Swarna Manjari
Swarna Manjari (transl. Golden Manjari) is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film, produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under Anjali Pictures, and directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah. It stars N. T. Rama Rao an Anjali Devi, with music composed by P. Adinarayana Rao. The film was simultaneously made in Tamil as Mangaiyar Ullam Mangatha Selvam.[1]
| Swarna Manjari | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Vedantam Raghavaiah |
| Produced by | P. Adinarayana Rao |
| Written by | Malladi Ramakrishna Sastry (dialogues) |
| Screenplay by | Vedantam Raghavaiah |
| Story by | Aditya Malladi Ramakrishna Sastry |
| Starring | N. T. Rama Rao Anjali Devi |
| Music by | P. Adinarayana Rao |
| Cinematography | Mahlee Irani Aadi Irani |
| Edited by | N. S. Prakasham |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 156 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Plot
The film begins in a kingdom, with the birthday celebrations of its Prince was Chandra Bhanu (N. T. Rama Rao) when a dancer Swarna Manjari (Anjali) trained by her father Varma (Chittor V. Nagaiah) gives her performance and wins his heart. Here the chief minister Mahendra Shakti (Rajanala) a malicious person also attracted to her. Actually, Mahendra Shakti deceits in two shades, one as Rajaguru and another as a wizard. Right now, he intrigues to sacrifice Swarna Manjari to the goddess to become an omnipotent, so, he kidnaps and tries to molest her, but she absconds. Meanwhile, Chandra Bhanu, with his friend Srimukha (Padmanabham) starts makes a tour before the coronation. On the way, he learns regarding the plight by Varma when he takes a vow to protect Swarna Manjari and make her as his queen. In Search of her, they land at a mysterious place where a Mermaid Yamini (Jayanthi) pulls him to the underwater world and tries to attract but in vain. Parallelly, Srimukha is caught by a creeper Latha (Meena Kumari) and they fall in love. Fortuitously, Swarna Manjari also winds up to the same place and being aware of Chandra Bhanu she moves to rescue him. Underwater with his blessing of Lord Jalakanteshwara Swamy (Ramakrishna) she gets back Chandra Bhanu. But, unfortunately, the mermaid decapitates her when Chandra Bhanu beseech the mermaid which she accepts on an oath, that he will reside to her by the full moon day. Now Swarna Manjari becomes normal, but her hands are missing. Nevertheless, Chandra Bhanu marries her. Time Passes, the mermaid takes him back, by the time, Swarna Manjari gives birth to a baby boy. At present, Rajuguru's ruse makes Swarna Manjari ostracize from the kingdom along with the baby and in the forest, both of them get separated. The baby reaches Varma and he recognizes him by the locket on his neck. On the other side, the Mermaid requests Chandra Bhanu to carry out an adventurous tour to remove her curse which he accomplishes. Thereafter, Chandra Bhanu is relieved and returns when he finds out the falsity of Rajaguru, but he is captured. Eventually, in search of her baby, Swarna Manjari saves a snake and with its boon, she gets her hands back. At last, Swarna Manjari, Srimukha, Latha, & Varma reach Rajaguru's den. Finally, Chandra Bhanu stamps out Mahendra Shakti and the movie ends on a happy note.
Cast
- N. T. Rama Rao as Chandra Bhanu
- Anjali Devi as Swarna Manjari
- Rajanala as Mahendra Shakti
- Chittoor V. Nagaiah as Varma
- Ramakrishna as Lord Jalakanteshwara Swamy
- Padmanabham as Srimukhudu
- Peketi Sivaram as Danka
- Allu Ramalingaiah as Damaru
- Kannamba as Raja Maata Vasundhara Devi
- Jayanthi as Yamini
- Meena Kumari as Latha
Soundtrack
| Swarna Manjari | |
|---|---|
| Film score by | |
| Released | 1962 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Length | 37:27 |
| Producer | P. Adinarayana Rao |
Music composed by P. Adinarayana Rao. Lyrics were written by Samudrala Sr.[2]
| S. No. | Song Title | Singers | length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Jhanana Jhanana" | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 3:20 |
| 2 | "Madhuramaina Gurudeevena" | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 6:40 |
| 3 | "Raave Pranava Roopini" | Ghantasala | 2:33 |
| 4 | "Maimarapinche Ee Sogaru" | S. Janaki | 3:14 |
| 5 | "Tharaliraavaa" | P. Susheela | 3:23 |
| 6 | "Aadaenu Paadaenuga" | S. Janaki | 3:08 |
| 7 | "Chootham Rare" | S. Janaki | 3:08 |
| 8 | "Idhiye Jeevithaanandhamu" | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 5:35 |
| 9 | "Yemo Yemo Yedhalona" | Ghantasala, P. Susheela S. Janaki | 3:08 |
| 10 | "Ammaa Nee Aasalanni" | Ghantasala | 3:18 |
References
- Radhakrishna (18 May 1962). "చిత్రసమీక్ష: స్వరణమంజరి" [Film Review: Swarna Manjari]. Andhra Prabha (in Telugu). Vijayawada. p. 6. Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- "Swarna Manjari (1962)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 23 January 2021.