Anna Thammulu
V. Ramachandra Rao
Country: India; Year: 1969; Language: Telugu
Studio: D.B.N. Dega Films
Producer: D.B. Narayana, Dega Ramgopal Reddy; Cinematographer: V.S.R. Swamy; Editor: Bandi Gopal Rao; Composer: K.V. Mahadevan; Lyricist: Acharya Athreya, Arudra, Dasaradhi, C. Narayana Reddy, Kosaraju Raghavaiah Choudhury
Cast: Krishna Ghattamaneni, Ram Mohan (Actor), Chandramohan (Telugu Actor), Vijayanirmala, Chandrakala, Meena Kumari, Nagaraju, K.V. Chalam, Pushpa Kumari, Sandhyarani, Sakshi Rangarao, Suma, Baby Raji, Jyothilakshmi, Udayalakshmi, Gummadi Venkateswara Rao, Nagabhusanam, Bhusarapu, Ramachandra Rao, Dr Rangarao, Subramanya Chowdary, Ramakoti, O.S.R. Anjaneyulu, Rajababu, Chayadevi
Topic: Original Language, Released
Release Date: August 29, 1969
Story: D.B. Narayana; Dialogue: Bhamidipati Radhakrishna Murthy
Singer: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, P. Susheela, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki, Pitapuram Nageshwara Rao, L.R. Eswari, Swarnalatha
Art Director: Kaladhar Surapaneni; Dance Director: Pasumarthy Krishna Murthy, K. Thangappan, Sundaram
Acharya Athreya (Lyricist)
(1921-89) Telugu poet, scenarist, lyricist and noted playwright. Born near Sullurpet, AP, as Kilambi Narasimhacharyulu. Wrote several plays while a student at Nellore and Chittoor and was associated with the Venkatagiri Amateurs stage group. Abandoned his studies to participate in the Quit India agitations and was imprisoned. Odd jobs including working as a clerk in a settlement office and assistant editor on the journal Zamin Raitu. Early plays in the historical genre (Gautama Buddha, 1946; Ashoka Samrat, 1947). Introduced a brand of realism on the stage, addressing contemporary political issues, e.g. N.G.O. (1949), later adapted to the screen as Gumasta (1953). Other major plays include Eenadu (1947), Vishwashanti (1953), Bhayam (1957). First film script was Samsaram (1950; uncredited), followed by H.M. Reddy’s Nirdoshi (1951). Wrote lyrics for more than 250 films, starting with Deeksha (1951). Secretary of the Andhra Screen Writers Guild (1955-6). Lyrics published by the actor K. Jaggaiah. Directed one film: Vagdanam (1961).
Arudra (Lyricist)
(1925-98) Telugu poet and film lyricist born in Vizag, AP, as Bhagavathula Shankara Sastry. Started publishing poetry as a teenager, e.g. Loha Vihangalu. Initially influenced by radical poet Sri Sri. After a brief stint in the army, he became a professional writer under the name Arudra. Early writing was romantic, but became more political under the influence of the Telangana anti-zamindari movements (cf. Twamevaham). Major poetry anthologies include Kunalamma Padyalu (1964), Enchina Padyalu (1965) and Intinti Padyalu (1969). Also wrote patriotic songs during the India- China war (1962). Compiled an anthology of Telugu literature (Samagrandhra Sahityam). Film début in the Telugu version (Beedala Patlu) of Ramnoth’s classic Ezhai Padum Padu (1950). Made his reputation in films with Premalekhalu (1953), the Telugu dubbed version of Raj Kapoor’s Aah (1953). Described as the last of the pre-rock generation film lyricists. Recently worked for Bapu (Pelli Pustakam, 1991). Classic film lyrics anthologised by V.A.K. Ranga Rao in Kondagali Tirigindi.
Kosaraju Raghavaiah Choudhury (Lyricist)
(1905-87) Prolific Telugu lyricist born in Appikatla, Guntur Dist., AP. Influenced by Kondamudi Narasimham Panthulu, in whose play based on the Ramayana he acted when still in his teens. Worked as a journalist in the Raitu Patrika where he met the composer Samudrala Raghavacharya and the director Ramabrahmam. Published his first poetry anthology, Kadagandlu. Turned to film lyrics with Raitu Bidda (1939), including the song Nidramelkonara tammuda. Returned to films with humorous lyrics for K.V. Reddy’s Pedda Manushulu (1954), followed by one of his most famous songs, Jebulu bomma je jela bomma (in B.A. Subba Rao’s Raju Peda, 1954). Known for his earthy poetry, often referring to popular morality tales. Wrote lyrics for c.350 films.
Songs:
NA
