''Gunasundari Katha'' is a 1949 Indian

Telugu language Telugu (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken by Telugu people predominantly living in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where it is also the official language. It is the most widely spoken ...

fantasy film Fantasy films are films that belong to the fantasy genre with fantastic themes, usually magic, supernatural events, mythology, folklore, or exotic fantasy worlds. The genre is considered a form of speculative fiction alongside science fiction ...

produced and directed by

K. V. Reddy Kadiri Venkata Reddy (1 July 1912 – 15 September 1972) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who primarily worked in Telugu cinema. He is considered as one of the greatest directors in the history of Telugu cinema. He d ...

, starring Sriranjani,

Kasturi Siva Rao Kasturi Siva Rao (6 March 1913 - 24 February 1966) was an Indian actor, comedian, playback singer, producer and director known for his works in Telugu cinema. He was one of the first star comedians of Telugu cinema.26lettersto24frames.wordpress. ...

Santha Kumari Santha Kumari (born Vellaala Subbamma; 17 May 1920 – 16 January 2006) was an Indian musical artist and actress. She was married to the Telugu film director and producer P. Pullayya. Early years Vellaala Subbamma was born in Proddatur town ...

. The script was written by

Pingali Nagendra Rao Pingali Nagendra Rao (29 December 1901 – 6 May 1971), known mononymously by his surname Pingali, was an Indian screenwriter, lyricist, and playwright who worked in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. Famous for his witty and romantic lyrics, he a ...

, and

Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Kamalakara Kameswara Rao (14 October 1911 – 29 June 1998) was an Indian film director known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, and a few Tamil and Hindi films. Widely known as ''Pauranika Chitra Brahma'' (), Kameswara Rao directed fi ...

. Kameswara Rao was also the associate director.

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

's play ''

King Lear ''King Lear'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It is based on the mythological Leir of Britain. King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his power and land between two of his daughters. He becomes destitute and insane a ...

'' was the inspiration for the core plot. But the writers changed the tone from the

tragedy Tragedy (from the grc-gre, τραγῳδία, ''tragōidia'', ''tragōidia'') is a genre of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a main character. Traditionally, the intention of tragedy ...

of ''King Lear'' to a more entertaining one for the film. The film was commercially successful.

Plot

King Ugrasena (Govindarajula Subba Rao) of Dhara Nagaram had three daughters: Rupasundari (Santakumari) who is married to her cousin Haramati (Subba Rao), Hemasundari (Malathi) who is married to her cousin Kalamata (Relangi), and Gunasundari (Sriranjani). During a discussion, the King asked his daughters who they loved the most. Rupa and Hema told him they loved him the most, even more than their husbands. Gunasundari who is unmarried insists that she will love her husband the most once she is married. She goes on to say that she will love him more than her father regardless of his appearance or physical condition. Her father the King was offended by this and forced Gunasundari to marry a hideous and disabled man, Daivadheenam (Kasturi Siva Rao). After the arranged marriage to the ugliest man in the country, the king exiles his daughter to live outside the palace with her new husband whom she now loves more than the King. Eventually, the King is wounded and develops a chronic illness. The Physicians tell him the wound could only be cured with the diamond "Mahendra Mani". The King sends his three sons-in-law on a journey to find the diamond. Daivadheenam overcomes his disabilities during the quest for "Mahendra Mani". No one knew that Daivadheenam was once a handsome prince who had been cursed by his guru for misconduct and character flaws. While fulfilling the quest of finding the diamond and overcoming his physical limitations Daivadheenam's character was fixed. He then brings the diamond to the palace and cures the king. This breaks Daivadheenam's curse and he is returned to his original form.

Cast

Songs

The Music is composed by

Ogirala Ramachandra Rao Ogirala Ramachandra Rao ( te, ఓగిరాల రామచంద్రరావు) (1905–1957) was an Indian actor, music director and multi instrumentalist, predominant in Telugu cinema. Early life and career Ogirala was born on 10 Sept ...

. There are many lyrics, all of them written by

. "Sri Tulasi Jaya Tulasi", sung by P. Leela, was a hit with the public. * "Adiye Eduraivachche Daka Pada Munduku Padipodam" (Singers: Relangi and Pamarti Krishna Murthy) * "Amma Mahalakshmi Dayacheyavamma" (Singer: Ghantasala) * "Challani Doravele O Chandamama" (Singers: Malathi and Shanta Kumari) * "Kala Kala Aa Kokilemo Palukarinche Vintiva" (Singers: Malathi and Shanta Kumari) * "Kalpagama Tallivai Ghanata Velasina Gouri" (Singer: P. Leela) * "O Chaaru Sheela Le Javarala" (Singer: V. Shivaram) * "O Matha Raavaa Naa Mora Vinavaa" (Singer: P. Leela) * "Ore Ore Brahma Devuda" (Singer: Kasturi Shiva Rao) * "Siri Thalam Vesenante" (Singers: Kasturi Shiva Rao and P. Leela) * "Sri Thulasi Jaya Thulasi Jayamuneeyave" (Singer: P. Leela) * "Thelusukondayya" (Singers: T. G. Kamala Devi and Chorus) * "Upakaara Gunaalayavai Vunnavu Kade Maatha" (Singer: P. Leela)

References

External links

Gunasundari Katha at IMDb.
{{King Lear 1940s Telugu-language films 1949 films Films based on King Lear Films directed by K. V. Reddy Indian films based on plays Films scored by Ogirala Ramachandra Rao Indian black-and-white films Indian fantasy films 1940s fantasy films