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{{Other uses|Gunsundari (disambiguation){{!}}Gunsundari}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
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| caption        = Poster
| caption        = Poster
| director      = [[Kamalakara Kameswara Rao|K. Kameswara Rao]]
| director      = [[Kamalakara Kameswara Rao|K. Kameswara Rao]]
| producer      = [[B. N. Reddy]]<br />[[Aluri Chakrapani|A. Chakrapani]]
| writer        = [[Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass]] (dialogues)
| writer        = [[Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass]]
| story          = [[Pingali Nagendra Rao]]
| story          = [[Pingali Nagendra Rao]]
| producer      = [[B. N. Reddy]]<br />[[Chakrapani (filmmaker)|A. Chakrapani]]
| starring      = [[Gemini Ganesan]]<br />[[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]]
| starring      = [[Gemini Ganesan]]<br />[[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]]
| music          = [[Ghantasala (singer)|Ghantasala]]
| cinematography = [[Marcus Bartley]]
| cinematography = [[Marcus Bartley]]
| editing        = C. P. Jambulingam <br /> G. Kalyanasundaram
| editing        = C. P. Jambulingam <br /> G. Kalyanasundaram
| music          = [[Ghantasala (musician)|Ghantasala]]
| studio        = [[Vijaya Productions]]
| studio        = [[Vijaya Productions]]
| released      = {{film date|df=yes|1955|12|16}}
| released      = {{film date|df=yes|1955|12|16}}
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| language      = Tamil
| language      = Tamil
}}
}}
'''''Guna Sundari''''' or '''''Gunasundari''''' is a 1955 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language film starring Gemini Ganesan and [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]].<ref name=anandan>{{cite book | url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1955-cinedetails11.asp | title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru | publisher=Sivakami Publishers | author=Film News Anandan | authorlink=Film News Anandan | date= 23 October 2004 | location=Chennai | language=Tamil |trans-title=History of Landmark Tamil Films}}</ref>
'''''Guna Sundari''''' or '''''Gunasundari''''' is a 1955 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language film starring [[Gemini Ganesan]] and [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]].<ref name="lakshmansruthi">{{Cite web |title=1955 – குணசுந்தரி – விஜயா புரொடக்சன்ஸ்-குணசுந்தரி கதா(தெ) |trans-title=1955 – Guna Sundari – Vijaya Productions-Gunasundari Katha(te) |url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1955-cinedetails11.asp |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914153006/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1955-cinedetails11.asp |archive-date=14 September 2016 |access-date=6 September 2016 |website=[[Lakshman Sruthi]] |language=Tamil}}</ref> The film was a remake of the 1949 Telugu film ''[[Gunasundari Katha]]''. It was not successful at the box office.<ref name="Narasimham">{{Cite news |last=Narasimham |first=M. L. |date=29 September 2012 |title=Gunasundari Katha (1949) |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/gunasundari-katha-1949/article3948788.ece |url-status=live |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930115544/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/gunasundari-katha-1949/article3948788.ece |archive-date=30 September 2022}}</ref>


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
Ugra Senan is the king of Dhara Nagaram. He has three daughters, Rupasundari, Hemasundari and Gunasundari.
Ugra Senan is the king of Dhara Nagaram. He has three daughters, Rupasundari, Hemasundari, and Gunasundari.


Gunasundari is the youngest. Their mother dies when Gunasundari is born. Ugra Senan brings up the three girls with the utmost care. After the girls are grown up, one day during a chat between father and daughters, the two older daughters declare that the father is the most important person in a girl's life. However, Gunasundari differs from them and says that the husband is the most important person in a girl's life. Father Ugra Senan becomes displeased and angry at Gunasundari. He marries off the two older daughters to their cousins. But in order to teach Gunasundari a lesson, he marries her off to an aged pauper with a physical deformity.
Gunasundari is the youngest. Their mother dies when Gunasundari is born. Ugra Senan brings up the three girls with the utmost care. After the girls are grown up, one day during a chat between father and daughters, the two older daughters declare that the father is the most important person in a girl's life. However, Gunasundari differs from them and says that the husband is the most important person in a girl's life. Father Ugra Senan becomes displeased and angry at Gunasundari. He marries off the two older daughters to their cousins. But to teach Gunasundari a lesson, he marries her off to an aged pauper with a physical deformity.


After the wedding, the king learns that the pauper is actually a young prince but suffers from a curse. The king orders Gunasundari and her husband to leave his kingdom. They then live in a hut outside the kingdom.
After the wedding, the king learns that the pauper is actually a young prince but suffers from a curse. The king orders Gunasundari and her husband to leave his kingdom. They then live in a hut outside the kingdom.


The king become ill. The native physicians says his illness can be cured only with a rare gem called Mahendra Mani. Gunasundari's husband goes in search of the gem and succeeds in finding it. He is turned into a bear due to another curse. His two elder brothers-in-law rob the gem from him and give it to the king who is then cured.
The king becomes ill. The native physicians say his illness can be cured only with a rare gem called Mahendra Mani. Gunasundari's husband goes in search of the gem and succeeds in finding it. He is turned into a bear due to another curse. His two elder brothers-in-law rob the gem from him and give it to the king who is then cured.


Gunasundari prays to [[Shiva|Lord Shiva]] and [[Parvati]] regularly. Shiva and Parvati are pleased with her devotion and bless her and her husband. Relieved of his curses, Gunasundari's husband regains his handsome princely form.
Gunasundari prays to [[Shiva|Lord Shiva]] and [[Parvati]] regularly. Shiva and Parvati are pleased with her devotion and bless her and her husband. Relieved of his curses, Gunasundari's husband regains his handsome princely form.
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* ''Baby'' Sharada
* ''Baby'' Sharada
* ''Baby'' Jaya & Nirmala
* ''Baby'' Jaya & Nirmala
* ''Baby'' Uma & Komala<ref name=movie>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6SnVS3VDvs Gunasundari Movie]</ref>
* ''Baby'' Uma & Komala
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


== Production ==
== Production ==
[[B. N. Reddy]] and [[Aluri Chakrapani|A. Chakrapani]] produced the film under the banner [[Vijaya Productions]]. The film was made in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] with the title ''[[Gunasundari Katha]]''<ref name="anandan" /> with [[Sriranjani Jr.|Sriranjani]] and Kasturi Siva Rao in the lead roles. The Telugu film was released in 1949.<ref name="hindu">[http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/gunasundari-katha-1949/article3948788.ece Gunasundari Katha (1949)]</ref> The film is said to be inspired from Shakespeare's ''[[King Lear]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Baskaran|first1=S. Theodore|date=23 April 2016|title=Of monologues and melodrama|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/theodore-baskaran-on-shakespeareinspired-tamil-films/article8510087.ece}}</ref>
[[B. N. Reddy]] and [[Aluri Chakrapani|A. Chakrapani]] produced the film under the banner [[Vijaya Productions]]. The film was made in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] with the title ''[[Gunasundari Katha]]''<ref name="lakshmansruthi" /> with [[Sriranjani Jr.|Sriranjani]] and Kasturi Siva Rao. The Telugu film was released in 1949.<ref name="Narasimham" /> The film is said to be inspired by Shakespeare's ''[[King Lear]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baskaran |first=S. Theodore |author-link=S. Theodore Baskaran |date=23 April 2016 |title=Of monologues and melodrama |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/theodore-baskaran-on-shakespeareinspired-tamil-films/article8510087.ece |url-status=live |access-date=2 November 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181102080351/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/theodore-baskaran-on-shakespeareinspired-tamil-films/article8510087.ece |archive-date=2 November 2018}}</ref>


== Sound Track ==
== Soundtrack ==
Music was composed by [[Ghantasala (singer)|Ghantasala]] and lyrics for all songs were penned by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. [[Playback singer]]s are [[Ghantasala (singer)|Ghantasala]], [[A. M. Rajah]], S. C. Krishnan, [[Seerkazhi Govindarajan]], [[P. Leela]], [[Jikki]], [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]] & Kamala.
Music was composed by [[Ghantasala (singer)|Ghantasala]] and lyrics for all songs were penned by [[Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass]]. [[Playback singer]]s are [[Ghantasala (singer)|Ghantasala]], [[A. M. Rajah]], S. C. Krishnan, [[Seerkazhi Govindarajan]], [[P. Leela]], [[Jikki]], [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]] & Kamala.
 
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 100%;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCF" align="center"
| '''No.''' || '''Song''' || '''Singers''' || Lyrics || '''Length (m:ss)'''
|-
| 1 || {{youtube|FAhp1FXoux0|Ho Brahmadevane}} || Ghantasala || rowspan=18|Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass  || 02:56
|-
| 2 || {{youtube|fyooFOUxUS8|Ennaasai Kannaalane Arugil Vaadaa}} || [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]] || 01:28
|-
| 3 || {{youtube|WrBaRcjEeO0|Kalaiye Un Vizhikooda}} || [[A. M. Rajah]] || 02:32
|-
| 4 || {{youtube|ato3aOOz5Jo|Adhuve Edhiril Varuvathurkkulle Adadaa Nadadaa}} || S. C. Krishnan & [[Seerkazhi Govindarajan]] || 02:26
|-
| 5 || {{youtube|vlKhnGAkmmk|Jil Jil Jil Raani}} || [[Jikki]] || 02:34
|-
| 6 || {{youtube|NWlD2U2La70|Naan Seidha}} || A. M. Raja & P. Leela || 02:45
|-
| 7 || {{youtube|2BU00eGV8hs|Ammaiye Appaa Arutchelvame}} || Ghantasala & Kamala || 01:07
|-
| 8 || {{youtube|bxiHF2Magy8|Thaaragai Solaiyile Veniilaave}} || Jikki & [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]] || 03:09
|-
| 9 || {{youtube|spim27pSwdA|Karpanai Bavaaniye Karunaiyamudhe}} || P. Leela || 03:05
|-
| 10 || {{youtube|FQhhCsu3TN8|Araaro Aariraro.... Poojaa Balam Petra}} || Ghantasala || 01:03
|-
| 11 || {{youtube|guTCBxIeyaw|Theindhu Kolluveer Theindhu Kolluveer}} || S. C. Krishnan & [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]] || 02:38
|-
| 12 || {{youtube|r5UVGu4UMNE|Ubagaara Gunaanidhiyaai Uruvaanavale Maadhaa}} || P. Leela || 02:49
|-
| 13 || {{youtube|DUuvzoifda0|Indha Ulaga Naadaga Medaiyadaa}} || [[Ghantasala (singer)|Ghantasala]], S. C. Krishnan<br>& [[Seerkazhi Govindarajan]] || 03:25
|-
| 14 || {{youtube|I6EppmFdrGE|O Maadhaa Vaaraai Kurai Kelaai}} || P. Leela || 03:04
|-
| 15 || {{youtube|plPBGUZ1-b0|Aatthirame....Vidhiyaa idhu Sadhiyaa}} || Ghantasala || 02:24
|-
| 16 || {{youtube|Mlsc5RFZly4|Thoodhu Sellum Kogilam}} || Jikki & K. Rani || 02:55
|-
| 17 || {{youtube|Npjob5WVobY|Thiruvodu Enthidum Paradhesiyaam}} || P. Leela || 02:03
|}


== Box office ==
== Box office ==
This Tamil version Gunasundari was a flop. However, the Telugu version ''Gunasundari Katha'' was a success and remained a favourite of producer B. Nagi Reddy.<ref name=hindu />
''Gunasundari'' was a flop unlike the original.<ref name="Narasimham" />


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}
[[Category:1955 Indian films]]
[[Category:1955 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1955 films]]
[[Category:1955 films]]
[[Category:1950s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films about royalty]]
[[Category:Films based on King Lear]]
[[Category:Films directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ghantasala (musician)]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Films based on King Lear]]
[[Category:Tamil remakes of Telugu films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ghantasala]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Latest revision as of 10:35, 4 March 2026

Guna Sundari
File:Guna Sundari.jpg
Poster
Directed byK. Kameswara Rao
Produced byB. N. Reddy
A. Chakrapani
Written byThanjai N. Ramaiah Dass (dialogues)
Story byPingali Nagendra Rao
StarringGemini Ganesan
Savitri
Music byGhantasala
CinematographyMarcus Bartley
Edited byC. P. Jambulingam
G. Kalyanasundaram
Production
company
Release date
  • 16 December 1955 (1955-12-16)
Running time
15370 ft
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Guna Sundari or Gunasundari is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language film starring Gemini Ganesan and Savitri.[1] The film was a remake of the 1949 Telugu film Gunasundari Katha. It was not successful at the box office.[2]

Plot[edit | edit source]

Ugra Senan is the king of Dhara Nagaram. He has three daughters, Rupasundari, Hemasundari, and Gunasundari.

Gunasundari is the youngest. Their mother dies when Gunasundari is born. Ugra Senan brings up the three girls with the utmost care. After the girls are grown up, one day during a chat between father and daughters, the two older daughters declare that the father is the most important person in a girl's life. However, Gunasundari differs from them and says that the husband is the most important person in a girl's life. Father Ugra Senan becomes displeased and angry at Gunasundari. He marries off the two older daughters to their cousins. But to teach Gunasundari a lesson, he marries her off to an aged pauper with a physical deformity.

After the wedding, the king learns that the pauper is actually a young prince but suffers from a curse. The king orders Gunasundari and her husband to leave his kingdom. They then live in a hut outside the kingdom.

The king becomes ill. The native physicians say his illness can be cured only with a rare gem called Mahendra Mani. Gunasundari's husband goes in search of the gem and succeeds in finding it. He is turned into a bear due to another curse. His two elder brothers-in-law rob the gem from him and give it to the king who is then cured.

Gunasundari prays to Lord Shiva and Parvati regularly. Shiva and Parvati are pleased with her devotion and bless her and her husband. Relieved of his curses, Gunasundari's husband regains his handsome princely form.

The king learns the truth. He recalls Gunasundari and her husband back to the kingdom and crowns them King and Queen.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

B. N. Reddy and A. Chakrapani produced the film under the banner Vijaya Productions. The film was made in Telugu with the title Gunasundari Katha[1] with Sriranjani and Kasturi Siva Rao. The Telugu film was released in 1949.[2] The film is said to be inspired by Shakespeare's King Lear.[3]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Music was composed by Ghantasala and lyrics for all songs were penned by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. Playback singers are Ghantasala, A. M. Rajah, S. C. Krishnan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, P. Leela, Jikki, K. Rani & Kamala.

No. Song Singers Lyrics Length (m:ss)
1 Ho Brahmadevane on YouTube Ghantasala Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass 02:56
2 Ennaasai Kannaalane Arugil Vaadaa on YouTube K. Rani 01:28
3 Kalaiye Un Vizhikooda on YouTube A. M. Rajah 02:32
4 Adhuve Edhiril Varuvathurkkulle Adadaa Nadadaa on YouTube S. C. Krishnan & Seerkazhi Govindarajan 02:26
5 Jil Jil Jil Raani on YouTube Jikki 02:34
6 Naan Seidha on YouTube A. M. Raja & P. Leela 02:45
7 Ammaiye Appaa Arutchelvame on YouTube Ghantasala & Kamala 01:07
8 Thaaragai Solaiyile Veniilaave on YouTube Jikki & K. Rani 03:09
9 Karpanai Bavaaniye Karunaiyamudhe on YouTube P. Leela 03:05
10 Araaro Aariraro.... Poojaa Balam Petra on YouTube Ghantasala 01:03
11 Theindhu Kolluveer Theindhu Kolluveer on YouTube S. C. Krishnan & K. Rani 02:38
12 Ubagaara Gunaanidhiyaai Uruvaanavale Maadhaa on YouTube P. Leela 02:49
13 Indha Ulaga Naadaga Medaiyadaa on YouTube Ghantasala, S. C. Krishnan
& Seerkazhi Govindarajan
03:25
14 O Maadhaa Vaaraai Kurai Kelaai on YouTube P. Leela 03:04
15 Aatthirame....Vidhiyaa idhu Sadhiyaa on YouTube Ghantasala 02:24
16 Thoodhu Sellum Kogilam on YouTube Jikki & K. Rani 02:55
17 Thiruvodu Enthidum Paradhesiyaam on YouTube P. Leela 02:03

Box office[edit | edit source]

Gunasundari was a flop unlike the original.[2]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "1955 – குணசுந்தரி – விஜயா புரொடக்சன்ஸ்-குணசுந்தரி கதா(தெ)" [1955 – Guna Sundari – Vijaya Productions-Gunasundari Katha(te)]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Narasimham, M. L. (29 September 2012). "Gunasundari Katha (1949)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  3. Baskaran, S. Theodore (23 April 2016). "Of monologues and melodrama". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 November 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

External links[edit | edit source]