Krishna Bhakthi is a 1949TamilHistorical – Musical film, directed and written by R. S. Mani. The film was produced by S. N. Laxmana Chettiar. The film dialogue and story were written by S. D. S. Yogi, Shuddhananda Bharati, Sandilyan and Ku. Pa. Sedhu Ammal. Music by S. V. Venkatraman and Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer is an asset to the film. The film starred P. U. Chinnappa, T. R. Rajakumari, D. Balasubramaniam and K. R. Ramaswamy playing lead, with C. T. Rajakantham Alwar Kuppusamy, Pullimootai Ramasamy N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram couples providing comic relief. The Carnatic music icon M. L. Vasanthakumari appeared on – screen in a regal court sequence in this film. The film was inspired by Rasputin, the notorious Russian Monk and a French NovelThe Monk.
Plot
Krishna Bhakthi is the tale of hypocrite saint, who lusts after a chaste court dancer Devakumari and his ultimate redemption.
Cast
Male cast according to the opening credits of the film and female cast according to the song book ;Male cast
Settings: Chellam Maistry, Babu, Gopal Pillai, Kuppusami and Shankar
Production
The film was under production for nearly five years due to many difficulties. The script on which R. S. Mani and assistant S. Ramanathan worked for six months was inspired by Rasputin, the notorious Russian Monk and a French Novel as The Monk, translated into English, which Ramanathan bought in Moore Market for One Rupee.
Soundtrack
Music by S. V. Venkatraman and Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer and lyrics were written by Udumalai Narayana Kavi. The song Saarasam Vaseekara, sung by PUC was composed by G. Ramanathan. Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer composed music for the song "Kannan Varuvarodi", to which dance was choreographed by Vazhuvoor B. Ramaiyah Pillai. He also composed music for "Thamarai Senkann" and "Entha Vedu". The recording of this Harkatha song lasted nearly six minutes and Chinnappa finished it in one take!. This is the only such feat in the history of Indian Cinema after pre-recording of music was introduced in the later 1930s. The song "Entha Vedu Kontha O Raagavaa" in Raga Saraswathi Manohari was sung by M. L. Vasanthakumari.
Other facts
The recording of this Harikatha song lasted nearly six minutes and P. U. Chinnappa finished it one take. This is the only such feat in the history of Indian Cinema after pre-recording of music was introduced in the late '30s.
That Carnatic music icon M. L. Vasanthakumari appeared on – screen in a regal court sequence and the song by Entha Vedu Kontha O Raagava. This was her only on screen appearance. But she sang off – screen. Indeed, she was engaged to play the second wife of the potter – saint Gora Kumbhar in Sudharshan, a Jupiter pictures productions. But for personal reasons, she opted out after few reels were shot and Mangalam replaced her.
