Swarnakamalam

Swarnakamalam (transl. The Golden Lotus) is a 1988 Indian Telugu-language language dance film, written and directed by K. Viswanath.[1] The film starred Venkatesh and Bhanupriya in the lead roles while Sharon Lowen reprised herself in a special role.[2] The choreography is helmed by Kelucharan Mohapatra, with a soundtrack by Ilaiyaraaja.[3][1] The song sequences were extensively shot at the Valley of Flowers National Park, the Nanda Devi National Park, the Shanti Stupa and Bhringesvara Siva Temple at Dhauli; other locations in Visakhapatnam.[4]

Swarnakamalam
Theatrical Release poster
Directed byK. Viswanath
Produced byC. H. V. Appa Rao
K. S. Rama Rao (presenter)
Written bySainath Thotapalli (dialogue)
Screenplay byK. Viswanath
Story byK. Viswanath
StarringVenkatesh
Bhanupriya
Sharon Lowen
Music byIlayaraja
CinematographyLok Singh
Edited byG. G. Krishna Rao
Production
company
Bhanu Art Creations
Release date
  • 15 July 1988 (1988-07-15)
Running time
143 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

The film was screened at the Indian panorama section of the 12th International Film Festival of India,[5] the Asia Pacific Film Festival and the Ann Arbor Film Festival.[6][7][2] The film received three Indian Express Awards, three state Nandi Awards, and two South Filmfare Awards, including Nandi Award for Best Feature Film and Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu).[8][9]

Plot
Shanti Stupa at Dhauli, where the song "Shiva Poojaku" was filmed
Pushpawati River rushing out at the Valley of Flowers National Park, where the song "Ghallu Ghallu" was shot
Meenakshi portrayed by Chandrasekhar in the film

Meenakshi (Bhanupriya) and Savitri (Devilalita) are daughters of a Kuchipudi doyen, Vedantam Seshendra Sharma. While a highly accomplished artist in his field, Seshendra Sharma is not well-off and has not been able to afford for his daughters, a conventional education. Both of them have achieved a respectable degree of proficiency — Savitri in Carnatic classical music and Meenakshi in classical dance.

Savitri, the elder daughter, is grateful for her knowledge and interest and looks forward to a life that will require her to hone her skills in the art. Meenakshi, on the other hand, is bitter about the lack of opportunity that she feels in the field of classical dance in India and resolves to make a simpler and more pleasurable life for herself as soon as possible, while confiding her ambitions only to her sister.

Chandrasekhar (Venkatesh) is a tenant who has just moved in next door. He is a painter and is shown to be handling movie promotions as a large part of his work. He develops an interest in the neighbors and tries to help them in whatever way he can, partly because of his (unconfessed) interest in Meenakshi and partly because of his interest in the art which seems to be slowly fading from public life.

The rest of the film is largely built around Meenakshi's journey from skepticism to devotion in her pursuit of dance. Chandrasekhar is shown to be an important catalyst in this transformation. Meenakshi becomes an accomplished dancer through the direction of renowned Odissi dancer Sharon Lowen, and gets the opportunity to go to the United States and perform. She learns of Chandrasekhar's love for her, and finally unites with Chandrasekhar, confessing her love for him as well.

Cast

Production

The production design was helmed by Arun D. Ghodgaonkar, with cinematography by Lok Singh.[4] Casting was done by K. Viswanath, including American dancer Sharon Lowen, who portrayed herself as a veteran Odissi artist.[2]

Soundtrack

The music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and released on ECHO Music Company.

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Ghallu Ghallu"Sirivennela SitaramasastriP. Susheela, S. P. Balu5:02
2."Aakasamulo"Sirivennela SitaramasastriS. Janaki4:29
3."Kothaga Rekka"Sirivennela SitaramasastriSP Balu, S. Janaki4:29
4."Koluvai Vunnade"Shahuji I[10]P. Susheela, S. P. Balu4:57
5."Andela Ravamidhi"Sirivennela SitaramasastriS. P. Balu, Vani Jairam6:59
6."Shiva Poojaku"Sirivennela SitaramasastriP. Susheela, S. P. Balu6:04
7."Cheri Yasodaku"Annamayya KeerthanaS. P. Sailaja4:35
8."Aathmathvam"Siva Manasa PujaS. Janaki3:07
9."Natarajane"Sirivennela SitaramasastriP. Susheela1:19
Total length:44:39
Swarnakamalam
Film score by
Ilaiyaraaja
Released1988
GenreSoundtrack
Length44:39
LabelEcho Music
ProducerIlaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja chronology
Rudra Veena
(1988)		 Swarnakamalam
(1988)		 Varasudochhadu
(1988)

Awards
Nandi Awards - 1988
Filmfare Awards South - 1988
Cinema Express Awards - 1988
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References
  1. Ranjana Dave (30 June 2011). "The meaning in movement". The Asian Age. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  2. Kumar, Ranee. "Sharon Lowen, an envoy of Indian culture".
  3. http://www.paadal.com/composer/ilayaraja
  4. http://www.indianbackgroundscore.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=164 indianbackgroundscore.com
  5. "Indian Panorama for 12th IFFI Festival" (PDF).
  6. "Dance without frontiers: K Viswanath – Director who aims to revive classical arts". 2 May 2017.
  7. 30 Jun 2011 - Ranjana Dave (30 June 2011). "The meaning in movement". The Asian Age. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  8. Subramanium (5 September 2005). "'So many parallels in our life". p. 01 – via The Hindu.
  9. "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF).
  10. Shahaji Maharaja of Tanjore (20 December 1955). "Pallaki Seva Prabandham" (PDF). Saraswati Mahal Library. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  11. https://books.google.com/books/about/Vidura.html?id=S5ZZAAAAMAAJ. C. Sarkar., 1989 - Journalism
  12. Express News Service (11 March 1989), "Cinema Express readers choose Agni Nakshathiram", The Indian Express, p. 4, retrieved 7 October 2016
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