Ramayanam, also known as Bala Ramayanam (transl. Child Ramayanam), is a 1997 Indian Telugu-language mythological film directed by Gunasekhar and produced by M. S. Reddy. Based on the Hindu epic Ramayana, the film features overs 3000 child actors. It stars N. T. Rama Rao Jr. as Lord Rama and Smitha Madhav as Sita.
Ramayanam | |
---|---|
Directed by | Gunasekhar |
Based on | Ramayanam by Valmiki |
Produced by | M. S. Reddy |
Dialogue by | M. V. S. Haranatha Rao |
Starring | N. T. Rama Rao Jr. Smitha Madhav |
Cinematography | Sekhar V. Joseph |
Edited by | B. B. Reddy |
Music by | Songs: Madhavapeddi Suresh Score: L. Vaidyanathan |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 144 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Telugu |
The film is released on 11 April 1997. It received the National Film Award for Best Children's Film and two Nandi Awards.[2]
Plot
editThe story deals with lord Rama and his retaliation against Ravana for the kidnapping of his wife goddesses Sita.
Cast
edit- N. T. Rama Rao Jr. as Rama
- Smitha Madhav as Sita
- Narayanam Nikhil as Lakshmana
- Swathi Kumar as Ravana
- Arun Gangadhar as Anjaneya
- Aanand Vardhan as Valmiki and Bala Anjaneya
- Aditya Varma as Dasharatha
- Chiranjeevi as Bharata
- Manisha Chudamani as Kausalya
- Vasundhara as Kaikeyi
- Suma as Sumitra
- Svetha Rao as Urmila
- Sunaina as Sabari
- Sudha Gummadi as Sudha
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by Madhavapeddi Suresh.
Songs:
- "Adi Subhodaya Vela" - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- "Virisi Viriyani Malliyalara" - K. S. Chithra
- "Sitaramula Kalyanam " - S. Janaki, Vani Jayaram
- "Ramayya Rajavutadanta" - Vani Jayaram, S.P. Sailaja
- "Purajanula Sambaramu" - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- "Entha Manchivadivayya" -Vani Jayaram
- "Andabayani Jantaga" - K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra
- "Budi Budi Adigulu"
- "Adigadigo Modalayindi" - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Poems:
- "Aa Surya Bhagavanudu" - B. Sai Karthikeya
- "Hari Hari Entha Maata"
- "Vande Sri Raghuvamsa"
- "Gaduvu Lopala"
- "Aagumaagumu Talli"
- "Nanu Talliga "
- "Dharma Samsthapanarthammu"
- "Poulastya Brahmaga" - B. Sai Karthikeya
- "Vinumo Raghava"
- "Ramayanammu" - Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna
Slokas:
- "Jata Kataha Sambhrama" (from Shiva Tandava Stotram)
- "Kausalya Supraja Rama" (from Suprabhatam/Valmiki Ramayana) - Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna
- "Sri Anjaneyam" (from Anjaneya Dandakam)
Production
editThe film's cast features over 3000 child actors.[2]
Critical response
editUpon release, the film received positive reviews from critics.[3] A critic from Andhra Today wrote that "The novelty of this movie is that all the characters in the movie are played by children. Director Gunasekhar, with just two movies to his credit, has vindicated the confidence reposed in him by the producer by this spectacular theatrical. He must have needed all his skills to create the visual extravaganza that the picture is made to be, with a story that has been told by many, many a time. He deserves kudos for his competent handling of the long story into a three-hour movie".[4]
Awards
editThe film received National Film Award for Best Children's Film in 1997 for "presenting the classical Indian epic in an entertaining narrative style with child actors playing all legendary characters with ease and nerve." Director Gunasekhar and producer M. S. Reddy were presented the award.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Ramayanam". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ a b "Veteran Telugu film producer MS Reddy dies". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 13 December 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ http://www.zaminryot.com/pdf/1997/Apr/18-Apr-1997.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Reviews". Archived from the original on 13 February 1998.
- ^ "45th National Film Festival 1998" (PDF). p. 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
External links
edit