Devadasu (1953 film)

{{For|other films with the same title|Devadasu (disambiguation){{!}}Devadasu}}

{{Infobox film

| name = Devadasu

| image = Devadasu poster.jpg

| caption = Theatrical release poster of the Telugu version

| director = Vedantam Raghavayya

| producer = D. L. Narayana

| screenplay = Chakrapani

{{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes

| label1= Dialogue by

| data1 = {{ubl|Samudrala Sr. (Telugu)
Udayakumar (Tamil)}}

}}

| based_on = {{based on|Devdas|Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay}}

| starring = Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Savitri
Lalitha

| music = Soundtrack:
C. R. Subburaman
Background score: Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy

| cinematography = B. S. Ranga

| editing = P. V. Narayana

| studio = Vinodha Pictures

| distributor = Vinodha Pictures

| released = {{Film date|df=y|1953|6|26}}

| runtime = 191 minutes{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=331}}

| country = India

| language = {{ubl|Telugu|Tamil}}

}}

Devadasu is a 1953 Indian romantic drama film directed by Vedantam Raghavayya and produced by D. L. Narayana for Vinodha Pictures. Chakrapani wrote the script based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel, Devdas. C. R. Subbaraman composed the film's music. The film was edited by P. V. Narayanan, while B. S. Ranga provided the cinematography.

The film focuses on Devadasu and Parvati, who have been in love since childhood. Devadas' father rejects the proposal from Parvati's family. Parvati's father forces her to marry a middle-aged zamindar. Unable to cope with his failure to win Parvati, Devadas turns into a drunkard, and the rest of the film is about whether or not Devadas meets Parvati again.

The film was produced in Telugu and Tamil languages (the latter titled Devadas) with slightly different casts. Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, and Lalitha played the lead roles in both versions; supporting roles were played by S. V. Ranga Rao, C. S. R. Anjaneyulu, Dorasamy and Surabhi Kamalabai.

Devadasu was released on 26 June 1953, and the Tamil version was released three months later, on 11 September 1953. Both versions were critically and commercially successful. It has since achieved cult status, with terms and phrases from the film being widely cited. Both versions proved to be a major breakthrough in both Savitri's and Nageswara Rao's career, although they also led to the latter being typecast in similar roles.

Plot

{{Hatnote|This plot summary is for the Telugu version of the film.}}

The film begins at the village Ravulapalli, where two infant neighbors, Devadas & Parvati, share a camaraderie. He is the son of Zamindar Narayana Rao, and she is a peasant Neelakantham’s daughter. As Devadas’s naughtiness increases, his father enrolls him in a boarding school. Years roll by, and Devadas comes back when Parvati is under beatitude and the love rises with them.

Hereupon, Parvati's grandmother forwarded the alliance, the Zamindar mortifies Neelakantham about their low level of caste & status. Enraged, Neelakantham declares to get hitched match above them. Parvati covertly walks to Devadas that night and begs him not to let go of her when he asks for time. The following day, he affirms his decision to Zamindar but loses the ability as his father shows the danger of suicide. Ergo, muddle Devadas, flies to the town and notifies Parvati of his failure to denote. Parallelly, Neelakantham arranges an aged alliance with Zamindar of Durgapuram, Bhavana Babu, which Parvati accepts. Till then, Devadas regrets & retrieves, telling Parvati he is bolder for espousal. She rejects it as her self-reverence is offended and presides over the wedding of her father’s choice.

Devastated, Devadas returns when his carousing mate Bhagawan introduces him to a courtesan Chandramukhi for relief.{{cite web | url=https://www.iqlikmovies.com/movies/legendmovie/2018/08/24/Devadasu-1953/584 | title=Devadasu (1953) | access-date=26 February 2024 | archive-date=26 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226053318/https://www.iqlikmovies.com/movies/legendmovie/2018/08/24/Devadasu-1953/584 | url-status=live }} Nevertheless, his suffering is intense, and he loathes, throwing money in her face. At that moment, she feels a sense of worship, ends her past, and devotes herself to him. Thus, Devadas hits the bottle to get out of grief and turns into an alcoholic. Hearing it, his father passes away under contrite when Devadas forwards. Parvati settles into her new house, adores her husband, revives his disintegrated family, and showers motherly affection to his progeny. Currently, she visits her parents’ home and implores Devadas to stop drinking but pleads not to withdraw a little peace. Plus, she seeks to bless his ministry, which he bestows to fulfill before leaving his breath.

Now, he is back in town again when lonesome Devadas journeys to Chadramukhi. He views her relinquishing all luxuries and expresses her adoration for him. Chadramukhi petitions Devadas to knit a fine match and post her as their maid. Then, Devadas states that if he does so, he will tie the knot only with her. Following this, he starts self-destruction as a drinking spree, and his health deteriorates.

Once, spotting him on the streets, Chandramukhi carries him when the doctor declares it’s his last stage. On his advice, Devadas leaves for his village. Chandramukhi is about to join him, which he denies with an oath to conjoin her in his next life. Midway, Devadas discerns his fast-approaching death and moves to Durgapuram to keep up his vow. After great difficulty, Devadas lands at his destination and becomes flat before Parvati’s residence. At last, mindful of his death, Parvati rushes towards the door, which her family members thwart by closing it, and she collapses. Finally, the movie ends with Devadas’s funeral.

Cast

{{Cast listing|

Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Devadasu (Devadas in Tamil){{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=331}}
Master Sudhakar as young Devadasu
Savitri as Parvati{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=331}}
Baby Anuradha as young Parvati (Telugu)
Sachu as young Parvati (Tamil){{Cite news |last=Ravi |first=Bhama Devi |date=7 October 2003 |title=Simply Sachu |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/10/07/stories/2003100700430200.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=24 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124111037/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/10/07/stories/2003100700430200.htm |archive-date=24 January 2017}}
Lalitha as Chandramukhi{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=331}}
S. V. Ranga Rao as Narayana Rao
C. S. R. Anjaneyulu as the zamindar of Durgapuram
Doraswamy as Neelakantham
Surabhi Kamalabai as Parvati's grandmother
Peketi Sivaram as Bhagawan

}}

Production

{{quote box

| quote = When people saw me on screen in Devadasu, they assumed that I starved myself to look like the heartbroken, alcoholic that I played on screen. Truth is far from it. I was actually healthy with robust looks. After watching myself I realised that no matter how hard I tried, I didn't look like a drunkard because my eyes were clear. So, I requested the director to shift the shooting schedule to the night. I used to stuff myself with heavy dinner and then shoot overnight ... even as my eyes were dropping, heavy with sleep. The effect was excellent and that's how I pulled Devadasu off.

| source = – Akkineni Nageswara Rao, on his character in an interview in April 2013.{{Cite web |last=Kavirayani |first=Suresh |date=5 April 2013 |title=Akkineni Nageswara Rao interview |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Akkineni-Nageswara-Rao-interview/articleshow/19399459.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304021856/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Akkineni-Nageswara-Rao-interview/articleshow/19399459.cms |archive-date=4 March 2015 |access-date=25 October 2015 |website=The Times of India |df=dmy}}

| align = right

| width = 31%

}}

Devadasu was directed by Vedantham Raghavayya and produced by D. L. Narayana under the production banner of Vinodha Pictures. It was produced simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil languages (the latter as Devadas). The film's script, which was written by Chakrapani, was based on the novel Devdas by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The story of Devadasu centers around a feudal lord's son Devadasu falling in love with a poor girl Parvati. Due to differences in their social and economic status, Devadasu cannot marry his childhood love and Parvati marries an old man. Unable to forget her, he becomes alcoholic.{{Cite web |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=13 February 2009 |title=Devadas 1953 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/devadas-1953/article3021157.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027043215/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/devadas-1953/article3021157.ece |archive-date=27 October 2015 |access-date=25 October 2015 |website=The Hindu}} Devadasu was the first Telugu adaptation of Chattopadhyay's novel, and Devadas was the second Tamil adaptation of the same, following the 1937 Devadas directed by and starring P. V. Rao.{{sfnm|1a1=Rajadhyaksha|1a2=Willemen|1y=1998|1p=331|2a1=Baskaran|2y=1996|2p=116}}

The film was launched by Vinoda Pictures with Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Sowcar Janaki as the lead pair. After a week of shooting, the film was shelved due to the view that such a story might not succeed in Telugu; the production company instead produced Shanti, which became a failure.{{Cite web |last=Narasimham |first=M. L. |date=14 December 2013 |title=Devadasu (1953) |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/devadasu-1953/article5459080.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027043230/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/devadasu-1953/article5459080.ece |archive-date=27 October 2015 |access-date=25 October 2015 |website=The Hindu}}{{cite web|url=http://www.telugufilmserver.com/Devadas_1953.shtml|title=Devadas (1953)|website=Telugu Cinema|access-date=26 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040402054219/http://www.telugufilmserver.com/Devadas_1953.shtml|archive-date=2 April 2004}} One of the partners, D. L. Narayana then decided to revive Devadasu as an independent producer. Janaki, who was originally chosen for the character of Parvati, was replaced by Savitri.{{Cite web |last=Dheenadhayalan |first=Pa. |date=16 May 2015 |title=சாவித்ரி – 1. அடடா... அறியாப் பருவமடா! |trans-title=Savitri – 1. Naive age |url=http://www.dinamani.com/junction/kanavukkannigal/2015/05/09/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF--1.-%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BE...-%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5/article2803973.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615013322/http://www.dinamani.com/junction/kanavukkannigal/2015/05/09/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF--1.-%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BE...-%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5/article2803973.ece |archive-date=15 June 2015 |access-date=11 June 2015 |website=Dinamani |language=ta}} Arani Sathyanarayana portrayed the role of Devadasu's man Friday.{{Cite web |last=Narasimham |first=M. L. |date=31 October 2010 |title=Ramadasu (1933) |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/ramadasu-1933/article860221.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027043223/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/ramadasu-1933/article860221.ece |archive-date=27 October 2015 |access-date=25 October 2015 |website=The Hindu}} Peketi Sivaram, who went on to become a famous director, portrayed the role of Bhagawan. S. V. Ranga Rao, C. S. R. Anjaneyulu, and Surabhi Kamalabai were selected to portray supporting roles. Lalitha of the Travancore Sisters was signed to play Chandramukhi, the courtesan.

Samudrala Sr. and Udaykumar wrote the dialogue for the Telugu and Tamil versions, respectively. B. S. Ranga was recruited as the director of photography,{{Cite web |date=12 December 2010 |title=B.S. Ranga, veteran film director, passes away |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bs-ranga-veteran-film-director-passes-away/article948381.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001041129/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bs-ranga-veteran-film-director-passes-away/article948381.ece |archive-date=1 October 2016 |access-date=1 October 2016 |website=The Hindu}} and P. V. Narayana edited the film. Vali and Kotwankar were the art directors.{{Cite AV media |title=Devadas |date=1953 |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=Vinodha Pictures |place=India |time=2:08}}

Principal photography commenced with Nagaraja Rao, a still photographer shooting some stills of Nageswara Rao in the guise of Devadasu, with a glass in his hand and the looks of a drunkard. Rao also took shots of Savitri in Parvati's make-up in Naarsu's Studio. Impressed with these stills, Narayana decided to use the same make-up for the real shooting of the film. He showed these make-up stills to Mangayya, the make-up man, who followed the same.{{Cite web |last=Palakodety |date=11 January 2006 |title=CineGoer.com — Nostalgia — Devadasu |url=http://www.cinegoer.com/anrdevadasu.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113031935/http://www.cinegoer.com/anrdevadasu.htm |archive-date=13 January 2006 |access-date=12 September 2015 |publisher=Cinegoer.com}} Nageswara Rao, who portrayed the titular character, later recalled that Vedantam, being a Kuchipudi dance exponent and an experienced stage actor, used to enact the scenes before the actors, thereby making their job easy. He even recalled that the director shot him only at night so that he could give the character a "drunken, droopy" look.{{Cite web |last=Guy, Randor |date=31 May 2002 |title=The immortal lover |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/31/stories/2002053100950300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330012238/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/31/stories/2002053100950300.htm |archive-date=30 March 2016 |access-date=13 November 2015 |website=The Hindu}} Those night-time shots were filmed over 50 days. The final length of both versions was {{convert|17260|feet}}.{{Cite web |title=1953 – தேவதாஸ் – விநோதா பிக்சர்ஸ் (த-தெ-(நாவல்) |url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1953-cinedetails15.asp |url-status=usurped |website=Lakshman Sruthi |language=ta |access-date=24 March 2017 |archive-date=24 March 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170324092702/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1953-cinedetails15.asp }}

Themes

Nageswara Rao compared Devadasu to his character in Batasari (1961), stating, "Characters like Batasari and [Devadasu] are not too explicit. They preserve their inner feelings - to be enjoyed in solitude. I am also a man like that."{{Cite news |last=Uma Maheshwari |first=R. |date=23 September 2002 |title=Down memory lane |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/23/stories/2002092300850100.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=10 March 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180310074200/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/23/stories/2002092300850100.htm |archive-date=10 March 2018}}

Music

{{Infobox album

| name = Devadasu

| type = Soundtrack

| artist = C. R. Subbaraman

| cover =

| alt =

| caption = Album cover of the Telugu version

| released = 1 February 1954

| recorded = 1953

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Feature film soundtrack

| length = 32:25

| language =

| label = His Master's Voice

| producer = C. R. Subbaraman

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

The official soundtracks of Devadas were composed by C. R. Subbaraman. The lyrics were written by Samudrala Sr. and Udumalai Narayana Kavi and K. D. Santhanam for the Telugu and Tamil versions, respectively. Though Samudrala is credited as the lyricist in the film, M. L. Narasimham of The Hindu believes that Malladi Ramakrishna Sasthri also wrote some of the lyrics. C. R. Subbaraman died before the film's release, and the remaining songs were composed by his assistants M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy.{{Cite web |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |date=15 July 2015 |title=M S Viswanathan lived, breathed music |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150715/entertainment-kollywood/article/m-s-viswanathan-lived-breathed-music |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113071444/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150715/entertainment-kollywood/article/m-s-viswanathan-lived-breathed-music |archive-date=13 November 2015 |access-date=13 November 2015 |website=Deccan Chronicle}} Among them was "Jagame Maaya", titled "Ulagaae Maayam" in Tamil.{{Cite news |last=Narasimham |first=M. L. |date=25 December 2017 |title=Devadasu: Of Atman and Brahman |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/rewind-making-of-jagame-maaya-in-devadasu/article22276132.ece |url-status=live |access-date=26 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226073336/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/rewind-making-of-jagame-maaya-in-devadasu/article22276132.ece |archive-date=26 December 2017}}{{efn|Ramamoorthy claimed to have composed "Jagame Maaya" by himself. Ghantasala's statement contradicted that of Ramamoorthy's as he says the song was composed by Viswanathan.{{Cite news |last=Gopalakrishna |first=P. S. |date=23 January 2014 |title=In reference to film music |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/in-reference-to-film-music/article5610087.ece |url-status=live |access-date=26 December 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161028053614/http://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/in-reference-to-film-music/article5610087.ece |archive-date=28 October 2016}}}}

The soundtrack of the Telugu version was released on 1 February 1954 and the Tamil version was released on 25 March 1954; both were marketed by His Master's Voice.{{Cite web |title=Devadasu (Telugu) |url=http://gaana.com/album/devadasu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20151027043237/http://gaana.com/album/devadasu |archive-date=27 October 2015 |access-date=26 October 2015 |publisher=Gaana}}{{Cite web |title=Devadas (Tamil) |url=http://gaana.com/album/devadas-tamil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027043244/http://gaana.com/album/devadas-tamil |archive-date=27 October 2015 |access-date=26 October 2015 |publisher=Gaana}} The soundtracks were a huge commercial success, with "Jagame Maaya" and "Kala Idani", in particular, achieving cult status.{{Cite web |date=11 February 2015 |title=Ghantasala The playback legend |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2015-02-11/Ghantasala-The-playback-legend-130752 |access-date=10 November 2015 |website=The Hans India |archive-date=11 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151111041205/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2015-02-11/Ghantasala-The-playback-legend-130752 |url-status=live }} Songs like "Ulage Maayam" and "O Devadas" became popular among the Tamil diaspora.{{Cite web |last=Kolappan |first=B. |date=23 January 2014 |title=The life and times of Tamil's own Devadas |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-life-and-times-of-tamils-own-devadas/article5606723.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027043252/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-life-and-times-of-tamils-own-devadas/article5606723.ece |archive-date=27 October 2015 |access-date=26 October 2015 |website=The Hindu}} The song "Kudi Yemaithe" was composed using the Kalyani raga.{{Cite web |last=Amruthavarshini |date=11 May 2014 |title=Kalyani: The queen of ragas |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2014-05-11/%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%CB%9CKalyani-The-queen-of-ragas%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2-94763 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109015353/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2014-05-11/%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%CB%9CKalyani-The-queen-of-ragas%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2-94763 |archive-date=9 November 2015 |access-date=9 November 2015 |website=The Hans India}} The song "Kala Idani" was composed using Saveri raga.{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/the-hindu-friday-review-hyderabad-books-ragalu-cine-geetalu-dr-kodati-sambaiah-carnatic-ragas-in-telugu-films/article26553378.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403103423/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/the-hindu-friday-review-hyderabad-books-ragalu-cine-geetalu-dr-kodati-sambaiah-carnatic-ragas-in-telugu-films/article26553378.ece|archive-date=3 April 2024|access-date=3 April 2024|date=16 March 2019|work=The Hindu|title=Ragalu, Cine Geetalu: Confluence of two genres|last=Chandaraju|first=Aruna}} The song "Intha Telisi" is composed in various ragas.{{Cite web |last=Dakshinamurthy |first=M. |date=15 June 2014 |title=Ragamalika: A garland of Ragas |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2014-06-15/Ragamalika-A-garland-of-Ragas-98561 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151111041511/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2014-06-15/Ragamalika-A-garland-of-Ragas-98561 |archive-date=11 November 2015 |access-date=10 November 2015 |website=The Hans India}} The song "Palleku Podam" was later remixed by Anup Rubens for Aatadukundam Raa (2016).{{Cite web |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=19 August 2016 |title=Aatadukundam Raa: The joke is on the audience |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/aatadukundam-raa-the-joke-is-on-the-audience/article9008002.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831044949/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/aatadukundam-raa-the-joke-is-on-the-audience/article9008002.ece |archive-date=31 August 2016 |access-date=31 August 2016 |website=The Hindu}}

The soundtracks received positive reviews from critics. Reviewing the Tamil version, Randor Guy of The Hindu stated that the songs "contributed to the [film's] success". Reviewing the Telugu version, M. L. Narasimham from the same newspaper also praised the songs, noting, "The major contribution to the film's success, however, came from the music director, a genius called C. R. Subbaraman. Every song he composed is a hit to this day." S. Theodore Baskaran in his book The Eye of the Serpent noted, "One factor that sustains the popularity of this film to this is the songs [sic]".{{Sfn|Baskaran|1996|page=115}} On "Intha Telisi", Dakshinamurthy M. of The Hans India noted, "The 'pallavi' and 'charanam' are in Kharaharapriya, second 'charanam' is in Ranjani and the last one is in Mohana. The switching from 'charanam' to 'pallavi' and vice versa is so smooth, one forgets to notice the change in 'ragam' and 'bhavam'."

{{tracklist

| headline = Telugu tracklist

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| total_length =

| all_lyrics =

| title1 = Andaala Anandam

| note1 =

| extra1 = R. Balasaraswathi Devi

| length1 = 03:17

| title2 = Antha Bhranthi Yena

| extra2 = K. Rani

| length2 = 03:02

| title3 = Chelitya Ledhu

| extra3 = Ghantasala, K. Rani

| length3 = 04:05

| title4 = Jagame Maya

| extra4 = Ghantasala

| length4 = 03:17

| title5 = Oh Devada

| extra5 = K. Jamuna Rani, Udutha Sarojini

| length5 = 02:51

| title6 = Intha Telisiyundi

| extra6 = R. Balasaraswathi Devi

| length6 = 03:32

| title7 = Kudi Yedamaithe

| extra7 = Ghantasala

| length7 = 03:08

| title8 = O Devada

| extra8 = Ghantasala, Jikki

| length8 = 02:51

| title9 = Palleku Podam

| extra9 = Ghantasala

| length9 = 02:27

| title10 = Thane Marena

| extra10 = R. Balasaraswathi Devi

| length10 = 03:16

| title11 = Kala Idani

| extra11 = Ghantasala

| length11 = 03:08

| all_writing =

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Tamil tracklist

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| total_length =

| all_lyrics =

| title1 = Santosham Vendrum

| note1 =

| extra1 = R. Balasaraswathi Devi

| length1 = 03:17

| title2 = Ellam Maayai

| extra2 = K. Rani

| length2 = 03:02

| title3 = Uravum Illai

| extra3 = Ghantasala, K. Rani

| length3 = 04:15

| title4 = Ulagaae Maayam

| extra4 = Ghantasala

| length4 = 03:17

| title5 = Oh Devatha

| extra5 = K. Jamuna Rani, Udutha Sarojini

| length5 = 02:51

| title6 = Paramugam Enaya

| extra6 = R. Balasaraswathi Devi

| length6 = 03:32

| title7 = Thunintha Pin

| extra7 = Ghantasala

| length7 = 03:08

| title8 = O Devadas

| extra8 = Ghantasala, Jikki

| length8 = 02:51

| title9 = Santosham Tharum

| extra9 = Ghantasala

| length9 = 02:27

| title10 = Anbe Pavama

| extra10 = R. Balasaraswathi Devi

| length10 = 03:16

| title11 = Kanavithuthan

| extra11 = Ghantasala

| length11 = 03:08

| all_writing =

}}

Release

Devadasu, was released on 26 June 1953, and Devadas was released three months later on 11 September 1953.{{Cite web |last=Jeyaraj |first=D. B. S. |date=21 April 2014 |title=The Unforgettably Popular Film Songs of Tamil Cinema Classic "Devadas" ♫ |url=http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/27894 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831053630/http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/27894 |archive-date=31 August 2016 |access-date=31 August 2016 |publisher=dbsjeyaraj.com}} Both versions were commercially successful, playing for over 100 days in theatres. Randor Guy, however noted that after the film's release, there were bickerings between the partners over the division of profits and Subbaraman's widow had to go to court, as did Lalitha for her balance remuneration.{{sfn|Guy|2016|p=255}} In 2002, the film was screened under the "Devdas Retrospective Section" during the 33rd International Film Festival of India.{{Cite web |year=2002 |title=33rd International Film Festival of India |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm33IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=33IIFA.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223151140/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm33IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=33IIFA.pdf |archive-date=23 December 2017 |access-date=23 December 2017 |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals}}

Reception

Devadasu received positive reviews from critics upon its release.{{Cite web |last=Srivatsan |date=20 September 2016 |title=Happy Birthday Akkineni Nageswara Rao: 5 best films of the legendary actor |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/happy-birthday-akkineni-nageswara-rao-best-films-nagarjuna-naga-chaitanya/1/768571.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026044616/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/happy-birthday-akkineni-nageswara-rao-best-films-nagarjuna-naga-chaitanya/1/768571.html |archive-date=26 October 2016 |access-date=26 October 2016 |website=India Today |df=dmy}} M. L. Narasimham praised the performances of the film's cast, particularly that of Nageswara Rao. He added that B. S. Ranga's "excellent" cinematography and C. R. Subbaraman's music were the film's highlights apart from Vedantham Raghavayya's direction. Reviewing Devadas, Randor Guy wrote that the film was remembered for "empathetically brilliant performance of Nageswara Rao in the title role and equally impressive acting by Savithri". S. Theodore Baskaran described the casting of Nageswara Rao and Savitri as "near perfect".{{sfn|Baskaran|1996|p=116}} Hindustan Times stated that Nageswara Rao's performance "remains a classic portrayal of the character that has been adapted on-screen several times".{{Cite web |date=22 January 2014 |title=Akkineni Nageswara Rao: his best films |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/akkineni-nageswara-rao-his-best-films/story-Ksj7Ah36hILCv7HIJWUWUP.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20151021163713/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/akkineni-nageswara-rao-his-best-films/story-Ksj7Ah36hILCv7HIJWUWUP.html |archive-date=21 October 2015 |access-date=13 November 2015 |website=Hindustan Times}} Film archivist P. K. Nair noted, "Akkineni Nageshwara Rao identified himself with the character so intensely [...] that it remains one of Telugu cinema’s outstanding performances."{{Cite web |last=Nair |first=P. K. |author-link=P. K. Nair |date=1 April 2017 |title=The Devdas syndrome in Indian cinema |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-devdas-syndrome-in-indian-cinema/article17750122.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402155612/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-devdas-syndrome-in-indian-cinema/article17750122.ece |archive-date=2 April 2017 |access-date=2 April 2017 |website=The Hindu}} The 2002 book Living legend, Dr. Akkineni (edited by M. K. Ramu) called Nageshwara Rao "the perfect manifestation of Sarat's vision" of the title character.{{Sfn|Ramu|2002|p=44}} In contrast, Nageswara Rao at one point did not rate the film so highly because he felt it did not "convey the Sarat mood well enough."{{Sfn|Ramachandran|1978|p=cxxvii}}

C. S. H. N. Murthy, author of the 2012 Routledge article Film remakes as cross-cultural connections between North and South, praised Devadasu for "follow[ing] closely the text of the novel as a hypotext".{{Cite web |last=Murthy |first=C. S. H. N. |date=13 November 2012 |title=Film remakes as cross-cultural connections between North and South: A case study of the Telugu film industry's contribution to Indian filmmaking |url=https://www.academia.edu/19224904 |access-date=1 October 2016 |publisher=Routledge}} [https://archive.org/details/RemakesInIndianCinemaTeluguCinema Alt URL] Murthy was the first author to interpret the Devadas phenomenon in terms of de-westernising media studies by appropriately locating the character of Devadas into the relevant and contemporary religious ethos of India that time. Murthy was not only critical of the Western Scholars' interpretations of Devadas as a narcissist and pseudo-masochist but also questioned their theoretical frameworks based on Western Sexualities and Post-feminism. While placing the crux of the adaptation studies using film as text, he rightly pointed out the dissonance in trying to draw such comparisons based on Western film theories. His article endeavours to make a critical intervention in current South Asian Studies by aiming to provide novel theoretical frame work, hitherto unknown and unheard in Indian film studies, to which philosophical and traditional tenets grounding the novella of Devadas can be anchored.{{Cite journal |last=Murthy |first=C.S.H.N. |last2=O.B. |first2=Meitei |date=February 2016 |title=Intertextuality of Film Remakes of Devdas: Romanticism From the Perspectives of Indian Aesthetics |publisher=SAGE Publications |volume=36 |pages=24–40 |doi=10.1177/0262728015615477 |number=1 |s2cid=148363017}}

Legacy

Devadasu and Devadas are regarded as among the most successful films in Telugu and Tamil cinema respectively.{{Cite book |last=Sastry |first=K. N. T. |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/nosta/devadasu.html |title=Alanati Chalana Chitram |date=1986 |publisher=Cinema Group |author-link=K. N. T. Sastry |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000516201633/http://www.idlebrain.com/nosta/devadasu.html |archive-date=16 May 2000 |url-status=dead}} Upon release, the dialogue Thaagithe maruva galanu, thaaganivvaru, marichipothe thaagagalanu, maruvanivvaru ({{langx|en|If I drink, I can forget, but they don't let me drink, If I forget, I can drink, but they don't let me forget.|italic=yes}}) became famous.{{Cite web |last=Tata, Madhavi |date=14 October 2013 |title=Romance Is All |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/romance-is-all-/288054 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017105339/http://www.outlookindia.com/article/romance-is-all-/288054 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=13 November 2015 |website=Outlook}} The film proved to be a major breakthrough in Nageswara Rao's career.{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=M Bharat |date=13 February 2016 |title=Kollywood kadhal: From black & white till now |url=http://newstodaynet.com/entertainment/kollywood-kadhal-black-white-till-now |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026060649/http://newstodaynet.com/entertainment/kollywood-kadhal-black-white-till-now |archive-date=26 October 2016 |access-date=26 October 2016 |website=News Today |df=dmy}} The success of the film made him known as the "Tragedy King" of Telugu cinema and also led to his becoming typecast in similar roles.{{Cite web |last=Sushil Rao |first=Ch. |date=23 January 2014 |title=Akkineni Nageshwara Rao: A Tragedy King who charmed his heroines |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Akkineni-Nageshwara-Rao-A-Tragedy-King-who-charmed-his-heroines/articleshow/29222497.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123215249/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Akkineni-Nageshwara-Rao-A-Tragedy-King-who-charmed-his-heroines/articleshow/29222497.cms |archive-date=23 January 2014 |access-date=13 November 2015 |website=The Times of India}} In order to shed the tragic-romantic hero image, he accepted a comic role in Missamma (1955).{{Cite web |date=26 January 2014 |title=Irreplaceable icon |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/irreplaceable-icon/article5618415.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205021406/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/irreplaceable-icon/article5618415.ece |archive-date=5 February 2014 |access-date=13 November 2015 |website=The Hindu}} Savitri too appeared in Missamma, and her character in that film was described by Pa. Dheenadhayalan of Dinamani as an antithesis of her role in Devadasu.{{Cite web |last=Dheenadhayalan |first=Pa. |date=16 May 2015 |title=சாவித்ரி - 2. காதல் மந்திரவாதி! |trans-title=Savitri – 2. The magician of love! |url=http://www.dinamani.com/junction/kanavukkannigal/2015/05/16/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF---2.-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF/article2815909.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611160435/http://www.dinamani.com/junction/kanavukkannigal/2015/05/16/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF---2.-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF/article2815909.ece |archive-date=11 June 2015 |access-date=11 January 2016 |website=Dinamani |language=ta}} Vaazhvey Maayam (1982), which was named after a line from "Ulagaae Maayam",{{Cite web |date=28 January 2014 |title=தெலுங்கின் சிவாஜி, நாகேஸ்வரராவ்! |trans-title=Nageswara Rao, the Telugu Sivaji! |url=http://www.ithayakkani.com/jsp/Content/display_content_front.jsp?menuid=26&menuname=%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D%20%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9C%E0%AE%BF,%20%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%8D!&linkid=26&linkname=2014-01-28&content=1222&columnno=0&starts=0&menu_image=- |url-status=dead |access-date=2 October 2016 |website=Ithayakkani |language=ta |archive-date=2 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002132538/http://www.ithayakkani.com/jsp/Content/display_content_front.jsp?menuid=26&menuname=%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D%20%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9C%E0%AE%BF,%20%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%8D!&linkid=26&linkname=2014-01-28&content=1222&columnno=0&starts=0&menu_image=- }} was described by Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema as an "update of the Devdas plot".{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=331}}

In July 2007, S. R. Ashok Kumar of The Hindu asked eight Tamil directors to list ten of their favourite films. Balu Mahendra named Devadas as one of his top ten Tamil films. He said that it had "superb lighting by B. S. Ranga, excellent performances by A. Nageswara Rao and Savithri, and haunting music by C. R. Subbaraman".{{Cite web |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S. R. |date=13 July 2007 |title=Filmmakers' favourites |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/article2272999.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011060705/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/article2272999.ece |archive-date=11 October 2014 |access-date=13 November 2015 |website=The Hindu}} Actor Sivakumar stated, "You can’t reproduce movies like Parasakthi, Pasamalar, Devadas, Veerapandiya Kattabomman or Ratha Kanneer [...] By remaking such films, you are lowering yourself, while it enhances the original artists’ image."{{Cite web |last=Anand |first=N. |date=3 January 2008 |title=Sivakumar not for old wine in new bottle |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/sivakumar-not-for-old-wine-in-new-bottle/article1170631.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326134402/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/sivakumar-not-for-old-wine-in-new-bottle/article1170631.ece |archive-date=26 March 2015 |access-date=20 February 2015 |website=The Hindu}} YVS Chowdary titled his 2006 comedy film Devadasu, though it had no similarity with this film.{{Cite web |last=Narasimham, M. L. |date=6 January 2006 |title=Spinning magic |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/spinning-magic/article3216664.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114150541/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/spinning-magic/article3216664.ece |archive-date=14 November 2015 |access-date=13 November 2015 |website=The Hindu}} In May 2012, Radhika Rajamani of Rediff.com mentioned Devadasu for the letter D in her list, "The A to Z of Telugu Cinema".{{Cite web |last=Rajamani |first=Radhika |date=7 May 2012 |title=Special: The A to Z of Telugu Cinema |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-special-the-a-to-z-of-telugu-cinema/20120507.htm#4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227142244/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-special-the-a-to-z-of-telugu-cinema/20120507.htm#3 |archive-date=27 December 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015 |website=Rediff.com}} During a programme titled "Telugu Cinema Prasthanam" organised by the film society of Vishakhapatnam, writer and actor Ravi Kondala Rao placed Devadasu among other Telugu films like Bhakta Prahlada (1932), Mala Pilla (1938), Pathala Bhairavi (1951) and Lava Kusa (1963) during a speech on the role of Telugu cinema in the hundred years of Indian cinema.{{Cite web |date=2 January 2013 |title=Call to promote good cinema |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/call-to-promote-good-cinema/article4263409.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528122347/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/call-to-promote-good-cinema/article4263409.ece |archive-date=28 May 2015 |access-date=28 May 2015 |website=The Hindu}} In April 2013, News18 included the film in its list of "100 greatest Indian films of all time".{{Cite web |date=17 April 2013 |title=100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time |url=http://www.news18.com/photogallery/movies/100-years-of-indian-cinema-the-100-greatest-indian-films-of-all-time-903065.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425234818/http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200-56.html |archive-date=25 April 2013 |access-date=13 June 2016 |website=News18}} Indo-Asian News Service described Devadasu as one of Nageswara Rao's "best films".{{Cite news |date=22 January 2014 |title=Legendary Telugu Actor Nageswara Rao Passes Away |work=The New Indian Express |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/Legendary-Telugu-Actor-Nageswara-Rao-Passes-Away/2014/01/22/article2013634.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=13 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122055840/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/Legendary-Telugu-Actor-Nageswara-Rao-Passes-Away/2014/01/22/article2013634.ece |archive-date=22 January 2014}} Dilip Kumar, who portrayed Devadas in the 1955 film directed by Bimal Roy, admitted that Nageswara Rao's performance as the character was better than his own,{{Cite web |last=Nichenametla |first=Prasad |date=23 January 2014 |title=Akkineni Nageswara Rao: the grand old man of Telugu cinema |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/akkineni-nageswara-rao-the-grand-old-man-of-telugu-cinema/story-45SpSJ0C9rOklvGj8oFfgM.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511132235/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/akkineni-nageswara-rao-the-grand-old-man-of-telugu-cinema/story-45SpSJ0C9rOklvGj8oFfgM.html |archive-date=11 May 2016 |access-date=11 May 2016 |website=Hindustan Times}} remarking, "There is only one Devadas (1953), and that is Akkineni Nageswara Rao."{{Cite web |title=There is only one Devadas, and that is ANR: Dilip Kumar |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/there-is-only-one-devadas-and-that-is-anr-dilip-kumar-imagegallery-1-tollywood-obwj80ieecjsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511131648/http://www.sify.com/movies/there-is-only-one-devadas-and-that-is-anr-dilip-kumar-imagegallery-1-tollywood-obwj80ieecjsi.html |archive-date=11 May 2016 |access-date=11 May 2016 |website=Sify}} A scene from Devadasu, in which the title character converses with a street dog while drunk, was parodied in a promotional still from Majnu (2016), where the male lead (Nani) humorously converses with a stuffed puppy, while imitating Devadasu's mannerisms.{{Cite web |last=Pasupulate |first=Karthik |date=1 August 2016 |title=A touching love story of a happy, new-age Majnu |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/A-touching-love-story-of-a-happy-new-age-Majnu/articleshow/53476442.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914052802/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/A-touching-love-story-of-a-happy-new-age-Majnu/articleshow/53476442.cms |archive-date=14 September 2016 |access-date=14 September 2016 |website=The Times of India}} In the film Muthu (1995), a drunk Valayapathi (Vadivelu) who is lying in the car will be singing "Kanavidhu Than".Muthu (motion picture). India: Kavithalayaa Productions. 1995. From 39.19 to 39.28

Sequel

In 1978 a sequel to the film released Devadasu Malli Puttadu. It deals with the rebirth of Devadasu, with Nageswara Rao reprising his role.{{Cite web |last=Nadadhur |first=Srivathsan |date=Nov 16, 2022 |title=RIP Superstar Krishna: Of the star's tryst with Devadasu that left him with a bitter aftertaste |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/rip-superstar-krishna-of-the-stars-tryst-with-devadasu-that-left-him-with-a-bitter-aftertaste/ec5a673909624 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=OTTPlay |language=en |archive-date=18 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118183358/https://www.ottplay.com/news/rip-superstar-krishna-of-the-stars-tryst-with-devadasu-that-left-him-with-a-bitter-aftertaste/ec5a673909624 |url-status=live }}

Notes

References

= Bibliography =

{{Cite book |last=Baskaran |first=Sundararaj Theodore |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PhFlAAAAMAAJ&q=The+eye+of+the+serpent:+an+introduction+to+Tamil+cinema |title=The eye of the serpent: an introduction to Tamil cinema |publisher=East West Books |year=1996 |author-link=S. Theodore Baskaran |access-date=21 September 2016 |archive-date=2 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902112412/https://books.google.com/books?id=PhFlAAAAMAAJ&q=The+eye+of+the+serpent:+an+introduction+to+Tamil+cinema |url-status=live }}
{{Cite book |last=Guy |first=Randor |title=Memories of Madras: Its Movies, Musicians & Men of Letters |publisher=Creative Workshop |year=2016 |isbn=978-81-928961-7-5 |author-link=Randor Guy}}
{{Cite book |last=Rajadhyaksha |first=Ashish |url=https://indiancine.ma/texts/indiancine.ma%3AEncyclopedia_of_Indian_Cinema/text.pdf |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |orig-date=1994 |access-date=1 October 2016 |archive-date=21 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821193440/https://indiancine.ma/texts/indiancine.ma%3AEncyclopedia_of_Indian_Cinema/text.pdf |url-status=live }}
{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oSdlAAAAMAAJ&q=batasari+sarat |title=Living Legend, Dr. Akkineni |publisher=Rasamayi Publications |year=2002 |editor-last=Ramu |editor-first=M. K. |oclc=53205683 |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=2 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902112412/https://books.google.com/books?id=oSdlAAAAMAAJ&q=batasari+sarat |url-status=live }}
{{Cite book |last=Ramachandran |first=T.M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xXhTAAAAYAAJ&q=Devadas |title=Film World |year=1978 |volume=14 |access-date=14 January 2021 |archive-date=2 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902112525/https://books.google.com/books?id=xXhTAAAAYAAJ&q=Devadas |url-status=live }}