Bhaktha Markandeya

Bhakta Markandeya is an Indian film based on Hinduism shot simultaneously in Tamil and Kannada languages by B. S. Ranga with a different supporting cast in each of the versions. Master Anand played the title role of Markandeya in both the versions. The film was released in 1957.

Plot
The theme of the story is the nullification of the powers of Yama (the God of Death) by Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva blesses sage Mrukanda Maharshi and his wife with a child. Their child, Markandeya, was given a lease of 16 years to live in this world. But the child worships Lord Shiva with unlimited Bhakthi (devotion). When he completes 16 years of age, Yama comes to take his life as appointed. Markandeya grips the Shivalinga and Lord Shiva appears before Yama and tells him not to take Markandeya's life, because he (Lord Shiva) has blessed the boy. So, Markandeya becomes an immortal. The moral of the story is that one who surrenders to God need not worry about death.

Tamil

 * Master Anand as Markandeya
 * V. Nagayya
 * Pushpavalli
 * K. A. Thangavelu
 * Babuji
 * Padmini Priyadarshini
 * Sairam
 * Balasaraswathi
 * Surya Kala
 * Lakshmikantham
 * R. Nagendra Rao
 * Sundaram

Kannada

 * Master Anand
 * R Nagendra Rao
 * T R Narasimha Raju
 * Dikki Madhava Rao
 * V. Nagayya
 * Comedian Guggu
 * H R Hanumantha Rao
 * K Pushpavalli
 * B Ramadevi
 * Raghuramaiah
 * Surya kala
 * Padmini Priyadarshini

Soundtrack
Tamil songs

Music was composed by the duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, while the lyrics were penned by A. Marthakasi. Singer is V. Nagayya. Playback singers are V. N. Sundaram, P. B. Sreenivas, S. C. Krishnan, Sivaraman, P. Leela, A. P. Komala, K. Jamuna Rani, T. Sathyavathi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, P. Susheela & R. Balasaraswathi Devi.

Kannada songs

The music was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy