Sree Krishnarjuna Yuddham, released in 1962 under the banner of Jayanthi pictures, is a fairly typical Pouranic movie of its time. NTR played Krishna, ANR was Arjuna, and B.Saroja as Subhadra was the female lead. The movie was produced and directed by K.V.Reddy. The songs from this movie are all classics. They were directed by Pendyala Nageshwar Rao, and composed by Pingali Nagendra Rao. In addition to the inimitable Ghantasala, the other playback artistes were P.Suseela, Madhavapeddy Satyam (and other minor artists).
The movie seems to fall apart into two distinct halves, with little in common. The first part of the movie deals with the story of Subhadra, and Arjuna's travails as a "swamulavaru" in pursuing her. The second part deals with the story of Gayudu, a Gandharva who incurrs the wrath of Krishna and seeks the protection of Arjuna, triggering a battle between them. Here we retell the story in pictures and songs. (due to copyright concerns, we limit our songs to about a minute or less; This will comply with the fair usage clause of the copyright law, and is fully legal. If you enjoy the songs and the pictures, please show your support for the artists by purchasing the DVD)
Note: Click on pictures to play the associated song, and show a bigger image; You will need RealPlayer for the audio, and a JavaScript capable browser for the links to work.
)
| The movie begins with the beautiful song "Deva Deva Naarayana" in the background with the titles. |
| The famous scene of Krishna appeasing an aggrieved Satyabhama. Satyabhama is annoyed that Krishna visited Rukmini first, and retreats to her room. Krishna follows her in, and tries to apologize with the beautiful number "Aligithiva Sakhee Priya". |
)
|
)
| Satyabhama was having none of this, and kicks Krishna's crown off. Far from being offended, Krishna suggests that he is more worried about her leg getting hurt by touching his harsh crown in the padyam "Nanu Bhavadeeya" |
| The lovely princess Subhadra, after Krishna promises her that she would be married to Arjuna. "Annee Manchi Sakunamule". |
)
|
)
| Arjuna's portion of Annee Manchi Sakunamule shows us Ghantasala at the top of his form .. |
| On the advice of Narada, Arjuna decides to dress up as a swamulavaru and enter Dwaraka. First he seeks the blessings of his friend and guru, Krishna, in "Vasudeva Sutham Devam" |
)
|
)
| Balarama completely believes in the young swamulavaru, and orders the princess Subhadra to serve him. Subhadra does this with pleasure- although she doesn't know that this is Arjuna in disguise, she begins to be attracted to this swami .. " Swamula Sevaku Velaaye " |
| Arjuna, of course, does all he can to encourage the attraction -to the point of risking scaring Subhadra off! Here is his prayer to "Devi", a classic double entendre .. "Chaalada Ee Pooja Devi" |
)
|
)
| The required bit of comedy is provided by Arjuna's assistant and junior swamy (Allu Ramalingiah); Here, he is fending off advances from one of the chelikattelu, who wants to learn how to get "mokshamu". |
| Balarama decides the marriage of Subhadra; The dejected princess finds refuge in song .. "Neekai Vechitinayya" |
)
|
)
|
The swami promises to bring Arjuna here for the distraught princess. Making her close her eyes, he casts off his disguise and reveals himself as Arjuna. For sheer joy expressed in song, this song by Ghantasala should surely rank as one of the top! |
| After various twists and turns, Subhadra and Arjuna get married. The sending off song by Rukmini .. |
)
|
)
| The "real" movie begins with Krisha performing his Soorya Namaskaram. A beautifully sung slokam. |
|
The gandharva Gayudu, flying overhead in his vimanam, spits out of the side. This lands in Krishna's hands, sending him ballistic! In this padyam, Ghantasala shows us why he is the best all round singer we ever had. The sheer venom of the delivery is unmatched elsewhere (except perhaps "Kuru Vrudhull Guru Vrudhabaandhavul" from Pandava Vanavasam). |
)
|
)
| In the meantime, Arjuna and Subhadra are enjoying their honeymoon .. |
| Gayudu runs to Arjuna, and begs for Sharanu. In true Kshatriya spirit, Arjuna offers Abhayam to him, before even ascertaining what the problem was; Once he realizes that his adversary is none other than Krishna, he bemoans his fate; but refuses to back down from his obligation, swearing this powerful oath. |
)
|
)
|
)
|
| The accidental adversaries Krishna and Arjuna meet in the battlefield. Arjuna starts the battle by respectfully saluting Krishna. When this was rejected by Krishna, the verbal battle heats up, before the real battle starts. | |
)
| As the battle continues, the adversaries use more and more powerful Astras until the very earth is endgangered. Narada hurries to Shiva to request his intervention. Shiva descends and separates the combatants. Krishna reveals that this was all a test of Arjuna, and all live happily ever after .. |