49.37.135.248: robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

2022-06-25T04:35:15Z

robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

imported>Kailash29792: clean up

2021-08-24T04:24:16Z

clean up

New page

{{for|the 1986 film|Seetharama Kalyanam (1986 film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Sita Rama Kalyanam
| image = Seeta Rama Kalyanam.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| writer = [[Samudrala Raghavacharya|Samudrala Sr]] {{small|(dialogues)}}
| story = Dhanekula Buchi Venkata Krishna Chowdhary
| screenplay = Dhanekula Buchi Venkata Krishna Chowdhary
| producer = [[N. Trivikrama Rao]]
| director = [[N. T. Rama Rao]]
| starring = [[N. T. Rama Rao]]<br />[[B. Saroja Devi]]
| music = [[Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao]]
| cinematography = [[Ravikant Nagaich]]
| editing = Veerappa
| studio = National Art Theaters
| released = {{Film date|df=y|1961|1|6}}
| runtime = 182 minutes
| country = India
| language = Telugu
| budget =
}}

'''''Sita Rama Kalyanam''''' ({{translation|The marriage of Seeta and Rama}}) is a 1961 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[Hindu mythological film]], produced by [[N. Trivikrama Rao]] and directed by [[N. T. Rama Rao]]. It stars [[N. T. Rama Rao]], [[B. Saroja Devi]] and music composed by [[Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao]]. The movie was a blockbuster and garnered name for NTR for portraying and emphasizing Ravana character. The movie is also famous for its song "Seetaramula kalyanam chutamu rarandi".<br />The film was dubbed into Tamil with the same title and was released on 3 February 1961.<ref>[https://www.kalkionline.com/archivessale/arcview.php?1,1961-02-05#page/11 Ad in Kalki magazine of 5 February 1861]</ref>

== Plot ==
The film begins with Nandi obstructing Ravana (N. T. Rama Rao) to reach Kailasa as it is a private time of Lord Siva. Thereupon, a rift erupts between them when Nandi curses Ravana that ''Vaanaras'' (monkeys) will be main cause of his death. Nevertheless, Ravana performs a severe penance that shakes the foundations of Kailasa. Aroused, Siva delights him as invincible whereby, he trounces the universe. Once on his journey, he falls for the beauty of Rambha and molests her. Being cognizant of it, Nalakubara (Saradhi) curses him to atomize when he aspires to possess any woman without her wish. However, his ferocity reaches the summit, when all the creators bow before Lord Vishnu (Haranath), one that gives assurance of salvation to eliminate the monster. Meanwhile, Lakshmi Devi (Geethanjali) takes birth as Vedavathi on Earth. At one juncture, Ravana lusts for her when she immediately sacrifices herself with a curse to reborn as a cause for the destruction of his dynasty. Right now, Ravana brings her ashes which appalls Mandodari (B. Saroja Devi). So, she discards the box and buries it on either side of the sea. Meanwhile, Dasaratha (Chittor V. Nagaiah), the king of Ayodhya is perturbed as he is childless, so he conducts ''Putrakameshti Yaaga'' with his 3 wives, as a result, they are blessed with 4 sons who are the reincarnations of Lord Vishnu, Adhi Sesha, Shankha, and Chakra as Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatragnya. Meanwhile, Janaka (Mikkilineni), the king of Mithila, while tilling the ground, finds the box enclosing the baby whom he rears as Seeta. Time passes, Saint Viswamitra (Gummadi) arrives and seeks to send Rama and Lakshmana (Shobhan Babu) for the protection of his Yaga. Soon, Viswamitra endorses them with powerful armaments by which they destroy Tataki and Marichasubhahulu and accomplish the Yaga. Just as Janaka announces ''Swayamvaram'' to Seeta, learning it, Viswamitra moves to Mithila along with Rama and Lakshmana. On the way, Rama makes a stone form of Ahalya into normal. Here, the challenge is to affix the world-renowned bow of Lord Siva. However, Ravana too arrives without an invitation but fails and gets humiliated. All at once, Rama lifts the bow and breaks it. Knowing it, enraged Parasurama (K. V. S. Sarma) lands and confronts Rama. Later, he realizes him as his own reincarnation and backs up. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the phenomenal wedding of Seeta and Rama.

== Cast ==
*[[N. T. Rama Rao]] as [[Ravana]]
*[[B. Saroja Devi]] as [[Mandodari]]
*[[Haranath (actor)|Haranath]] as [[Lord Rama]] / [[Lord Vishnu]]
*[[Geetanjali (actress)|Geetanjali]] as [[Goddess Sita]] / [[Goddess Lakshmi]] / [[Vedavati]]
*[[Kanta Rao]] as [[Narada]]
*[[Sobhan Babu]] as [[Lakshmana]]
*[[Chittoor V. Nagaiah]] as [[Dasharatha]]
*[[Mikkilineni Radhakrishna Murthy|Mikkilineni]] as [[Janaka]]
*[[Gummadi (actor)|Gummadi]] as [[Vishwamitra]]
*K. V. S. Sarma as [[Parashurama]]
*[[Kommineni Seshagiri Rao]] as [[Bharata (Ramayana)|Bharata]]
*M. Kameshwara Rao as [[Lord Brahma]]
*[[Udaykumar]] as [[Kumbhakarna]]
*A. V. Subba Rao Jr. as [[Vibhishana]]
*Arja Janardhana Rao as [[Hiranyakashipu]]
*[[Kasturi Siva Rao]] as Vaishya
*[[Sarathi]] as [[Nalakuvara|Nalakubara]]
*''Master'' Nagaraju as [[Prahlada]] / Young [[Lakshmana]]
*Chhaya Devi as Sumedha Devi (Janaka's wife)
*Swarna as [[Shurpanakha|Soorpanakha]]
*[[Kusalakumari|Kuchala Kumari]] as [[Rambha (apsara)|Rambha]]

==Production==
[[File:திருக்கோணேச்சரத்தின் சிகரத்தில் இராவணன்.jpg|thumb|220px|The tale of [[Ravananugraha]] (pictured) inspired a sequence in the film in which Rama Rao's character Ravana would sport ten heads all chanting [[Om Namah Shivaya]] while lifting the [[Mount Kailash|Kailasa]] hill on his shoulders]]
[[N. T. Rama Rao]]{{'s}} portrayal of the demon king [[Ravana]] (the antagonist of the Hindu epic ''[[Ramayana]]'') in ''[[Bhookailas (1958 film)|Bhookailas]]'' (1958) earned him critical acclaim.<ref name="BFP TH">{{Cite news |last=Narasimham |first=M. L. |date=14 April 2016 |title=SITA RAMA KALYANAM (1961) |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/starring-nt-ramarao-kantharao-haranath-b-saroja-devi-mani-geethanjali/article8475709.ece |accessdate=9 May 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509054000/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/starring-nt-ramarao-kantharao-haranath-b-saroja-devi-mani-geethanjali/article8475709.ece |archivedate=9 May 2021}}</ref> However, after the release of its Kannada-language version ''[[Bhookailasa (film)|Bhookailasa]]'' in the same year which featured a different cast and crew, Rama Rao's portrayal was often compared with that of [[Rajkumar (actor)|Rajkumar]] who played Ravana. This, along with Ravana's reputation as a renowned [[Shiva]] devotee, made Rama Rao consider reprising the role in another film which focused on a more layered representation of the character.<ref name="SRK NTV">{{Cite news |date=6 January 2021 |title=అరవై ఏళ్ళ 'సీతారామ కళ్యాణం' |language=Telugu |trans-title='Seeta Rama Kalyanam' turns 60 |publisher=[[NTV (Indian TV channel)|NTV Telugu]] |url=https://www.ntvtelugu.com/post/60-years-of-seeta-rama-kalyanam-movie |accessdate=9 May 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509054313/https://www.ntvtelugu.com/post/60-years-of-seeta-rama-kalyanam-movie |archivedate=9 May 2021}}</ref> He and writer [[Samudrala Raghavacharya]] studied Ravana's arcs from various versions of Ramayana and other mythologies. Later, Rama Rao's friend Dhanekula Buchi Venkata Krishna Chowdhary came up with a story which they liked, and Raghavacharya wrote the dialogues, songs and poems.<ref name="BFP TH" /><ref name="SRK ETV">{{Cite news |date=6 January 2021 |title=నటసార్వభౌముని విశ్వరూపం.. 'సీతారామ కళ్యాణం' |language=Telugu |trans-title=Natasarvabhouma's masterpiece... 'Seeta Rama Kalyanam' |publisher=[[ETV (Telugu)|ETV Telugu]] |url=https://react.etvbharat.com/telugu/telangana/sitara/cinema/ntrs-seetha-rama-kalyanam-completes-60-years-in-tollywood/na20210106173923160 |accessdate=9 May 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509054458/https://react.etvbharat.com/telugu/telangana/sitara/cinema/ntrs-seetha-rama-kalyanam-completes-60-years-in-tollywood/na20210106173923160 |archivedate=9 May 2021}}</ref> Though the film's narrative was centered around Ravana, Raghavacharya named the film ''Sita Rama Kalyanam'' after ''Ramayana''{{'s}} protagonists [[Rama]] and [[Sita]].<ref name="BFP TH" />

Rama Rao's brother [[N. Trivikrama Rao]] decided to produce the film for his company National Art Theatre and approached the former's mentor [[K. V. Reddy]] to direct the film.<ref name="BFP TH" /> Reddy declined the offer, saying that he could not envision Rama Rao playing a demon. Rama Rao then decided to direct the film himself, marking his directorial debut.<ref name="SRK NTV" /> He, however, refrained from crediting himself as the director and instead paid homage to his parents.<ref name="SRK ETV" /> When Trivikrama Rao suggested that Rama Rao should play a dual role as both Rama and Ravana, the latter refused and chose to work with younger actors. He met [[Haranath (actor)|Haranath]] at [[Pondy Bazaar]] and signed him to play Rama.<ref name="SRK NTV" /> [[Sobhan Babu]] was cast as Rama's brother [[Lakshmana]].<ref name="BFP TH" /> Impressed with her cameo appearance in ''[[Rani Ratnaprabha]]'' (1960), Rama Rao cast [[Geetanjali (actress)|Geetanjali]] for the role of Sita.<ref name="SRK NTV" /> [[B. Saroja Devi]], [[Gummadi (actor)|Gummadi]] and [[V. Nagaiah]] were cast in key supporting roles.<ref name="BFP TH" /> ''Sita Rama Kalyanam'' also marked [[Kanta Rao]]{{'s}} first on-screen appearance as [[Narada]], a mythological character which he would reprise later in multiple unrelated Telugu language films.<ref name="SRK NTV" /><ref name="SRK ETV" />

Rama Rao approached M. A. Rahman, the cinematographer of the former's acting debut ''[[Mana Desam]]'' (1949), to collaborate for this film as the director of photography. When Rahman was unavailable, he signed [[Ravikant Nagaich]] for the job, marking the latter's debut in Telugu cinema.<ref name="SRK ETV" /> S. P. S. Veerappa edited the film and I. N. Murthy served as the co-director.<ref name="BFP TH" /> All the sequences were filmed in sets erected at the [[Vijaya Vauhini Studios]] in Madras (now [[Chennai]]).<ref name="BFP TH" /> For filming the [[Ravananugraha]] sequence, Nagaich opted for using mask shots capturing varying expressions of Rama Rao instead of working with nine dummy heads. This took more than ten hours to shoot, and Rama Rao had to stay motionless for longer intervals.<ref name="BFP TH" /><ref name="SRK ETV" />

==Music==
[[S. Rajeswara Rao]] was signed to compose the film's soundtrack and score. He worked on the song "Kanarara Kailasa Nivasa" and a poem "Jayatwada Bravibhrama" before walking out of the film citing creative differences with Rama Rao.<ref name="BFP TH"/> [[Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao]] replaced him and composed the score and the remaining songs. Raghavacharya wrote the lyrics for all the songs and composed the poems.<ref name="SRK NTV"/> [[Emani Sankara Sastry]] recited the [[veena]] for the Ravananugraha sequence.<ref name="BFP TH"/> The soundtrack was released on 31 December 1961 and was marketed by HMV (now [[Saregama]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Narasimha Rao |first=Gali Penchala |date=31 December 1961 |title=Seetharama Kalyanam (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/seetharama-kalyanam-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1329135895 |publisher=[[iTunes]] |authorlink=Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao |accessdate=3 June 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602190959/https://music.apple.com/us/album/seetharama-kalyanam-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1329135895 |archivedate=3 June 2021}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!S. No!!Song Title !!Singers !!length
|-
|1
|Deva Deva Parandhama
|[[P. B. Srinivas]]
|3:38
|-
|2
|Kanarara Kailasa Nivasa
|[[Ghantasala (singer)|Ghantasala]]
|4:11
|-
|3
|Jagadeka Matha Gauri
|Ghantasala
|3:21
|-
|4
|Parama Saiva
|Ghantasala
|1:16
|-
|5
|Hey Parvathi
|Ghantasala
|1:38
|-
|6
|Sashtiryojana
|M. S. Rama Rao
|1:05
|-
|7
|Danava Kula
|Ghantasala
|1:39
|-
|8
|Padmasane
|M. S. Rama Rao
|0:54
|-
|9
|Veena Padave
|[[P. Susheela]]
|3:44
|-
|10
|Inupa Kattadal
|P. B. Srinivas
|0:38
|-
|11
|Sarasala Javaralanu
|[[P. Leela]]
|4:12
|-
|12
|Nelatha
|Ghantasala
|1:02
|-
|13
|Kolupuga
|P. Leela
|1:00
|-
|14
|Janakundu Suthudu
|Ghantasala
|1:33
|-
|15
|Govindha Madhava
|Ghantasala
|8:31
|-
|16
|Veyi Kannulu
|P. Leela
|2:57
|-
|17
|Kowsalya Supraja
|M. S. Rama Rao
|0:52
|-
|18
|Nandhinavamaninchi
|P. B. Srinivas
|0:52
|-
|19
|Pooni Bommaku
|P. Leela
|0:51
|-
|20
|Bhoomiki
|P. B. Srinivas
|0:42
|-
|21
|Chiru Nagavu
|P. B. Srinivas
|0:50
|-
|22
|Jagadeka Matha Gauri
|P. Susheela
|3:22
|-
|23
|Sree Raghavam
|M. S. Rama Rao
|1:01
|-
|24
|O Sukumara
|Ghantasala, P. Susheela
|3:14
|-
|25
|Sri Seetaramula Kalyanamu
|P. Susheela
|5:49
|-
|26
|Hey Rama Rama
|M. S. Rama Rao
|0:52
|-
|27
|Mangalam
|M. S. Rama Rao
|1:22
|}

== Awards ==
;[[National Film Awards]]
* [[8th National Film Awards|1961]]: [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu|Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu]]<ref name="8thaward">{{cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm8thNFAAward.aspx |title=8th National Film Awards |publisher=[[International Film Festival of India]] |access-date=7 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012062918/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm8thNFAAward.aspx |archive-date=12 October 2013 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0254764}}

{{National Film Award Best Feature Film Telugu}}
{{Films based on the Ramayana}}

[[Category:1960 films]]
[[Category:Best Telugu Feature Film National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Films based on the Ramayana]]
[[Category:Films directed by N. T. Rama Rao]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1960 directorial debut films]]

Sita Rama Kalyanam (1961 film) - Revision history

49.37.135.248: robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

imported>Kailash29792: clean up