Sarangadhara (1957 film)

Sarangadhara is a 1957 Indian Telugu-language historical drama film, produced by T. Namadeva Reddy, directed by V. S. Raghavan and K. S. Ramachandra Rao. It stars P. Bhanumathi and N. T. Rama Rao with music composed by Ghantasala. The film is based on the epic of the same name by Gurajada Apparao.

Plot
The film begins at Raja Mahendravaram, ruled by Rajaraja Narendra, who resides with his Queen Ratnangi and son Sarangadhara. He has two ministers: Singanna, a good Samaritan, and Ganganna, a diabolic. Sarangadhara turns jack of all trades with ethical & royal moralities at Nannayya Bhattu. During that time, riots arose when Rajaraja suspects Rangaraju, the ruler of Rangaseema. Ergo sends Sarangadhara as an emissary with his besties Singanna & Mandavya. Amid, he is acquainted with Chitrangi, the daughter of Rangaraju, who endears him at first sight. Following, Sarangadhara tackles the rift and backs. Rajaraja is on a quest to find the bride in Sarangadhara and selects Chitrangi. Being conscious of it, Chitrangi is on cloud nine, but Sarangadhara rejects it as he is already in a crush with Kanakangi, the daughter of a satrap. Exploiting it, Ganganna artifices by the tainting spirit of Rajaraja and lures him to knit Chitrangi. Hence, they perform the nuptial with his sword with deceit, and then fact appears.

Currently, Chitrangi is infuriated and seeks vengeance before proceeding to Raja Mahendravaram. At this, Rajaraja constructs a palace for her when she backs off Rajaraja on the pretext of a vow and waits for the shot to allure Sarangadhara. Parallelly, Rajaraja moves to hunt when Chitrangi knows Sarangadhara is fond of pigeon play. So, she steals one of the pigeons when Sarangadhara starts the game and attracts it, for which he enters her palace. Next, Chitrangi divulges the actuality and expresses her love, which he denies and quits when he forgets the knife & shoes. Meanwhile, Rajaraja returns when Chitrangi imputes Sarangadhara as an imposter who molests her. Moreover, his shoes & knife affirm her assumption when Rajaraja edicts to amputate Sarangadhara. However, Subuddhi & Mandavya make Sarangadhara guilt-free. By the time it is too late, Chitrangi also lands therein, charges Rajaraja for sinful actions, and commits suicide. During that plight, Siva appears as a sage and gives rebirth to Sarangadhara. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the crowning & marriage ceremony of Saranagadhara, and the place is adored as "Sarangadhareswara temple" at Rajahmundry till today.

Cast

 * P. Bhanumathi as Chitrangi Devi
 * N. T. Rama Rao as Sarangadhara
 * S. V. Ranga Rao as Rajaraja Narendra Chalukya
 * Relangi as Mandavya
 * Gummadi as Mahamantri Singanna
 * Mikkilineni as Nannaya Bhattaraka
 * Mukkamala as Ganganna
 * Chalam as Subuddhi
 * Santha Kumari as Ratnangi Devi
 * Rajasulochana as Kanakangi
 * Surabhi Balasaraswati as Malathi

Soundtrack
Music composed by Ghantasala. Lyrics written by Samudrala Sr. Music released on H. M. V. Audio Company.