| Batasari | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ramakrishna |
| Screenplay by | Samudrala Sr. |
| Based on | Bardidi by Saratchandra Chatterjee |
| Produced by | Ramakrishna |
| Starring | P. Bhanumathi Akkineni Nageswara Rao |
| Cinematography | M. Sundaraam |
| Edited by | V. Venkat |
| Music by | Master Venu |
Production company | |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 146 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Languages |
|
Batasari (transl. Wayfarer) is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Ramakrishna of Bharani Pictures. It was simultaneously made in Tamil as Kaanal Neer (transl. Mirage). Based on the Bengali novel Bardidi (transl. Elder sister) by Saratchandra Chatterjee, the film stars P. Bhanumathi and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, with music composed by Master Venu. Batasari was released on 30 June 1961, and Kaanal Neer on 21 July. Both versions did not succeed commercially.
Plot
Surendranath "Suren" is the son of a Zamindar. His good-hearted stepmother, keeping in mind his health objects to his going to London for higher studies. A peeved Suren leaves home, reaches Madras, and stays with a rich man Apparao as a tutor to his younger daughter Pramila. Widowed even before she attained womanhood, Madhavi the eldest daughter of Apparao learns about the distrait ways of Suren and provides him with all his needs. When she writes about Suren to her friend Manorama, Manorama cautions her about showing too much interest in him. Hurt by her servant's gossip about her and Suren and also for neglecting his duty as a teacher, Madhavi chides Suren. Upset, he leaves on an aimless journey, meets with an accident and his father takes him home. Suren marries Shanti, but his heart longs for Madhavi. After performing her brother Siva Chandra's marriage, Madhavi hands over responsibilities to his wife and leaves for her home inherited from her husband, but finds that house under auction due to a plot hatched by Suren's estate manager. Not knowing it was Suren, Madhavi goes to confront the Zamindar. Meanwhile, Suren learns about the manager's wicked ways and despite his grave illness rushes on horseback to meet Madhavi to give her house documents. They meet. She expresses a wish to see his wife, Shanti, while he struggles to express his love for her. He dies in her lap.
Cast
- P. Bhanumathi as Madhavi
- Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Surendranath "Suren"
- J. V. Ramana Murthy as Siva Chandra
- Mudigonda Lingamurthy as Diwan Alwar
- Vangara as Pullaiah
- B. R. Panthulu Apparao
- Vinnakota Ramanna Pantulu as Raghavaiah
- Boddapati as Anjaiah
- Doraiswamy as Zamindar of Dharapuram
- Shavukaru Janaki as Shanthi
- Devika as Manorama
- Suryakantham as Sundaramma
- Chaya Devi as Poornamma
- L. Vijayalakshmi as Dancer
- Lakshmirajyam as Dancer
- Baby Sasikala as Prameela
Production
Batasari is based on the novel Bardidi by Saratchandra Chatterjee. It was simultaneously filmed in Tamil as Kaanal Neer.[1] The Telugu version was originally titled Yendamavulu. Before and during the shoot, for inspiration, Akkineni Nageswara Rao was asked by Ramakrishna to watch Uttam Kumar's performance in the 1959 film version of Bardidi. Nageswara Rao complied, and even donned the getup just like Kumar, but held to his own on histrionics.[2]
Soundtrack
Music composed by Master Venu. Lyrics were written by Samudrala Sr.[3] For Kaanal Neer, the lyrics were written by Kannadasan and Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam.[4]
| Song Title | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "O Batasari" | P. Bhanumathi | 2:54 |
| "Kanulakudoche Chetikandani" | P. Bhanumathi, Jikki | 2:45 |
| "Lokamerugani Baala" | P. Bhanumathi | 3:23 |
| "Uppakara Chinthaye" | P. Bhanumathi | 3:02 |
| "Oho Maharaja" | Jikki | 3:34 |
| "O Maata" | P. Susheela | 3:16 |
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Ulagam Theriyaa Payire" | P. Bhanumathi | Kannadasan | 03:22 |
| "Manamenum Maaligai Meedhu" | P. B. Sreenivas, K. Jamuna Rani | Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam | 02:18 |
| "Anbaana Enname Paavama... Kanaala Kaanaamale" | P. Bhanumathi | Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam | 03:02 |
| "Aasai Mozhi Pesa Vaa" | P. Susheela | Kannadasan | 03:09 |
| "Kannil Therindhum Kaikku Varaadha" | P. Bhanumathi, Jikki | Kannadasan | 02:35 |
| "O Matha Jegan Matha... Arul Vizhi Paaraai Daevi" | P. Susheela | Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam | 03:00 |
| "Vazhi Thedi Vandhaai" | P. Bhanumathi | Kannadasan | 02:39 |
| "Ammaan Magal Paaru" | Jikki | Kannadasan | 03:22 |
Release and reception
Batasari was released on 30 June 1961, and Kaanal Neer on 21 July 1961.[2][5] The Indian Express said, "The standout feature of Kaanal Neer is the fascinating photography of young Venkat, particularly in the climax. In other technical respects, the film maintains a good standard."[6] Both versions did not succeed commercially; according to historian Randor Guy, this was because audiences felt the story was too highbrow.[1][2]
References
- 1 2 Guy, Randor (18 May 2013). "Kaanal Neer (1961)". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
- 1 2 3 Narasimham, M. L. (26 May 2016). "Batasari (1961)". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
- ↑ "Bhatasari (1961)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ↑ Neelamegam, G. (November 2016). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 2 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 19.
- ↑ "Kanal Neer". The Indian Express. 21 July 1961. p. 3. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
- ↑ "Kanal Neer". The Indian Express. 28 July 1961. p. 3. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
External links
- Batasari at IMDb
- Kaanal Neer at IMDb