Chandirani
Chandirani is a 1953 Indian swashbuckler film directed by Bhanumathi and produced by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao under the Bharani Studios banner. The film is shot simultaneously in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi languages. It stars Bhanumathi, N. T. Rama Rao, S. V. Ranga Rao and Relangi. Bhanumathi also wrote the story while Ramakrishna Rao scripted the film. The film's music composed is C. R. Subburaman & M. S. Viswanathan.[1][2]
| Chandirani | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Bhanumathi |
| Screenplay by | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao |
| Story by | Bhanumathi |
| Dialogue by | Samudrala Sr (Telugu) Udayakumar (Tamil) Pt. Sudarshan (Hindi) |
| Produced by | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao |
| Starring | Bhanumathi N. T. Rama Rao S. V. Ranga Rao Relangi |
| Cinematography | P. S. Selvaraj |
| Edited by | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao |
| Music by | C. R. Subburaman M. S. Viswanathan |
Production company | |
Release date | 28 August 1953 |
Running time | 164 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Languages | Telugu Tamil Hindi |
Plot
King Veerasimha was attracted towards a court dancer during his birthday celebrations. She delivers twin girls after their union. The Senani, (major) Prachandudu, who also likes her, kills the dancer and imprisons the King. The minister saves one of the twins and sends her to the forest. Knowing this, Prachandudu kills him and takes charge of the kingdom. The other twin stays in the kingdom. Champarani in the kingdom, and Chandirani in the forest, grow up as two different personalities. The son of the minister Kishore and Champarani love each other. Mukund is the son of Prachandudu. Kishore goes to the forest and learns about Chandirani, and that she loves him. With the help of Mukund, Chandirani enters the fort and meets her father. She learns about the love between Champarani and Kishore. Meanwhile, Prachandudu arrests Kishore. Chandirani attacks the kingdom with the help of the people. During the conflict, Chandirani sacrifices her life eliminating Prachandudu, before dying she unites Champarani and Kishore.
Cast
- Bhanumathi as Chandi / Champa (double role)
- N. T. Rama Rao as Kishore
- S. V. Ranga Rao as Prachandudu
- C.S.R
- Relangi as Mukunda (Agha in Hindi)
- Amarnath as Maharaja Veerasimha
- R. Nageswara Rao as Marthand
- Hemalatha as an old woman
- Kumari Tulasi as a peasant girl
- Angamuthu as a maid
- Doraswamy as Ramsingh
Soundtrack
The music was composed by C. R. Subburaman and M. S. Viswanathan.[3]
Telugu songs
Lyrics by Samudrala Sr.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Eeroju Bhale Roju Ide Prema Idena" | P. Bhanumathi | Samudrala Sr. | |
| 2 | "Indhuko Teliyani Ennadu Anukoni Ee Sambaraalemiti" | P. Bhanumathi | 02:14 | |
| 3 | "Evaraalakinturu Naamora Enaleni Vedana" | P. Bhanumathi | 03:01 | |
| 4 | "Kilaa Kilaa Navvulaa Kurisene Vennelaa" | P. Bhanumathi | 02:08 | |
| 5 | "O Taraka O Jabilee Navvulela Nanu Gane" | Ghantasala & P. Bhanumathi | 03:41 | |
| 6 | "Meow Meow Meow" | K. Rani, Udutha Sarojini & K. Jamuna Rani | ||
| 7 | "Swadesaniki Samajaaniki" | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao & A. P. Komala | 02:48 | |
| 8 | "Ravo Varaala Elika Konavoyi Kanukaa" | K. Rani | 02:00 | |
| 9 | "Eevoyyara Neevilasa Mogorada Raja" | A. P. Komala |
Tamil songs
Lyrics were by K. D. Santhanam. The song "Vaan Meedhile Inba Then Maari Peiyudhe" is set in the Carnatic music raga 'Pahaadi'.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "En Vaazhvinile Naan Magizhum Naal Idhuve Thaan" | P. Bhanumathi | K. D. Santhanam | |
| 2 | "Innadhendru Ariyaamal Unnmaiyum Unaraamal" | P. Bhanumathi | 02:14 | |
| 3 | "En Vaazhvellaam Siraivaasamo" | P. Bhanumathi | 03:01 | |
| 4 | "Nilaa Nilaa Odi Vaa Nillaamal Odi Vaa" | P. Bhanumathi | 02:08 | |
| 5 | "Vaan Meedhile Inba Then Maari Peiyudhe" | Ghantasala & P. Bhanumathi | 03:41 | |
| 6 | "Meow Meow Meow" | K. Rani, Udutha Sarojini & K. Jamuna Rani | ||
| 7 | "Anbaai Dhesamenggum Ondraai Koodi" | C. R. Subburaman P. Susheela, Chorus | 02:48 | |
| 8 | "Vaaraamale Vadha Naalidhe Suba Naalidhe" | K. Rani | 02:00 | |
| 9 | "Maavinodha Maasilaadha Madhanaa" | A. P. Komala |
Hindi songs
Lyrics by Vishwamitra Adil.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Barbad Hu Naushad Hu" | P. Bhanumathi | Vishwamitra Adil | |
| 2 | "Kaun Aa Gaya" | P. Bhanumathi | 02:14 | |
| 3 | "Bholi Si Naar Hu Gaati Bahar Hu" | P. Bhanumathi | 03:01 | |
| 4 | "Khili Khili Bahar Hai" | P. Bhanumathi | 02:08 | |
| 5 | "Chanda Tale Muskuraye Jawaniya" | Talat Mehmood & P. Bhanumathi | 03:41 | |
| 6 | "Meow Meow Meow" | K. Rani, Udutha Sarojini & K. Jamuna Rani | ||
| 7 | "Maan Ja Jaan Ja Dilwale" | P. Bhanumathi | 02:48 | |
| 8 | "Mera Billa Gora Hai Aur Teri Billi Kaali" | Madhubala Jhaveri | 02:00 | |
| 9 | "Dene Badhayi Aa Gayi" | Meena Kapoor |
Critical reception
M. L. Narasimham of The Hindu wrote, "Though there is nothing new in the story, the novelty lies in the manner it is narrated. Chandi's sword fight and the fight sequences with the tiger, the exchange of places by the siblings, went well with the audience."[4]
The film was a profitable venture. As of 2013, Chandirani held the record of being the only film to be released in three languages on the same day (28 August 1953).[4] Bhanumathi also became the first woman director to write and direct a film that achieved this feat.[5]
References
- Telugu Cinema – Past and Present by Gudipoodi Srihari at Idlebrain.com
- "Tribute to a Legend at The Hindu". Archived from the original on 19 June 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - Listen to the Telugu songs of Chandirani at Raaga.com
- Narasimham, M. L.; Narasimham, M. L. (4 August 2013). "Chandirani (1953)". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- "Bhanumathi's Chandirani was the first film by a woman director to be released in three languages on the same day". The Times of India. 20 April 2020.
External links
- Chandirani (1953 Telugu film) at IMDb
- Chandirani (1953 Tamil film) at IMDb
- Chandirani (1953 Hindi film) at IMDb
- Naati 101 Chitralu (Telugu hit films released between 1931 and 1965), S. V. Rama Rao, Kinnera Publications, Hyderabad, 2006, pages: 75–6.