Bangaru Papa (1954)

Bangaru Papa (English title: Golden Baby; Telugu: బంగారు పాప) is a 1954 Telugu film directed by B. N. Reddi. It is based on the 1861 English novel Silas Marner of George Eliot.^[1] B. N. Reddi personally considered it as his best cinematic work.^[2] It portrayed the acting skills of Nata Sarvabhouma S. V. Ranga Rao. This film introduced famous writer Palagummi Padmaraju to the cine-world.

Cast: SV Ranga Rao (Kotayya), Jaggaiah (Manohar), Krishna Kumari (Papa), Jamuna (Santha), Hemalatha, Ramana Reddy, Vangara, Ramanna Panthulu, Rama Sharma (Sekhar), Vidyavathi, Turlapati Vijaya Lakshmi
Story and Dialogues: Palagummi Padmaraju
Lyrics: Devulapalli Krishna Sastry
Music: Addepalli Rama Rao
Play-back: Ghantasala, AM Raja, Madhavapeddi Satyam, P. Susheela, Mallik, Udatha Sarojini
Cinematography: BN Konda Reddy
Art: AK Sekhar
Producer and Director: BN Reddy
Banner: Vauhini Studios
Trivia: This film won the Prsident's silver medal from Govt. of India in 1955.
This was the debut film for Padmaraju as a writer.
This was based on George Eliot's novel SILAS MARNER. 
Popular Songs:
1. Tadhimi takadhimi tol bomma
2. Yavvana madhuvanilo vannela poovula uyyala
3. Pandu vennela manasunindaa vennela
4. E koranomulu evi nocheno
5. Bratuku swapnamu kaadu

 The plot

Kotayya (Ranga Rao) is a kind man. He marries Rami. Rami succumbs to pressures from Gopala Swamy. She leaves Kotayya and elopes with him. They both successfully plans and send Kotayya to jail. After returning from jail, he becomes a rowdy, drunkard and plans to take revenge and kill Gopala Swamy. During that tragic night while he plans to implement his plan, he hears a little child's cry. Finally the humanity overtakes his revenge and takes care of that child (Papa). That child is none other than son of Manohar (Jaggaiah) and Shanta (Jamuna). Shanta dies after giving birth to the child. Manohar remarries. Kotayya takes a rebirth in taking care of the child, leaving roudism and drinks. The grown-up papa is loved by Sekhar nephew of Manohar. Knowing this Zamindar calls Kotayya and anger upon him. Then Manohar announces that the papa is his daughter. Zamindar accepts for their marriage and makes Kotayya happy.

 Cast

• S. V. Ranga Rao as Kotayya
• Krishna Kumari as Papa
• Kongara Jaggaiah as Manohar
• Hemalatha
• Jamuna Ramanarao as Shantha
• Ramana Reddy
• Vangara Venkata Subbaiah
• Ramanna Pantulu
• Rama Sharma
• Vidyavathi

 Crew

• Director: B. N. Reddi
• Story: Palagummi Padmaraju and B. N. Reddi
• Dialogues: Palagummi Padmaraju
• Original Music: Addepalli Rama Rao
• Cinematography: B. N. Konda Reddy
• Art Direction: A. K. Sekhar
• Lyrics: Devulapalli Krishnasastri and Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao
• Playback Singers: A. M. Rajah, Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, P. Susheela, Madhavapeddi Satyam

Soundtrack

Four of the songs including Harikatha were written by Devulapalli Krishnasastri.^[3]

• Harikatha of Seeta Apaharanam (Lyrics: Devulapalli Krishnasastri)
• Kanna Devaki Vantu Kanneere Kaani (Lyrics: Devulapalli Krishnasastri)
• Kanulakokasaraina Kanapadani Naa Talli (Lyrics: Devulapalli Krishnasastri; Singer: P. Susheela)
• Tadhimi Takadhimi Tolubomma (Lyrics: Devulapalli Krishnasastri; Singer: Madhavapeddi Satyam)
• Vennela Pandirilona (Singers: A. M. Rajah and P. Susheela)
• Vennela Velalu (Singer: P. Susheela)
• Yavvana Madhuvanilo (Lyrics: Devulapalli Krishnasastri; Singers: A. M. Rajah and P. Susheela)

 Awards

The film won the President's Silver medal from Government of India in 1955.

References

1. ^ Bangaru Papa in Naati 101 Chitralu, S. V. Rama Rao, Kinnera Publications, Hyderabad, 2006, pp: 109-110
2. ^ Tale of a Celluloid Poet by Randor Guy in The Hindu.
3. ^ Krishna Sastry Sahityam, Venditera Patalu, Volume 3; Vishalandhra Publishing House, Hyderabad, 2008; pp: 28-31.

 External links

• Bangaru Papa at IMDb.