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Wild Fruits
Wild Fruits which i found at an SEZ(Special Economic Zone) in Ongole, Andhra Pradesh.
Click on the image to enlarge it
Click on the image to enlarge it
Few thoughts on VEDAM
Looks like many filmgoers have taken a CRASH course in ‘Identifying Plagiarism’. Krish’s VEDAM starring Allu Arjun, Manchu Manoj and Anushka gets a concoction release and publicity. Even before the release of VEDAM we have heard film experts (so called) saying that it’s a copy of a Hollywood film, Krish’s first film ‘GAMYAM’ was bashed for the same reason that it was a copy of ‘Motorcycle Diaries’. It’s quite clear that people who said that ‘Gamyam’ is a copy of ‘Motorcycle Diaries’ haven’t seen Dennis Hopper’s ‘Easy Rider’. Coming back to VEDAM, all those folks who say that VEDAM is a copy of CRASH should know the difference between Plagiarism and Inspiration.
Seeing the hype created for VEDAM before its release I was under some kind of intangible impression that this movie is gonna be a disaster(Critically and Commercially) at the Box-Office, the mutual praise by actors and directors made me feel that VEDAM will be TELUGU TASHAN. After the following poster of VEDAM was released I developed some kind of interest towards the film
Just before the release we have seen Allu Arjun , Krish talking about Vedam, lot of online publicity, the twitter publicity, TV Channels publicity, other contemporary directors praising the work of Krish …Oh God….what not… I could sense the change which telugu cinema has slowly embraced. The change may be due to inevitable compulsions or it’s a positive metamorphosis.
/*Possible Spoiler Alert*/
VEDAM is a hyperlink film of 5 stories. Cable Raju(Allu Arjun) who traps a rich girl by pretending to be a rich guy. Vivek(Manchu Manoj) wants to give a live rock show but his mother wants him to join the army, Saroja(Anushka) is a Amalapuram prostitute who runs away from a brothel house to setup her own brothel company in Hyderabad. Rehman(Manoj Bajpai) is a honest Hyderabadi Muslim who is seen as an extremist and Ramulu(Nagayya) is a old man under the curse of poverty and in search of money to free his grandson from the landlord.
Director Krish has a lot of understanding on human emotions, he relies on human emotions, and he possesses the rare talent of capturing the vulnerable human emotions on screen. Krish successfully presents the gamut of human emotions and psychological itch lingering with it.
I guess Krish is a studious follower of Syd Field, the screenplay is styled with respect to the audience thinking, and he has a firm grip on the raw characters like we have seen in the character ‘Gaali Seenu’ in ‘Gamyam’ and here now in ‘Vedam’ as ‘Cable Raju’. Cinematography by Gnana Sekhar is an asset to Krish, the Jubilee hills slum is shown as slum and nothing more. How often do we see a telugu actor holding a guitar in the way it needs to be? Manch Manoj was very good as a wannabe rock star. I liked the scene in which Vivek has a brawl with moral police guys and the way he attacks the vehicle with a stone was brilliantly shot and the scene where Cable Raju tries to run away with the money but Nagayya catches his leg.
Anushka plays the role of Saroja, a prostitute. The legacy of K.Ragahavendra Rao is carried forward, we see some navel shots and low tied sarees, and we should remember that Anushka is not Kate Winslet and Krish is not Bernardo Bertolucci and thus the skin show ends there, guys who are expecting more than the usual stuff would be disappointed. As always the prostitute is accompanied by a eunuch named ‘Karpooram’ and we are shown a cameo by Bhramanandam who counters ‘Karpooram’ by saying ‘Agarbatti emi kaadu….?’ and a very mediocre joke on ‘Karpooram’. Cliché is the apt word to describe the story of Rehman played by ‘Manoj Bajpai’. The role of Rehman lacks freshness and the talented Manoj Bajpai is underused. Like most of the hyperlink films even VEDAM has one climax, it’s like watching the good old movies where we are informed that here is the climax…. the climax is not forced upon the audience but instead it traces the unexpected and peculiar ending when compared with the normal telugu films.
Observe the scene when ‘Cable Raju’ is about to handover the money to buy the passes….the image of Cable Raju is reflected multiple times in the mirror, this reminded me of Orson Welles ‘Citizen Kane’, you are free to assume whether this shot was a copy or inspiration or coincidence. Even ‘Wim Wenders’ has copy or inspiration or coincidence.
What did Telugu Cinema Achieve/Change?
Frankly very little is achieved and some things are changed by the release of VEDAM. There is much to be achieved and changed by the path set by Vedam. Here are some changes which might happen…
•New directors can dare to come up with innovative scripts leaving back the prescribed formulae based stories.
•Telugu Cinema can hope for Multi-Starrer films provided good scripts are available.
•Films with noble intentions can still be produced with innovation added to it.
•Hopefully we can see less of cars crashing against each other unnecessarily and Tata Sumo’s blowing into air etc…
•May be now directors will think twice to showcase the Superman stunts of our heroes and I guess they will give some respect to Newton’s “Laws of Gravity”
•Films with different genres, different narration etc… might pop up.
•Publicity tactics may undergo dramatic changes including the posters.
•Filmmakers may not feel shy to show taboo roles.
Originally published on Passionforcinema.com
Seeing the hype created for VEDAM before its release I was under some kind of intangible impression that this movie is gonna be a disaster(Critically and Commercially) at the Box-Office, the mutual praise by actors and directors made me feel that VEDAM will be TELUGU TASHAN. After the following poster of VEDAM was released I developed some kind of interest towards the film
Just before the release we have seen Allu Arjun , Krish talking about Vedam, lot of online publicity, the twitter publicity, TV Channels publicity, other contemporary directors praising the work of Krish …Oh God….what not… I could sense the change which telugu cinema has slowly embraced. The change may be due to inevitable compulsions or it’s a positive metamorphosis.
/*Possible Spoiler Alert*/
VEDAM is a hyperlink film of 5 stories. Cable Raju(Allu Arjun) who traps a rich girl by pretending to be a rich guy. Vivek(Manchu Manoj) wants to give a live rock show but his mother wants him to join the army, Saroja(Anushka) is a Amalapuram prostitute who runs away from a brothel house to setup her own brothel company in Hyderabad. Rehman(Manoj Bajpai) is a honest Hyderabadi Muslim who is seen as an extremist and Ramulu(Nagayya) is a old man under the curse of poverty and in search of money to free his grandson from the landlord.
Director Krish has a lot of understanding on human emotions, he relies on human emotions, and he possesses the rare talent of capturing the vulnerable human emotions on screen. Krish successfully presents the gamut of human emotions and psychological itch lingering with it.
I guess Krish is a studious follower of Syd Field, the screenplay is styled with respect to the audience thinking, and he has a firm grip on the raw characters like we have seen in the character ‘Gaali Seenu’ in ‘Gamyam’ and here now in ‘Vedam’ as ‘Cable Raju’. Cinematography by Gnana Sekhar is an asset to Krish, the Jubilee hills slum is shown as slum and nothing more. How often do we see a telugu actor holding a guitar in the way it needs to be? Manch Manoj was very good as a wannabe rock star. I liked the scene in which Vivek has a brawl with moral police guys and the way he attacks the vehicle with a stone was brilliantly shot and the scene where Cable Raju tries to run away with the money but Nagayya catches his leg.
Anushka plays the role of Saroja, a prostitute. The legacy of K.Ragahavendra Rao is carried forward, we see some navel shots and low tied sarees, and we should remember that Anushka is not Kate Winslet and Krish is not Bernardo Bertolucci and thus the skin show ends there, guys who are expecting more than the usual stuff would be disappointed. As always the prostitute is accompanied by a eunuch named ‘Karpooram’ and we are shown a cameo by Bhramanandam who counters ‘Karpooram’ by saying ‘Agarbatti emi kaadu….?’ and a very mediocre joke on ‘Karpooram’. Cliché is the apt word to describe the story of Rehman played by ‘Manoj Bajpai’. The role of Rehman lacks freshness and the talented Manoj Bajpai is underused. Like most of the hyperlink films even VEDAM has one climax, it’s like watching the good old movies where we are informed that here is the climax…. the climax is not forced upon the audience but instead it traces the unexpected and peculiar ending when compared with the normal telugu films.
Observe the scene when ‘Cable Raju’ is about to handover the money to buy the passes….the image of Cable Raju is reflected multiple times in the mirror, this reminded me of Orson Welles ‘Citizen Kane’, you are free to assume whether this shot was a copy or inspiration or coincidence. Even ‘Wim Wenders’ has copy or inspiration or coincidence.
What did Telugu Cinema Achieve/Change?
Frankly very little is achieved and some things are changed by the release of VEDAM. There is much to be achieved and changed by the path set by Vedam. Here are some changes which might happen…
•New directors can dare to come up with innovative scripts leaving back the prescribed formulae based stories.
•Telugu Cinema can hope for Multi-Starrer films provided good scripts are available.
•Films with noble intentions can still be produced with innovation added to it.
•Hopefully we can see less of cars crashing against each other unnecessarily and Tata Sumo’s blowing into air etc…
•May be now directors will think twice to showcase the Superman stunts of our heroes and I guess they will give some respect to Newton’s “Laws of Gravity”
•Films with different genres, different narration etc… might pop up.
•Publicity tactics may undergo dramatic changes including the posters.
•Filmmakers may not feel shy to show taboo roles.
People who still insist that ‘Vedam’ is a copy of ‘Crash’ should digest the fact that ‘Sholay’ is also a copy , 'Inglorious Bastards' is directed by ‘Sergio Leone’ not by Quentin Tarantino.
Why is the tag “Guest Appearance” attached to ‘Manchu Manoj’ during credits????
Originally published on Passionforcinema.com
VETURI gaaru
My friend Sai Karthik's tribute to Veturi
For those who have difficulty with the Telugu font can read the article in English font followed by this..
"పొయినోళ్ళు అందరు మంచోళ్ళు, ఉన్నోళ్ళు పొయినోళ్ళ తీపిగురుతులు" ఒకానొక సంధర్భం లొ వేటూరి అన్న మాట, ఎందుకో గుర్తు వచ్చింది. ఆయన గురుంచి చెప్పడానికి నా వయసు, భాషా ప్రావీన్యం, అనుభవం ఏ మూలకు అక్కరకు వస్తాయో తెలియదు కాని, నా మనసులో మాత్రం, భావాలు బయట పడాలని అత్రుతతో ఉన్నాయి.
నేను, ఒక చిన్న సామాన్య భావ కవిని. నాకు స్ఫూర్తి, ఆరాధ్య మూర్తి వేటూరి అని చెప్పడానికి సంకోచించను. ఫ్రతి మనిషికి కొన్ని ఆలోచనలు ఉంటాయి, అవి పద రూపం దాల్చదానికి చెసే ప్రయత్నం కవిత, దాని వానిజ్య రూపం పాట. వేటూరి గరు, ఏ సంధర్భాని నైనా, వర్నించ గల సమర్ధులు. అందుకే సినీ సామ్రాజ్యం లో, మకుటం లెని మహారజు గా వెలుగొందాడు ఆయన.
ఓక పాత్రికేయుడి గా, మొదలైన ఆయన ప్రస్థానం, ప్రజల గుండెల్లొ గూడు కట్టుకునే వరకు సాగింది.ఆయన పాటకి, ప్రజలు బ్రమ్హ రథం పట్టారు. తెలుగు చిత్ర సీమ లో నాయకులు దేవుళ్ళు గా భాసిల్లుతున్న రోజుల్లో కుడా, ఓ పాటల రచయిత, ఇంత ఆదరాభిమానాలు పొందటం, బహుసా, "మనసు కవి " ఆత్రేయ గారి తరువాత, వేటూరి గారేనేమో.
ఓకానొక సంధర్బాన ఆత్రెయ గారు,"ఎడా పెడా రాసేస్తున్నావట, చాలా వేగంగా కూడా రాస్తున్నావట" అని అన్నారు," మీ అంత గొప్ప గా రాయలెనప్పుడు వేగంగా అన్నా రాయాలి కదా గురువుగారు" అని అన్నారట.ఆదే సమయస్ఫుర్తి, ఆయన పాటల్లూ కూడా కనిపిస్తుంది.
ఓక పాటా, రెండు పాటలా, మొత్తం పదివేల పాటలకు ప్రాణం పోయడం, ఏ కవిపుంగవునికీ సాధ్యం ఐంది. ఒక్కో సన్నివేశం, ఒక్కో ధోరని గా ఉండే తెలుగు పాటలు రాయడానికి వివిధ కవులు ఉన్న ఈ కాలం లొ అలా అన్ని సంధర్భాలకు పాటలు రాయగల వేటూరి ఒక్కరే ఉండడం మనకి గర్వ కారణం. శ్రుంగార రసం, రౌద్రం, కరున, భక్తి ఒకాటా అన్ని రసాల మేలవింపు ఆయన కలం నుంచి జాలు వారయి. రాసిన అన్ని పాటల్లూ దాదాపు, ప్రజల గుండెల్లూ నిలిచి పొయెవి రాసారు.
"సీతారామయ్య మనవరాలు" చిత్రం తరువాత, నా పాటల్లో నేనే తెలుగు వెతుక్కో వలసి వచ్చింది అని వేటూరి భాదపడ్డారు. "ధనార్జన మొదలైనా తరువత పాటకు విలువ పడిపోయింది" అని వేదన చెందారు.ఆయన పాత తరనికి కొత్త తరానికి, వారధి అన్నా, మూడు తరాల ప్రతినిధి అని అన్నా, రెండు నిజాలే. ఎన్.టి.ఆర్ నుంది ఎన్.టి.ఆర్ వరకు, క్రిష్న నుండి మహేష్ బాబు వరకు, ఎ.ఎన్.ఆర్ నుంచి సుమంత్ వరకు, చిరంజీవి నుంచి అల్లు అర్జున్ వరకు ఆయన పాతలకు అందరూ నర్తించిన వరె.
అచ్చ తేట తెలుగు కి, తేనెలద్ది చెవుళ్ళో మధురామ్రుతాలు నింపి, ఆయన మాత్రం సుదూర తీరాల కి సాగిపోయారు. బహుసా, తెలుగు తల్లి తన వడికి చేర్చు కోని జోల పాటా రాయించుకుంటోందేమో. ఆయన ప్రతిభ సామాన్యమైనదా, ఎవరినైనా మెప్పించగలరు.
పైన పొందు పరిచిన అభిప్రాయాలు కేవలం నావే, ఎవరినైనా నొప్పించి ఉంటే క్షమార్హుడుని.ధన్యవాదాలు
----మీ కార్తీక్.
"poyinOLLu andaru manchOLLu, unnOLLu poyinOLLa teepigurutulu" okaanoka sandharbham lo vETUri anna maaTa, endukO gurtu vachchindi. Ayana gurunchi cheppaDaaniki naa vayasu, bhaashaa praavInyam, anubhavam E mUlaku akkaraku vastaayO teliyadu kaani, naa manasulO maatram, bhaavaalu bayaTa paDaalani atrutatO unnaayi.
nEnu, oka chinna saamaanya bhaava kavini. naaku sphoorti, aaraadhya mUrti vETUri ani cheppaDaaniki sankOchinchanu. Prati manishiki konni aalOchanalu unTaayi, avi pada roopam daalchadaaniki chesE prayatnam kavita, daani vaanijya roopam paaTa. vETUri garu, E sandharbhaani nainaa, varnincha gala samardhulu. andukE sinI saamraajyam lO, makuTam leni mahaaraju gaa velugondaaDu aayana.
Oka paatrikEyuDi gaa, modalaina aayana prasthaanam, prajala gunDello gUDu kaTTukunE varaku saagindi.Ayana paaTaki, prajalu bramha ratham paTTaaru. telugu chitra seema lO naayakulu dEvuLLu gaa bhaasillutunna rOjullO kuDaa, O paaTala rachayita, inta Adaraabhimaanaalu pondaTam, bahusaa, "manasu kavi " AtrEya gaari taruvaata, vETUri gaarEnEmO.
Okaanoka sandharbaana Atreya gaaru,"eDaa peDaa raasEstunnaavaTa, chaalaa vEgangaa kUDaa raastunnaavaTa" ani annaaru," mee anta goppa gaa raayalenappuDu vEgangaa annaa raayaali kadaa guruvugaaru" ani annaaraTa.AdE samayasphurti, aayana paaTalloo kUDaa kanipistundi.
Oka paaTaa, renDu paaTalaa, mottam padivEla paaTalaku praaNam pOyaDam, E kavipungavunikee saadhyam aindi. okkO sannivESam, okkO dhOrani gaa unDE telugu paaTalu raayaDaaniki vividha kavulu unna I kaalam lo alaa anni sandharbhaaalaku paaTalu raayagala vETUri okkarE unDaDam manaki garva kaaraNam. Srungaara rasam, roudram, karuna, bhakti okaaTaaa anni rasaala mElavimpu aayana kalam nunchi jaalu vaarayi. raasina anni paaTalloo daadaapu, prajala gunDelloo nilichi poyevi raasaaru.
"seetaaraamayya manavaraalu" chitram taruvaata, naa paaTallO nEnE telugu vetukkO valasi vachchindi ani vETUri bhaadapaDDaaru. "dhanaarjana modalainaa taruvata paaTaku viluva paDipOyindi" ani vEdana chendaaru.Ayana paata taraniki kotta taraaniki, vaaradhi annaa, mooDu taraala pratinidhi ani annaa, renDu nijaalE. en.Ti.aar nundi en.Ti.aar varaku, krishna nunDi mahEsh baabu varaku, e.en.aar nunchi sumant varaku, chiranjeevi nunchi allu arjun varaku aayana paatalaku andarU nartinchina vare.
achcha tETa telugu ki, tEneladdi chevuLLO madhuraamrutaalu nimpi, aayana maatram sudUra teeraala ki saagipOyaaru. bahusaa, telugu talli tana vaDiki chErchu kOni jOla paaTaa raayinchukunTOndEmO. Ayana pratibha saamaanyamainadaa, evarinainaa meppinchagalaru.
guDi lO dEvuDu ekkaDa unnaa guLLO unnaTTE, gunDe guDi lO vETUri antE.
For those who have difficulty with the Telugu font can read the article in English font followed by this..
"పొయినోళ్ళు అందరు మంచోళ్ళు, ఉన్నోళ్ళు పొయినోళ్ళ తీపిగురుతులు" ఒకానొక సంధర్భం లొ వేటూరి అన్న మాట, ఎందుకో గుర్తు వచ్చింది. ఆయన గురుంచి చెప్పడానికి నా వయసు, భాషా ప్రావీన్యం, అనుభవం ఏ మూలకు అక్కరకు వస్తాయో తెలియదు కాని, నా మనసులో మాత్రం, భావాలు బయట పడాలని అత్రుతతో ఉన్నాయి.
నేను, ఒక చిన్న సామాన్య భావ కవిని. నాకు స్ఫూర్తి, ఆరాధ్య మూర్తి వేటూరి అని చెప్పడానికి సంకోచించను. ఫ్రతి మనిషికి కొన్ని ఆలోచనలు ఉంటాయి, అవి పద రూపం దాల్చదానికి చెసే ప్రయత్నం కవిత, దాని వానిజ్య రూపం పాట. వేటూరి గరు, ఏ సంధర్భాని నైనా, వర్నించ గల సమర్ధులు. అందుకే సినీ సామ్రాజ్యం లో, మకుటం లెని మహారజు గా వెలుగొందాడు ఆయన.
ఓక పాత్రికేయుడి గా, మొదలైన ఆయన ప్రస్థానం, ప్రజల గుండెల్లొ గూడు కట్టుకునే వరకు సాగింది.ఆయన పాటకి, ప్రజలు బ్రమ్హ రథం పట్టారు. తెలుగు చిత్ర సీమ లో నాయకులు దేవుళ్ళు గా భాసిల్లుతున్న రోజుల్లో కుడా, ఓ పాటల రచయిత, ఇంత ఆదరాభిమానాలు పొందటం, బహుసా, "మనసు కవి " ఆత్రేయ గారి తరువాత, వేటూరి గారేనేమో.
ఓకానొక సంధర్బాన ఆత్రెయ గారు,"ఎడా పెడా రాసేస్తున్నావట, చాలా వేగంగా కూడా రాస్తున్నావట" అని అన్నారు," మీ అంత గొప్ప గా రాయలెనప్పుడు వేగంగా అన్నా రాయాలి కదా గురువుగారు" అని అన్నారట.ఆదే సమయస్ఫుర్తి, ఆయన పాటల్లూ కూడా కనిపిస్తుంది.
ఓక పాటా, రెండు పాటలా, మొత్తం పదివేల పాటలకు ప్రాణం పోయడం, ఏ కవిపుంగవునికీ సాధ్యం ఐంది. ఒక్కో సన్నివేశం, ఒక్కో ధోరని గా ఉండే తెలుగు పాటలు రాయడానికి వివిధ కవులు ఉన్న ఈ కాలం లొ అలా అన్ని సంధర్భాలకు పాటలు రాయగల వేటూరి ఒక్కరే ఉండడం మనకి గర్వ కారణం. శ్రుంగార రసం, రౌద్రం, కరున, భక్తి ఒకాటా అన్ని రసాల మేలవింపు ఆయన కలం నుంచి జాలు వారయి. రాసిన అన్ని పాటల్లూ దాదాపు, ప్రజల గుండెల్లూ నిలిచి పొయెవి రాసారు.
"సీతారామయ్య మనవరాలు" చిత్రం తరువాత, నా పాటల్లో నేనే తెలుగు వెతుక్కో వలసి వచ్చింది అని వేటూరి భాదపడ్డారు. "ధనార్జన మొదలైనా తరువత పాటకు విలువ పడిపోయింది" అని వేదన చెందారు.ఆయన పాత తరనికి కొత్త తరానికి, వారధి అన్నా, మూడు తరాల ప్రతినిధి అని అన్నా, రెండు నిజాలే. ఎన్.టి.ఆర్ నుంది ఎన్.టి.ఆర్ వరకు, క్రిష్న నుండి మహేష్ బాబు వరకు, ఎ.ఎన్.ఆర్ నుంచి సుమంత్ వరకు, చిరంజీవి నుంచి అల్లు అర్జున్ వరకు ఆయన పాతలకు అందరూ నర్తించిన వరె.
అచ్చ తేట తెలుగు కి, తేనెలద్ది చెవుళ్ళో మధురామ్రుతాలు నింపి, ఆయన మాత్రం సుదూర తీరాల కి సాగిపోయారు. బహుసా, తెలుగు తల్లి తన వడికి చేర్చు కోని జోల పాటా రాయించుకుంటోందేమో. ఆయన ప్రతిభ సామాన్యమైనదా, ఎవరినైనా మెప్పించగలరు.
గుడి లో దేవుడు ఎక్కడ ఉన్నా గుళ్ళో ఉన్నట్టే, గుండె గుడి లో వేటూరి అంతే.
పైన పొందు పరిచిన అభిప్రాయాలు కేవలం నావే, ఎవరినైనా నొప్పించి ఉంటే క్షమార్హుడుని.ధన్యవాదాలు
----మీ కార్తీక్.
For those who can't read Telugu font here is the article in English font
"poyinOLLu andaru manchOLLu, unnOLLu poyinOLLa teepigurutulu" okaanoka sandharbham lo vETUri anna maaTa, endukO gurtu vachchindi. Ayana gurunchi cheppaDaaniki naa vayasu, bhaashaa praavInyam, anubhavam E mUlaku akkaraku vastaayO teliyadu kaani, naa manasulO maatram, bhaavaalu bayaTa paDaalani atrutatO unnaayi.
nEnu, oka chinna saamaanya bhaava kavini. naaku sphoorti, aaraadhya mUrti vETUri ani cheppaDaaniki sankOchinchanu. Prati manishiki konni aalOchanalu unTaayi, avi pada roopam daalchadaaniki chesE prayatnam kavita, daani vaanijya roopam paaTa. vETUri garu, E sandharbhaani nainaa, varnincha gala samardhulu. andukE sinI saamraajyam lO, makuTam leni mahaaraju gaa velugondaaDu aayana.
Oka paatrikEyuDi gaa, modalaina aayana prasthaanam, prajala gunDello gUDu kaTTukunE varaku saagindi.Ayana paaTaki, prajalu bramha ratham paTTaaru. telugu chitra seema lO naayakulu dEvuLLu gaa bhaasillutunna rOjullO kuDaa, O paaTala rachayita, inta Adaraabhimaanaalu pondaTam, bahusaa, "manasu kavi " AtrEya gaari taruvaata, vETUri gaarEnEmO.
Okaanoka sandharbaana Atreya gaaru,"eDaa peDaa raasEstunnaavaTa, chaalaa vEgangaa kUDaa raastunnaavaTa" ani annaaru," mee anta goppa gaa raayalenappuDu vEgangaa annaa raayaali kadaa guruvugaaru" ani annaaraTa.AdE samayasphurti, aayana paaTalloo kUDaa kanipistundi.
Oka paaTaa, renDu paaTalaa, mottam padivEla paaTalaku praaNam pOyaDam, E kavipungavunikee saadhyam aindi. okkO sannivESam, okkO dhOrani gaa unDE telugu paaTalu raayaDaaniki vividha kavulu unna I kaalam lo alaa anni sandharbhaaalaku paaTalu raayagala vETUri okkarE unDaDam manaki garva kaaraNam. Srungaara rasam, roudram, karuna, bhakti okaaTaaa anni rasaala mElavimpu aayana kalam nunchi jaalu vaarayi. raasina anni paaTalloo daadaapu, prajala gunDelloo nilichi poyevi raasaaru.
"seetaaraamayya manavaraalu" chitram taruvaata, naa paaTallO nEnE telugu vetukkO valasi vachchindi ani vETUri bhaadapaDDaaru. "dhanaarjana modalainaa taruvata paaTaku viluva paDipOyindi" ani vEdana chendaaru.Ayana paata taraniki kotta taraaniki, vaaradhi annaa, mooDu taraala pratinidhi ani annaa, renDu nijaalE. en.Ti.aar nundi en.Ti.aar varaku, krishna nunDi mahEsh baabu varaku, e.en.aar nunchi sumant varaku, chiranjeevi nunchi allu arjun varaku aayana paatalaku andarU nartinchina vare.
achcha tETa telugu ki, tEneladdi chevuLLO madhuraamrutaalu nimpi, aayana maatram sudUra teeraala ki saagipOyaaru. bahusaa, telugu talli tana vaDiki chErchu kOni jOla paaTaa raayinchukunTOndEmO. Ayana pratibha saamaanyamainadaa, evarinainaa meppinchagalaru.
guDi lO dEvuDu ekkaDa unnaa guLLO unnaTTE, gunDe guDi lO vETUri antE.
A Legend called VETURI
"Veturi is the Gulzar of Telugu Cinema.” The previous comment was from my friend who had just listened to the songs of K. Viswanath’s ‘Saagara Sangamam’. The comment had thrown me into opprobrium, I completely objected to his comparison because Veturi is not Gulzar… Veturi is Veturi. Gulzar fits into a different zone of lyricists and comparing Veturi to Gulzar is a sin…
In 1989 Mani Ratnam directed his only Telugu film “Geethanjali” which is one of the best love stories I have ever seen, Mani Ratnam who is not well versed in Telugu had to translate the lyrics written by Veturi Sundararama Murthy in Tamil and from that day Veturi has been Mani Ratnam’s favorite lyricist. Apart from the numerous awards that ‘Geethanjali’ received it is a path breaking film for Telugu Cinema (at least for me…). Probably this is the only Indian film where we find a 2 minute smooch, how did this song pass the censor board without a cut?…The song is beautifully directed and apart from that it’s the lyrics of veturi which did the magic.
The above lines are a perfect example for his classical insight; he mixes the sacred mantra ‘Aum Namah Shivaya’ with the romantic feelings ‘nayana shruthulaku’ which means ‘Speech of the eyes, ‘hrudaya layalaku’ which means ‘Heart Beats’, ‘adhara jathulaku’ which means ‘ Pair of Lips’ and ‘madhura smruthulaku’ which means ‘beautiful thoughts’
And by the way if you don’t know what is om namaha then here is the Wikipedia definition “Namaḥ Śivaya has such power, the mere intonation of these syllables reaps its own reward in salvaging the soul from bondage of the treacherous instinctive mind and the steel bands of a perfected externalized intellect. Namaḥ Śivāya quells the instinct, cuts through the steel bands and turns this intellect within and on itself, to face itself and see its ignorance. Sages declare that mantra is life, that mantra is action, that mantra is love and that the repetition of mantra, japa, bursts forth wisdom from within.”
You can find the rest the lyrics on internet and get them translated to know the beauty of the entire song.
Veturi used simple words and converted them into beautiful expressions to show lust and love between characters. The song ‘Mounamelanoyi’ from ‘Saagara Sangamam’ where he uses…
Veturi Sundararama Murthy always repeated that ‘Thakita Thadimi’ & ‘Nadha Vinodham’ from ‘Saagara Sangamam’ as his favorite songs.Those were the days when ‘National Awards’ had respect, I hear many people saying that anyone who have seen the film ‘Maathrudevobhava’ will have tears in their eyes,so is the case with his national award winning song ‘Raalipoye puvva neeku ragaalenduke’
Apart from his romantic style of lyrics he induced passion and rebel in the lyrics. The song ‘Jagada Jagada Jagadam’ from Geethanjali ignites passions .He uses the words very intelligently in the fast paced songs.
‘Induvadana’ in Challenge
No one can beat him in the mystique lyrics, he uses various references for single word, and sometimes the lyrics look enigmatic creating a lot of intrigue into the listener.
“Ramachakani Sita” Godavari
I am unable to figure out the exact meaning of the lyrics ….this is what I could understand.I added '?' where i felt ambiguity.
This evergreen song ‘Maate Mantramu’ from Seethakoka Chiluka
After K.Vishwanath probably its Sekhar Kammula who has shown the best of Veturi.One of his last songs in the film ‘Leader’
Originally published on Passionforcinema.com
In 1989 Mani Ratnam directed his only Telugu film “Geethanjali” which is one of the best love stories I have ever seen, Mani Ratnam who is not well versed in Telugu had to translate the lyrics written by Veturi Sundararama Murthy in Tamil and from that day Veturi has been Mani Ratnam’s favorite lyricist. Apart from the numerous awards that ‘Geethanjali’ received it is a path breaking film for Telugu Cinema (at least for me…). Probably this is the only Indian film where we find a 2 minute smooch, how did this song pass the censor board without a cut?…The song is beautifully directed and apart from that it’s the lyrics of veturi which did the magic.
om namaha nayana shruthulaku
om namaha hrudaya layalaku om
om namaha adhara jathulaku
om namaha madhura smruthulaku om
The above lines are a perfect example for his classical insight; he mixes the sacred mantra ‘Aum Namah Shivaya’ with the romantic feelings ‘nayana shruthulaku’ which means ‘Speech of the eyes, ‘hrudaya layalaku’ which means ‘Heart Beats’, ‘adhara jathulaku’ which means ‘ Pair of Lips’ and ‘madhura smruthulaku’ which means ‘beautiful thoughts’
And by the way if you don’t know what is om namaha then here is the Wikipedia definition “Namaḥ Śivaya has such power, the mere intonation of these syllables reaps its own reward in salvaging the soul from bondage of the treacherous instinctive mind and the steel bands of a perfected externalized intellect. Namaḥ Śivāya quells the instinct, cuts through the steel bands and turns this intellect within and on itself, to face itself and see its ignorance. Sages declare that mantra is life, that mantra is action, that mantra is love and that the repetition of mantra, japa, bursts forth wisdom from within.”
You can find the rest the lyrics on internet and get them translated to know the beauty of the entire song.
Veturi used simple words and converted them into beautiful expressions to show lust and love between characters. The song ‘Mounamelanoyi’ from ‘Saagara Sangamam’ where he uses…
palike pedavi vonikindi enduko
(Why the lip which talks is shivering?)
vonike pedavi venakaala emito
(What’s behind those shivering lips?)
…………..
ivi edadugulaa valapu madugulaa
(Are these the sacred seven steps or the intimacy of Love?)
kanne eedu vulukulu kantipaapa kaburulu
(..the disturbances and conversations in the young unmarried girl.. )
……………………………
Veturi Sundararama Murthy always repeated that ‘Thakita Thadimi’ & ‘Nadha Vinodham’ from ‘Saagara Sangamam’ as his favorite songs.Those were the days when ‘National Awards’ had respect, I hear many people saying that anyone who have seen the film ‘Maathrudevobhava’ will have tears in their eyes,so is the case with his national award winning song ‘Raalipoye puvva neeku ragaalenduke’
Raalipoye puvva neeku raagalendukey
totamaali nee todu leduley
vaalipoye podda neeku varnalendukey
lokamennado cheekataayele..
neekidi telavaarani reyamma..
kaliki maa chilaka paadaku ninnati nee raagaam
Apart from his romantic style of lyrics he induced passion and rebel in the lyrics. The song ‘Jagada Jagada Jagadam’ from Geethanjali ignites passions .He uses the words very intelligently in the fast paced songs.
…………………………………..
Marala… marala… jananam
Raaneeraa marala… marala maranam
Mingestaam bhughala bhagala garalam
Maa pilupe damarukham
Maa oopiri nippula uppena
Maa oohalu kattula vanthena
Maa debbaku dhikkulu pikkatillipoye…
Ram… pam pam… pam…”
‘Induvadana’ in Challenge
induvadana, kundaradana, mandagamana, madhuravachana, sogasulalana
No one can beat him in the mystique lyrics, he uses various references for single word, and sometimes the lyrics look enigmatic creating a lot of intrigue into the listener.
“Ramachakani Sita” Godavari
I am unable to figure out the exact meaning of the lyrics ….this is what I could understand.I added '?' where i felt ambiguity.
neela gaganaa ghanavichalanaa dharaNijaa Sree ramaNa
(Blue Sky….?????????? ……. The one who rules the earth? ..Lord Rama)
madhura vadanaa naLina nayanaa manavi vinaraa raamaa
(Body as sweet as honey…Eyes as Lotus? … listen to my request my dear Lord Rama)
raama chakkani seetaki aracheta gorinta
(The beautiful Seeta is for Rama.. Gorintaku on Sita’s Palm)
inta chakkani chukkaki inkevaru mogudanta
(For this beautiful star (referring Sita), who is Sita’s Husband..)
raama chakkani seetaki
udata veepuna velu vidichina pudami alludu raamudE
(The one who left his finger prints on squirrel’s back. Son-in-law of Janaka??)
edama chetanu Sivuni villunu ettinaa raamude
(Lifted Lord Shiva’s bow with his left hand is Lord Rama)
ettagalaDaa seeta jadanu taali katte velalo
(Can he lift Sita’s jada (plait) while tying the mangalasutram (taali)…)
raama chakkani seetaki
………………………………………………..
………………………………………………
This evergreen song ‘Maate Mantramu’ from Seethakoka Chiluka
Maate mantramu manase bandhamu..
Ee mamathe ee samathe mangala vaadyamu..
Idhi kalyaanam kamaneeyam jeevitham..
Neeve naalo spandhinchina..
Ee priya layalo sruthi kalise praanamidhe..
Nene neevuga puvvu thaaviga..
Samyogaala sangeethaalu virise velalo..
After K.Vishwanath probably its Sekhar Kammula who has shown the best of Veturi.One of his last songs in the film ‘Leader’
“Yae Sakuni adani judam brathukemo chadarangam, edi adani ravnakashtam, chitilone simantam”I was never interested in Telugu Literature, because I have seen it as an extra subject in my school and always made fun of the language but everything changed when I started to listen to the songs of Veturi, I started my own small research on telugu literature and started reading books on telugu literature. In one sentence Veturi Sundararama Murthy made me realize that “Desha bhashalandu telugu lessa”.May his soul rest in peace.
Originally published on Passionforcinema.com
The Poster
Roughly its been around 5 years, i was waiting for the bus at the Narayanaguda Bus Stop.Five years back almost every evening (except Sunday) i used to wait to catch a bus and somehow try to enter into the overcrowded buses.After a long gap i am waiting at the Narayaguda Bus Stop,it was nostalgic even though i never enjoyed my Intermediate Life.
I am waiting at the bus stop,taking few to and fro steps,then i turn back and find a film poster of "Adavi Manushulu Andala Kanyalu" literal English translation gives (Forest people and beautiful women). I looked at the poster,turned away and was waiting for the bus...
It was 8:30 pm of the Friday evening and everyone is eagerly waiting to get back to their houses.I suddenly noticed a thing,every guy who is passing me was looking at the poster. Now my brain which doesn't have any useful work to do comes with a brilliant idea,i decided to count the number of people who look at the poster out of 10 people who pass me.I stood near the poster and took a pic (The one which you have seen ...). Out of the first 10 people 8 of them look at the poster, remaining two were a 70 year old man and a 10+ kid.Second round of counting leads to this result,10 out of 10 people look at the poster and in the third round of counting 9 people look at the poster.
You might be wondering what the heck? shouldn't people look at the poster? .... Its obvious that everyone's eyes will get attracted to this poster for whatever reasons.. Actually i was observing people who are looking at it with a different angle and the reactions of some people ...
- Three construction workers stare at this poster for 10 minutes and decided to go the second show and they weren't shy to look at the poster and were making some comments which i would skip here...
- A 25+ yrs guy comes and looks at the poster and turns away, he looks at me and then he turns to his right to wait for the bus.. after 2 minutes he turns back and looks at the poster,he turns away and is waiting for the bus... again he turns back .... this continued for 4 times.
- A man who is around 45 comes to the bus stop and looks at the poster, he is angry, he talks to himself, i can sense his frustration.
- Another man who is around 45 looks at the poster and abruptly says to me "This is how youth are spoiled, why do they stick such posters in public places?"
- A group of intermediate guys came to the bus stop and looked at it, each of them was trying to look at the poster without the knowledge of the other, this continued for 5 minutes.
- A family came to bus the bus stop,the husband looked at the poster and then turned his eyes away from it,even his wife accidentally looked at the poster and his kid who was around 10 years was looking at the poster and was trying to tear the poster,his father call his son and demands "Don't move,stay here". Now the kid asks his mother "What is the name written on the poster?" .. his mother asks him to shut up his mouth ...
- A boy and a girl who are around 25yrs came to the stop, the guy looks at the poster and after a second he turns his eyes away, the guy wants to look at the poster but he is not free as he is thinking of his girl friend (presumably), he somehow looks at the poster for 3 times with great difficulty without the knowledge of his girl friend.
- Two guys who look like local young gunda's came to the bus stop and started talking about the film poster.One guy compared it with the previous films which he has seen and spelled some obnoxious statements, the second guy takes it as a prestige issue and talks much more about the other films and the discussion between them leads to the heroines of Tollywood.
- There is a footpath tailor near the bus stop, he talks about the people who look at the posters attached on the bus stop walls with his friend, he curses everyone who stops and looks at the poster, "Saley sab log yeha kade rehte hain..aur postera ko dekthe hain..."
The whole 40 minutes was some sought of psychoanalysis and character reading , on how people of different ages think of a particular thing.Actually it was some fun and good information for me.By the way i did miss many buses for my silly research.
--Everyone who read this post will be dying to ask "Why did you look at the poster? etc.. etc.."
--I accidentally looked at the poster, i felt that the woman in the poster was 'Angelina Jolie', so i looked at the poster for the second time and confirmed myself that it wasn't Angelina Jolie, again looked at the poster to find the name of the film and at last found the name "Adavi Manushulu Andala Kanyalu"
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