Bhookailas (Telugu: భూకైలాస్) is a 1940 Telugu film produced by A. V. Meiyappan and directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni. The film starred Subbaiah Naidu, R. Nagendra Rao, and Rayaprolu Subramanyam. It was the first hit film after the establishment of AVM Productions.[1]
| Bhookailas | |
|---|---|
_Poster.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Sundar Rao Nadkarni |
| Written by | Balijepalli Lakshmikantham Kavi |
| Produced by | A. V. Meiyappan |
| Starring | Subbaiah Naidu R. Nagendra Rao Rayaprolu Subramanyam |
| Cinematography | Adi Irani |
| Edited by | Sundar Rao Nadkarni |
| Music by | R. Sudarshanam |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 185 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
It was adapted from the famous Kannada stage play Bhookailasa by Sri Sahitya Samrajya Nataka Mandali of Mysore.[2]
Plot
editDemon King Ravana (Subbaiah Naidu) decides to invade Amaravati, the capital of the heavenly kingdom of Indra. Scared of Ravana's plans, Indra asks Narada (R. Nagendra Rao) for help. Narada informs Indra that Ravana's strength comes from the worship performed by Kaikasi (Parvathi Bai), Ravana's mother. He suggests that Indra sabotage Ravana's mother's worship of Saikatha Lingam, a sand sculpture representation of Lord Siva (Rayaprolu Subramanyam).
Ravana decides to perform penance and bring Lord Siva's Atma Lingam for his mother to worship. Hearing of Ravana's plans from Narada, Goddess Parvathi (Hymavathi), Lord Siva's consort, appeals to Lord Vishnu. When Lord Siva appears to Ravana to grant his wish, Lord Vishnu manipulates Ravana's mind and makes him wish for Goddess Parvathi. As Ravana proceeds home with Goddess Parvathi, Narada meets him midway and tells him that his companion is a fake Parvathi. Dejected by the subterfuge, Ravana returns Goddess Parvathi to Lord Siva.
During his return journey, he meets Mandodari (Lakshmi Bai), the young princess of Pathala. Believing she is the real Goddess Parvathi, he marries her. Eventually, he realizes what happened and appeals to Lord Siva for forgiveness by presenting his severed head. Lord Siva presents Ravana with Atma Lingam and warns him that, if the Atma Lingam ever touches the earth, it can never be moved again. Narada instigates Lord Vinayaka to trick Ravana into grounding the Atma Lingam at what later became known as Gokarna Kshethram in Karnataka.
Cast
edit- Subbaiah Naidu as Ravana
- R. Nagendra Rao as Narada
- Rayaprolu Subramanyam as Shiva
- Hymavathi as Parvathi
- Parvathi Bai as Kaikasi, mother of Ravana
- Kamalabai as Vishnu Maya
- M. Satyanarayana as Mayasura
- Lakshmi Bai as Mandodari, daughter of Mayasura
- Master Viswam as young Ganesha
Soundtrack
editThere are about 18 songs and poems in the film.[3][4] Some of the songs are very popular. Lyrics are written by Balijepalli Lakshmikantham. The music score is provided by R. Sudarsanam.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Aa Suroopa Rekhaa Idega" | Lakshmi Bai | |
| 2. | "Atyacharula Cheta Dharma Vilayambai (poem)" | Hymavathi | |
| 3. | "Bhuvanaika Jeeva Trigunanu Bhava" | Parvati Bai | |
| 4. | "Dariyedo Choochukora Melkora" | Master Viswam | |
| 5. | "Deva Jeevadhara Dayaraada" | Lakshmi Bai | |
| 6. | "Ide Kada Parvathi" | Nagendra Rao and Subbaiah Naidu | |
| 7. | "Kamala Mano Vihari Shouri" | Nagendra Rao | |
| 8. | "Maayalu Saagune Maa Edala" | Lakshmi Bai, Nagendra Rao and Subbaiah Naidu | |
| 9. | "Mahaadeva Nee Mahima Ne Grahimpa" | Subbaiah Naidu | |
| 10. | "Naa Janma Netiki Dhanyamaye" | Lakshmi Bai and Subbaiah Naidu | |
| 11. | "Naa Maaya Natakame Jagati" | Kamalabai | |
| 12. | "Nadavare Aavullara Poddugookipoyindi" | Master Viswam | |
| 13. | "Premanandamaya.. Naa Manoradhamu" | Lakshmi Bai | |
| 14. | "Samba Sadashiva Chandra Kaladhara" | Subbaiah Naidu | |
| 15. | "Sambho Shiva Lokaika Guru" | Subbaiah Naidu | |
| 16. | "Sri Sarva Mangala Mukha" | Subbaiah Naidu | |
| 17. | "Sumadoli Keli Haali Uyyalo Jampalo" | Lakshmi Bai group | |
| 18. | "Thagadoyi Danujendra (poem)" | Subbaiah Naidu |
Adaptations
edit| Bhookailas (Telugu) (1940) |
Bhookailas (Telugu) (1958) |
Bhookailasa (Kannada) (1958) |
| Subbaiah Naidu | Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao | Rajkumar |
| R. Nagendra Rao | Akkineni Nageswara Rao | Kalyan Kumar |
| Lakshmi Bai | Jamuna | Jamuna |
References
edit- ^ "Blast from the past: Bhookailas (1940)". The Hindu. 9 July 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Bhookailas (1940) by M. L. Narasimham in The Hindu.
- ^ Lyrical details of Bhookailas at Ghantasala Galamrutamu.
- ^ Bhookailas
External links
edit- Bhookailas at IMDb
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