Missamma (soundtrack)

Development

The official soundtracks of Missamma and Missiamma were composed by S. Rajeswara Rao, the lyrics of which were written by Pingali Nagendrarao and Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass for the Telugu and Tamil versions respectively. The sound mixing process was supervised by A. Krishnan and Siva Ram. It was processed by N. C. Sen Gupta and was orchestrated by A. Krishnamurthy.

When Nagi Reddy informed Bhanumathi that P. Leela would be singing for her character, Bhanumathi, herself a playback singer, refused to let anyone else sing for her. After she left the project, Leela was signed on to sing for Savitri. Unlike their previous films, Vijaya Vauhini Studios preferred A. M. Rajah over Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao to sing for Rama Rao in the Telugu version for unknown reasons. Chakrapani chose P. Susheela to sing the remaining two songs featuring Jamuna, after being impressed with her rendition of the song "Anuragam Virisena" in the film Kanna Talli (1953). Although she had recorded for Donga Ramudu (1955) first, Missamma released earlier and gave her a breakthrough as a singer. "Ariya Paruvamada" and its Telugu version "Balanura Madana" were Susheela's first songs for Rajeswara Rao.

Despite singing the songs "Dharmam Chey" and "Sitaram Sitaram", Relangi Venkata Ramaiah's name was not featured in the film's credits as a playback singer. The song "Ravoyi Chandamama" ("Vaarayo Vennilave" in Tamil) is based on Abheri raga. "Brindavanamadi Andaridi Govindudu Andaivadele" ("Brindavanamum Nandakumaranum" in Tamil) and its interlude in particular are primarily based on the scale of the Shuddha Saveri raga although an occasional gandhara suggests it as Arabhi. "Balanura Madana" ("Ariyaparuvamada" in Tamil) is based on the Kharaharapriya raga, while "Telusukonave Yuvathi" ("Pazhaga Theriya Venum" in Tamil) is based on the Mohanam raga.

Track listing

All lyrics written by Pingali Nagendrarao, except where noted.

All lyrics written by Thanjai Ramaiah Dass, except where noted.

Release, reception, and legacy

The soundtrack of the Telugu version was released on 1 December 1955 while that of the Tamil version was released on 31 December 1955; both were marketed by HMV. The album cover of the soundtrack of the Telugu version features Jamuna and Savitri pulling Rama Rao's hands claiming superiority over each other. The soundtrack was a huge commercial success, with "Adavari Matalaku Ardhale Verule", in particular, achieving classic status and being considered to be an expression of subtle romance. Songs like "Vaarayo Vennilaave", "Brindavanamum Nandakumaranum", "Ennai Aalum Mary Maatha" and "Pazhaga Theriyavenum" become popular among the Tamil diaspora.

P. Leela later went on to sing the songs of Missamma in various concerts of hers and received highly positive response every time. The song "Njaan Ariyathen" from the Malayalam film Jailppulli (1957) is loosely based on "Brindavanamadi Andaridi Govindudu Andarivadele"/"Brindavanamum Nandakumaranum". "Adavari Matalaku Arthale Verule" was remixed by Mani Sharma without any alterations in its tune and lyrics for the Telugu film Kushi (2001). The song was sung by Korivi Muralidhar who was referred to as "Kushi Murali" after the success of the remixed version.