Sri Manjunatha
Theatrical release poster
Directed byK. Raghavendra Rao
Written byJ. K. Bhairavi (story and dialogues)
Produced byNara Jaya Sridevi
StarringChiranjeevi
Arjun
Ambareesh
Meena
Soundarya
Sumalatha
Aanand Vardhan
CinematographySundarnath Suvarna
Edited byR. Janardhan
Music byHamsalekha
Production
company
Chinni films
Release date
22 June 2001
Running time
157 minutes
CountryIndia
Languages
  • Kannada
  • Telugu

Sri Manjunatha is a 2001 Indian Kannada-language hagiographical film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao.[1] The film stars Chiranjeevi, Arjun Sarja, Ambareesh, Meena, Soundarya and Sumalatha. The film is based on the life of the Shiva devotee, Bhakta Manjunatha of the Kotilingeshwara Temple. The film was partially reshot in Telugu under the same title with Chiranjeevi's scenes reshot in Telugu and Brahmanandam and Tanikella Bharani replacing Dwarakish and Mimicry Dayanand, respectively whilst all other scenes were dubbed from the Kannada original.

The film was released on 22 June 2001 worldwide. Upon release, the film received positive reviews and became a super-hit at the box office. The film was screened in the International Film Festival of India.

Background

Manjunatha is an aspect of Shiva. Manju means 'snow' and Natha means 'lord.' Since Lord Shiva resides on Mount Kailash, and hence the ruler of the Himalaya Mountains, as he is the lord of that loka (dimension), he is called Manjunatha. Manjunatha is one of the most common names in Karnataka state for males and Manjula for females. Both are commonly called by the nickname name "Manju." This is mostly because of the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swami Temple located in Dharmasthala, Karnataka.

Plot

Manjunatha is an atheist, but a good person helping others in need and fighting evil and so even though Manjunatha hates his namesake Lord Siva, the latter loves his would be devotee. Being an atheist, Manjunatha always scolds Lord Shiva which is watched by his vehicle Nandi and his attendant Bhrungi. Manjunatha meets Katyayini a to-become devadasi (Servant of the Lord) and marries her. Soon they beget a son, Siddhartha ("Siddhu"), who like his mother is a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva.

After marriage Manjunatha realizes the existence of Lord Shiva and slowly transforms himself into a great devotee of Lord Shiva and with his devotion, lights the lamps of the Manjunatha Temple in Dharmasthala without using a matchstick and wins the hearts of everybody including the local King, Ambikeswara Maharaju who invites him to his court where he felicitates Manjunatha much to Manjunatha's dislike where the king realises that Manjunatha is going to die.

In the meantime Manjunatha starts a Koti Lingam Puja with over 1,000 lingams worshipped and both Manjunatha and the king singing the Lingashtakam and performing the puja. Manjunatha is also troubled by his enemies and is aided by Lord Shiva who comes in various disguises to save his devotee and help him and his wife attain salvation.

Cast

Soundtrack

Kannada Version

All music is composed by Hamsalekha[2]

Tracklist[2][3]
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Yavon Kanda Ninna"HamsalekhaS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra6:03
2."Brahmamurari"Bhakta RushiRamesh Chandra, Nanditha3:10
3."Koti Janmada"HamsalekhaChorus0:45
4."Sriman Maha Manjunatha"Sri VedavyaasaChorus1:33
5."Obbane Obbane (Bit)"HamsalekhaNanditha0:36
6."Sri Manjunatha Charithe (Shiva Purana)"HamsalekhaS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra7:51
7."Ee Paadha Punya Pada"HamsalekhaS. P. Balasubrahmanyam5:16
8."Jogappa Jogamma"HamsalekhaS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra5:30
9."Thanuvina Manege"HamsalekhaS. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:35
10."Dharma Jyothi (Mangala Slokam)"Sri VedavyaasaHemanth Kumar2:06
11."Om Mahaprana Deepam"Sri VedavyaasaShankar Mahadevan4:59
12."Ananda Paramananda"HamsalekhaS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra4:31
13."Aksharaya Namaha"J. K. BharaviHemanth Kumar, K. S. Chithra6:14
14."Hey Hey Bindege"HamsalekhaHemanth Kumar, Nanditha5:08
15."Obbane Obbane"HamsalekhaS. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:04
Total length:01:01:34

Telugu Version

All music is composed by Hamsalekha[4]

Tracklist[4]
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Mangala Slokam - Dharmasthala"Sri VedavyaasaHemanth Kumar2:05
2."Om Mahaprana Deepam"Sri VedavyaasaShankar Mahadevan4:59
3."Ananda Paramananda"Viswanatha SastryS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Nanditha4:32
4."Oho Garala Kanta"BhuvanachandraS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anuradha Sriram6:05
5."Hey Hey Bittiri"ChandraboseHemanth Kumar, Nanditha5:08
6."Aksharaya Namaha"J. K. BharaviHemanth Kumar, K. S. Chithra6:14
7."Brahmamurari"Bhakta RushiRamesh Chandra, Nanditha3:10
8."Okkade Okkade"J. K. BharaviS. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:06
9."Olammo Gowrammo"J. K. BharaviS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha5:29
10."Aakashame Aakaramai - Sri Manjunatha Charitham"Jonnavittula Ramalingeswara RaoS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anuradha Sriram7:51
11."Ee Padam"Samavedam Shanmukha SarmaS. P. Balasubrahmanyam5:18
12."Enni Janmala Phalamidi"J. K. BharaviChorus0:45
13."Swagathamayya"J. K. BharaviS. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:36
14."Sri Maham Manjunatha"Sri VedavyaasaChorus1:31
15."Okkade Okkade (bit)"J. K. BharaviNanditha0:37
Total length:01:01:15

Reception

A critic from Chitraloka wrote that "In the annals of Kannada film history this film is undoubtedly a masterpiece".[5] A critic from Online Bangalore wrote that "This film is undoubtedly a masterpiece. It has a wonderful star cast, director, music, singers, [and] cinematography".[6]

Regarding the partially reshot Telugu version, Jeevi of Idlebrain.com wrote that "He takes us through a journey till the heart-touching climax by making the best use of the histrionics of Chiranjeevi, Arjun and other actors".[7] A critic from Full Hyderabad wrote that "'Sri Manjunatha' is an example of doing justice to a particular genre with complete honesty. It will reap the dividends due to this trait".[8] A critic from Nettv4u wrote that "This is a fabulous devotional drama with a highly respected cast and crew. If you are a big fan of such shows, you cannot miss this".[9][10]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony[lower-alpha 1] Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2001–02 Karnataka State Film Awards 21 January 2003 Best Art DirectionArun SagarWon [11]
Best LyricistHamsalekha

Notes

  1. ↑ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

  1. ↑ Raghavan, Nikhil (6 September 2014). "Once again a gentleman". Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
  2. 1 2 "Sri Manjunatha". Spotify. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  3. ↑ "Sri Manjunatha (2001) - Hamsalekha". Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Sri Manjunatha". Spotify. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  5. ↑ "Sri Manjunatha Movie Review". Chitraloka. 22 June 2001. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  6. ↑ "Online Bangalore review". Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  7. ↑ "Telugu Cinema - Review - Sri Manjunatha - Megastar Chiranjeevi, Meena, Arjun, Soundarya - K Raghavendra Rao". www.idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  8. ↑ "Sri Manjunatha review: Sri Manjunatha (Telugu) Movie Review - fullhyd.com". movies.fullhyderabad.com. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "Sri Manjunatha is a beautifully told devotional story - Nettv4u.com". Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  10. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20050107172134/http://sify.com/movies/telugu/review.php?id=6009392&ctid=5&cid=2430
  11. ↑ "Film-makers told to focus on issues affecting society" (PDF). Deccan Herald. 21 January 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
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