Ardhangi (1955)

The village belle, a brave heart impresses the zamindar for challenging his arrogant younger son. He plans to perform their marriage. But she ends up marrying the zamindar’s elder son, a retard. In a hostile atmosphere, how she emerges triumphant is what appealed to the audience to make Ardhangi , one of the major hits of 1955.

Manilal Benerjee’s Bengali novel, Swayam Siddha was translated into Telugu by the renowned writer, Maddipatla Suri and serialised in Andhra Sachitravara Patrika . P. Pullaiah acquired the rights and based on it produced and directed Ardhangi under Ragini Films banner. Music director-editor B. Narasimha Rao (BNR) was his partner. The duo had earlier produced, Dharmadevatha (1952). Incidentally, Swayam Siddha was made as a movie twice in Bengali – in 1947 and 1975.

The Story: Zamindar Bhujangarao (Gummadi) has two sons. The elder son Raghu (ANR) born to his first wife is a retard. After her death he married Rajeswari (Santhakumari) and the couple has a son Nagu (Jaggaiah) a man of vices. Impressed by the way Padma (Savitri) a village girl faced Nagu when he threatened to take their farm lands, the zamindar fixes Nagu’s marriage with her. But Rajeswari vetoes the alliance and suggests to perform her marriage with Raghu. After marriage Padma learns that Raghu became a retard due to the opium fed during his childhood to put him to sleep by the maid, Ayamma (Vijayalakshmi). She takes up the task of making him normal and also keeping the whiplashing-Nagu at a distance from Raghu. The zamindar rewrites the will in Raghu’s name and dies. But Raghu leaves the property to the peeved Rajeswari and Nagu and goes to the village with his wife. Nagu brings his paramour Neelaveni (Surabhi Balasaraswati) who along with her entourage (Sivaramakrishnaiah, Kasipathi and Gangarathnam) eye Nagu’s property. When he learns that the farmers paid the tax to Raghu, an enraged Nagu goes to the village with a rifle. At the same time Raghu brings the money to give it to him. A repentant Rajeswari along with Raghu reaches the village, to bring sense in Nagu. When she fails, she takes the rifle and aims at him. But Padma shields him. Nagu is a changed man.

Cast & Crew: Bringing in lot of nativity into the story, master craftsman Pullaiah wrote a taut screenplay, dramatic yet without melodrama. Excellent support came from his cinematographer Madhav Bulbule and dialogue and lyric writer Acharya Athreya. Some of the dialogues like – mathileni vadokkadu, madamekkina vadokkadu, mana kharma ila thagaladindi convey the essence of the theme. Savitri excelled as Padma, the empowered woman bringing a certain dignity to the character with her calm demeanour. ANR showcased the difference between a retard and a normal person in his portrayal of Raghu, without an iota of exaggeration. Jaggaiah as the wayward son has done his bit well. The movie established Gummadi as a character actor. When Pullaiah was on the lookout for an actor for the Zamindar’s role, ‘Pratibha’ (T.V.S.) Sastri suggested Gummadi’s name. Pullaiah showed him to his wife Santhakumari who was to play Rajeswari. She was not convinced. He was much younger than her. The next day on the sets she saw Gummadi in an old man’s get up. In disbelief she nodded her approval.

BNR who acted as Musalayya, the village elder in the movie, belted out melodious tunes– Yekkadamma Chandrudu (lyric: Arudra, singer: Jikki), Yedchevallani Yedavani..Navve valla adrushtamemo… (Athreya; Ghantasala, P. Leela) and Raka Raka Vachchavu Chandamama… (Athreya; Jikki) were among the popular numbers.

Trivia: Pullaiah originally planned to sign NTR for Raghu’s role and ANR as Nagu. ANR wrote in his book, Manasulonimata : “When Pullaiah told me about his choice, I said that since the younger brother is a bad guy, it will not look good on me. I prefer the elder brother’s role as it is more challenging. I was wondering how he will take it. But he gave me the elder brother’s character.” Gummadi was 11 years younger than Santhakumari who played his wife and three years younger than ANR and six months younger than Jaggaiah who were his sons in the movie.

Pullaiah made it in Tamil as Pennin Perumai (1956) with Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesh and Savitri. It also celebrated a 100-day run. Venus Pictures remade Ardhangi in Hindi as Bahurani (1963) starring Guru Dutt, Feroze Khan and Mala Sinha. Directed by T. Prakash Rao it ran well too.

Published - June 06, 2014 12:00 am IST