Batasari (transl. Wayfarer) is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Ramakrishna of Bharani Pictures. It was simultaneously made in Tamil as Kaanal Neer (transl. Mirage). Based on the Bengali novel Bardidi (transl. Elder sister) by Saratchandra Chatterjee, the film stars P. Bhanumathi and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, with music composed by Master Venu. Batasari was released on 30 June 1961, and Kaanal Neer on 21 July. Both versions did not succeed commercially.

Batasari
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRamakrishna
Screenplay bySamudrala Sr.
Based onBardidi
by Saratchandra Chatterjee
Produced byRamakrishna
StarringP. Bhanumathi
Akkineni Nageswara Rao
CinematographyM. Sundaraam
Edited byV. Venkat
Music byMaster Venu
Production
company
Release dates
  • 30 June 1961 (1961-06-30) (Telugu)
  • 21 July 1961 (1961-07-21) (Tamil)
Running time
146 minutes
CountryIndia
Languages
  • Telugu
  • Tamil

Plot

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Surendranath / Suren, a lone wolf, is the maternal grandson & heir of Zamindar of Dharapuram. He stays with his father, Raghavaiah, & stepmother, Sundaramma, and she raises Suren with mollycoddle. Suren currently ranks in graduation and sets his sights on stepping into England for higher education. Sundaramma dismisses it, so peeved, Suren quits and proceeds to Madras. Appa Rao, a wealthy, resides with his son, Siva Chandra, and two daughters, Madhavi & Prameela. Madhavi is an honorable young widow and takes care of family tasks. Today, Suren approaches Apparao for a post; he appoints him as a tutor to Prameela and provides a roof. Madhavi gazes at Suren's distrait nature and covertly concerns his things in time. Hereupon, a strange adoration blossoms between them, and Suren silently endears without viewing her. It creates rumors that anguish Madhavi, and she scolds Suren for neglecting his duty. Thus, he exits, being upset on an aimless journey, and meets a fatal accident. Soon after the recovery, Raghavaiah carries Suren back, notifying Appa Rao. The detachment disconcerts the two, but they accept fate.

Meanwhile, Suren's grandfather passes away, and he crowns his terrain, which green eyes his sly Diwan Alwar. Following this, he splices benevolent Shanti, who worships him. However, Suren does not reciprocate because his heart longs for Madhavi. Parallelly, Appa Rao expires, Siva Chandra wedlocks shrew Kanti, and she scorns Madhavi. Then, she walks out to her in-law's house, which is under the regime of Suren, but Pullaiah, her peasant, envies it. Shanti molds Suren as a good Samaritan who handles his liabilities and hinders the atrocities of Diwan. Anyhow, his health deteriorates due to the post-effective of the accident. Shanti seeks to share all aspects of Suren's life when he divulges his holy love for Madhavi. As of now, Suren requests Shanti to get Madhavi to view it once before leaving his breath, which she denies. Besides, Pullaiah ruses with Diwan and vends Madhavi's assets. Engaged, Madhavi moves to confront Suren, being unbeknownst. Thereupon, she silently behinds discerning Suren and about to depart. Suren is aware of the totality and rushes for Madhavi. Simultaneously, Shanti becomes flat imploring before goddesses as she is conscious it will result in her husband's death. At last, with great difficulty, Suren reaches Madhavi and dies in her lap with the first look when she, too, accompanies him. Finally, the movie ends by showing the duo are immortal.

Cast

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Production

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Batasari is based on the novel Bardidi by Saratchandra Chatterjee. It was simultaneously filmed in Tamil as Kaanal Neer.[1] The Telugu version was originally titled Yendamavulu. Before and during the shoot, for inspiration, Akkineni Nageswara Rao was asked by Ramakrishna to watch Uttam Kumar's performance in the 1959 film version of Bardidi. Nageswara Rao complied, and even donned the getup just like Kumar, but held to his own on histrionics.[2]

Soundtrack

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Music composed by Master Venu. Lyrics were written by Samudrala Sr.[3] For Kaanal Neer, the lyrics were written by Kannadasan and Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam.[4]

Telugu Track List
Song Title Singers Length
"O Batasari" P. Bhanumathi 2:54
"Kanulakudoche Chetikandani" P. Bhanumathi, Jikki 2:45
"Lokamerugani Baala" P. Bhanumathi 3:23
"Uppakara Chinthaye" P. Bhanumathi 3:02
"Oho Maharaja" Jikki 3:34
"O Maata" P. Susheela 3:16
Tamil Track List
Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Ulagam Theriyaa Payire" P. Bhanumathi Kannadasan 03:22
"Manamenum Maaligai Meedhu" P. B. Sreenivas, K. Jamuna Rani Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam 02:18
"Anbaana Enname Paavama... Kanaala Kaanaamale" P. Bhanumathi Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam 03:02
"Aasai Mozhi Pesa Vaa" P. Susheela Kannadasan 03:09
"Kannil Therindhum Kaikku Varaadha" P. Bhanumathi, Jikki Kannadasan 02:35
"O Matha Jegan Matha... Arul Vizhi Paaraai Daevi" P. Susheela Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam 03:00
"Vazhi Thedi Vandhaai" P. Bhanumathi Kannadasan 02:39
"Ammaan Magal Paaru" Jikki Kannadasan 03:22

Release and reception

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Batasari was released on 30 June 1961, and Kaanal Neer on 21 July 1961.[2][5] The Indian Express said, "The standout feature of Kaanal Neer is the fascinating photography of young Venkat, particularly in the climax. In other technical respects, the film maintains a good standard."[6] Both versions did not succeed commercially; according to historian Randor Guy, this was because audiences felt the story was too highbrow.[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Guy, Randor (18 May 2013). "Kaanal Neer (1961)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Narasimham, M. L. (26 May 2016). "Batasari (1961)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Bhatasari (1961)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  4. ^ Neelamegam, G. (November 2016). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 2 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 19.
  5. ^ "Kanal Neer". The Indian Express. 21 July 1961. p. 3. Retrieved 25 November 2022 – via Google News Archive.
  6. ^ "Kanal Neer". The Indian Express. 28 July 1961. p. 3. Retrieved 25 November 2022 – via Google News Archive.
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