Panduranga Mahatyam is a 1957 Telugu film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and starring N. T. Rama Rao playing the role of Pundarika. The lyrics written by Samudrala Ramanujacharya are excellent. The songs of Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao particularly "Jaya Krishna Mukunda Murari" and "Amma Ani Pilichina" are remembered as the best film songs expressing devotion and sorrow.
Pundarika (N.T. Rama Rao) is from a pious Brahmin family who is not interested in the worship of God and irreligious, a complete rebel who is asked to mend his ways by his parents (Nagaiah and Rushyendramani). He steals their gold for a prostitute Kalavathy (B. Saroja Devi). His mother takes the blame, and they part ways. Kalavathy takes all his wealth and throws him out.
He goes to a hermitage where he falls in love with three disciples of the Sage, who break his legs for this blasphemy. He then realizes the importance of his parents, goes back to them, begs for forgiveness, and prays to Lord Panduranga to grant him the boon of merging into him along with his parents — giving the message that one has to serve one's parents and it is the quickest way to Salvation.
Crew
Art: Thota Tharani
Audiography: A. Krishnan
Choreography: Vempati Satyam
Cinematography: M. A. Rehman
Costumes: Achyuta Rao
Editing: G. D. Joshi
Lyrics and dialogues: Samudrala Jr.
Make-up: Haribabu, Doraswamy and Raman
Music: T. V. Raju
Nirvahana: Pundari Kakshaiah
Direction: K. Kameshwara Rao
Producer: Nandamuri Trivikrama Rao
Banner: National Art Theatre Pvt. Ltd.
Music
"Aanandhamidhenoi" (Singer: P. Susheela; Lyricist: Samudrala)
"Amma Ani, Ye Paadaseema" (Singer: Ghantasala; Lyricist: Samudrala)
"Vannela Chinnela" (Singers: Ghantasala, P. Leela; Lyricist: Samudrala)
Features
"Jaya Krishna Mukunda Murari" rendered by Ghantasala and composed by T.V. Raju is one of the longest songs in Telugu, lasting for about 15 minutes.
"Amma Ani Pilichina Aaalakinchavemamma" is another song in this movie that melted many hearts and brought them to tears.
One person wrote to NTR to say that it made him realize the value of parents, who he had thrown out previously, and gotten back home after watching the movie.
B. Saroja Devi, an actress in Tamil and Kannada movies was happy for getting the chance to act with N. T. Rama Rao in her debut film in Telugu language.
Vijaya Nirmala, who debuted in Telugu with this as a child artiste played the baby Krishna.
It had a 100-day run in 9 centers and celebrated silver jubilee in Vijayawada and Guntur centers.
Awards
Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao won the Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) (fourth in succession) for his portrayal of Pundarika.
