28 centers for more than 100 days. It was the only Telugu movie shown in India International Film Festival in 1952.

Plot Summary

The son of the gardener, Thota Raamudu (NTR) falls in love with Indumathi, the princess of Ujjain (Malathi). When he faces resistance from the King, he goes off into the world to return as a successful man. He is approached by a Sorcerer (SVR), who actually plans to sacrifice a young, brave lad to the goddess Pataala Bhairavi (Girija) to attain a magic statuette, which grants any wish. Raamudu fits the profile; and unwittingly, agrees to help the Sorcerer so that he can attain the riches etc. the King asked for his daughter's hand in marriage.

However, Raamudu finds about the evil plan and instead he sacrifices the sorcerer and obtains Pataala Bhairavi. Raamudu wishes to be a King, have a grander palace than the King etc. to be welcomed by the Ujjain royalty. The King lives up to his promise and grants him his daughter in marriage.

Sadajapa, the Sorcerer's apprentice, finds his master at the Pataala Bhairavi site, and brings him back to life. During this time, the King's brother-in-law and the princess' Uncle (Relangi) is upset at upcoming wedding and determines to hang himself instead of witnessing the marriage. The Sorcerer catches him in time and promises him everything Raamudu has (including Indumathi) in exchange for the small statue which Raamudu has hidden in the room. He manages to steal the Pataala Bhairavi and unwittingly changes Raamudu's fate.

The Socerer then wishes to kidnap the Princess and takes all of Thota Raamudu's wealth, leaving him in his original state. Pledging to bring back his love, Raamudu and his cousin, Anji, travels to the Sorcerer's lair. The story ends with the marriage of Raamudu and Indumathi with the Uncle's, Queen, King's, and Raamudu's mother's blessing. As it turns out, Anji, marries the Princess's servant and best friend. The Sorcerer is dead, and all is well.

Cast

Actor	Character
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao	Thota Ramudu/Bhale Ramudu, the hero
S. V. Ranga Rao	Nepala Mantrikudu, the villain
K. Malathi	Indumathi, the princess
Chilakalapudi Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu	King of Ujjaini
Girija	Paatala Bhairavi, the Goddess
Balakrishna	Anji
Surabhi Kamalabai
Krishna Kumari	Mosali
Lakshmikantam
B. Padmanabham	Dingiri, the apprentice
Hemalathamma Rao
Savitri	Dancer
Relangi Venkata Ramaiah	King's brother-in-law

Trivia

The kitschy imagery and studio sets provide an appropriate style for this emphatically Orientalist fairy tale. Ghantasala’s music is a key contribution to the film’s success. The Hindi version, dubbed by Gemini from Telugu, included a specially shot colour sequence with a dance by Lakshmikantam. The Telugu film consolidated a local version of the ‘folklore’ film, a swashbuckling Orientalist fantasy evoking both Alexandre Dumas and Hollywood’s Douglas Fairbanks films. Created by the Tamil cinema (cf. Apoorva Sahodarargal, 1949; later associated mainly with MGR), the genre was successfully transferred into Telugu where established directors like B.N. Reddi (formerly associated with reform themes) had to acknowledge its commercial infallibility (Raja Makutam, 1959).

The real success of the genre is due to its colourful invention of local pseudo-legends often adapting idioms from the folk theatre, e.g. Burrakatha. Earlier Telugu films in this idiom included Balanagamma (1942), Ratnamala (1947) and Raksharekha (1949). Savitri performed a dance in the film.

Soundtrack

Music was composed by Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao and lyrics were written by Pingali Nagendra Rao.

• Tiyani Oohalu by P. Leela.
• Itihasam Vinara by Kamala Chandrababu.
• Kalavaramaye madhilo, by Ghantasala and P. Leela.
• Enta ghaatu premayo, by Ghantasala and P. Leela.
• Vinave Bala Naa Prema Gola by Relangi.
• Vagaloy Vagalu Taluku Beluku Vagaulu by Jikki.
• Prema Kosamai Valalo Padine Pasivadu, by V. J. Varma.
• Hayeega Manaminka by Ghantasala and P. Leela.
• Talalene Ne Talalene by Relangi
• Kanugonagalano Leno by Ghantasala.
• Ranante Rane Ranu by Pithapuram Nageswara Rao and T. K. Savitri.

External links

• http://www.pingali.info/ - A Website Dedicated To Patalabhairavi Writer Sri Pingali Nagendra Rao
• Patala Bhairavi at Internet Movie Database