Bhookailas (1940 film)

Bhookailas
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySundar Rao Nadkarni
Written byBalijepalli Lakshmikantham Kavi
Produced byA. V. Meiyappan
StarringSubbaiah Naidu
R. Nagendra Rao
Rayaprolu Subramanyam
CinematographyAdi Irani
Edited bySundar Rao Nadkarni
Music byR. Sudarshanam
Production
company
Release date
  • 14 December 1940 (1940-12-14)
Running time
185 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Bhookailas (Telugu: భూకైలాస్) is a 1940 Telugu film produced by A. V. Meiyappan and directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni. The film starred Subbaiah Naidu, R. Nagendra Rao, and Rayaprolu Subramanyam. It was the first hit film after the establishment of AVM Productions.[1]

It was adapted from the famous Kannada stage play Bhookailasa by Sri Sahitya Samrajya Nataka Mandali of Mysore.[2]

Plot[edit]

Demon King Ravana (Subbaiah Naidu) decides to invade Amaravati, the capital of the heavenly kingdom of Indra. Scared of Ravana's plans, Indra asks Narada (R. Nagendra Rao) for help. Narada informs Indra that Ravana's strength comes from the worship performed by Kaikasi (Parvathi Bai), Ravana's mother. He suggests that Indra sabotage Ravana's mother's worship of Saikatha Lingam, a sand sculpture representation of Lord Siva (Rayaprolu Subramanyam).

Ravana decides to perform penance and bring Lord Siva's Atma Lingam for his mother to worship. Hearing of Ravana's plans from Narada, Goddess Parvathi (Hymavathi), Lord Siva's consort, appeals to Lord Vishnu. When Lord Siva appears to Ravana to grant his wish, Lord Vishnu manipulates Ravana's mind and makes him wish for Goddess Parvathi. As Ravana proceeds home with Goddess Parvathi, Narada meets him midway and tells him that his companion is a fake Parvathi. Dejected by the subterfuge, Ravana returns Goddess Parvathi to Lord Siva.

During his return journey, he meets Mandodari (Lakshmi Bai), the young princess of Pathala. Believing she is the real Goddess Parvathi, he marries her. Eventually, he realizes what happened and appeals to Lord Siva for forgiveness by presenting his severed head. Lord Siva presents Ravana with Atma Lingam and warns him that, if the Atma Lingam ever touches the earth, it can never be moved again. Narada instigates Lord Vinayaka to trick Ravana into grounding the Atma Lingam at what later became known as Gokarna Kshethram in Karnataka.

Cast[edit]

Soundtrack[edit]

There are about 18 songs and poems in the film.[3][4] Some of the songs are very popular. Lyrics are written by Balijepalli Lakshmikantham. The music score is provided by R. Sudarsanam.

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Aa Suroopa Rekhaa Idega"Lakshmi Bai 
2."Atyacharula Cheta Dharma Vilayambai (poem)"Hymavathi 
3."Bhuvanaika Jeeva Trigunanu Bhava"Parvati Bai 
4."Dariyedo Choochukora Melkora"Master Viswam 
5."Deva Jeevadhara Dayaraada"Lakshmi Bai 
6."Ide Kada Parvathi"Nagendra Rao and Subbaiah Naidu 
7."Kamala Mano Vihari Shouri"Nagendra Rao 
8."Maayalu Saagune Maa Edala"Lakshmi Bai, Nagendra Rao and Subbaiah Naidu 
9."Mahaadeva Nee Mahima Ne Grahimpa"Subbaiah Naidu 
10."Naa Janma Netiki Dhanyamaye"Lakshmi Bai and Subbaiah Naidu 
11."Naa Maaya Natakame Jagati"Kamalabai 
12."Nadavare Aavullara Poddugookipoyindi"Master Viswam 
13."Premanandamaya.. Naa Manoradhamu"Lakshmi Bai 
14."Samba Sadashiva Chandra Kaladhara"Subbaiah Naidu 
15."Sambho Shiva Lokaika Guru"Subbaiah Naidu 
16."Sri Sarva Mangala Mukha"Subbaiah Naidu 
17."Sumadoli Keli Haali Uyyalo Jampalo"Lakshmi Bai group 
18."Thagadoyi Danujendra (poem)"Subbaiah Naidu 

Adaptations[edit]

Bhakta Ravana
(Tamil)
(1938)
Bhookailas
(Telugu)
(1940)
Bhookailas
(Telugu)
(1958)
Bhookailasa
(Kannada)
(1958)
Subbaiah Naidu Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Rajkumar
R. Nagendra Rao Akkineni Nageswara Rao Kalyan Kumar
Lakshmi Bai Jamuna Jamuna

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Blast from the past: Bhookailas (1940)". The Hindu. 9 July 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  2. ^ Bhookailas (1940) by M. L. Narasimham in The Hindu.
  3. ^ Lyrical details of Bhookailas at Ghantasala Galamrutamu.
  4. ^ Bhookailas

External links[edit]