V. Umamaheswara Rao, Lakshmi Rajyam, G.V. Seethapathi Rao, Mudigonda Lingamurthy, Vangara Venkata Subbaiah, Kumpatla Subbarao, Parvathi Bai, Kamala Kumari, Hemalatha, Samrajyam
Political pollution in civic bodies dates back to pre-Independence days. And nearly seven decades ago an attempt was made by Ramabrahmam to expose this on the celluloid.
The pioneering filmmaker used to hold ‘Sahithya durbar' in his office and in one such literary interaction well known humour and satire writer Malladi Viswanatha Sarma better known as ‘Viswanatha Kaviraj' came up with the subject Pantulamma . Samudrala Venkata Raghavacharya breathed life into it through his dialogues and lyrics.
Ramabrahmam chose Lakshmi Rajyam to play the title role and her Illalu co-star Umamaheswara Rao for the male lead. For the Municipal chairman's character he signed the multifaceted, Gidugu Seethapathi Rao.
Made under Saradhi banner at Pragathi Studios (Madras) the theme seems relevant even now.
Nirmala (Lakshmi Rajyam) an orphan in Rangapuram is appointed as a school teacher with the recommendation of the Municipal council chairman Raoji (Gidugu Seethapathi).
Nirmala participates in the school anniversary cultural programme and attracts Raoji's attention. He promises her a gold medal for her dance prowess. He tells her to learn music from Suri Sastri (Umamaheswara Rao).
One day on the pretext of presenting her the gold medal Raoji visits her house along with his henchman Rajayya (Vangara). When she tried to offer coffee, he says he would come for dinner.
Nirmala invites Suri Sastry too but he not only refuses to come but also warns her to be careful about theintentions of Raoji that Nirmala had failed to notice. Raoji, Rajayya and Kamala (Hemalatha) come to Nirmala's house but soon Rajayya and Kamala leave the place on some pretext, leaving Raoji alone with her. The drunken Raoji tries to molest her. Nirmala escapes and takes shelter in Suri Sastry's music school.
Raoji creates a rumour about their amorous relationship and Nirmala is sent out of the school while Chainulu (Lingamurthy) disowns his son.
Determined to protect Nirmala, Suri Sastry leaves the town with her. On their way to the nearby town they are robbed of their belongings.
Fortunately they find shelter at a family friend's house. The friends presume that they are married. Nirmala lies that the thieves stole her mangalasutram . Suri Sastry is thereafter forced to tie the knot. They both start teaching music to earn a living.
Raoji's misdeeds come to the fore and his own party councillors join hands with the opposition to dethrone him. The truth about Nirmala and Suri Sastry too comes out.
Parvathamma (Kshatriya Parvathi Bai) pleads with her husband Chainulu to bring their son back. Chainulu asks his son to accept Nirmala as his wife according to Hindu dharma.
Though he agrees for their marriage, the orthodox Chainulu decides to live separately with his wife. Nirmala gets back her post as teacher.
An astute filmmaker, Ramabrahmam would go into minute details in his depiction of characters and narrative, thus making his movies lengthier.
During the Second World War due to limited supply of raw film, there was a restriction to complete a movie within 11,000 ft. This naturally helped the product shape up crisp and well.
He was ably supported by cinematographer P.V. Krishna Iyer, editor Govind Dinkar Joshi who also played a cameo in the movie, art director V.M. Vaturkar and audiographer V.S. Raghavan.
During the early talkie days, Das used to send his men from the sound department to various centres to help the operators adjust sound in the theatres. Raghavan was one such expert from Das's team who visited several theatres including the one in Repalle to ensure proper sound projection.
Later on he became a producer and made films under Revathi Productions banner and founded the Revathi Studios which was acquired by B. Nagi Reddi in 1956. Nagi Reddi renamed it Vijaya Studios and made as part of the Vijaya-Vauhini empire.
Acting honours were equally shared by the lead actors Lakshmi Rajyam, Umamaheswara Rao and Gidugu Seethapathy. Lingamurthy as Chainulu was at his gracious best. A versatile stage actor, he used to don 10 to 12 roles in Prataparudreeyam with ease.
He made his screen debut with Bhaktha Tukaram (1937) as Goswami. Hemalatha who was seen earlier in a ‘satvik' role in Bhaktha Potana played the oomph girl in Pantulamma .
Galipenchala Narasimha Rao's music was a value addition. Famed Marathi composer and singer Dinakar Sabnis alias S. B. Dinakar Rao rendered the songs for Umamaheswara Rao.
His solo rendition – Leda Leda Pani leda…Premajeevulaku jaathi mathaala Bhedhamu leda and the duet he had rendered with Lakshmi Rajyam – Raga sudha rasame anuraga sudha rasame… sakala jeevana sadhanamu were the most popular ones.
Pantulamma was an average grosser. But it inspired future filmmakers to make films on corruption and politics in civic bodies. Vauhini's Peddamanushulu (1954) was one such.
