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imported>RanMouri25: /* Plot */ Minor changes to the plot for a better understanding

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Plot: Minor changes to the plot for a better understanding

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Sankarabharanam
| image = Sankarabharanam.jpg
| caption = Film poster
| director = [[K. Viswanath]]
| producer = [[Edida Nageswara Rao]]<br/>Aakasam Sriramulu
| writer = K. Viswanath
{{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes
| label1= Dialogue by
| data1 = [[Jandhyala]]
}}
| starring = [[J.V. Somayajulu]]<br />[[Manju Bhargavi]]<br />[[Chandra Mohan (Telugu actor)|Chandra Mohan]]
| music = [[K. V. Mahadevan]]
| cinematography = [[Balu Mahendra]]
| editing = G. G. Krishna Rao
| distributor =[[Poornodaya Movie Creations]]
| released = {{film date|1980|02|02|df=y|ref1=}}
| runtime = 143 minutes{{sfn|Banerjee|Srivastava|1988|p=158}}
| country = India
| language = Telugu
}}
'''Sankarabharanam''' ({{translation|The jewel of Sankara}}) is a 1980 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[musical film|musical]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] written and directed by [[K. Viswanath]]. Produced by Edida Nageswara Rao under the production company [[Poornodaya Movie Creations]], ''Sankarabharanam'' starred [[J. V. Somayajulu]], Manju Bhargavi, Chandramohan, and Rajyalakshmi. The soundtrack was composed by [[K. V. Mahadevan]] and remained a chartbuster. The film throws light on the chasm between Classical and Western Music based on the perspective of people from two different generations.

''Sankarabharanam'' won the ''Prize of the Public'' at the "[[Besançon]] Film Festival of [[France]]" in the year 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/88_29thNfacatalogue.pdf|title=K. Viswanath Film craft Page 6 DFF|access-date=2013-01-01}}</ref> It was screened at the ''[[8th International Film Festival of India]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm8IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=8IIFA.pdf |title=8th IFFI Archived copy |access-date=2018-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101233112/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm8IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=8IIFA.pdf |archive-date=2018-01-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the ''[[Tashkent]] Film Festival'', the ''[[Asia Pacific Film Festival]]'', the ''[[Moscow International Film Festival]]'' held in May 1980,<ref>{{cite web|url= https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/141_IPCatalogue1980-81.pdf|title=Filmtsav' 80 |publisher=DFF}}</ref><ref name="idlebrain.com"/> and the ''[[Annapurna International School of Film and Media|AISFM Film Festival]]''.<ref>[http://www.aisfm.edu.in/blog/2014/the-films-of-k-viswanath/ The films of K. Viswanath — AISFM Blog]</ref> ''[[Forbes (India)|Forbes]]'' included J. V. Somayajulu's performance in the film on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-cinema/35125/0|title=25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema|magazine=[[Forbes (India)|Forbes]]|first1=Shishir|last1=Prasad|first2=N. S.|last2=Ramnath|first3=Sohini|last3=Mitter|date=27 April 2013 |access-date = 27 January 2015}}</ref> [[IBN Live]] included ''Sankarabharanam'' on its list of "100 greatest Indian films of all time".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424003536/http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 April 2013|title=100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time|access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref>

''Sankarabharanam'' opened to near-empty halls and by the end of the first week, all theaters were houseful for every show. It had an extraordinary run, running for more than 25weeks in many centers. Released in Bangalore without dubbing it ran for a year, having won four [[National Film Awards]] including the [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment|Best Film with Mass Appeal, Wholesome Entertainment & Aesthetic Values]], the first for a ''South-Indian'' film at the [[27th National Film Awards]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Careers Digest|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=44vNAAAAMAAJ|access-date=3 September 2013|year=1980|page=396}}</ref> and seven state [[Nandi Awards]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Film World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WHpTAAAAYAAJ|access-date=3 September 2013|year=1980|publisher=T.M. Ramachandran|page=217}}</ref> It was later dubbed into Tamil and Malayalam under the same title.<ref>name="idlebrain.com"</ref>

==Plot==

Sankara Sastri is a very popular [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] singer. He is a widower with a daughter named Sarada. People come in huge numbers to listen to his voice and consider him to be a great man. He has mastered the [[raga]] ''[[Sankarabharanam (raga)|Shankarabharanam]]'' and hence is eponymous with the same. Tulasi is a bonded woman's daughter who has a great interest in music and dance. She is also an admirer of Sastri, and goes to the riverbank in the early mornings when Sastri teaches music to his own daughter.

One morning Tulasi is so thrilled by Sastri's singing that she begins dancing on the riverbank, oblivious of her surroundings. Sastri sees her, and Tulasi also comes to her senses and abruptly stops. She expects Sastri to rebuke her. But he appreciates her sincerity and continues singing.

Tulasi's mother wants her to follow in her family's tradition of becoming a prostitute and one day she extracts a high price for Tulasi from a rich man. The man goes on to rape Tulasi. The man sees a photo of Sastri in Tulasi's room. He breaks it and taunts her by saying that now she can become the old Sastri's mistress. This enrages Tulasi. She takes a shard of glass from the broken frame of Sastri's photo and stabs the client to death.

A murder trial ensues. Sastri tries to save Tulasi by consulting his lawyer brother, who wins the case in Tulasi's favor. Tulasi's mother is sent to jail for engaging in prostitution, while Tulasi is a free but homeless woman. Sastri brings Tulasi to his home. People assume that Tulasi has become Sastri's mistress and start avoiding him. Even Sastri's maid and musical accompanists leave him. Tulasi feels responsible for all this and leaves Sastri's home.

Over time the popularity of classical music wanes, while [[pop music]] is on the ascendant. Sastri loses his loyal audience and, with it, his comfortable lifestyle. Ten years later, Sastri is living in a small house with his now-grown daughter. Meanwhile, Tulasi has inherited her mother's property which was under litigation. She wants to help the struggling Sastri anonymously. Tulasi has a ten-year-old son, a result of her rape, and wishes her son to become Sastri's student. Tulasi gets her son to pretend to be homeless and enter Sastri's household as a servant. Things go according to plan. Tulasi is content to watch from a distance as her son gradually becomes a part of Sastri's household and eventually, his musical protegee.

Pamulaparti Venkata Kameswara Rao, a [[Amateur|dilettante]] Brahmin boy, falls in love with Sarada. Although Sastri rejects the alliance at first, he later agrees after learning of the man's interest in classical music. Tulasi then arranges for a concert on the day of Sarada's wedding,in a new music hall which she built with the name of Shankara Sastry, where Sastri finds his lost audience has returned to hear his voice. Sastri sings at the concert but suffers a heart attack part-way through it. Then his disciple, Tulasi's son, takes over from the sidelines and continues singing the song. As Sastri watches his student with pride, he also sees Tulasi at the side of the hall and realizes that the boy is Tulasi's son. A doctor is brought to attend to Sastri, but Sastri waves him off, knowing that his end is near. As Tulasi's son completes the song, Sastri symbolically anoints the boy as heir to his music,by giving his "Abharanam" (his hand bracelet) then dies. Tulasi comes running to her guru and falls down at his feet. She too dies from the shock of Sastri's death. The film ends on this tragic but uplifting note, as Sastri's newly-wed daughter and son-in-law take charge of Tulasi's son.

==Cast==
{{col-begin}}{{col 2}}
* [[J. V. Somayajulu]] as 'Sankarabharanam' Sankara Sastry
* [[Manju Bhargavi]] as Tulasi
* [[Chandra Mohan (Telugu actor)|Chandra Mohan]] as Kameswara Rao
* [[Rajalakshmi (actress)|Rajyalakshmi]] as Sarada
* [[Tulasi (actress)|Tulasi]] as Sankaram
* [[Allu Ramalingaiah]] as Madhava
* [[Nirmalamma]] as Bamma
* [[Sakshi Ranga Rao]] as Gopalam
* [[Dubbing Janaki]] as cook
* Jith Mohan Mitra as Dasu
* ''Baby'' Varalakshmi as Young Sarada
{{col 2}}
* Jhansi as Ratna Papa
* Pushpa Kumari
* Arja Janardhana Rao as Tulasi's maternal uncle
* Edida Sriramprasad
* S. Bheemeswara Rao as Zamindar
* Dhum
* Srigopal
* Ganeswara Rao
{{col-end}}

==Production==
===Development===
After hearing the plot, the producers were initially taken aback due to the [[parallel cinema]] tone to the subject matter, but finally [[Edida Nageswara Rao]] agreed to produce the film. He wanted [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]] to enact the role of Sankara Sastry, [[K. Viswanath]] wanted [[Sivaji Ganesan]] to perform the role, but couldn't approach him for various reasons and also wanted [[Krishnam Raju]] for the role, but later refused as Viswanath felt his image as a star would ruin the role and he chose a debutant [[J. V. Somayajulu]], a stage artist for the role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telugucinema.com/Original-choice-Sankarabharanam|title=Original choice for Sankarabharanam?|last=admin|date=8 September 2014|access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref>

[[K. Viswanath]] scripted and directed the film, while [[Jandhyala]] gave the dialogues. [[Balu Mahendra]] performed the [[cinematography]] while the film is edited by G. G. Krishna Rao. [[Thota Tharani]] worked as the film's [[production designer]]. [[Vamsy]], who went on to direct films like ''[[Sitaara]]'', ''[[Anveshana]]'' and ''[[Ladies Tailor (1985 film)|Ladies Tailor]]'' was one of the assistant directors in the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/lessons-in-direction/article7642344.ece|title=Lessons in direction|first=B. Madhu|last=Gopal|date=11 September 2015|access-date=14 September 2016|via=The Hindu}}</ref>

=== Principal photography ===
The film was primarily shot in and around the city of [[Rajahmundry]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>[https://www.iqlikmovies.com/news/article/2015/02/19/sankarabharanam-movie-completes-35-years/7612 ''Sankarabharanam 35 Years Event'', 2015]</ref>

==Awards==
{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="14"|1980
| [[Edida Nageswara Rao]]
| [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[K. V. Mahadevan]]
| [[National Film Award for Best Music Direction]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| [[National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Vani Jayaram]]
| [[National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Edida Nageswara Rao]]
| [[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film]] - Golden Nandi
| {{won}}
|-
| [[K. Viswanath]]
| [[Nandi Award for Best Story Writer|Nandi Award for Second Best Story Writer]]
| {{won}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)|trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)|publisher=[[Andhra Pradesh (magazine)|Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh]]|access-date=21 August 2020}}(in [[Telugu language|Telugu]])</ref>
|-
| [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| [[Nandi Award for Best Male Playback Singer]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Vani Jayaram]]
| [[Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[K. V. Mahadevan]]
| [[Nandi Award for Best Music Director]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Veturi Sundararama Murthy]]<br>("Sankara Naada Sareerapara")
| [[Nandi Award for Best Lyricist]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tulasi (actress)|Tulasi]]
| [[Nandi Award for Best Child Actress]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[J. V. Somayajulu]]
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu]]
| {{won}}
|}

==Soundtrack==
The music, largely [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] based, was composed by [[K.V. Mahadevan]].
[[M. Balamuralikrishna]] was the original choice for the male playback singer, due to the heavy classical content of the compositions. Since [[M. Balamuralikrishna]] was not so much inclined to sing in the movie, K. V. Mahadevan, having faith in the mettle of [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], insisted on him taking up this challenge. The soundtrack has lyrics by [[Veturi Sundararama Murthy]] and vocals by [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[S. Janaki]], [[Vani Jayaram]], [[S.P. Sailaja]], Madhavapeddi Ramesh, Jit Mohan Mitra, and Pattabhi.

{{Tracklist
| collapsed =
| headline = Songs<ref>{{cite web|url=http://play.raaga.com/telugu/album/sankarabharanam-a0002322|title=Sankarabharanam songs|publisher=[[Raaga.com]]|access-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006120231/http://play.raaga.com/telugu/album/sankarabharanam-a0002322|archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>
| extra_column = Playback
| all_music = [[K. V. Mahadevan]]
| title1 = [[Broche Varevaru Ra]]
| lyrics1 = [[Mysore Vasudevachar]]
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Vani Jayaram]]

| title2 = Dorakunaa Ituvanti Seva
| lyrics2 = [[Veturi Sundararama Murthy]]
| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. Vani Jayaram

| title3 = Manasa Sancharare
| lyrics3 = [[Sadasiva Brahmendra]]
| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jayaram

| title4 = Maanikya Veena
| note4 = Poem
| lyrics4 = [[Kālidāsa|Mahakavi Kalidasu]]
| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

| title5 = Omkaara Naadaanusandhanam
| lyrics5 = [[Veturi Sundararama Murthy]]
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[S. Janaki]]

| title6 = [[Paluke Bangaaramaayena]]
| lyrics6 = [[Bhadrachala Ramadasu]]
| extra6 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jayaram

| title7 = Raagam Taanam Pallavi
| lyrics7 = Veturi Sundararama Murthy
| extra7 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

| title8 = Sankaraa Naadasareeraparaa
| lyrics8 = Veturi Sundararama Murthy
| extra8 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

| title9 = Saamaja Varagamana
| lyrics9 = Thyagaraja
| extra9 = S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

| title10 = Ye Teeruga Nanu
| lyrics10 = Bhadrachala Ramadasu
| extra10 = Vani Jayaram
}}

==Release and reception==
Released on 2 February 1980, the film was released in only a very few theatres and opened to almost empty halls.<ref name="Telugu Cinema Etc — Idlebrain.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/interview_gudipoodi.html|title=Telugu Cinema Etc - Idlebrain.com|access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref> The film had 216-day run at Royal theatre, [[Hyderabad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinegoer.com/alltimelongrun.htm|title=CineGoer.com - Box-Office Records And Collections - All Time Long Run List|access-date=14 September 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515123606/http://www.cinegoer.com/alltimelongrun.htm|archive-date=15 May 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
It is considered a cult classic especially due to the use of carnatic music that is more true to the classical form than for film.

==Legacy==
The success of this film triggered a sequence of classical films in Telugu, including ''[[Tyagayya (1981 film)|Tyagayya]]'' (by [[Bapu (director)|Bapu]]), ''[[Meghasandesam]]'' (by Dasari N. Rao), and Viswanath's own follow-ups: ''[[Saptapadi (1981 film)|Saptapadi]]'', ''[[Saagara Sangamam]]'', ''[[Shrutilayalu|Sruthi Layalu]]'', ''[[Swarna Kamalam]]'', ''[[Swayam Krushi]]'', ''[[Sirivennela]]'', and ''[[Swati Kiranam]]''.<ref name="idlebrain.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/nosta/sankarabharanam.html|title=Telugu Cinema Nostalgia - Sankara Bharanam - JV Somayajulu, Manju Bhargavi and K Vishwanath|access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref> [[S.P. Balasubrahmanyam]], the Telugu playback singer who rendered all the songs of Sastri's character, has often said this movie was the highlight of his career. It got 'SPB' his first National Award, and made him a household name across all of South India. Film critic Gudipoodi Srihari called it as the best Telugu film he has seen after ''[[Mayabazar]]''.<ref name="Telugu Cinema Etc — Idlebrain.com"/> Viswanath later remade the film in Hindi as ''[[Sur Sangam]]''.<ref name="Telugu Cinema Etc — Idlebrain.com"/>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zX4GY37rG8kC&q=Sankarabharanam&pg=PA158 | title=One Hundred Indian Feature Films: An Annotated Filmography | publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] | last1=Banerjee | first1=Shampa | last2=Srivastava | first2=Anil | year=1988 | isbn=0-8240-9483-2 }}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|0079889}}

{{National Film Award Wholesome Entertainment}}
{{Kasinathuni Viswanath}}
{{Jandhyala Subramanya Sastry}}

[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by K. Viswanath]]
[[Category:Social realism in film]]
[[Category:Films about teacher–student relationships]]
[[Category:1980s musical drama films]]
[[Category:Films about the arts]]
[[Category:Films about classical music and musicians]]
[[Category:Films scored by K. V. Mahadevan]]
[[Category:Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Indian nonlinear narrative films]]
[[Category:Telugu films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Films about social issues in India]]
[[Category:Indian musical drama films]]
[[Category:Indian avant-garde and experimental films]]
[[Category:1980 drama films]]
[[Category:1980 films]]

Sankarabharanam (1980 film) - Revision history

Bot at 05:31, 15 December 2022

imported>RanMouri25: /* Plot */ Minor changes to the plot for a better understanding