Bhakta Prahlada (1931 film)
Encyclopedia
Bhakta Prahlada is the first Telugu
talkie film made in 1931 by H. M. Reddy
, a pioneer of the Indian film industry. It is a movie about a devotee Prahlada
in Hindu
mythology.
was planning to make the first Indian talkie movie Alam Ara
in Hindi in 1931. Hanumappa Muniappa Reddy (well known as H. M. Reddy) was assistant director on that film. Simultaneously, Reddy made the first Indian talkie in Telugu.
Prahalada was one of the successful dramas being played on stage by Surabhi Telugu drama troupe in those days. The team was under supervision of C.S.R. Anjaneyulu
, who later became a famous Telugu
actor. H.M. Reddy brought the entire drama team to Bombay and made the movie on the same set of Alam Ara. Among the cast in the movie, L. V. Prasad
and Kamalabai became famous Telugu film personalities.
Dharmavaram Ramakrishnamacharyulu
had written a Telugu drama for Surabhi drama group. The drama had been played many times and was successful.
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
talkie film made in 1931 by H. M. Reddy
H. M. Reddy
H. M. Reddy produced the first south talkie movie, Bhakta Prahlada. His full name was Hanumappa Muniappa Reddy and he was also referred as HM Reddy. Before making his own productions, he worked as assistant to Ardeshir Irani, creator of the first Indian talkie Alam Ara...
, a pioneer of the Indian film industry. It is a movie about a devotee Prahlada
Prahlada
Prahlada is a character from the Puranic texts of Hinduism, wherein he is famed for his exclusive devotion to Vishnu, despite attempts in the story by his father, Hiranyakashipu, to turn him to the contrary...
in Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
mythology.
History
Ardeshir IraniArdeshir Irani
Khan Bahadur Ardeshir Irani ; popularly known as Ardeshir Irani, was a writer, director, producer, actor, film distributor, film showman and cinematographer in the silent and sound eras of early Indian cinema. He was renowned for making films in Hindi, Telugu, English, German, Indonesian, Persian,...
was planning to make the first Indian talkie movie Alam Ara
Alam Ara
Alam Ara is a 1931 film directed by Ardeshir Irani. It was the first Indian sound film.Irani recognized the importance that sound would have on the cinema, and raced to complete Alam Ara before several contemporary sound films. Alam Ara debuted at the Majestic Cinema in Mumbai on March 14, 1931...
in Hindi in 1931. Hanumappa Muniappa Reddy (well known as H. M. Reddy) was assistant director on that film. Simultaneously, Reddy made the first Indian talkie in Telugu.
Prahalada was one of the successful dramas being played on stage by Surabhi Telugu drama troupe in those days. The team was under supervision of C.S.R. Anjaneyulu
Chilakalapudi Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu
Chilakalapudi Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu , better known as C. S. R. Anjaneyulu or just CSR was an Indian film renowned actor in Telugu Cinema. He acted in many stage dramas and portrayed hero, character and mythological roles in over 175 movies....
, who later became a famous Telugu
Telugu people
The Telugu people or Telugu Prajalu are an ethnic group of India. They are the native speakers of the Telugu language, the most commonly spoken language in India after Hindi and Bengali...
actor. H.M. Reddy brought the entire drama team to Bombay and made the movie on the same set of Alam Ara. Among the cast in the movie, L. V. Prasad
L. V. Prasad
Akkineni Lakshmi Vara Prasada Rao , more popularly known as L. V. Prasad was an Indian film producer and actor. He was a recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime contribution to cinema from the Government of India for the year 1982...
and Kamalabai became famous Telugu film personalities.
Plot
- See The Story of Narasimha and Prahlada for original story.
Dharmavaram Ramakrishnamacharyulu
Dharmavaram Ramakrishnamacharyulu
Dharmavaraṃ Rāmakr̥ṣṇamācāryulu was a renowned Telugu dramatist and playwright from Bellary. He was known as "Andhra Nataka Pithamaha" and wrote more than 30 original plays.-Early life:...
had written a Telugu drama for Surabhi drama group. The drama had been played many times and was successful.
Crew
- Producer - H. M. ReddyH. M. ReddyH. M. Reddy produced the first south talkie movie, Bhakta Prahlada. His full name was Hanumappa Muniappa Reddy and he was also referred as HM Reddy. Before making his own productions, he worked as assistant to Ardeshir Irani, creator of the first Indian talkie Alam Ara...
under Krishna Movies banner. - Director - C. S. R.Chilakalapudi Seetha Rama AnjaneyuluChilakalapudi Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu , better known as C. S. R. Anjaneyulu or just CSR was an Indian film renowned actor in Telugu Cinema. He acted in many stage dramas and portrayed hero, character and mythological roles in over 175 movies....
and H. M. Reddy - Background music - H. R. PadmaNabha Sastri.
- Dailogues - Dharmavaram RamakrishnamacharyuluDharmavaram RamakrishnamacharyuluDharmavaraṃ Rāmakr̥ṣṇamācāryulu was a renowned Telugu dramatist and playwright from Bellary. He was known as "Andhra Nataka Pithamaha" and wrote more than 30 original plays.-Early life:...
. - Lyrics - Chandala KesavadasuChandala KesavadasuChandhala Kesavadasu is the first lyricist in the history of the Telugu Film Industry....
- Camera - Govardhanabai Patel
- Studios - Imperial studio in Bombay.
Cast
- Hiranya KasapaHiranyakashipuHiranyakashipu [golden-haired] is an Asura from the Puranic scriptures of Hinduism. The Puranas describe Hiranyakashipu as an Asura. His younger brother, Hiranyaksha was slain by Varaha, one of the Avatars of Vishnu and angered by this, Hiranyakashipu decided to gain magical powers by performing...
- Munipalli Subbhaiah, also known as Valluru Subbaiah. - PrahladaPrahladaPrahlada is a character from the Puranic texts of Hinduism, wherein he is famed for his exclusive devotion to Vishnu, despite attempts in the story by his father, Hiranyakashipu, to turn him to the contrary...
- Master Krishna Rao - LeelavathiLeelavathiLeelavathi refers to any of the following. Leelavathi, Leelawati. Lilavati and Leelavati are used as alternative spellings to refer the same thing in India and south Asia....
- Surabhi KamalabaiSurabhi KamalabaiSurabhi Kamalabai is a Telugu drama and film actress. She has the distinction of first Telugu heroine in the Talky film Bhakta Prahlada directed by H. M. Reddy. She played the role of Leelavathi, the wife of Hiranyakasipa... - Moddabbai, friend of Prahlada and foolish son of Teacher - L. V. PrasadL. V. PrasadAkkineni Lakshmi Vara Prasada Rao , more popularly known as L. V. Prasad was an Indian film producer and actor. He was a recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime contribution to cinema from the Government of India for the year 1982...
- IndraIndra' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
- Dorasami Naidu. - Remaining characters - B. V. Subbarao and Chitrapu Narasimha Rao.