Producer V B Rajendra Prasad was an avid reader of folk literature and songs. For his production, Anthasthulu (1965) starring A. Nageswara Rao, Bhanumathi and Krishnakumari, and directed by V Madhusudana Rao, Rajendra Prasad planned a couple of folk songs penned by Kosaraju Raghavaiah Chowdhary .In fact, he had signed Kosaraju to write a folk lyric for his earlier production. Kosaraju then wrote the pallavi, but could not complete the song as he fell sick and was hospitalised. The song was subsequently written by another writer. Later, Rajendra Prasad invited Kosaraju to his office and gave him the cheque. When Kosaraju asked him why he was being given the remuneration when he had not written the song, the producer replied, “But you had started writing the song.”
Bhanumathi with ANR, with Relangi; V B Rajendra Prasad
Such was the magnanimity of the man,” Kosaraju once said, recalling the incident. The ‘Janapada Kavisarvabhowma’ (as Kosaraju was known) wrote two songs in Anthasthulu . The first song, filmed on Relagni and Ramana Reddy ( Devudu Manishiga Puttaliraa/ Manushula Bharatham Pattaaliraa ), was a cake walk for him. The second song was to be rendered by, and filmed on Bhanumathi Ramakrishna. Rajendra Prasad suggested to Kosaraju to take a popular folk tune and write the song. At the behest of the producer, the lyricist went to music director K.V. Mahadevan’s house for discussion. None of the opening lines that Kosaraju came up with satisfied Mahadevan and his long -time associate Pughalendi. Then Mahadevan told him, “Kosaraju garu, you are an experienced folk song writer. Please tell me about some of your popular songs.” Kosaraju rendered a couple of songs, and the one from Velugu Needalu , appealed to Mahadevan --- Sariganchu cheeregatti saradaga naatho raave vayyari muddulagumma/ Cinemaku podaam raave andaala rangula bomma/ Nilapara bullodo nee soku nee theeku.
Mahadevan liked the words -- Nilapara bulloda, and asked him to write suitable sounding words for the opening lines. Kosaraju wrote – Dulapara bullodo dummudulapara bullodaa . It was child’s play for Mahadevan to compose a lilting tune for such a lyric. He asked Kosaraju for the next lines.
Chilipi kallatho shikaarlu kotte malaparamulanu/ pilaka battukoni dulapara bullodaa…
The recording was held at Majestic Studios, Madras. Mahadevan, with his musical orchestra, was getting ready the background score for the song. As soon as Bhanumathi arrived, she asked for the song paper and listened to the tune. She then headed straight towards the mike. Sound recordist Sivaram called for a rehearsal. Bhanumathi sang Dulapara bullodo dummu dulapara bullodaa in an even pattern which was not to the liking of Kosaraju. He told Mahadevan that she should lay stress on the word dummu for better effect. Mahadevan replied, “You go and tell her.” Kosaraju then turned towards V. Madhusudana Rao, who also gave the same reply. Kosaraju knew what was in their mind, what if Bhanumathi retorted, ‘Don’t I know how to sing.’
Unable to find a way out, Kosaraju just walked up to the singer and stood opposite her. Seeing him, Bhanumathi’s face brightened up and she said: “Kosaraju garu, I am singing your song for the first time. Moreover I am not accustomed to singing folk songs. Please give me some suggestion.” A relieved Kosaraju told her, “Your singing is perfect, except for pitching at the word, dummu . Put a little more stress on the word, release it, and then sing the rest of the line.” Bhanumathi smiled and sang accordingly
Rani (Bhanumathi), a street singer, sings the song rebuking the eve-teasers, with Chitti (Relangi) on dholak and Potti (Ramana Reddy) on tabla, accompanying her. Rani is, in fact, the daughter of a rich man, Raja Jagannatha Varma (Gummadi), born to him and to a poor woman, whom he later deserts. Before his death, the guilt-ridden Varma tells his son Raghu (ANR) about his elder sister Rani. Raghu finds her on the street while she is singing the song – Dulapara bullodo hoy hoy dulapara bullodaa.
Taking Raghu also as a Romeo, she gets on top of his car and sings --- Roddu pattani carulunnavani/ Moodanthasthula maedalunnavani/ Dabbu joochi yetuvanti aadadee/ Thappaka thama valalo padunani, Eelalu vesi saigalu chese/ Gola cheyu soggallanu patti/ Veepuku baaga sunnam betti/ Dulapara bullodo…
The scene was shot on a street set erected at Saradhi Studios, Hyderabad. For the audience, it was a refreshing change to watch Bhanumathi singing a folk number and what appealed to them more was her antics-filled performance.
