Shakuntala (1966 film)
Shakuntala is a 1966 Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced by Lakshmi Rajyam and Sridhar Rao under the Rajyam Productions banner and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao.[1][2] It stars N. T. Rama Rao, B. Saroja Devi , and music composed by Ghantasala.
| Shakuntala | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao |
| Produced by | Lakshmi Rajyam Sridhar Rao |
| Written by | Samudrala Sr (dialogues) |
| Based on | Life of Shakuntala |
| Starring | N. T. Rama Rao B. Saroja Devi |
| Music by | Ghantasala |
| Cinematography | M. A. Rehman |
| Edited by | Veerappa |
Production company | Rajyam Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 162 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Plot
The film begins with Saint Visheamitra (Mukkamala) and Menaka (E. V. Saroja) leaving a newborn baby in the forest, Kanva Maharshi (Chittor V. Nagaiah) finds the baby surrounded by birds, therefore, she is named as Shakuntala (B. Saroja Devi) and raises her. Once King Dushyanta (N. T. Rama Rao) encounters Shakuntala while hunting, he loves and marries her as per the Gandharva marriage. Before returning, Dushyanta gives his personal royal ring to Shakuntala as a symbol of his love. One day, Saint Durvasa (K. V. S. Sharma), comes to the ashram but, Shakuntala lost her thoughts on her husband fails to greet him properly when he curses her saying that the person she is dreaming of will forget her. As he departed in a rage, Shakuntala's friends Anasuya (Geetanjali) & Priyamvada (Sarada) says sorry for their friend's deed and requests him to pardon her. Now Durvasa modifies his curse saying that the person gets back his memory when he sees the personal token given to her. Time passes, Shakuntala becomes pregnant, so, Kanva Maharshi sents Shakuntala to her husband. On the way, they cross a river, the ring slips off her finger and it is swallowed by a fish. Arriving at Hastinapuram, Dushyanta not able to recognize her, humiliated, Shakuntala returns to the forest and takes shelter at Kashyapa Mahamuni's Ashram, where she gives birth to a baby boy Bharata (Kutty Padmini). Meanwhile, fishermen (Relangi & Ramana Reddy) finds a royal ring in the belly of a fish and takes it to the palace when Dushyanta recollects the past. Immediately he set out to find Shakuntala, in the forest, he is surprised a young boy playing with wild animals and amazed by his boldness and strength. At last, the boy takes him to his mother Shakuntala, and thus the couple is reunited. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the crowning ceremony of Bharata.
Cast
- N. T. Rama Rao as Dushyanta
- B. Saroja Devi as Shakuntala
- Chittor V. Nagaiah as Kanva Maharshi
- Relangi as Achigadu Fisherman
- Ramana Reddy as Buchigadu Fisherman
- Padmanabham as Madhava
- Mukkamala as Vishvamitra
- K.V.S.Sharma as Durvasa
- Geetanjali as Anasuya
- Sarada as Priyamvada
- Pushpavalli as Raja Maata
- E. V. Saroja as Menaka
- Nirmalamma as Arya Gowthami
- Baby Kutty Padmini as Bharata
Soundtrack
| Shakuntala | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film score by | ||||
| Released | 1966 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 47:27 | |||
| Producer | Ghantasala | |||
| Ghantasala chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music composed by Ghantasala. Music released on Audio Company.
| S. No. | Song Title | Lyrics | Singers | length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Kanaraa Munisekharaa" | Samudrala Sr. | P. Susheela | 3:02 |
| 2 | "Sadasiva" | Slokam | Ghantasala | 0:35 |
| 3 | "Madhura Madhura" | Aarudhra | P. Susheela | 3:55 |
| 4 | "Anaaghraatam" | Kālidāsa | Ghantasala | 1:06 |
| 5 | "Madilo Mounamugaa" | C. Narayana Reddy | Ghantasala | 3:58 |
| 6 | "Nirdayaa" | Samudrala Sr. | P. Susheela | 1:08 |
| 7 | "Challani" | Kandukuri Veeresalingam | Ghantasala | 1:55 |
| 8 | "Taratama Bhedamu" | Samudrala Sr. | Ghantasala | 1:26 |
| 9 | "Neevu Nenu Kalisina Naade" | C. Narayana Reddy | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 3:34 |
| 10 | "Sarasana Neevunte" | Dasaradhi | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 3:59 |
| 11 | "Yaasyestyadjye" | Kālidāsa | Ghantasala | 1:23 |
| 12 | "Guru Janamula" | Samudrala Sr. | Ghantasala | 5:23 |
| 13 | "Chengayi Kattina" | Kosaraju | Ghantasala | 3:21 |
| 14 | "Ammaa Sakunthalaa" | Sri Sri | P. Leela | 3:18 |
| 15 | "Paathaa Kaalam Naati" | Kosaraju | Madhavapeddi Satyam, Pithapuram, Raghavulu | 2:41 |
| 16 | "Naa Kanti Papa Vainaa" | Dasaradhi | P. Susheela | 3:34 |
| 17 | "Ammaa Saranammaa" | Samudrala Sr. | P. Susheela | 3:09 |
References
- Thurlapati (27 March 1966). "చిత్ర సమీక్ష: శకుంతల" [Film review: Sakuntala]. Andhra Jyothi (in Telugu). Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- "సినిమా : శకుంతల" [Cinema: Sakuntala]. Andhra Jyothi (in Telugu). 27 March 1966. Retrieved 5 September 2020.