Nammina Bantu
Nammina Bantu (transl. Trusted Servant) is a 1960 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced by Yarlagadda Venkanna Chowdary under Sambhu Films and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Savitri in the lead roles and features music jointly composed by Saluri Rajeswara Rao and Master Venu. The film was remade as the Tamil film Pattaliyin Vetri. Both films were made simultaneously under same banner and director, and some of the scenes and artists are the same in both versions. Upon release the film received critical acclaim. The film was screened at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.[1] The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.[2]
| Nammina Bantu | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Adurthi Subba Rao |
| Produced by | Yarlagadda Venkanna Chowdary |
| Written by | Sunkara Satyanarayana Tapi Dharma Rao (dialogues) |
| Screenplay by | Adurthi Subba Rao |
| Story by | Sunkara Satyanarayana |
| Starring | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Savitri |
| Music by | S. Rajeswara Rao Master Venu |
| Cinematography | B. S. Jagirdhar |
| Edited by | A. Sanjeevi |
Production company | Sambhu Films |
| Distributed by | Navayuga Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 161 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu Tamil |
Plot
- Telugu version
At the start of the film, Chandraiah (S. V. Ranga Rao), a distressed peasant, checks in a village along with his daughter Lakshmi (Savitri) and an ox. He meets a landlord Bhujangarao (Gummadi), a cruel and crafty person, to seek some land on the lease. Bhujangarao promises to give two acres of fertile land after yielding his Mango orchards, and also provides another sick ox; Chandraiah names the oxen as Ramudu and Lakshamanudu. Prasad (Akkineni Nageswara Rao), a loyal trustworthy servant of Bhujangarao, shares a bond with his master beyond that of a servant and also takes care of Bhujangarao's daughter Sarala (Girija) as his own sister. In parallel, as a glimpse, Devaiah (Relangi), Bhujangarao's nephew, returns to the village and falls for Sarala. After some time, Chandraiah successfully yields the mango orchard when Bhujangarao deceits him by endowing a dry land. Chandraiah decides to dig a well when Sarala also repents for her father's breach, so she supports them with the help of Devaiah. After crossing many hurdles, Chandraiah acquires the triumph but to bring out the water there is a necessity of a motor for which a huge amount is required. At that point in time, as usual, bullock cart races are conducted in which Prasad wins every year, so Lakshmi determines to participate in it with Ramalakshmanulu for the prize amount. Here Sarala pleas Prasad to lose the bet, then he replies as a trusty workhorse he cannot mortgage the prestige of his sovereign. During the time of the race, Prasad attempts the best shot but Lakshmi holds the victory. Bhujangarao accuses and humiliates Prasad as he intentionally did the deed. As a result, he leaves his service. Peeved by this, Bhujangarao intrigues to destroy the motor when Prasad obstructs and injured. Now Lakshmi realizes Prasad's honesty and they start loving each other. Thereafter, on the advice of Devaiah, Prasad collaborates with the peasants and performs cooperative farming which irks Bhujangarao and ploys to thwart their plans. At last, in the final battle, Bhujangarao falls into a bog and Prasad struggles to extricate him but fails. Before dying, he entrusts Sarala's responsibility to Prasad. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the marriages of Prasad and Lakshmi, and Devaiah and Sarala.
- Tamil version
The film begins, Paramasiva (S. V. Ranga Rao) distressed peasant checks in a village along with his daughter Lakshmi (Savitri) and an ox. He meets Sowcar Shivam (T.S.Balaiah) a cruel & crafty person to seek some land on the lease. Shivam promises to give 2 acres of fertile land after yielding his mango orchards, also provides another sick ox and Paramasiva names them as Ramudu & Lakshamanudu. Kannan (Akkineni Nageswara Rao) a loyal trustworthy servant of Shivam whose word is an ordinance to him, shares a bond beyond a servant and also takes care of Bhujangarao's daughter Chandra (Girija) as his own sister. Meanwhile, as a glimpse, Ranga (K. A. Thangavelu) Shivam's nephew return to the village giving up his education and falls for Chandra. After some time, Paramasiva successfully yields the mango orchard when Shivam deceits him by endowing a dry land. Right now, Paramasiva decides to dig a well at the site shown by Ramudu, Chandra also repents for her father's breach, so, she supports them with the help of Ranga. After crossing many hurdles Paramasiva acquires the triumph but to bring out the water there is a necessity of a motor for which a huge amount is required. At that point in time, as usual, bullock cart races are conducted in which Kannan wins every year, so, Lakshmi determines to participate in it with Ramalakshmanulu for the prize amount. Here Chandra pleas Kannan to loss the bet when he replies that ready to sacrifice his life but not the prestige of his sovereign. During the time of the race, Kannan attempts the best shot but Lakshmi holds the victory. At present, Shivam accuses & humiliates Kannan as he intentionally did the deed, as a result, he leaves his service. Peeved by this, Shivam intrigues to destroy the motor when Kannan obstructs and injured. Now Lakshmi realizes Kannan's honesty and they start loving each other. Thereafter, on the advice of Ranga, Kannan collaborates all the peasants and performs cooperative farming which irks Shivam and ploys to thwart their plans. At last, in the final battle, Shivam falls into a bog, Kannan struggles to extricate him but fails and before dying, he entrusts Chandra's responsibility to Kannan. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the marriage of Kannan & Lakshmi and Ranga & Chandra.
Cast
- Telugu version
- Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Prasad
- Savitri as Lakshmi
- S. V. Ranga Rao as Chandraiah
- Gummadi as Zamindar Bhujanga Rao
- Relangi as Devaiah
- Chadalavada as Suraiah
- Hemalata as Kanakamma
- Girija as Sarala
- E. V. Saroja as Dancer
- Lanka Satyam
- Tamil version
- Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Kannan
- Savitri as Lakshmi
- S. V. Ranga Rao as Paramasiva
- T. S. Balaiah as Sivam
- K. A. Thangavelu as Ranga
- K. Sarangkapani
- P. D. Sambandam as Singaram
- Girija as Chandra
- E. V. Saroja as Dancer
- K. R. Chellam
- K. N. Kamalam
Soundtrack
| Nammina Bantu | |
|---|---|
| Film score by | |
| Released | 1960 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Length | 40:53 |
| Producer | S. Rajeswara Rao & Master Venu |
- Telugu version
Music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao & Master Venu. Lyrics were written by Kosaraju. Music released on Audio Company.
| S. No | Song Title | Composer | Singers | length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Raitu Medibatti Saagalera Lokam" | Master Venu | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 3:41 |
| 2 | "Enta Manchi Vadavura" | Master Venu | Ghantasala,P. Susheela | 3:51 |
| 3 | "Chengu Chenguna" | Saluri Rajeswara Rao | P. Susheela | 3:09 |
| 4 | "Thela Thela Vaarenu" | Saluri Rajeswara Rao | Jikki | 4:22 |
| 5 | "Pogarubothu Potlagithara" | Saluri Rajeswara Rao | Ghantasala | 3:15 |
| 6 | "Topi Najooku Techu Topi" | Master Venu | Madhavapeddi Satyam | 3:40 |
| 7 | "Ghama Ghama Ghamayinchu" | Master Venu | Madhavapeddi Satyam, P. Leela | 4:43 |
| 8 | "Andala Bomma" | Master Venu | Madhavapeddi Satyam,Jikki | 4:22 |
| 9 | "Alu Mogudu Pondu Andamoyi" | Master Venu | Swarnalatha,P. Susheela, T. V. Rathinam | 8:38 |
| 10 | "Maata Paddavura Mechaledu" | Master Venu | Ghantasala | 1:12 |
| Pattaliyin Vetri | |
|---|---|
| Film score by | |
| Released | 1960 |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Length | 41:48 |
| Producer | S. Rajeswara Rao & Master Venu |
- Tamil version
Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, Ghantasala, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. C. Krishnan, P. Leela, P. Suseela, Jikki, T. V. Rathinam & Swarnalatha.
| S. No. | Song Title | Lyrics | Singers | length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Uzhavan Munnaalethaan" | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 3:41 |
| 2 | "Hat Nagaeregamaana Hattu" | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | Seerkazhi Govindarajan | 3:40 |
| 3 | "Enddanaalume Naame" | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | Ghantasala, P. Susheela | 3:51 |
| 4 | "Anna Nadai Thanile" | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | T. M. Soundararajan | 3:15 |
| 5 | "Gama Gama Gamangkudhu" | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | Seerkazhi Govindarajan, P. Leela | 4:43 |
| 6 | "Thela Thela Vaarenu" | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | Jikki | 4:22 |
| 7 | "Singaara Bommai" | Ka Mu. Sheriff | S. C. Krishnan, Jikki | 4:22 |
| 8 | "Pendatti Purushanukku Piriyaadha Bandhame" | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | Swarnalatha, P. Susheela, T. V. Rathinam | 8:38 |
| 9 | "Manadhaara Oru Pizhaiyum" | Ka Mu. Sheriff | T. M. Soundararajan | 01:12 |
| 10 | "Paadu Pattu Payir Valartthu" | Ka Mu. Sheriff | T. M. Soundararajan, Jikki | 0:51 |
| 11 | "Chingku Chingkune Thulliye Odunggale" | Ka Mu. Sheriff | P. Susheela | 3:09 |
Production
Yarlagadda Venkanna Chowdary, who himself was a landlord decided to produce a film based on the theme of exploitation of farmers by landlords written by socialist writer Sunkara Sathyanarayana for his debut production. Adurthi Subbarao was signed on to direct the film, while Sunkara and Tapi Dharma Rao wrote the dialogues. B. S. Jagirdar and Akkineni Sanjeevi worked as cinematographer and editor respectively. The film was simultaneously made in Tamil as Pattaliyin Vetri.[1]
Nageswara Rao and Savitri were selected to portray the lead pair. S. V. Rangarao was first offered the landlord's role, but Rangarao preferred the character of downtrodden farmer Chandraiah's character as he found it more challenging. Dagubati Ramanaidu, who went on to become a popular producer in Telugu cinema worked as one of the partners in the film. The film also happened to be his debut film as an actor. He acted as the body double for Nageswara Rao, driving the bullock cart in long shot scenes, besides donning the district collector's role.[1]
Award
References
- "Blast from the past: Namminabantu (1960) - The Hindu". The Hindu. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- "7th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 September 2011.