Dakshayagnam (1962 film)

Dakshayagnam is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced and directed by Kadaru Nagabhushanam under the Varalakshmi Pictures banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Devika, S. V. Ranga Rao with music composed by Saluri Hanumantha Rao. This was N. T. Rama Rao's 100th film which was also dubbed in Tamil with the same title.

Plot
The film begins with deities crowning Daksha as chieftain of the Prajapati 's, bestowing the most influential powers and a boon that no one will cross his words. After that, he is blessed with two sons and adopts 27 girls. Soon after, Mahadevi was born as his daughter Sati advert devotee of Siva who endears him as a spouse. Daksha performs his 27 daughters' nuptials with Chandra. He spends most of his time with Rohini and ignores the others. Being conscious of it enraged Daksha, who curses Chandra to die out of T.B. Chandra prays to Siva, who defends him. Thus, war erupts between Daksha & Siva, pacified by Vishnu by dividing Chandra into two. However, Daksha maintains his grudge against Siva. During this, he is aware of Sati's love affair, so he seeks her alliance, but Sati splices Siva against her father's wish. Infuriated, Daksha decides to disgrace Siva by failing to give a share in a sacrifice. Sati uninvitedly visits the function, ignoring her husband's advice, where Daksha mortifies her. As a result, she immolated herself in the sacrificial fire. Hearing it, Siva makes a ferocious dance, Rudra Thandavam, and wakes Veerabhadra from his hair, destroying the sacrifice and decapitating Daksha. At last, in the prayers of Daksha's wife, Varina, Siva forgives Daksha and brings him back to life, giving him a goat's head instead of his own. Finally, the place where Siva blessed Daksha is adored as Daksharamam near Rajahmundry to this day.

Cast

 * N. T. Rama Rao as Shiva
 * Devika as Sati Devi
 * S. V. Ranga Rao as Daksha
 * Kannamba as Vairini
 * V. Nagayya as Dadhichi Maharshi
 * Rajanala as Indra
 * Ramakrishna as Chandra
 * Mikkilineni as Lord Brahma
 * Padmanabham as Daksha's Younger son
 * Suri Babu as Nandi
 * Raghuramaiah as Narada Maharshi
 * Balakrishna as Daksha's Elder son
 * Dr. Sivaramakrishnaiah
 * Rajasree as Rohini
 * Chayadevi
 * Meena Kumari
 * Vasanthi
 * Ambika Sukumaran as Urvashi

Soundtrack
Music composed by Saluri Hanumantha Rao. Lyrics were written by Aarudhra.