Leopoldo10S: Creating Some Bio W/ Refs...

2026-03-04T04:58:35Z

Creating Some Bio W/ Refs...

New page

{{short description|1956 film by B. S. Ranga}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Tenali Raman film poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[B. S. Ranga]]
| producer = B. S. Ranga
| screenplay = B. S. Ranga [[Kannadasan]]
| based_on = {{based on|''Tenali Ramakrishna''|Ch. Venkataramaiah}}
| starring = [[Sivaji Ganesan]] [[N. T. Rama Rao]] [[V. Nagayya]] [[P. Bhanumathi]] [[Jamuna (actress)|Jamuna]]
| music = [[Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy]]
| cinematography = B. S. Ranga
| editing = P. G. Mohan
| studio = Vikram Productions
| released = {{Film date|df=y|1956|2|3}}
| runtime = 169 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Tenali Raman''''' is a 1956 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[historical drama|historical]] [[comedy film]] written and directed by [[B. S. Ranga]], based on Ch. Venkataramaiah's play ''Tenali Ramakrishna''. Produced for the banner Vikram Productions, the film stars [[Sivaji Ganesan]], [[V. Nagayya]], [[P. Bhanumathi]], [[Jamuna (actress)|Jamuna]] and Thiruvengadam Chettiyar. Ranga also handled the cinematography while P. G. Mohan edited the film. [[Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy]] composed the soundtrack and background score.

''Tenali Raman'' narrates the story of the 16th century poet and scholar [[Tenali Rama]], and his life as a member of the court of [[Krishnadevaraya]], the king of [[Vijayanagara Empire]]. Raman, with his wits, manages to save Krishnadevaraya from the attacks made by the [[Bahmani Kingdom|Bahmani Sultanate]] who try to invade Vijayanagara Empire. The rest of the film is about Raman's efforts in saving Krishnadevaraya from courtesan Krishnasani, a spy and convincing emperor [[Babur]] against extending support to the Sultanate in the war.

Produced as a [[Multiple-language version|bilingual film]], it was shot simultaneously in Tamil and [[Telugu language|Telugu]] with a slightly altered cast. ''Tenali Raman'' was filmed in and around Revathy Studios at Madras. It was released on 3 February 1956, nearly a month after the Telugu version ''[[Tenali Ramakrishna (film)|Tenali Ramakrishna]]''.

== Plot ==
During the reign of the [[Vijayanagara Empire]], Raman is a poet and scholar whose talent is not recognised in his hometown [[Tenali]]. To earn a livelihood, he migrates to [[Hampi]] along with his wife Kamala and son Madhava. On his way to Hampi, he halts at a [[Kali]] temple where he is initially terrified looking at the goddess' idol and the animal sacrifices made to please her. That night, Kali appears before him and grants a boon: he would have to choose either wisdom or materialistic wealth. Raman opts for both, which angers Kali who warns that he might end up as a clownish poet whose wisdom is solely useful for entertaining others. Raman accepts it as a blessing and requests Kali to save him from further dangers, to which the goddess agrees and disappears.

Raman reaches Hampi and approaches Rajaguru, the royal priest of the Vijayanagara empire to find employment in the court of king Krishnadevaraya. Neither Rajaguru nor his assistants help him and he returns dejected. However, he finds an opportunity when Krishnadevaraya is unable to distribute 17 disputed elephants among three brothers as per their deceased father's will. Raman solves the problem and Krishnadevaraya appoints him as a court member. With his wit and loyalty, Raman soon earns the respect of all the court members, except Rajaguru who sees him as a problem.

The Deccan Sultans of [[Berar sultanate|Berar]], [[Ahmadnagar Sultanate|Ahmednagar]], [[Bidar Sultanate|Bidar]], [[Sultanate of Bijapur|Bijapur]], and [[Sultanate of Golconda|Golconda]] decide to wage a war on Vijayanagara empire with united military forces. They send Kanakaraju, a spy, to Hampi where he meets Raman, who happens to be his distant relative. Some days later, Kanakaraju tries to assassinate Krishnadevaraya and Rajaguru blames Raman for giving shelter to a spy. As Raman is about to be killed as per the king's orders, he overhears a conversation between another spy and the court's astrologer. The spy bribes the astrologer to influence Krishnadevaraya in postponing the war on Bijapur so that they can have time for proper preparations. Raman escapes and meets Appaji with whose help he reveals the astrologer's intentions. The astrologer is killed and Rajaguru, who believed in him with good faith, is accused of trying to back stab the king. Raman intervenes and Rajaguru is saved, which improves their relation.

The Bahmani Sultanate then send courtesan Krishna to Hampi. With her acclaimed dancing skills, she manages to elicit the notice of Krishnadevaraya, who finds himself besotted by her wits and sensuousness. He issues orders that anyone who enters his private chamber would be beheaded and continues to spend with time with Krishna for months. Appaji and Raman learn that the Sultans are planning to take advantage of the King's inaccessibility and shall launch a combined attack on Hampi soon. Worried at the state of affairs, Raman braves the prohibitory order and enters Krishna's abode dressed as a woman, but is ignored and expelled from the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Krishnadevaraya's wife [[Tirumala Devi|Thirumalambal]] falls seriously ill, and he finally realises his mistakes. Once the King is back at his palace, Raman manages to gain entry into Krishna's chamber again, this time under the guise of a saint who assures her that he would bring the King back to her. He catches her red-handed with her gang of spies, and signals to the hidden soldiers to surround her. She kills herself preferring a dignifying death, and Raman wishes to leave for [[Delhi]] to convince emperor [[Babur]] from sending his elephantry to support the Sultanate in the war.

Raman reaches Delhi and meets Babur in the guise of an aged fakir and sings praises of him, until he empties all the gold coins he has. Babur then invites him to his palace to gift him properly. Raman goes to Babur's palace, and introduces himself as one of those innocent citizens of the Vijayanagara empire who shall suffer if Babur extends his support to the unjust Sultanate. Babur is convinced and calls off his elephantry back. Dismayed at the sudden turn of events, the Sultanate call off the war. Krishnadevaraya learns about Raman's efforts in stopping the war from Appaji. Remorseful, Krishnadevaraya invites Raman to rejoin the court, to which he agrees gladly.

== Cast ==
;Male cast
* [[Sivaji Ganesan]] as [[Tenali Rama]]
* [[N. T. Rama Rao]] as [[Krishnadevaraya]]
* [[V. Nagayya]] as Appaji
* [[M. N. Nambiar]] as Rajaguru
* Master Venkateshwar as Raman's son
* Thiruvengadam Chettiyar as Sadayappa pillai

;Female cast
* [[P. Bhanumathi]] as Krishna
* [[Jamuna (actress)|Jamuna]] as Kamala
* Surabhi Balasaraswathi as Radha
* Sandhya as [[Tirumala Devi|Thirumalambal]]

== Production ==
=== Development ===
After the success of his first production venture ''[[Maa Gopi]]'' (1954), [[B. S. Ranga]] wished to produce and direct a historical film based on the life of the 16th century Telugu poet and scholar [[Tenali Rama]], who was one of the [[Ashtadiggajas]] (a collective title given to the eight Telugu poets in the court of [[Krishnadevaraya]], which literally translates to eight great elephants).<ref name="Sithara" /> He planned it as a [[Multiple-language version|bilingual film]] to be filmed simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil languages with a slightly altered cast.{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=348}} Ranga collaborated with [[Samudrala Sr.]], [[Kannadasan]] and Murugadasa on the basic script for both the versions.{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=348}} They decided to adapt Ch. Venkataramaiah's Kannada stage play ''Tenali Ramakrishna'' into a film, instead of following the script of [[H. M. Reddy]]{{'s}} 1941 Telugu film of the same name.<ref name="Sithara" /> Ranga titled the film as ''Tenali Raman'' in Tamil,<ref name="cast" /> while [[Tenali Ramakrishna (film)|''Tenali Ramakrishna'']] was chosen for the Telugu version.{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=348}} ''Tenali Raman'' was the second Tamil film based on Tenali Rama, after a 1938 film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Rinku |date=21 May 2013 |title=Vadivelu gets 60's style return tune |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2013/may/21/vadivelu-gets-60s-style-return-tune-479405.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410114030/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2013/may/21/Vadivelu-gets-60s-style-return-tune-479405.html |archive-date=10 April 2019 |access-date=10 April 2019 |work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref>

Venkataramaiah's play was comical in nature, and focused plainly on the life and times of Rama. Fearing that it would fail to translate on-screen effectively, Samudrala and Kannadasan decided to incorporate political elements during the rule of Krishnadevaraya.<ref name="Prajasakti" /> While Samudrala focused on the administrative aspects of Krishnadevaraya, Kannadasan opted to "humanise" the king by writing scenes related to his personal life and preferences.<ref name="Prajasakti" /> ''Tenali Raman'' was filmed in and around Revathy Studios at Madras, as the floors of Ranga's production company Vikram Studios were still under construction excluding the recording and projection theatres.<ref name="The Hindu" />

=== Cast and crew ===
Ranga cast [[Sivaji Ganesan]] to play Raman in Tamil with [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]] replacing him in the Telugu version.{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=348}} [[N. T. Rama Rao]] and [[V. Nagayya]] were signed to play Krishnadevaraya and his minister.<ref name="The Hindu" /> [[M. N. Nambiar]] played the role of the kingdom's royal priest and was replaced by [[Mukkamala (actor)|Mukkamala]] in the Telugu version.<ref name="The Hindu" />{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=348}}

Ranga approached [[P. Bhanumathi]] to play Krishna. Initially disinterested, Bhanumathi accepted the offer keeping in view Ranga's association as a cinematographer for films produced by the former's production company [[Bharani Pictures]].<ref name="The Hindu" /> Surabhi Balasaraswathi, [[Jamuna (actress)|Jamuna]] and Master Venkateshwar were cast in key supporting roles.<ref name="cast" />

[[Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy]] were signed to compose the soundtrack and background score for both the versions.{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=348}} In addition to directing, Ranga also worked as the director of photography. P. G. Mohan edited the film. Vali and Ganga were the art directors, while Chopra and Gopalakrishnan choreographed the dance sequences.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1956 – தெனாலிராமன் – விக்ரம் புரொ. (த-தெ) |trans-title=1956 – Tenali Raman – Vikram Pro. (ta-te) |url=http://lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1956-cinedetails12.asp |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410110333/http://lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1956-cinedetails12.asp |archive-date=10 April 2019 |access-date=10 April 2019 |website=[[Lakshman Sruthi]] |language=Tamil}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack was composed by [[Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/download/sok.ThenaliRaman_B.S.Ranga_1956/60.%20ThenaliRaman_B.S.Ranga_1956.pdf |title=தெனாலிராமன் |publisher=Vikram Productions |year=1956 |language=ta |type=[[song book]] |access-date=21 December 2021 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"
! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics
|-
| "Ulagellaam Unatharulaal Malarum" || [[P. Leela]] || M. K. Athamanathan
|-
| "Naattu Jananga Adaiyelam" || Karikkol Raju || [[Kannadasan]]
|-
| "Chandana Charchita Nila Kalebara" || [[P. Susheela]] || [[Gita Govinda|Geetha Govindam]]
|-
| "Ullaasam Thedum Ellorum Or Naal" || [[Ghantasala (musician)|Ghantasala]] || Tamaizhmannan
|-
| "Ulagellaam Unatharulaal Malarum" (pathos) || P. Leela || M. K. Athamanathan
|-
| "Chittu Pole Mullai Mottuppole" || [[A. P. Komala]] || rowspan=16|Kannadasan
|-
| "Aadum Kalaiyellam Paruva Mangaiyar Azhagu Koorum" || P. Leela
|-
| "Thennavan Thaai Nattu Singaarame" || P. Susheela
|-
| "Thangam Pogum Meni Undhan Sondham Ini" || [[R. Balasaraswathi Devi]]
|-
| "Putrile Pambirukkum...Kottaiyile Oru Kaalatthile" || [[T. M. Soundararajan]] & [[V. Nagayya]]
|-
| "Kangalil Adidum Penmaiyin Naadagam" || [[P. Bhanumathi]]
|-
| "Kannamirandum Minnidum Annam" || P. Bhanumathi
|-
| "Pirandha Naal Mannan Pirandha Naal" || P. Bhanumathi
|-
| "Vinnulagil Minni Varum Thaaragaiye Po Po" || P. Bhanumathi
|-
| "Adari Padarndha" || V. N. Sundharam
|-
| "Ponnalla Porul" || V. N. Sundharam
|-
| "Kannaa Pinnaa Mannaa" || V. N. Sundharam
|-
| "Vindhiyam Vadakkaaga" || V. N. Sundharam
|-
| "Chandhiran Pole" || V. N. Sundharam
|-
| "Drru Drru Ena Madugal" || V. N. Sundharam
|-
| "Thaadhi Thoodho Theedhu" || V. N. Sundharam
|}

== Release and reception ==
''Tenali Raman'' was released on 3 February 1956, nearly a month after the Telugu version.<ref name="The Hindu" /> Kannadasan published a still from the film showing Raman buried neck deep, waiting to be trampled by an elephant, with a caption describing it as Ganesan's future.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kannan |first=R. |title=MGR: A Life |date=28 June 2017 |publisher=[[Penguin Random House]] |isbn=978-93-86495-88-4 |location=India |quote=Poet Kannadasan published a still from Ganesan's ''Tenaliraman'' (1956), for which he had penned the dialogues, showing Ganesan buried neck deep, waiting to be trampled by an elephant, with the caption 'Sivaji Ganesan's Future'.}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "It is a film which deserves to be seen.... It is a narrative well told, in terms of resourceful acting, (from [Sivaji] Ganesan in the central role in particular, and from others) attractive high flown language, and impressive backgrounds built with an eye to period." ''[[The Indian Express]]'' said, ".... is a very entertaining picture. Some of the songs in the classical style are pleasing. There are a few delightful dances which ought to enhance the entertainment value of the picture." ''[[The Mail (Madras)|The Mail]]'' said, "With witty dialogues, and a number of pleasing dances and songs the film is entertaining." ''[[Screen (magazine)|The Screen]]'' said, "[Sivaji] Ganesan portrays the role of Tenali Raman extremely well. The film should appeal to all sections of picture-goers."<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 February 1956 |title=Acclaimed by the public.. Applauded by the press.. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19560217&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=28 April 2017 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |location=[[Chennai|Madras]] |pages=1 |via=[[Google News Archive]] |volume=XXIC No. 118}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== References ==
<references>

<ref name="Sithara">{{Cite magazine |date=18 June 2018 |title=రంగా మలచిన రమ‌ణీయ దశ్య‌కావ్యం 'తెనాలి రామకృష్ణ' |trans-title=Ranga's memorable work on Celluloid 'Tenali Ramakrishna' |url=http://www.sitara.net/animuthyalu/tenali/1302 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325070145/http://www.sitara.net/animuthyalu/tenali/1302 |archive-date=25 March 2019 |access-date=10 April 2019 |magazine=[[Sitara (magazine)|Sitara]] |language=Telugu}}</ref>
<ref name="cast">{{Cite news |date=8 February 1956 |title=Vikraman's Proudest Presentation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19560208&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=14 September 2018 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=3 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
<ref name="Prajasakti">{{Cite news |date=3 February 2018 |title=తెనాలి రామ‌కృష్ణ‌ |trans-title=Tenali Ramakrishna |url=http://www.prajasakti.com/Article/Something_Special/2006739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325071038/http://www.prajasakti.com/Article/Something_Special/2006739 |archive-date=25 March 2019 |access-date=10 April 2019 |work=Prajasakti |language=te}}</ref>
<ref name="The Hindu">{{Cite news |last=Narasimham |first=M. L. |date=14 November 2014 |title=Tenali Ramakrishna (1956) |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/tenali-ramakrishna-1956/article6596304.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930110242/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/tenali-ramakrishna-1956/article6596304.ece |archive-date=30 September 2016 |access-date=11 January 2016 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

</references>

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=Rajadhyaksha |first=Ashish |author-link=Ashish Rajadhyaksha |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |author-link2=Paul Willemen |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] and [[Oxford University Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |orig-date=1994}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

[[Category:1950s biographical films]]
[[Category:1950s historical comedy films]]
[[Category:1956 Indian films]]
[[Category:1956 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1956 films]]
[[Category:Films directed by B. S. Ranga]]
[[Category:Films scored by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy]]
[[Category:Films set in the Vijayanagara Empire]]
[[Category:Indian biographical films]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Indian films based on plays]]
[[Category:Indian historical comedy films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tenali Rama]]

Tenali Raman (film) - Revision history

Leopoldo10S: Creating Some Bio W/ Refs...