Devadasu was made in Telugu for the first time by Vedantam Raghavayya, which was produced by Vinoda pictures.

StoryLine
The crux of the story forms between the clash of two classes viz. higher class and lower class societies and how two lovers, who dearly love each other gets stuck with this fuedalistic society. Devadas aka Devada and Paravathi aka Paru are childhood friends. Devada is the son a of a zamindar and Paru is from a lower class family. Devada is sent to town for higher studies.
After completing his studies, Devadas returns to the village. Devadas and Paru are in love with each other. Devada's parents are against their relation. Being not able to defy the parents on one hand and not able to give up Paru on the other hand, Devada goes away to town. Taking this as a insult, Paru's father, gets Paru married to a rich Zamindar, a widower with children. The eldest of the children is almost the age of Paru.

This breaks Devada's heart. He takes shelter at a friend's place. His friend takes him to a women of easy virtue, Chandramukhi, whose profession Devadas hates. Devada gets persuaded to drink by his friend in a bid to make him forget Paru and ultimately Devada turns drunkard. Chandramukhi who is the queen of the starts adoring Devada and changes for good. Devadas cannot forget Paru.

Paru tries to fulfil her duties as a Hindu wife. Drink is everything for Devada. On one occassion when Devada meets Paru he promises her that he will come and stay at her place. When Devada is diagnosied with advanced cancer, Chandramukhi who is dearly called by Devada as Ammi takes great care of him. And towards his final days he starts to go back to his native place but on the way he gets down at the station which is few miles away from Paru's place. But before he could reach the place, he dies and coming to know of that Paru also leaves her soul in the palace.

Akkineni NageswarRao lived in the role of Devadasu. As a matter of fact he could not bring Devadasu back to life with "Devadasu Malli Puttadu". He also confessed that he can never do that role again. What happened was truly a magic which produced a master priece. Savitri as parvati (Paru), Lalitha as Chandramukhi (Ammi), Peketi Sivaram, Ramayya Character, CSR as the zamindar who is also the husband of Paru, SVR as the landlord and father of Devada lived their roles.

Devadas grips the audiencine such a way, you try to move - you fear you cannot stop the tears. Devadas character not-bold enough to confront father for Paru, concerned enough about the society not to elope with Paru even at her proposal, coward enough to escape from problems and run away to town - is still the hero of the love stories. ANR has emoted a balanced performance aptly portraying what SaratChandra Chaterjee had viewed Devadas.



Technically, the movie is brilliant even today. The darkness that is captured along with Devadas character is amazing. The way Cheliya Ledhu Chelimi Ledhu was picturized - A dark room with Devadas at the center and the only source of light is a ventillator that diverges into the room without disturbing the darkness is extremely amazing.

Peketi Sivaram with "manavadu anukunte emaina chesesthadu" attitude is a friend of Devadas who gets him console in two ways: Alcohol and Chandramukhi. Though his intentions were wrong about Chandramukhi, his reference to ANR only does good to Chandramukhi and provides a emotional shelter to Devadas towards his final days.
The picturization of Jagame Maya is extraordinary. An empty street with a street light and Devadas sings the song with a liqour bottle in his hand and a dog by his side is simple and extraordinary.

Music by C.R.Subbaraman took this epic to great heights. This is rated as his best work ever. Unfortunately this was his last composition. Samudrala's lyrics digs deep into the psychology and one can see nothing but sorrow in every aspect of life. Lyrics deat emotionally trying to justify the sorrows by converting them into positive getures. "Marapu Raani Badha Kanna Madhurame Ledhoi
Gathamu thalachi vagache kanna soukyame ledhoi
Andharaani Pondhu kanna andhame ledhu anandame ledhu"

Also Samudrala's lyrics for "Palleku podham" and "Oh Devada" fall completely in a different track from that of the others. Palleku Podham is simple with lyrics but still portrays a great anxiety and enthusiasm to see someone. All the songs are highlights and how much ever you write about the movie & music would be less.

The best is ofcourse our Gaana Gandharva Ghantasala. Ghantasala, C.R.Subbaraman, Samudrala provided the background and ANR aptly portrayed them on the screen.

Every aspect of the film is amazingly captured and it might be apt to say that this is the best Devadas ever made. Kudos to the cast and crew of the film.

Few Details on the cast and crew.

Vedantham Raagavayya(1919 -1971)
He is born in Krishna Dist. having learnt Kuchipudi, he started as choreographer for Ramabrahmams Raitu Bidd in 1939. He worked as choreographer for movies like Vandemataram - 1939, swargaseema - 1945, Raksharekha - 1949, vipranarayana- 1954. His third film as director is Devadas. G K Mangarao's newly started Vinoda pictures started out with this hit movie.

ANR
Born on 20th September 1924 at VenkataRaghavapuram of Gudivada, Krishna Dist. He entered film industry in 1941.He acted in over 250 films. He was awarded with Padamsri in 69, Kalaprapoorna (d0ctorate) in 77, Padmabhushan in 88, Raghupathi Venkayya naidu in 90, DadaSaheb Phalke in 1991.

Savitri (1937-1981)
Born in Chirravuru, Guntur Dist on 11th Jan, 1937. Student of Sista Purnayya sastry for music and classical dacnce. Her first movie is Samasaaram.She married Gemini Ganesh.

Ghantasala VenkateswarRao(1922-1981)
Born in Gudivada on 4th of December, 1922. His father Ghantasala Sooraya is a noted Mrudangam artist. He studied music at Vijayanagar Music College. Ghatasala participated in Quit India Movement and was jailed for 18 months. Ghantasala debuted with Yennela Chirunavvula for SwargaSeema in 1945.

Contributed by Vamsy
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