Chenchu Lakshmi (1943 film)
1943 Telugu mythological film directed by S. Saundara Rajan.
Chenchu Lakshmi, a 1943 Telugu mythological film from India, was both produced and directed by S. Saundara Rajan. The screenplay was written by Samudrala Sr., and the cast included Kamala Kotnis, C. H. Narayana Rao, and Nagayya. The film’s main draws were Kamala Kotnis’s beauty, dancing, and acting.
The story follows the Sikhanayaka of the Ahobila tribe, who prayed to Vishnu for a daughter. Vishnu granted this wish but declared he would marry her himself. The child born to the tribal leader was named Chenchu Lakshmi, who grew up as an adventurer. Vishnu then came to earth as Narahari and fell in love with her. Unaware of Narahari’s true identity, the leader subjected him to several trials before finally allowing his daughter to marry him.
The cast featured Kamala Kotnis as Chenchu Lakshmi, Nagayya as her father, C. H. Narayana Rao as Narasimha, Rushyendramani as Adilakshmi, Satyam Lanka, and Garudachaari.
The film’s twelve songs and poems were composed jointly by S. Rajeswara Rao, C. R. Subbaraman, and R. N. Chinnayya, with lyrics by Samudrala Sr. The song list includes “Athi Bhagyasaali Nari Paricharana Kamala Pujari,” “Aadadi Adade, Aadanerchi Vetada Nerchina,” “Intakanna Naakedi Bhagyamu,” “Yeri Yeri Na Samaanulika Yeri,” “Yelukovayya Obulesha Mammelukovayya,” “Kanipanchitiva Naarasimha, Kanikarinchinava Ee Leela,” “Kamalaanaatha” (two versions), “Dhanyudara Ne Narasimha Na Janma Tarinchenura Deva,” “Nijamaadu Dana Needana, Ninu Nammi Manedana,” “Neede Baaramu Gadaa Deva Todu Needa Neeve Gadaa,” “Pove Kadali Palugaki, Popove,” and “Madhuramuga Ahaa Madhuramuga.”
- title
- Chenchu Lakshmi (1943 film)
- language
- Telugu
- genre
- Mythological
- director
- S. Saundara Rajan
- producer
- S. Saundara Rajan
- writer
- Samudrala Sr.
- starring
- Kamala Kotnis, C. H. Narayana Rao, Nagayya
Quick Facts
- Director
- S. Saundara Rajan
- Writer
- Samudrala Sr. (Dialogues)
- Story
- Samudrala Sr.
- Starring
- Kamala Kotnis / C. H. Narayana Rao
- Music
- Songs / S. Rajeswara Rao / C. R. Subbaraman / R. N. Chinnayya / Score / R. Balasaraswathi Devi
- Cinematography
- Jiten Banerjee
- Studio
- Tamil Nadu Talkies
- Released
- 1943
- Country
- India
- Language
- Telugu
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The plot follows the Sikhanayaka of the Ahobila tribe, who prayed to Vishnu for a daughter. Vishnu granted the request and declared he would marry her himself. The child born to the hill tribe leader was named Chenchu Lakshmi, who grew up as an adventurer. Vishnu murti came to earth in the form of Narahari and fell in love with Lakshmi. The leader, unaware of Narahari's true form, subjected him to many tests before marrying his daughter to Narahari.
The cast includes Kamala Kotnis as Chenchu Lakshmi, Nagayya as her father, C. H. Narayana Rao as Narasimha, Rushyendramani as Adilakshmi, Satyam Lanka, and Garudachaari. The film features 12 songs and poems composed jointly by S. Rajeswara Rao, C. R. Subbaraman, and R. N. Chinnayya, with lyrics by Samudrala Sr. Notable songs include "Kanipanchitiva Naarasimha, Kanikarinchinava Ee Leela" sung by Kamala Kotnis and "Athi Bhagyasaali Nari Paricharana Kamala Pujari" by Rushyendramani.
Reader's Guide
Chenchu Lakshmi is notable as a 1943 Telugu mythological film that highlights the performance of Kamala Kotnis, whose beauty, dance, and acting are cited as the main attractions. The film's music, composed by a trio of composers, and its songs, such as "Kanipinchitiva, Narasimha," received particular attention from author Gudipati Venkatachalam, who wrote in his Musings that the song was sung very melodiously and that hearing the weeping in the film still made him shudder. The film represents a regional mythological genre from the early 1940s, with a cast including notable actors like Nagayya and C. H. Narayana Rao. Its legacy is preserved through references in external links and the recollections of contemporary writers.
Did You Know?
- Kamala Kotnis' beauty, dance, and acting are described as the main attractions of the film.
- The film's 12 songs were jointly composed by S. Rajeswara Rao, C. R. Subbaraman, and R. N. Chinnayya.
- Author Gudipati Venkatachalam wrote that he listened to the film's audio for two nights in a row.
- The song 'Kanipinchitiva, Narasimha' was sung by Kamala Kotnis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chenchu Lakshmi (1943 film)?
It is a 1943 Telugu-language mythological film that was produced and directed by S. Saundara Rajan, with the screenplay credited to Samudrala Sr.
What is the plot of Chenchu Lakshmi (1943 film)?
The Ahobila tribe's leader prays to Vishnu for a daughter, and the god grants the wish while declaring he will personally marry the child. The girl, Chenchu Lakshmi, grows up as an adventurer, and Vishnu descends to earth in the form of Narahari to pursue her.
Who stars in Chenchu Lakshmi (1943 film)?
The principal cast includes Kamala Kotnis, C. H. Narayana Rao, and Nagayya, with Kamala Kotnis serving as the film's central draw through her beauty, dance, and acting.
Who directed and wrote Chenchu Lakshmi (1943 film)?
S. Saundara Rajan handled both the production and direction of the film, while Samudrala Sr. penned the screenplay.
Why do fans still talk about Chenchu Lakshmi (1943 film)?
It is remembered as a rare early Telugu mythological picture that wove tribal folklore into a divine-romance narrative centered on a god vowing to marry a mortal girl born to a tribal community. Its lasting appeal among fans rests largely on Kamala Kotnis's striking screen presence and the film's unusual premise.
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