Raju Peda
Raju Peda (transl. The Prince and the Pauper) is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language film, produced and directed by B. A. Subba Rao under the B.A.S. Productions banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Lakshmirajyam, S. V. Ranga Rao, Master Sudhakar and music composed by Saluri Rajeswara Rao. The film is based on Mark Twain’s 1881 novel, The Prince and the Pauper and was later remade into the Hindi film Raja Aur Runk (1968) and dubbed into Tamil as Aandi Petra Selvan (1957).[1][2]
| Raju Peda | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | B. A. Subba Rao |
| Produced by | B. A. Subba Rao |
| Written by | Pinisetty Srirama Murty(dialogues) |
| Based on | The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain |
| Starring | N. T. Rama Rao Lakshmirajyam S. V. Ranga Rao Master Sudhakar |
| Music by | Saluri Rajeswara Rao |
| Cinematography | Aadi-Erani |
| Edited by | K. A. Marthand |
Production company | B.A.S. Productions |
Release date | 25 June 1954 |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Plot
Two identical boys are born on the same day to King Surendra Dev and to a thief Poligadu. Twelve years later, the sick King decides to crown the Prince Narendra Dev. His lookalike Narigadu tortured by his father for refusing to beg, leaves home without informing his mother Achi and sister Malli. He is caught by the palace guards, but is saved by the Prince. They exchange clothes and find that they look identical. Narigadu falls asleep on the Prince's bed. Mistaking him for Narigadu, the guards throw the prince out. Thus they accidentally exchange places.
Soon the prince leaves Poligadu's house. Sudhir, a valiant soldier who is in love with Malli, takes care of him. Meanwhile, the king dies. The army commander Vikram Dev plots to usurp the kingdom. He learns the truth about Narigadu and compels him to act as the prince. He also plots to kill the real prince, but Poligadu and Sudhir thwart his plan. In the fight that follows, Poligadu kills Vikram. Narendra Dev is crowned as the king. He orders Poligadu and his family to stay with him in the palace.
Cast
- N. T. Rama Rao as Pooligadu
- Lakshmirajyam as Achamma
- S. V. Ranga Rao as Maharaju Surendra Dev
- Relangi as Sudhir
- R. Nageswara Rao as Vikram
- Dr. Sivaramakrishnaiah as Bhugolam Panthulu
- V. C. Kamaraju as Vijay
- Lakshmaiah Chowdary as Subedhar
- Chelamaiah Chowdary as Raja Guruvu
- Jaya Rami Reddy as Bhaskar
- Lakshman Rao as Prabhakar
- Ammaji as Malli
- T. D. Kusalakumari as dancer
- Master Sudhakar as Narendra Dev & Naarigadu: (dual role)
Soundtrack
- Telugu
The music of the film was composed by Saluri Rajeswara Rao.[3]
| No. | Song | Singer(s) | Lyricist | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Amma Amma Enta Haayiga Pilichade" | ||||
| "Yuvarajuvule... Chinni Nanna Challagundali Babu Pedavaina Perutevali" | ||||
| "Ghoramuraa Vidhi Krooramuraa Idi Veduka Kosam Vesina Vesham" | Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao | |||
| "Jebulo Bomma Jejela Bomma" | Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao; Cast: Relangi | Kosaraju Raghavaiah | ||
| "Kallu Terachi Kanara Satyam Vollu Marachi Vinara Satyam Neeke Bodhapadura" | Singer: Jikki; Cast: T. D. Kuchalakumari | |||
| "Marindi Marindi Mana Rajakeeyame Marindi" | ||||
| "Nariga Nayana Enta Vedakina Kanaranida" | ||||
| "Srimantulu Dheemantulu Indarunnare Bichagallu Lekunda Cheyagalera"[4] |
- Tamil
Music for the Tamil version was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao and the lyrics were penned by Kuyilan and Puratchidasan. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, S. C. Krishnan, R. Balasaraswathi Devi, Jikki, M. S. Rajeswari, Sathiyawathi and P. Leela.
| No. | Song | Singer/s | Lyricist | Duration (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Jaya Veerarilum Miga Theerane" | Jikki, Sathiyawathi, Rajeswari | Puratchidasan | |
| 2 | "Ammaa Ammaa" | R. Balasaraswathi Devi | 02:42 | |
| 3 | "Kannanai Kaanane Kaanane" | Jikki & Sathiyawathi | ||
| 4 | "Vaarungal Vaarungal" | P. Leela | ||
| 5 | "Seemaangalum Komaangalum" | Jikki | Kuyilan | 02:53 |
| 6 | "Aandi Petra Selvanudan" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:04 | |
| 7 | "Jay Jay Endru Vetri" | S. C. Krishnan | ||
| 8 | "Kannai Thirandhu Kaanadaa" | Jikki | 03:06 |
Awards
- This film was one of N. T. Rama Rao's finest performances, for which he was awarded the Rashtrapati Award for his role.[5][6]
References
- "RAJU-PEDA (1954)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 March 2017.
- "Telugu Cinema – Research – "Telugu Cinema – past and the present" by Gudipoodi Srihari".
- "RAJU PEDA - Film / Movie". citwf. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
- "Raju-Peda (1954)". IMDb. 25 June 1954.
- The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Times of India Press. 1984.
- Ramachandran, T.M. (1973). Film world. 9.
External links
- srimantulu demantulu on YouTube - Song sung by Jikki in Telugu
- Seemankalum komankalum on YouTube - Same song in Tamil
- Raju Peda at IMDb