| Panduranga Mahatyam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao |
| Written by | Samudrala Jr |
| Based on | life ofPundarika |
| Produced by | N. Trivikrama Rao |
| Starring | N. T. Rama Rao Anjali Devi B. Saroja Devi |
| Cinematography | M. A. Rehman |
| Edited by | G. D. Joshi |
| Music by | T. V. Raju |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 175 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Panduranga Mahatyam (transl. The glory of Panduranga) is a 1957 IndianTelugu-languagebiographical film, based on the life ofPundarika, produced byN. Trivikrama Rao under the National Art Theatres banner and directed byKamalakara Kameswara Rao. It starsN. T. Rama Rao,Anjali Devi andB. Saroja Devi (in her Telugu debut) with music composed byT. V. Raju. The film was dubbed intoTamil asAnnaiyum Pithavum Munnari Dheivam (1959) and it was again remade as the Telugu filmPandurangadu (2008).
The film begins withVritra aRakshasa conducting a tremendous penance forSiva and frightenedIndra, creating several obstacles but in vain. So, he is slain by Indra when enraged Vritra curses him to turn into a stone. Ergo, Siva appears and proclaims that whenVishnu launches atChandrabhaga river, he will be emancipated. Now, the tail shifts to Pundarika, a tomcat that perturbs his parents, Jahnavi Sastry & Lakshmi, who create havoc in town. Plus, he entices a prostitute, Kalavathi. Pundari is knitted in childhood. Jahnavi Sastry invites his shrew daughter-in-law, Rama, to divert his path. Rama looks down on her soft in-laws' and keeps Pundari in her grip. Consequently, he stops his visit to Kalavathi, which begrudges her. So, she ploys and summons him to announce her birthday, which Pundari is embarrassed about as he cannot bestow her. Thus, he attempts to steal Rama's jewelry but is caught when Lakshmi is accused. Accordingly, the couple quit. Today, Pundari completely surrenders to Kalavathi and spends time frolic-necking out Rama. Following that, Kalavathi confiscates his property in an alcoholic state and throws him away.
Next, Pundari reaches the Ashram of Sage Kukkuta. Since there is no modification in his attitude, he lusts for 3 river goddessesGanga,Yamuna, &Saraswati who are passing removing their impurities of sinners. Pundari attempts to catch them, and they abscond. Therein, he views Kukkuta serving his parents, whom Pundari kicks off. As a result, he loses his limbs, and Kukkuta proclaims that the only remedy is the forgiveness of his parents. Here, Pundari grounds at his parents by crawling and pleads pardon after soul-searching when he recoups his legs. From there, he is actively involved in serving them and feels blissful in it. Parallelly, remorseful Rama, whom the parents rebuke, also lands at her husband's feet after crossing many hurdles, and she too starts serving in-laws'. Pundari currently molds as an advert devotee ofKrishna who appears and gives him a call but does not rotate as he is immersed in praying to his parents asking him to wait. Then Indra's curse is relieved. At last, the Lord urges Pundari for a boon, and he requests to give salvation along with his parents, which he does. Finally, the movie ends happily, with the statementServing parents cannot exceed any infinite spirit and the place adorning atPandharpurMaharashtra till today.
Music was composed byT. V. Raju. Lyrics were written bySamudrala Jr. The songsJaya Krishna Mukunda Murari,Amma Ani Pilichina are evergreen blockbusters. Lyrics for the Tamil dubbed version were penned by Kuyilan.
| S. No. | Song title | Singers | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aanandhamidhenoi" | P. Susheela | 2:49 |
| 2 | "Amma Ani" | Ghantasala | 7:37 |
| 3 | "Chebithe Vintivaa Guru Guru" | Pithapuram,Madhavapeddi Satyam | 2:48 |
| 4 | "Ekkadoyi Muddula Bava" | Pithapuram,A. P. Komala | 4:06 |
| 5 | "Hara Hara Sambho" | Ghantasala | 2:07 |
| 6 | "Jaya Jaya Gokula" | V. Nagayya | 2:32 |
| 7 | "Jaya Krishna Mukunda Murari" | Ghantasala | 11:03 |
| 8 | "Kanavera Muni Raja" | P. Leela | 3:44 |
| 9 | "Neevani Nenani" | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 3:14 |
| 10 | "Oh Dari Kanani" | M. S. Rama Rao | 2:51 |
| 11 | "Pedhavula Ragam" | Jikki | 3:01 |
| 12 | "Sannuthi Seyave Manasaa" | V. Nagayya | 3:28 |
| 13 | "Tharam Tharam Nirantharam" | Ghantasala | 3:21 |
| 14 | 'Tholu Thitthi Idhi" | Pithapuram, Madhavapeddi Satyam | 3:12 |
| 15 | "Vannela Chinnela" | Ghantasala, P. Leela | 2:55 |
| 16 | "Lakshmi Nrusimha Vibhave" | V. Nagayya | 0:53 |
| 17 | "Sri Kamini Kamitakara" | Ghantasala | 2:03 |
| 18 | "Aadi Beeja Ekhale" | Ghantasala | [1] |
| 19 | "Tuma Bina More" | A. P. Komala | [1] |
| 20 | "Aaj Ka Sunehra Din hai" | Ghantasala | [1] |
| 21 | "Aatalada Ra Ra Kannyya" | A. P. Komala | [1] |
| 22 | "Akkadavunde Pandurangadu" | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 1:50 |
It had a 100-day run in 9 centers and celebrated a silver jubilee in Vijayawada and Guntur centers.[2][3][4]