Sri Manjunatha is a 2001 Indian Kannada-language hagiographical film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao.[1] The film stars Chiranjeevi, Arjun Sarja, Ambareesh, Meena, Soundarya and Sumalatha. The film is based on the life of the Shiva devotee, Bhakta Manjunatha of the Kotilingeshwara Temple. The film was partially reshot in Telugu under the same title with Chiranjeevi's scenes reshot and Brahmanandam and Tanikella Bharani replacing Dwarakish and Mimicry Dayanand, respectively whilst all other scenes were dubbed from the Kannada original.
| Sri Manjunatha | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | K. Raghavendra Rao |
| Written by | J. K. Bhairavi (story and dialogues) |
| Produced by | Nara Jaya Sridevi |
| Starring | Chiranjeevi Arjun Ambareesh Meena Soundarya Sumalatha Aanand Vardhan |
| Cinematography | Sundarnath Suvarna |
| Edited by | R. Janardhan |
| Music by | Hamsalekha |
Production company | Chinni films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 157 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Languages |
|
The film was released on 22 June 2001 worldwide. Upon release, the film received positive reviews and became a super-hit at the box office. The film was screened in the International Film Festival of India.
In 2011, the film was dubbed in Hindi as Mahadev - Bhakti Mein Shakti.
Background
editManjunatha is an aspect of Shiva. Manju means 'snow' and Natha means 'lord.' Since Lord Shiva resides on Mount Kailash, and hence the ruler of the Himalaya Mountains, as he is the lord of that loka (dimension), he is called Manjunatha. Manjunatha is one of the most common names in Karnataka state for males and Manjula for females. Both are commonly called by the nickname name "Manju." This is mostly because of the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swami Temple located in Dharmasthala, Karnataka.
Plot
editManjunatha is an atheist, but a good person helping others in need and fighting evil and so even though Manjunatha hates his namesake Lord Siva, the latter loves his would be devotee. Being an atheist, Manjunatha always scolds Lord Shiva which is watched by his vehicle Nandi and his attendant Bhrungi. Manjunatha meets Katyayini a to-become devadasi (Servant of the Lord) and marries her. Soon they beget a son, Siddhartha ("Siddhu"), who like his mother is a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva.
After marriage Manjunatha realizes the existence of Lord Shiva and slowly transforms himself into a great devotee of Lord Shiva and with his devotion, lights the lamps of the Manjunatha Temple in Dharmasthala without using a matchstick and wins the hearts of everybody including the local King, Ambikeswara Maharaju who invites him to his court where he felicitates Manjunatha much to Manjunatha's dislike where the king realises that Manjunatha is going to die.
In the meantime Manjunatha starts a Koti Lingam Puja with over 1,000 lingams worshipped and both Manjunatha and the king singing the Lingashtakam and performing the puja. Manjunatha is also troubled by his enemies and is aided by Lord Shiva who comes in various disguises to save his devotee and help him and his wife attain salvation.
Cast
edit- Chiranjeevi as Shiva (Sri Manjunatha)
- Meena as Goddess Parvati
- Arjun Sarja as Manjunatha
- Ambareesh as Ambikeshwara Maharaja
- Soundarya as Katyayani
- Sumalatha as Sumalata Devi
- Mimicry Dayanand/Brahmanandam as Nandi
- Dwarakish/Tanikella Bharani as Bhrungi
- Yamuna as Ganga
- Anand as Manjunatha's friend
- Aanand Vardhan as Siddhartha
- Sudha Rani
- Abhijit
- Sadashiva Brahmavar as Manju's grandfather
- Kumar Govind
- Vinod Raj
Soundtrack
editKannada Version
editAll music is composed by Hamsalekha[2]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Yavon Kanda Ninna" | Hamsalekha | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | 6:03 |
| 2. | "Brahmamurari" | Bhakta Rushi | Ramesh Chandra, Nanditha | 3:10 |
| 3. | "Koti Janmada" | Hamsalekha | Chorus | 0:45 |
| 4. | "Sriman Maha Manjunatha" | Sri Vedavyaasa | Chorus | 1:33 |
| 5. | "Obbane Obbane (Bit)" | Hamsalekha | Nanditha | 0:36 |
| 6. | "Sri Manjunatha Charithe (Shiva Purana)" | Hamsalekha | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | 7:51 |
| 7. | "Ee Paadha Punya Pada" | Hamsalekha | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 5:16 |
| 8. | "Jogappa Jogamma" | Hamsalekha | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | 5:30 |
| 9. | "Thanuvina Manege" | Hamsalekha | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 4:35 |
| 10. | "Dharma Jyothi (Mangala Slokam)" | Sri Vedavyaasa | Hemanth Kumar | 2:06 |
| 11. | "Om Mahaprana Deepam" | Sri Vedavyaasa | Shankar Mahadevan | 4:59 |
| 12. | "Ananda Paramananda" | Hamsalekha | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | 4:31 |
| 13. | "Aksharaya Namaha" | J. K. Bharavi | Hemanth Kumar, K. S. Chithra | 6:14 |
| 14. | "Hey Hey Bindege" | Hamsalekha | Hemanth Kumar, Nanditha | 5:08 |
| 15. | "Obbane Obbane" | Hamsalekha | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 4:04 |
| Total length: | 01:01:34 | |||
Telugu Version
editAll music is composed by Hamsalekha[4]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mangala Slokam - Dharmasthala" | Sri Vedavyaasa | Hemanth Kumar | 2:05 |
| 2. | "Om Mahaprana Deepam" | Sri Vedavyaasa | Shankar Mahadevan | 4:59 |
| 3. | "Ananda Paramananda" | Viswanatha Sastry | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Nanditha | 4:32 |
| 4. | "Oho Garala Kanta" | Bhuvanachandra | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anuradha Sriram | 6:05 |
| 5. | "Hey Hey Bittiri" | Chandrabose | Hemanth Kumar, Nanditha | 5:08 |
| 6. | "Aksharaya Namaha" | J. K. Bharavi | Hemanth Kumar, K. S. Chithra | 6:14 |
| 7. | "Brahmamurari" | Bhakta Rushi | Ramesh Chandra, Nanditha | 3:10 |
| 8. | "Okkade Okkade" | J. K. Bharavi | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 4:06 |
| 9. | "Olammo Gowrammo" | J. K. Bharavi | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha | 5:29 |
| 10. | "Aakashame Aakaramai - Sri Manjunatha Charitham" | Jonnavittula Ramalingeswara Rao | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anuradha Sriram | 7:51 |
| 11. | "Ee Padam" | Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 5:18 |
| 12. | "Enni Janmala Phalamidi" | J. K. Bharavi | Chorus | 0:45 |
| 13. | "Swagathamayya" | J. K. Bharavi | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 4:36 |
| 14. | "Sri Maham Manjunatha" | Sri Vedavyaasa | Chorus | 1:31 |
| 15. | "Okkade Okkade (bit)" | J. K. Bharavi | Nanditha | 0:37 |
| Total length: | 01:01:15 | |||
Reception
editA critic from Chitraloka wrote that "In the annals of Kannada film history this film is undoubtedly a masterpiece".[5] A critic from Online Bangalore wrote that "This film is undoubtedly a masterpiece. It has a wonderful star cast, director, music, singers, [and] cinematography".[6]
Regarding the partially reshot Telugu version, Jeevi of Idlebrain.com wrote that "He takes us through a journey till the heart-touching climax by making the best use of the histrionics of Chiranjeevi, Arjun and other actors".[7] A critic from Full Hyderabad wrote that "'Sri Manjunatha' is an example of doing justice to a particular genre with complete honesty. It will reap the dividends due to this trait".[8]
Accolades
edit| Award | Date of ceremony[a] | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 Karnataka State Film Awards | 21 January 2003 | Best Art Direction | Arun Sagar | Won | [9] |
| Best Lyricist | Hamsalekha |
Notes
edit- ^ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
References
edit- ^ Raghavan, Nikhil (6 September 2014). "Once again a gentleman". Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ a b "Sri Manjunatha". Spotify. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Sri Manjunatha (2001) - Hamsalekha". Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ a b "Sri Manjunatha". Spotify. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Sri Manjunatha Movie Review". Chitraloka. 22 June 2001. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ "Online Bangalore review". Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ "Telugu Cinema - Review - Sri Manjunatha - Megastar Chiranjeevi, Meena, Arjun, Soundarya - K Raghavendra Rao". www.idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "Sri Manjunatha review: Sri Manjunatha (Telugu) Movie Review - fullhyd.com". movies.fullhyderabad.com. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "Film-makers told to focus on issues affecting society" (PDF). Deccan Herald. 21 January 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2011.