Erra Mallelu

Erra Mallelu (transl. Red Jasmines)[2] is a 1981 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Dhavala Satyam from a story written by Madala Ranga Rao. The film stars Ranga Rao, Murali Mohan, Giri Babu and Ranganath. It revolves around two men starting a revolution against their village chiefs and the owner of a factory in the neighbouring village.

Erra Mallelu
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDhavala Satyam
Story byMadala Ranga Rao
Dialogue byM. G. Rama Rao
Produced byMadala Kodanda Ramaiah
Starring
CinematographyG. Mohana Krishna
Edited byNaini Maheswara Rao
Music byK. Chakravarthy
Production
company
Navataram Pictures
Release date
  • 1 May 1981 (1981-05-01)
Running time
134 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Erra Mallelu was released on 1 May 1981 coinciding with the International Workers' Day (May Day), and emerged successful at the box office. The film is noted to inspire several other communist-themed films in Telugu cinema. It was remade in Tamil as Sivappu Malli (1981).

Plot

Cast

Soundtrack

K. Chakravarthy composed the film score and original soundtrack. Lyrics are written by C. Narayana Reddy, Kondaveeti Venkatakavi, Adrustha Deepak, Prabhu, and Dhavala Satyam.[3][4]

Gudipoodi Srihari, in his review for Sitara praised compositions like "Nampally Station Kada", "May Day Idi May Day", and "Jigibigi Jigijigi."[5]

Erra Mallelu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Nampalli Station"S. P. Sailaja03:14
2."Oh Lag Gig"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam03:11
3."Anyayam Akramam"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam03:12
4."Bangaru Mathalli"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, G. Anand, S. P. Sailaja00:24
Total length:10:04

Release and reception

Erra Mallelu released on 1 May 1981, coinciding with International Workers' Day (May Day).[1][6] Reviewing the film for Andhra Patrika on 6 May 1981, Venkatrao appreciated the writing and direction, in addition to the performances.[7] Gudipoodi Srihari of Sitara on 17 May 1981 praised writer-actor Madala Ranga Rao for addressing the various issues like terrorism, corruption in judicial system, worker rights etc.[5] The film was successful at the box office. Released in 23 centres, Erra Mallelu had a 50-day theatrical run in 17 centres.[6]

Legacy

Rentala Jayadeva of Sakshi identified Erra Mallelu as a landmark amongst the communist-themed films in Telugu cinema. Jayadeva also stated that commercial success of Erra Mallelu inspired several films in the same vein, most notably, Erra Sainyam (1994) and Osey Ramulamma (1997).[6]

The film marked first on-screen appearance of filmmaker T. Krishna. Krishna grew full beard for the role and maintained the same look until his death. Singer S. P. Sailaja got her breakthrough with the song "Nampally Station Kada." Erra Mallelu was remade in Tamil language as Sivappu Malli (1981) which had a favourable reception.[6]

In April 2019, Kavel Alpaslan of the Turkish news outlet Gazete Duvar, identified the song "May Day Idi May Day" in his article featuring the May Day songs from the Indian subcontinent. Alpaslan felt the "enthusiastic performance" of the two lead roles played by Madala Ranga Rao and Murali Mohan made it special.[8]

References
  1. "Erra Mallelu". Indiancinema. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  2. Vidura. C. Sarkar. 1987. Archived from the original on 6 September 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  3. "Erra Mallelu by Chakravarthi". Gaana. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  4. "Erra Mallelu (1981)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  5. Srihari, Gudipoodi (17 May 1981). "సినిమా రివ్యూ: ఎర్ర మల్లెలు" [Cinema Review: Erra Mallelu]. Sitara (in Telugu). Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  6. Jayadeva, Rentala (2 May 2021). "Erra Mallelu: తెలుగుతెరపై అరుణోదయం.. ఎర్ర మల్లెలు". Sakshi (in Telugu). Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  7. Venkatrao (6 May 1981). "చిత్ర సమీక్ష: ఎర్ర మల్లెలు" [Film review: Erra Mallelu]. Andhra Patrika (in Telugu). Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  8. Alpaslan, Kavel (27 April 2019). "Hindistan ve Pakistan'dan 1 Mayıs şarkıları" [May Day songs from India and Pakistan]. Gazete Duvar (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
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