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'''''School Master''''' is a 1958 Indian [[Kannada language]] film, produced and directed by [[B. R. Panthulu]]. The film starred B.R. Panthulu himself in the lead role along with [[Dikki Madhava Rao]], [[M. V. Rajamma]], [[Udaykumar]], [[Sivaji Ganesan]], [[Gemini Ganesan]] and [[B. Saroja Devi]] in important roles. It was the first Kannada film to complete a [[Silver jubilee#South Asian film terminology|Silver Jubilee Celebration]]. This film had its children's dance drama in [[Gevacolor]], taken by cinematographer W. R. Subba Rao. It was later remade in  [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Malayalam]] and [[Hindi]] in spite of it being dubbed in Tamil and Telugu as ''Engal Kudumbam Perisu'' and ''Badi Pantulu'', respectively.
'''''School Master''''' is a 1958 Indian [[Kannada]]-language film produced and directed by [[B. R. Panthulu]]. The film stars Panthulu himself in the lead role along with [[Dikki Madhava Rao]], [[M. V. Rajamma]], [[Udaykumar]], [[Sivaji Ganesan]], [[Gemini Ganesan]] and [[B. Saroja Devi]] in key roles. This was the first Kannada film to complete a [[Silver jubilee#South Asian film terminology|silver jubilee]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 October 2018 |title=Kannada films for all time |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/kannada-films-for-all-time-700916.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907163654/https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/metrolife/metrolife-your-bond-with-bengaluru/kannada-films-for-all-time-700916.html |archive-date=7 September 2022 |access-date=7 September 2022 |website=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-06 |title=From School Master to Om: Kannada movies that have unique 'first film ever' tag attached to it |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/kannada/article/from-school-master-to-om-kannada-movies-that-have-unique-first-film-ever-tag-attached-to-it/741467 |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=[[Times Now]] |language=en |archive-date=12 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212232936/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/kannada/article/from-school-master-to-om-kannada-movies-that-have-unique-first-film-ever-tag-attached-to-it/741467 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film features a children's dance drama in [[Gevacolor]], filmed by cinematographer W. R. Subba Rao. It was later remade in  [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Malayalam]] and [[Hindi]] in spite of it being dubbed in Tamil and Telugu as ''Engal Kudumbam Perisu'' ({{Translation|Our family is big}})<!-- https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP372-9-14-37 --> and ''Badi Pantulu'' respectively.


In 1959, ALS Productions remade it in Hindi as ''[[School Master (1959 film)|School Master]]'' which was also directed by Panthulu. The movie was remade in Malayalam in 1964 as ''[[School Master (1964 film)|School Master]]'' by [[Puttanna Kanagal]] , in Telugu in 1972 as ''[[Badi Panthulu]]'' and in Tamil in 1973 as ''[[School Master (1973 film)|School Master]]''.
In 1959, ALS Productions remade it in Hindi as ''[[School Master (1959 film)|School Master]]'' which was also directed by Panthulu. The film was remade in Malayalam in 1964 as ''[[School Master (1964 film)|School Master]]'' by [[Puttanna Kanagal]], in Telugu in 1972 as ''[[Badi Panthulu]]'' and in Tamil in 1973 as ''[[School Master (1973 film)|School Master]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ಅತೀ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಭಾಷೆಗೆ 'ರಿಮೇಕ್‌' ಆದ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ! |url=https://vijaykarnataka.com/entertainment/news/these-are-the-top-five-kannada-movies-remakes-in-many-languages/articleshow/74894620.cms?story=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117155410/https://vijaykarnataka.com/entertainment/news/these-are-the-top-five-kannada-movies-remakes-in-many-languages/articleshow/74894620.cms?story=2 |archive-date=17 November 2022 |access-date=17 November 2022 |website=Vijay Karnataka |language=Kannada}}</ref>


It was the first Kannada movie to be remade in four languages and also the first Kannada movie to be remade in three other South Indian languages.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 April 2020 |title=From 'School Master' to 'U Turn': A look at Kannada films remade in other Indian languages |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/from-school-master-to-u-turn-a-look-at-kannada-films-remade-in-other-indian-languages/articleshow/75161463.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030064513/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/from-school-master-to-u-turn-a-look-at-kannada-films-remade-in-other-indian-languages/articleshow/75161463.cms |archive-date=30 October 2020 |access-date=30 August 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The movie is based on 1937 English movie ''[[Make Way for Tomorrow]]'' <ref>{{Cite web |last=Biradar |first=Basav |date=22 April 2020 |title=Roopa Rao's Gantumoote: Is This The Dawn Of A New Era In Kannada Cinema? |url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/EBT7Y |access-date=15 March 2022 |website=[[Film Companion]]}}</ref> which has been adapted multiple times including in Japanese as ''[[Tokyo Story]]'' (1953), in Marathi as ''Oon Paus'' (1954), in Tamil as ''[[Varavu Nalla Uravu]]'' (1990), in [[Pakistan]]i as ''Samaj'' (1972) and twice in Hindi as ''[[Zindagi (1976 film)|Zindagi]]'' (1976) and ''[[Baghban (2003 film)|Baghban]]'' (2003).<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 December 2007 |title=E Bandhana review. E Bandhana Tamil movie review, story, rating |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/e-bandhana-review-tamil-movie-9315 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206132426/https://www.indiaglitz.com/e-bandhana-review-tamil-movie-9315 |archive-date=6 February 2022 |access-date=6 February 2022 |website=IndiaGlitz}}</ref>
''School Master'' was the first Kannada film to be remade in four languages and also the first Kannada film to be remade in three other South Indian languages.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 April 2020 |title=From 'School Master' to 'U Turn': A look at Kannada films remade in other Indian languages |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/from-school-master-to-u-turn-a-look-at-kannada-films-remade-in-other-indian-languages/articleshow/75161463.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030064513/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/from-school-master-to-u-turn-a-look-at-kannada-films-remade-in-other-indian-languages/articleshow/75161463.cms |archive-date=30 October 2020 |access-date=30 August 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The movie is based on 1937 English movie ''[[Make Way for Tomorrow]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Biradar |first=Basav |date=22 April 2020 |title=Roopa Rao's Gantumoote: Is This The Dawn Of A New Era In Kannada Cinema? |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/kannada-features/roopa-raos-gantumoote-is-this-the-dawn-of-a-new-era-in-kannada-cinema/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818095654/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/kannada-features/roopa-raos-gantumoote-is-this-the-dawn-of-a-new-era-in-kannada-cinema/ |archive-date=18 August 2020 |access-date=30 July 2020 |website=[[Film Companion]]}}</ref> which has been adapted multiple times including in Japanese as ''[[Tokyo Story]]'' (1953), in Marathi as ''Oon Paus'' (1954), in Tamil as ''[[Varavu Nalla Uravu]]'' (1990), in [[Urdu]] as ''Samaj'' (1972) and twice in Hindi as ''[[Zindagi (1976 film)|Zindagi]]'' (1976) and ''[[Baghban (2003 film)|Baghban]]'' (2003).<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 December 2007 |title=E Bandhana Review |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/e-bandhana-review-tamil-movie-9315 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206132426/https://www.indiaglitz.com/e-bandhana-review-tamil-movie-9315 |archive-date=6 February 2022 |access-date=6 February 2022 |website=IndiaGlitz}}</ref>


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
{{Plot|date=April 2021}}
Ranganna is a newly appointed headmaster in a government-run village primary school, where he admits his children. Gundappa is a peon at the school. A disciplinarian, Ranganna lives with his three children and wife, Seetha. His elder son Gopi gets into fight with a troublesome student, Vasu. Although Vasu is punished, his innate goodness wins over his teacher and he is given special attention to become a better student.
The story revolves mostly around the producer/director B. R. Panthulu who plays the role of school master, and his wife. Uncommonly for Balkrishna, he plays a positive role in the film. Bustling actor Narasimharaju is also present.


A humble school teacher with his two sons and a daughter arrives at a new place. He finds that the school building is in bad shape and his staff are not motivated to teach. He is a strict disciplinarian, which is shown in a humorous way.
Nagappa, the corrupt chairperson of the village [[Panchayati raj|panchayat]] frequently clashes with the honest Ranganna and the district authorities. After Ranganna refuses to campaign for him in the upcoming elections, Nagappa retaliates by burning down Ranganna's house. However, Ranganna's young students, led by Vasu, build a house for their teacher. Ranganna's efforts to convert the primary school into a [[Secondary school|high school]] are temporarily stalled when Nagappa steals the funds meant for the project and pins the blame on Ranganna. Nagappa is eventually caught and sentenced to seven years in prison.


His elder son gets into fight with a ruffian student, Vaasu. Vaasu is punished, but his innate goodness wins over his teacher. He is given special care, to become a good student.
Years later, Vasu tops his [[matriculation]] exams. Ranganna's sons marry — Gopi to Radha, Nagappa's daughter, and Ravikumar to Geetha, much against the parents' wishes. However, the parents accept these unions. Their daughter, Gowri, marries a simple businessman, Puttanna. Upon Ranganna's retirement, his sons are reluctant to take in their parents. With no savings of his own, Ranganna must rely on them to support his retired life.Gopi takes his father, while Ravikumar takes their mother. As a result, Ranganna is separated from his wife.


The teacher has to fight against village politics, when he wishes to build a new building to the school. Undeterred, he motivates his students and villages to amass enough funds to build it.
Over time, Ranganna’s eyesight deteriorates, and he is unable to even read his wife's letters because his son refuses to provide him with spectacles. Both Ranganna and his wife are mistreated by their daughters-in-law, prompting them to leave their sons’ homes.


However, henchmen in the village burn down his house. His pet student Vaasu gathers all his friends and builds a small house for his teacher.
Meanwhile, Ranganna’s house, built by his students, is put up for auction. Vasu, now a  [[Superintendent of Police]], happens to pass by and notices the auction. In the climax, he buys the house and hands it over to Ranganna and Seetha, who have now been reunited. Ranganna is overwhelmed with emotion as he sees his once troublesome student has transformed into a role model. His journey as a teacher has come full circle, ending on a note of satisfaction.


Years pass and Vaasu tops his matriculation exams.
== Cast ==
 
{{cast listing|
The teacher's sons get married, much against the wishes of their parents, but the teacher takes it in his stride. Their beautiful daughter is married to a simpleton business man.
* [[B. R. Panthulu]] as Ranganna
 
* [[Dikki Madhava Rao]] as Nagappa
When the teacher retires, his sons are averse to take their parents. With no savings of his own, the teacher has to rely on his sons to lead a retired life. The elder son takes his father, while the younger one takes his mother. The teacher is thus separated from his wife.
* [[M. V. Rajamma]] as Seetha
 
* [[Udaykumar]] as Ravikumar
Things take such a bad turn, that teacher cannot even read his wife's letter, because his sons will not provide him with spectacles.
* [[Sowcar Janaki]] as Geetha
 
* [[T. N. Balakrishna]] as Gundappa
In the climax, the teacher's erstwhile house, which was painfully constructed by his students, has to be auctioned off. Vaasu ([[Sivaji Ganeshan]]), now the Superintendent of Police, happens to pass by in the car and notices the auction. Distraught with pain, he confides to his wife, this is the very house, he built with his fellow students for the teacher, who led him to the garden path. He is overcome by emotions, on seeing the auction. Vaasu's wife immediately removes all her jewellery and urges Vaasu to use them to stop the auction and pay the bank. Vaasu is filled with joy and does so.
* [[B. Saroja Devi]] as Radha
 
* [[Narasimharaju (Kannada actor)|Narasimharaju]] as Puttanna
The teacher is filled with happiness on seeing his once ruffian student becoming a role model. His journey of being a teacher has met a satisfactory end.
* [[Sivaji Ganesan]] as Vasu
* Soorya Kumar as Gopi
* S. Vimala
* Annapoornamma
* Lakshmi as Padma (credited as Baby Lakshmi)
* Kusumalatha
* [[Gemini Ganesan]]
}}


== Soundtrack ==
== Soundtrack ==
Line 54: Line 60:


=== Kannada version ===
=== Kannada version ===
''School Master''
[[Playback singer]]s are [[A. M. Rajah]], [[T. G. Lingappa]], [[Pithapuram Nageswara Rao]], [[Soolamangalam Sisters|Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi]], [[P. Susheela]], [[A. P. Komala]], [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]] and [[K. Jamuna Rani]].
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! No. !! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length (m:ss)
! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length (m:ss)
|-
|-
| 1 || "Ati Madhuraa Anu Raaga" || A. M. Rajah & K. Jamuna Rani || || 03:27
| "Ati Madhuraa Anu Raaga" || [[A. M. Rajah]] & [[K. Jamuna Rani]]|| || 03:27
|-
|-
| 2 || "Ellaru Nammavare" || A. P. Komala || || 03:06
| "Ellaru Nammavare" || [[A. P. Komala]]|| || 03:06
|-
|-
| 3 || "Raadhaa Maadhava Vinodha Haasa"  || T. G. Lingappa & P. Susheela || || 03:12
| "Raadhaa Maadhava Vinodha Haasa"  || [[T. G. Lingappa]] & [[P. Susheela]]|| || 03:12
|-
|-
| 4 || "Innenu Aananda" || Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || || 03:02
| "Innenu Aananda" || Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || || 03:02
|-
|-
| 5 || "Swami Devane Loka Paalane" || T. G. Lingappa, A. P. Komala & K. Rani || || 02:39
| "Swami Devane Loka Paalane" || [[T. G. Lingappa]], A. P. Komala & [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]]|| || 02:39
|-
|-
| 6 || "Bannirai Bannirai"  || A. P. Komala & K. Rani || || 02:58
| "Bannirai Bannirai"  || A. P. Komala & K. Rani || || 02:58
|-
|-
| 7 || "Naanu Neenu Jodi" || Pithapuram Nageswara Rao & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || || 03:23
| "Naanu Neenu Jodi" || [[Pithapuram Nageswara Rao]] & [[Soolamangalam Sisters|Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi]]|| || 03:23
|-
|-
| 8 || "Bhaameya Nodalu"  || Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || || 03:12
| "Bhaameya Nodalu"  || Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || || 03:12
|-
|-
| 9 || "Sompaada Sanjevele"  || T. G. Lingappa & P. Susheela || || 03:27
| "Sompaada Sanjevele"  || T. G. Lingappa & P. Susheela || || 03:27
|-
|-
| 10 || ""  || A. P. Komala & K. Rani ||  || 06:48
| ""  || A. P. Komala & K. Rani ||  || 06:48
|}
|}


=== Tamil version ===
=== Tamil version ===
The Tamil version is titled ''Engal Kudumbam Perisu''. Lyrics were by [[K. D. Santhanam]], Ku. Sa. Krishnamoorthy and [[Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam]]. [[Playback singer]]s were [[T. M. Soundararajan]], [[A. M. Rajah]], [[T. G. Lingappa]], S. C. Krishnan, [[Soolamangalam Sisters|Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi]], [[P. Suseela]], [[A. P. Komala]], [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]] and [[K. Jamuna Rani]].
The Tamil version is titled ''Engal Kudumbam Perisu''.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! No. !! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length (m:ss)
! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length (m:ss)
|-
|-
| 1 || "Adhi Madhuraa Anu Raaga" || A. M. Rajah & K. Jamuna Rani || K. D. Santhanam || 03:27
| "Adhi Madhuraa Anu Raaga" || [[A. M. Rajah]] & [[K. Jamuna Rani]]|| [[K. D. Santhanam]]|| 03:27
|-
|-
| 2 || "Ellaarum Nammavare"  || A. P. Komala || Ku. Saa. Krishnamurthi || 03:06
| "Ellaarum Nammavare"  || [[A. P. Komala]]|| Ku. Saa. Krishnamurthi || 03:06
|-
|-
| 3 || "Raadhaa Maadhava Vinodha Raaja" || T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela || Ku. Saa. Krishnamurthi || 03:12
| "Raadhaa Maadhava Vinodha Raaja" || [[T. M. Soundararajan]] & [[P. Susheela]]|| Ku. Saa. Krishnamurthi || 03:12
|-
|-
| 4 || "Ennaalum Kaanaadha Aanandhame"  || Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam || 03:02
| "Ennaalum Kaanaadha Aanandhame"  || [[Soolamangalam Sisters|Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi]]|| [[Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam]]|| 03:02
|-
|-
| 5 || "Somasekara Loga Paalane"  || T. G. Lingappa, A. P. Komala & K. Rani || K. D. Santhanam || 02:39
| "Somasekara Loga Paalane"  || [[T. G. Lingappa]], A. P. Komala & [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]]|| K. D. Santhanam || 02:39
|-
|-
| 6 || "Varugave Varugave Guru Sevaiye"  || A. P. Komala & K. Rani || K. D. Santhanam || 02:58
| "Varugave Varugave Guru Sevaiye"  || A. P. Komala & K. Rani || K. D. Santhanam || 02:58
|-
|-
| 7 || "Naanum Neeyum Jodi"  || S. C. Krishnan & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || K. D. Santhanam || 03:23
| "Naanum Neeyum Jodi"  || [[S. C. Krishnan]] & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || K. D. Santhanam || 03:23
|-
|-
| 8 || " "  || Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || || 03:12
| " "  || Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || || 03:12
|-
|-
| 9 || "Sugamaana Andhi Velai" || T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela || Ku. Saa. Krishnamurthi || 02:42
| "Sugamaana Andhi Velai" || T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela || Ku. Saa. Krishnamurthi || 02:42
|-
|-
| 10 || "Aahaa En Jaanakiyai"  || A. P. Komala & K. Rani || K. D. Santhanam || 06:48
| "Aahaa En Jaanakiyai"  || A. P. Komala & K. Rani || K. D. Santhanam || 06:48
|}
|}


=== Telugu version ===
=== Telugu version ===
The Telugu version is titled ''[[Badi Pantulu (1958 film)|Badi Pantulu]]''.  [[Playback singer]]s were [[P. B. Sreenivas]], [[A. M. Rajah]], [[T. G. Lingappa]], [[Pithapuram Nageswara Rao]], [[Soolamangalam Sisters|Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi]], [[P. Susheela]], [[A. P. Komala]], [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]] and [[K. Jamuna Rani]].
The Telugu version is titled ''Badi Pantulu''.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! No. !! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length (m:ss)
! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length
|-
|-
| 1 || "Atimadhuram Anuraagam" || A. M. Rajah & K. Jamuna Rani || || 03:27
| "Atimadhuram Anuraagam" || [[A. M. Rajah]] & [[K. Jamuna Rani]]|| || 03:27
|-
|-
| 2 || "Rampaana Vadenaa" || A. P. Komala || || 03:06
| "Rampaana Vadenaa" || [[A. P. Komala]]|| || 03:06
|-
|-
| 3 || "Radhaa Madhava Vinodaleela" || P. B. Sreenivas & P. Susheela || || 03:12
| "Radhaa Madhava Vinodaleela" || [[P. B. Sreenivas]] & [[P. Susheela]]|| || 03:12
|-
|-
| 4 || "Jaagela Ananda Mandeeyaraa" || Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || || 03:02
| "Jaagela Ananda Mandeeyaraa" || [[Soolamangalam Sisters|Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi]]|| || 03:02
|-
|-
| 5 || "Kshemasaagaraa Lokapaalanaa" || T. G. Lingappa, A. P. Komala & K. Rani || || 02:39
| "Kshemasaagaraa Lokapaalanaa" || [[T. G. Lingappa]], A. P. Komala & [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]]|| || 02:39
|-
|-
| 6 || "Padamdoy Padamdoy Padamdoy" || A. P. Komala & K. Rani || || 02:58
| "Padamdoy Padamdoy Padamdoy" || A. P. Komala & K. Rani || || 02:58
|-
|-
| 7 || "Neevu Nenu Jodu Ee Eddula Sakketa Choodu" || Pithapuram Nageswara Rao & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || || 03:23
| "Neevu Nenu Jodu Ee Eddula Sakketa Choodu" || [[Pithapuram Nageswara Rao]] & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || || 03:23
|-
|-
| 8 || "Bhaamanu Jerava Gopaalaa" || Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || || 03:12
| "Bhaamanu Jerava Gopaalaa" || Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi || || 03:12
|-
|-
| 9 || "Undaali Sampaadana Jagati" || P. B. Sreenivas & P. Susheela || || 02:42
| "Undaali Sampaadana Jagati" || P. B. Sreenivas & P. Susheela || || 02:42
|-
|-
| 10 || ""  || A. P. Komala & K. Rani ||  || 06:48
| ""  || A. P. Komala & K. Rani ||  || 06:48
|}
|}


Line 150: Line 153:
{{National Film Award Best Feature Film Kannada}}
{{National Film Award Best Feature Film Kannada}}


[[Category:1958 Indian films]]
[[Category:1950s Kannada-language films]]
[[Category:1950s Kannada-language films]]
[[Category:1958 films]]
[[Category:1958 films]]
Line 155: Line 159:
[[Category:Films directed by B. R. Panthulu]]
[[Category:Films directed by B. R. Panthulu]]
[[Category:Films scored by T. G. Lingappa]]
[[Category:Films scored by T. G. Lingappa]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Kannada films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Kannada films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Third Best Feature Film National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Third Best Feature Film National Film Award winners]]

Latest revision as of 09:44, 29 December 2025

School Master
Poster
Directed byB. R. Panthulu
Produced byB. R. Panthulu
Starring
Music byT. G. Lingappa
CinematographyW. R. Subba Rao
Karnan
Edited byR. Devarajan
Distributed byPadmini Pictures
Release date
  • 31 January 1958 (1958-01-31)
Running time
164 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

School Master is a 1958 Indian Kannada-language film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars Panthulu himself in the lead role along with Dikki Madhava Rao, M. V. Rajamma, Udaykumar, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi in key roles. This was the first Kannada film to complete a silver jubilee.[1][2] The film features a children's dance drama in Gevacolor, filmed by cinematographer W. R. Subba Rao. It was later remade in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi in spite of it being dubbed in Tamil and Telugu as Engal Kudumbam Perisu (transl. Our family is big) and Badi Pantulu respectively.

In 1959, ALS Productions remade it in Hindi as School Master which was also directed by Panthulu. The film was remade in Malayalam in 1964 as School Master by Puttanna Kanagal, in Telugu in 1972 as Badi Panthulu and in Tamil in 1973 as School Master.[3]

School Master was the first Kannada film to be remade in four languages and also the first Kannada film to be remade in three other South Indian languages.[4] The movie is based on 1937 English movie Make Way for Tomorrow[5] which has been adapted multiple times including in Japanese as Tokyo Story (1953), in Marathi as Oon Paus (1954), in Tamil as Varavu Nalla Uravu (1990), in Urdu as Samaj (1972) and twice in Hindi as Zindagi (1976) and Baghban (2003).[6]

Plot[edit | edit source]

Ranganna is a newly appointed headmaster in a government-run village primary school, where he admits his children. Gundappa is a peon at the school. A disciplinarian, Ranganna lives with his three children and wife, Seetha. His elder son Gopi gets into fight with a troublesome student, Vasu. Although Vasu is punished, his innate goodness wins over his teacher and he is given special attention to become a better student.

Nagappa, the corrupt chairperson of the village panchayat frequently clashes with the honest Ranganna and the district authorities. After Ranganna refuses to campaign for him in the upcoming elections, Nagappa retaliates by burning down Ranganna's house. However, Ranganna's young students, led by Vasu, build a house for their teacher. Ranganna's efforts to convert the primary school into a high school are temporarily stalled when Nagappa steals the funds meant for the project and pins the blame on Ranganna. Nagappa is eventually caught and sentenced to seven years in prison.

Years later, Vasu tops his matriculation exams. Ranganna's sons marry — Gopi to Radha, Nagappa's daughter, and Ravikumar to Geetha, much against the parents' wishes. However, the parents accept these unions. Their daughter, Gowri, marries a simple businessman, Puttanna. Upon Ranganna's retirement, his sons are reluctant to take in their parents. With no savings of his own, Ranganna must rely on them to support his retired life.Gopi takes his father, while Ravikumar takes their mother. As a result, Ranganna is separated from his wife.

Over time, Ranganna’s eyesight deteriorates, and he is unable to even read his wife's letters because his son refuses to provide him with spectacles. Both Ranganna and his wife are mistreated by their daughters-in-law, prompting them to leave their sons’ homes.

Meanwhile, Ranganna’s house, built by his students, is put up for auction. Vasu, now a Superintendent of Police, happens to pass by and notices the auction. In the climax, he buys the house and hands it over to Ranganna and Seetha, who have now been reunited. Ranganna is overwhelmed with emotion as he sees his once troublesome student has transformed into a role model. His journey as a teacher has come full circle, ending on a note of satisfaction.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

The film's score was composed by T. G. Lingappa.

Kannada version[edit | edit source]

Song Singers Lyrics Length (m:ss)
"Ati Madhuraa Anu Raaga" A. M. Rajah & K. Jamuna Rani 03:27
"Ellaru Nammavare" A. P. Komala 03:06
"Raadhaa Maadhava Vinodha Haasa" T. G. Lingappa & P. Susheela 03:12
"Innenu Aananda" Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 03:02
"Swami Devane Loka Paalane" T. G. Lingappa, A. P. Komala & K. Rani 02:39
"Bannirai Bannirai" A. P. Komala & K. Rani 02:58
"Naanu Neenu Jodi" Pithapuram Nageswara Rao & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 03:23
"Bhaameya Nodalu" Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 03:12
"Sompaada Sanjevele" T. G. Lingappa & P. Susheela 03:27
"" A. P. Komala & K. Rani 06:48

Tamil version[edit | edit source]

The Tamil version is titled Engal Kudumbam Perisu.

Song Singers Lyrics Length (m:ss)
"Adhi Madhuraa Anu Raaga" A. M. Rajah & K. Jamuna Rani K. D. Santhanam 03:27
"Ellaarum Nammavare" A. P. Komala Ku. Saa. Krishnamurthi 03:06
"Raadhaa Maadhava Vinodha Raaja" T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela Ku. Saa. Krishnamurthi 03:12
"Ennaalum Kaanaadha Aanandhame" Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam 03:02
"Somasekara Loga Paalane" T. G. Lingappa, A. P. Komala & K. Rani K. D. Santhanam 02:39
"Varugave Varugave Guru Sevaiye" A. P. Komala & K. Rani K. D. Santhanam 02:58
"Naanum Neeyum Jodi" S. C. Krishnan & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi K. D. Santhanam 03:23
" " Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 03:12
"Sugamaana Andhi Velai" T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela Ku. Saa. Krishnamurthi 02:42
"Aahaa En Jaanakiyai" A. P. Komala & K. Rani K. D. Santhanam 06:48

Telugu version[edit | edit source]

The Telugu version is titled Badi Pantulu.

Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Atimadhuram Anuraagam" A. M. Rajah & K. Jamuna Rani 03:27
"Rampaana Vadenaa" A. P. Komala 03:06
"Radhaa Madhava Vinodaleela" P. B. Sreenivas & P. Susheela 03:12
"Jaagela Ananda Mandeeyaraa" Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 03:02
"Kshemasaagaraa Lokapaalanaa" T. G. Lingappa, A. P. Komala & K. Rani 02:39
"Padamdoy Padamdoy Padamdoy" A. P. Komala & K. Rani 02:58
"Neevu Nenu Jodu Ee Eddula Sakketa Choodu" Pithapuram Nageswara Rao & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 03:23
"Bhaamanu Jerava Gopaalaa" Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 03:12
"Undaali Sampaadana Jagati" P. B. Sreenivas & P. Susheela 02:42
"" A. P. Komala & K. Rani 06:48

Awards[edit | edit source]

National Film Awards[7]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Kannada films for all time". Deccan Herald. 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  2. ↑ "From School Master to Om: Kannada movies that have unique 'first film ever' tag attached to it". Times Now. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  3. ↑ "ಅತೀ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಭಾಷೆಗೆ 'ರಿಮೇಕ್‌' ಆದ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ!". Vijay Karnataka (in Kannada). Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  4. ↑ "From 'School Master' to 'U Turn': A look at Kannada films remade in other Indian languages". The Times of India. 15 April 2020. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  5. ↑ Biradar, Basav (22 April 2020). "Roopa Rao's Gantumoote: Is This The Dawn Of A New Era In Kannada Cinema?". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  6. ↑ "E Bandhana Review". IndiaGlitz. 22 December 2007. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  7. ↑ "State Awards for Films". International Film Festival of India. 28 April 1959. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2011.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:National Film Award Third Best Feature Film

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