Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
Filmi renaissance
|
Once the cultural centre of the Telugus, Vijayawada seems to be regaining its past glory, says G.V.RAMANA RAO
|
EXPERIENCE AND CONFIDENCE: Cine actor Srikanth, journalist Turlapati , lyricists, Seetarama Sastry and Veturi listening to K. Viswanath, director of Swarabhishekam in rapt attention. -- Photos: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar
VIJAYAWADA IS the latest buzzword in the world of Telugu film music. Wada O wada, O wada, Vijayawada chanted the youth icon and upcoming music director, Devisri Prasad, at a live concert he held recently in the city to promote audio cassette of his latest film, "Sankar Dada M.B.B.S."
K.Viswanath, who has attained the status of a legend in Telugu cinema within a short span, chose to release the audio cassette of songs from his yet-to-be-released Swarabhishekam in Vijayawada, his hometown. Many at the cassette release function recalled the glorious past of the town that was once a centre of Telugu film distribution and cultural activity. This is the city where Viswanath's father ran a film distribution company. Several music world giants who are an inspiration for the cinema industry hail from Vijayawada and nearby places.
Sons of soil
Parupalli Ramakrishnaiah Pantulu, a discipline of Susarla Dhakshinamurti, ran a music school here which produced several musicians. Great musicians like Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, Balanthrapu Rajinikanthi Rao, Annavarapu Ramaswami, Pemmaraju Surya Rao, belong to Vijayawada. Legendary lyricist, Veturi Sundaram Murthy, is a native of Peddakallepalli in Krishna district and has settled down in Vijayawada.
The name of Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao from Diviseema is also associated with Vijayawada as a singer. Film dialogue writer and director, the late Jandhyala, is a very popular figure.
The presence of stalwarts like Rajinikantha Rao, Ramaswami, Surya Rao and Sundaram Murthy at the same venue was a visual feast to the audience. Many other important personalities connected to the city added fizz to the event by attending the function. Film star Srikant, who plays the lead role in Swarabhishekam, studied here.
Fresh talent
Laya, the lady paired with him, spent her childhood and part of her adolescence in this town. Upcoming playback singer, Sunitha, who grabbed the opportunity to sing on the occasion, was also born here and lived in Vijayawada gullies for a few years before her family moved out of the place. Child artists, Swati and Sai, who acted in Swarabhishekam are also from Vijayawada.
That is not all. Both the producers of the film, C.Kowsalendra Rao and Hari Gopalakrishna Murthy, hail from this place.
Not ready to be left out, film lyricist, Sirivennella Sitarama Sastry, took no time to declare his nativity which was associated with Vijayawada. "Anybody on the path to victory (Vijayam) belongs to Vijayawada," he announced amidst thunderous applause.
The saving grace
A DOYEN PAYS RESPECTS TO A STALWART: S.P.Balasubramanyam offers a padanamaskaaram to K. Visawanath.
It was a function that did Vijayawada and all the sons of the soil, proud. The speakers lauded the contribution of Viswanath to the rich culture and heritage of the State aptly pointing out that he was a great inspiration to all.
The felicitation of Viswanath, Sundaram Murthy, Sitarama Sastry and Vidyasagar (music director) turned out to be an earnest discussion on the deteriorating moral values among the clan of the present day film-makers. Viswanth was rightly crowned as the saving grace of the Telugu film industry.
On the whole, the programme was a treat for Telugu film connoisseurs. Upcoming playback singers, Sunitha and Parthasaradhi, rendered songs from Viswanath's films. Swarabhishekam dance troupe led by Madhavapeddi Murthy, provided the audience with some lively entertainment.
The sprawling Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao Government College ground near Satyanarayanapuram was transformed into a venue for celebrating the glorious past of Telugu cinema and its bright future.
A fitting tribute
Dorakunaa itivanti seva, nee pada rajeevamula chera ... , the soul-stirring song penned by lyricist, Veturi Sundaram Murthy, was the last item of the show.
Rendered in the mellifluous voice of popular singer, S.P.Balasubramanyam, it was a fitting tribute to the works of K.Viswanath, rendered to Telugu cinema, culture and literature.
The function was organized to mark the valedictory celebrations of the silver jubilee year of Sankarabharanam. Edida Nageswara Rao, the producer of Sankarabharanam, was also felicitated on the occasion.
Glowing tributes were paid to music director, K.V.Mahadevan, dialogue writer, Jandhyala and senior actors, J.V. Somayajulu and Allu Ramalingaiah.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
|
