Chandraharam is a 1954 Indian swashbuckler film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao in his debut. It was produced by Nagi Reddy-Chakrapani under the Vijaya Productions banner. The film, a Telugu-Tamil bilingual, stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri and Sriranjani Jr., with music composed by Ghantasala.[1] It was not commercially successful.[2][3]

Chandraharam
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKamalakara Kameswara Rao
L. V. Prasad (Supervision)
Written byPingali Nagendra Rao
(story / dialogues / songs)
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass (Tamil)
Produced byNagi Reddy
Chakrapani
StarringN. T. Rama Rao
Savitri
Sriranjani
CinematographyMarcus Bartley
Edited byJambulingam
Music byGhantasala
Production
company
Release date
  • 6 January 1954 (1954-01-06)
Running time
174 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguagesTelugu
Tamil

Plot

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The film begins in the kingdom of Chandana Desam. a baby boy, Chandanraju, is born to its king by the boon of Chandra with a necklace Chandraharam which preserves his life. At the age of five, Maali Chandan's mentor starts turning him into a jack of all trades with ethical & royal moralities. Years roll by, and Chandan must get nuptial lest his life is in danger; hence, his parents procure portraits of neighboring princesses. All the while, Chandan has a dream girl and affirms to knit her. The king edicts Maali to quest for the girl and sends Chandan to tour the country. Chandan's sly brother-in-law, Dhoomekatu, wants to usurp the kingdom and ploys to break Chandan's intention and sends his sidekick, Niksheparayudu, behind him. Niksheparayudu detects the girl Gauri and tricky hides her. Besides, Chanchala is an angel who entices Chandan, which he denies. So, she snatches his Chadraharam and says he will be alive only in the night. Meanwhile, Gauri absconds and collapses when Chanchala's sister Achala aids her land at Chandan, whom Maali splices. Dhoomketu threatens the king to crown him, and as inevitable, he agrees. During this time, Niksheparayudu detects Gauri's presence at Maali's residence, whom he put out of sight in a temple. Consequently, infuriated Chanchala kills Chandan when Dhoomketu incriminates and sentences Gauri to the funeral pyre. At last, Gauri's adoration retrieves Chandan to life. Chanchala is cursed by Indra by stripping her divinity. Dhoomekatu & Niksheparayudu also plead pardon. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the crowning ceremony of Chadanraju.

Cast

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Music

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Telugu songs

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Music was composed by Ghantasala. Lyrics were written by Pingali Nagendra Rao.[4]

Song Title Singers Length
"Idi Naa Cheli" Ghantasala 2:38
"Enchesthe Adhi Ghanakaryam" Pithapuram 2:34
"Vignana Deepamunu" Ghantasala 3:30
"Laali Jaya Laali" N. Lalitha 3:36
"Yemi Siksha Kaavalo" Ghantasala 2:38
"Ye Saadhuvvlu" P. Leela 6:03
"Neeku Neeve Thodugaa" Madhavapeddi Satyam 3:20
"Yevarivo Yechatanundivo" Ghantasala, A. P. Komala 5:28
"Yevare Yevare" K. Rani 4:48
"Yenadu Modalidithivo" Ghantasala 2:43
"Krupa Ganavaa Naa" P. Leela 3:28
"Jaya Jaya" Ghantasala 3:19
"Daya Ganave Thalli" P. Leela 3:14

Tamil songs

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Lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass.[5]

Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Arut Jyothi Devam" Ghantasala Ramalinga Swamigal 02:38
"Laali Jaya Laali" N. Lalitha Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass 03:36
"Enadhaaruyir Vanithamani" Ghantasala 3:30
"Enna Sidshai Unakku Vendum" 02:38
"Vidhiye Un Leelai Idhuvo" 02:43
"Arul Purivai Amma" P. Leela 06:03
"Thayavillaiyo En Kurai Kelaayo"
"Jagam Meedhil Alai Modhum"
"Edhu Seidhaal Adhu" M. Sathyam & Group 03:30
"Vaazhivile Kanavu Palikkumo" Ghantasala & A. P. Komala 05:28
"Alaigal Sayanamael" K. Rani 04:48
"Unakku Neeye Thunai Enre" M. Sathyam 03:28

Production

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The film was produced by Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani under the banner Vijaya Pictures simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil. This is the directorial debut for Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. The cinematography was by Marcus Bartley. Chakrapani wrote the story while Pingali Nagendra Rao wrote the dialogues and lyrics for the Telugu version.[1]

Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass wrote the dialogues and lyrics for the Tamil version.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema. British Film Institute and Oxford University Press. pp. 330–331. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.
  2. ^ Srihari, Gudipoodi. "Telugu Cinema – Past and Present". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  3. ^ "History of Birth And Growth of Telugu Cinema (Part 13)". CineGoer.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Chandraharam (1954)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b Neelamegam, G. (November 2016). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 2 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. pp. 70–71.
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