Ramayanam (1997 film)

Ramayanam
Ramayanam
	Poster
Directed by	Gunasekhar
Based on	Ramayanam; by Valmiki
Produced by	M. S. Reddy
Dialogue by	M. V. S. Haranatha Rao
Starring	N. T. Rama Rao Jr.; Smitha Madhav
Cinematography	Sekhar V. Joseph
Edited by	B. B. Reddy
Music by	Songs:; Madhavapeddi Suresh; Score:; L. Vaidyanathan
Production; company	Shabdhalaya Theaters
Release date	11 April 1997;
Running time	144 minutes
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Ramayanam, also known as Bala Ramayanam (transl. Child Ramayanam), is a 1997 Indian Telugu-language mythological film directed by Gunasekhar and produced by M. S. Reddy. Based on the Hindu epic Ramayana, the film features overs 3000 child actors. It stars N. T. Rama Rao Jr. as Lord Rama and Smitha Madhav as Sita.

The film is released on 11 April 1997. It received the National Film Award for Best Children's Film and two Nandi Awards.^[2]

Plot

The story deals with lord Rama and his retaliation against Ravana for the kidnapping of his wife goddesses Sita.

Cast

N. T. Rama Rao Jr. as Rama
Smitha Madhav as Sita
Narayanam Nikhil as Lakshmana
Swathi Kumar as Ravana
Arun Gangadhar as Anjaneya
Aanand Vardhan as Valmiki and Bala Anjaneya
Aditya Varma as Dasharatha
Chiranjeevi as Bharata
Manisha Chudamani as Kausalya
Vasundhara as Kaikeyi
Suma as Sumitra
Svetha Rao as Urmila
Sunaina as Sabari
Sudha Gummadi as Sudha

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Madhavapeddi Suresh.

Songs:

"Adi Subhodaya Vela" - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
"Virisi Viriyani Malliyalara" - K. S. Chithra
"Sitaramula Kalyanam " - S. Janaki, Vani Jayaram
"Ramayya Rajavutadanta" - Vani Jayaram, S.P. Sailaja
"Purajanula Sambaramu" - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
"Entha Manchivadivayya" -Vani Jayaram
"Andabayani Jantaga" - K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra
"Budi Budi Adigulu"
"Adigadigo Modalayindi" - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

Poems:

"Aa Surya Bhagavanudu" - B. Sai Karthikeya
"Hari Hari Entha Maata"
"Vande Sri Raghuvamsa"
"Gaduvu Lopala"
"Aagumaagumu Talli"
"Nanu Talliga "
"Dharma Samsthapanarthammu"
"Poulastya Brahmaga" - B. Sai Karthikeya
"Vinumo Raghava"
"Ramayanammu" - Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna

Slokas:

"Jata Kataha Sambhrama" (from Shiva Tandava Stotram)
"Kausalya Supraja Rama" (from Suprabhatam/Valmiki Ramayana) - Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna
"Sri Anjaneyam" (from Anjaneya Dandakam)

Production

The film's cast features over 3000 child actors.^[2]

Critical response

Upon release, the film received positive reviews from critics.^[3] A critic from Andhra Today wrote that "The novelty of this movie is that all the characters in the movie are played by children. Director Gunasekhar, with just two movies to his credit, has vindicated the confidence reposed in him by the producer by this spectacular theatrical. He must have needed all his skills to create the visual extravaganza that the picture is made to be, with a story that has been told by many, many a time. He deserves kudos for his competent handling of the long story into a three-hour movie".^[4]

Awards

The film received National Film Award for Best Children's Film in 1997 for "presenting the classical Indian epic in an entertaining narrative style with child actors playing all legendary characters with ease and nerve." Director Gunasekhar and producer M. S. Reddy were presented the award.^[5]