Annamayya
Encyclopedia
Annamayya is a 1997
Tollywood film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
starring Akkineni Nagarjuna
, Ramya Krishnan
, Mohan Babu
, and Roja. The music director is Keeravani
. It is the cinematic of life of the famous composer, Annamacharya
.
) listens to requests from his consort Lakshmi
(Bhanupriya
) that there weren't many people singing songs in praise of the Lord in Telugu language. In response, the Lord sends Nandaka (His sword) to be born as Annamacharya to a childless couple in Tallapaka village, Kadapa District
. Growing as a normal young man, Annamayya(Akkineni Nagarjuna
) is in love with his 2 cousins Timakka and Akkalamma (Ramya Krishnan
and Kasturi) and thinks that his cousins are the most beautiful creations of god.
Lord Vishnu appears in front of Annamayya in disguise and accepts a challenge from him to show someone more beautiful than his cousins - GOD in the form of Lord Venkateswara in a temple in his village. Upon discovering the beauty of Lord, Annamayya is lost in a different world and ends up making a pilgrimage to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
without planning or informing his parents. As his find pilgrims enter the holy hills, he is lost and is helped by Goddess Lakshmi herself in the form of an old lady by informing him that his footwear was preventing his progress. Also weakened by fasting
, Annamayya accepts Laddu
- a prasadam from the food consecrated by the Lord himself. Upon reaching Tirumala, he is enthralled by the beauty of God and settles there to write and sing hymns in praise of the Lord.
Meanwhile, Annamayya's parents get worried regarding Annamayya's whereabouts. Then, the Lord Venkateshwara, hearing the prayers of Lakkavaamba (Annamayya's mother), himself comes in the disguise of a Hunter along with his consorts and tells them that Annamayya lives in Tirumala.
Then, Annamayya's parents, cousins, aunt, uncle and his 2 friends come to Tirumala and watch him worship the Lord.
When Annamayya is asked to marry his 2 cousins, he refuses saying that his life is dedicated to the service of the Lord and marriage would become a hindrance to it. But, he is then convinced by the Lord himself who has now taken the form of a Brahmin
. The Lord personally conducts the wedding of Annamayya with his cousins - Timakka and Akkalamma. After the birth of children, Annamayya settles in Tirumala leaving his children in the care of his parents. Through encounters with the local administrator (Tanikella Bharani), he comes in contact with the ruler of the country - Saluva Narasimha(Mohan Babu) who becomes a fan of his songs and make him the court poet. On hearing a Sringara Sankeertan, the King and Queen (Roja) request that Annamayya sing a sankeertan in their praise as well, something Annamayya rejects as he would sing only for the Lord and not for any human being. Jailed for not heeding to the King, Annamayya invokes Lord in the form of Narashima (human-lion) and to the surprise of the King, jailors and everyone - the iron rods burst into flames and releases Annamayya.
Realising that their husband was born for humanity and Lord's service, his wives give up their lives freeing Annamayya of any earthly attachment. Annamayya realizing the divine order takes to writing poems and sankirtans and reaches old age. Priests and Brahmins unhappy with his social inclusion of lower caste people in the temple try to destroy his writings. When Annamayya decides to sacrifice his life because all his works were lost, a significant portion of his work is saved by Lord's grace from the fire. Saluva Narasimha and Annamayya's sons convert his work from palm to copper encriptions thus preserving his works for eternity. On completion and dedication of the work in the temple sanctum sanctorum, the Lord and his consorts appears one last time, in their divine form. The Lord grants salvation and Annamayya's soul returns as Nandaka (Sword).
film career. Though there have been few changes in the original life history of Shri Tallapaka Annamacharya, one could understand these changes helped the movie to become commercially a big hit. The climax scences of the movie were heart touching showing the close relationship between God and his devotee which is highlight of this movie.
1997 in film
-Events:* The original Star Wars trilogy's Special Editions are released.* Production begins on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.* Titanic becomes the first film to gross US$1,000,000,000 at the box office making it the highest grossing film in history until Avatar broke the record in 2010.*...
Tollywood film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
K. Raghavendra Rao
Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao shortly K. Raghavendra is a renowned director. He is one of the most commercially successful directors of Telugu cinema, and many believe that his contribution has been instrumental to the success of Telugu cinema. As of 2006, Raghavendra Rao has directed 103 films...
starring Akkineni Nagarjuna
Akkineni Nagarjuna
Akkineni Nagarjuna is an Indian film actor in Tollywood and Bollywood. He is a producer and one of the lead actors in Telugu cinema.- Early life :...
, Ramya Krishnan
Ramya Krishnan
Ramya Krishnan is an actress who performs in Indian cinema. She has acted in over 200 films in five languages; Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.-Early life and background:...
, Mohan Babu
Mohan babu
Mohan Babu is an actor & producer in Telugu Cinema. He is a former Member of Parliament - Rajya Sabha and Educationist from Andhra Pradesh...
, and Roja. The music director is Keeravani
M. M. Kreem
Koduri Maragatha Mani Keeravaani, better known as M. M. Keeravaani Koduri Maragatha Mani Keeravaani, better known as M. M. Keeravaani Koduri Maragatha Mani Keeravaani, better known as M. M. Keeravaani (Telugu: ఎం.ఎం.కీరవాణి or under the alias Maragatha Mani, M. M. Kreem (Hindi: M. M...
. It is the cinematic of life of the famous composer, Annamacharya
Annamacharya
Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya was the official songmaster of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, and a Telugu composer who composed around 36000 keertana songs, many of which were in praise of Venkateswara, the presiding deity of the temple...
.
Plot
Lord Vishnu (SumanSuman (actor)
Suman is a South Indian Telugu film actor. He played action hero and romantic hero in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam films during the 1980s. After a long while away from cinema, he returned to acting in Tamil films in 2007, starring in S. Shankar's Sivaji: The Boss with Rajinikanth. He has also...
) listens to requests from his consort Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
(Bhanupriya
Bhanupriya
Bhanu Priya is an Indian actress. She was a former leading actress of the Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam film industries from 1980 to 1993...
) that there weren't many people singing songs in praise of the Lord in Telugu language. In response, the Lord sends Nandaka (His sword) to be born as Annamacharya to a childless couple in Tallapaka village, Kadapa District
Kadapa district
YSR Kadapa District is one of the 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. On 8 July 2010, the government of Andhra Pradesh renamed the district in honor of Y. S...
. Growing as a normal young man, Annamayya(Akkineni Nagarjuna
Nagarjuna
Nāgārjuna was an important Buddhist teacher and philosopher. Along with his disciple Āryadeva, he is credited with founding the Mādhyamaka school of Mahāyāna Buddhism...
) is in love with his 2 cousins Timakka and Akkalamma (Ramya Krishnan
Ramya Krishnan
Ramya Krishnan is an actress who performs in Indian cinema. She has acted in over 200 films in five languages; Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.-Early life and background:...
and Kasturi) and thinks that his cousins are the most beautiful creations of god.
Lord Vishnu appears in front of Annamayya in disguise and accepts a challenge from him to show someone more beautiful than his cousins - GOD in the form of Lord Venkateswara in a temple in his village. Upon discovering the beauty of Lord, Annamayya is lost in a different world and ends up making a pilgrimage to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple ), is a Hindu temple in the hill town of Tirumala, near Tirupati in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, South India. It is around from Chennai, from Hyderabad, and from Bangalore....
without planning or informing his parents. As his find pilgrims enter the holy hills, he is lost and is helped by Goddess Lakshmi herself in the form of an old lady by informing him that his footwear was preventing his progress. Also weakened by fasting
Fasting
Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day , or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive,...
, Annamayya accepts Laddu
Laddu
Laddu or Laddoo is a ball-shaped sweet popular in South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh as well as countries with immigrants from South Asia. Laddu is made of flour and sugar with other ingredients that vary by recipe...
- a prasadam from the food consecrated by the Lord himself. Upon reaching Tirumala, he is enthralled by the beauty of God and settles there to write and sing hymns in praise of the Lord.
Meanwhile, Annamayya's parents get worried regarding Annamayya's whereabouts. Then, the Lord Venkateshwara, hearing the prayers of Lakkavaamba (Annamayya's mother), himself comes in the disguise of a Hunter along with his consorts and tells them that Annamayya lives in Tirumala.
Then, Annamayya's parents, cousins, aunt, uncle and his 2 friends come to Tirumala and watch him worship the Lord.
When Annamayya is asked to marry his 2 cousins, he refuses saying that his life is dedicated to the service of the Lord and marriage would become a hindrance to it. But, he is then convinced by the Lord himself who has now taken the form of a Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
. The Lord personally conducts the wedding of Annamayya with his cousins - Timakka and Akkalamma. After the birth of children, Annamayya settles in Tirumala leaving his children in the care of his parents. Through encounters with the local administrator (Tanikella Bharani), he comes in contact with the ruler of the country - Saluva Narasimha(Mohan Babu) who becomes a fan of his songs and make him the court poet. On hearing a Sringara Sankeertan, the King and Queen (Roja) request that Annamayya sing a sankeertan in their praise as well, something Annamayya rejects as he would sing only for the Lord and not for any human being. Jailed for not heeding to the King, Annamayya invokes Lord in the form of Narashima (human-lion) and to the surprise of the King, jailors and everyone - the iron rods burst into flames and releases Annamayya.
Realising that their husband was born for humanity and Lord's service, his wives give up their lives freeing Annamayya of any earthly attachment. Annamayya realizing the divine order takes to writing poems and sankirtans and reaches old age. Priests and Brahmins unhappy with his social inclusion of lower caste people in the temple try to destroy his writings. When Annamayya decides to sacrifice his life because all his works were lost, a significant portion of his work is saved by Lord's grace from the fire. Saluva Narasimha and Annamayya's sons convert his work from palm to copper encriptions thus preserving his works for eternity. On completion and dedication of the work in the temple sanctum sanctorum, the Lord and his consorts appears one last time, in their divine form. The Lord grants salvation and Annamayya's soul returns as Nandaka (Sword).
Reception
This movie was considered as Box office super hit. It is of the biggest hits in Akkineni NagarjunaAkkineni Nagarjuna
Akkineni Nagarjuna is an Indian film actor in Tollywood and Bollywood. He is a producer and one of the lead actors in Telugu cinema.- Early life :...
film career. Though there have been few changes in the original life history of Shri Tallapaka Annamacharya, one could understand these changes helped the movie to become commercially a big hit. The climax scences of the movie were heart touching showing the close relationship between God and his devotee which is highlight of this movie.
Cast
| Character | Actor / Actress |
|---|---|
| Annamayya | Akkineni Nagarjuna Akkineni Nagarjuna Akkineni Nagarjuna is an Indian film actor in Tollywood and Bollywood. He is a producer and one of the lead actors in Telugu cinema.- Early life :... |
| Lord Venkateswara | Suman Suman (actor) Suman is a South Indian Telugu film actor. He played action hero and romantic hero in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam films during the 1980s. After a long while away from cinema, he returned to acting in Tamil films in 2007, starring in S. Shankar's Sivaji: The Boss with Rajinikanth. He has also... |
| Ramya Krishna | |
| Kasturi | |
| Saluva Narasimha | Mohan Babu Mohan babu Mohan Babu is an actor & producer in Telugu Cinema. He is a former Member of Parliament - Rajya Sabha and Educationist from Andhra Pradesh... |
| Wife of Saluva Narasimha | Roja Selvamani Roja Selvamani Roja is a South Indian actress and politician. She is presently with YSR Congress party.-Early life:Roja was born in 1972 in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. She learnt Kuchipudi, a dance form, for a few years. She has two brothers Kumaraswamy Reddy and Ramprasad Reddy.-Film career:Roja entered the... |
| Lakshmi Devi | Bhanupriya Bhanupriya Bhanu Priya is an Indian actress. She was a former leading actress of the Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam film industries from 1980 to 1993... |
| Father of Annamayya | M. Balayya |
| Temple administrator | Tanikella Bharani Tanikella Bharani Tanikella Bharani is a critically acclaimed, multi-faceted actor from Tollywood and a writer. He is a playwrighter, a dialogue writer, screen writer, poet, magazine editor, an actor and a director... |
Soundtrack
- Adivo Alladivo Srihari Vaasamu (Lyrics: AnnamacharyaAnnamacharyaSri Tallapaka Annamacharya was the official songmaster of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, and a Telugu composer who composed around 36000 keertana songs, many of which were in praise of Venkateswara, the presiding deity of the temple...
; Singer: S.P. Balasubramaniam) - Antaryami Alasiti Solasiti (Singers: S.P. Balasubramaniam and S. P. SailajaS. P. SailajaSripathi Panditaradhyula Sailaja , is a versatile Indian singer. She lent her voice to Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada films. She has sung about 5000 songs to date.-Early life:She was born in Konetammapeta in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh...
) - Asmadiya Magatini Tasmadiya Takadhimi (Singers : ManoMano (singer)Mano is an Indian playback singer. He sings in Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi.-Biography:Mano was born in a Muslim family and his original name is Nagoor Babu; he was rechristened Mano by Ilayaraja...
and K. S. Chitra) - Ele Ele Maradala Vale Vale Varasala (Singers: S.P. Balasubramaniam, SujathaSujatha MohanSujatha Mohan , usually credited as Sujatha, is an award-winning Indian playback singer who is popular for singing in Malayalam and Tamil movies. She has also sung for Telugu, Kannada and Hindi movies. She is widely popular for her evergreen melodies and her sweet voice is considered to be her...
and Anuradha SriramAnuradha SriramAnuradha Sriram is an Indian carnatic and playback singer who hails from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. She has sung in many Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films.- Personal life :...
) - Govindashrita Gokulabrunda (Singers : S.P. Balasubramaniam, M.M. Keeravani, Anuradha Sriram and G. Anand
- Kondalalo (Singers: S.P. Balasubramaniam )
- Kalaganti Kalaganti (Singer: S.P. Balasubramaniam)
- Musina Muthyalakey (Singers: S.P. Balasubramaniam and K. S. Chitra)
- Nigama Nigamanta Varnitha Manohara Roopa (Lyrics: Annamacharya; Singer : S.P. Balasubramaniam and K. S. Chitra)
- Padahaaru Kalalaku (Singer: Mano)
- Purushoththamma (Singers: S.P. Balasubramaniam )
- Shobaname (Singer : Mano)
- Telugu Padaaniki (Singers : S.P. Balasubramaniam, Sujatha, Renuka)
- Vinaro Bhagyamu (Singers : S.P. Balasubramaniam, Srilekha Parthasarathy, M.M. Keeravani)
- Vinnapaalu Vinavale (Singers : S.P. Balasubramaniam, Renuka, Srilekha Parthasarathy)
- Bramha kadigina padam (Singers : K.S Chitra, Renuka, Ramachari)
- Moosina mutyalake (Singers :S.P. Balasubramaniam, Sujatha, K.S Chitra)
Box-office
- The film turned out to be a hit with a 100 day run in 42 centres.
- The film had a 176-day run in 2 centres.
- The film was a big hit in Karnataka too.
- The film album is the highest sold Telugu music album till date.
- It was dubbed in Hindi as Tirupathi Sri Balaji.
Awards
- National Film Award for Special Jury AwardNational Film Award - Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film)The National Film Award of India - Special Jury Award / Special Mention - Feature Film winners are:...
(1997) for NagarjunaAkkineni NagarjunaAkkineni Nagarjuna is an Indian film actor in Tollywood and Bollywood. He is a producer and one of the lead actors in Telugu cinema.- Early life :... - National Film Award for Best Music DirectionNational Film Award for Best Music DirectionThe National Film Award for Best Music Direction are given annually. In years 1994, 1995 and 2010, an award for Best Background Score was instituted by the Jury, which was won by Johnson and by Ilaiyaraaja . Ilaiyaraaja and A. R...
(1997) for M. M. Keeravani - Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (1997) (Gold) - Doraswamy Raju
- Nandi Award for Best ActorNandi Award for Best ActorNandi Award for Best actor started in 1965.The Nandi Award for Best Actor winners:-See also:* Nandi Awards* Cinema of Andhra Pradesh...
(1997) for NagarjunaAkkineni NagarjunaAkkineni Nagarjuna is an Indian film actor in Tollywood and Bollywood. He is a producer and one of the lead actors in Telugu cinema.- Early life :... - Nandi Special Jury AwardNandi Special Jury AwardThe Nandi Special Jury Award is given by the state government as part of its annual Nandi Awards for Telugu films....
(1997) for SumanSuman (actor)Suman is a South Indian Telugu film actor. He played action hero and romantic hero in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam films during the 1980s. After a long while away from cinema, he returned to acting in Tamil films in 2007, starring in S. Shankar's Sivaji: The Boss with Rajinikanth. He has also... - Nandi Award for Best Male Dubbing ArtistNandi Award for Best Male Dubbing ArtistThe Nandi Award for Best Male Dubbing Artist winners:...
(1997) for S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
Trivia
- Many directors;including Jandhyala ventured on making a movie on AnnamacharyaAnnamacharyaSri Tallapaka Annamacharya was the official songmaster of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, and a Telugu composer who composed around 36000 keertana songs, many of which were in praise of Venkateswara, the presiding deity of the temple...
;which however turned out to be unfruitful. - The producer of the film Doraiswamy Raju was a Telugu Desam PartyTelugu Desam PartyTelugu Desam Party or TDP is a regional political party in India's Andhra Pradesh state. It was founded by former Telugu film star N. T...
(TDP) legislator.