For a movie to be termed as Classic, every department in it should be complete. If any one of the departments is excellent but not others, the film would be successful but not a Classic. Story, Screenplay, Dialogues, Songs, Music, Acting, Photography and other technical aspects should be handled with utmost discipline by a director at ease. When this happens, the film transforms to an unforgettable Classic. The film “Yogi Vemana” which was released on April 10th, 1947 consists of all the aforementioned aspects required for it to be a Classic. The film remains to be a greatest Classic in the history of Telugu Cinema.
This film was made with high production values, along with determination to make a film with social message, under the banner of Vahini Productions, with K.V.Reddy garu as the director. It was the second film for K.V.Reddy garu as director, after Bhaktha Pothana (1943). During the good old days, it is definetly not an exaggeration to say that there is no Telugu person without knowing atleast one poem written by Yogi Vemana. Beginning with an indulgent life and raising to the level of Saint, Yogi Vemana penned “Aataveladhi” poems depicting the societal wrong doings with his signature line “Vishwadabhi Raama Vinura Vema!”.
Story details:
Vemareddy (Later the protagonist- Yogi Vemana) is the younger brother of a king named Anavemareddy. He is very fond of his brother’s daughter Jyothi. The story proceeds as Vemareddy falls in the trap of a prostitute named Mohanangi. For her sake, Vemareddy steals his sister-in-law’s necklace, and his brother’s accumulated money for the purpose of government tax. As a result, Vemareddy’s brother gets imprisoned. On a sad note, his daughter Jyothi, who is very dear to Vemareddy dies.
Vemareddy gets serious detachment with the ways of life when he later works for manufacturing gold along with his friend Abhiramudu. He then transforms to Yogi Vemana, by giving up all the worldly pleasures, relationships, and begins writing poems about the ways of society, its problems to scholars as well as normal people alike.
Cast:
Nagaiah, Lingamurthy, M.V.Rajamma,Parvatibai,Kanthamma,Ramireddy, Doraswami, Baby Krishnaveni adorned the main characters of the film.
People behind the screen:
The dialogues and lyrics were looked after by Samudrala Senior, and Nagaiah himself composed the music for the film. The song “Idhena Inthena” and the crucial climax scene where Vemana returns to the caves were phenomenally picturized by Cameraman Marcus Bartley. “Andhalu Chindeti Jyothi” and “Aaparani Thapamayera” were good hits from this movie. Veteran singer Ghantasala can be seen in the movie singing the jathis for “Aaparani Thapamayera” song. During the filming of Climax scene, the director K.V.Reddy was in tears and got so involved in the scene- that he forgot to say “ Cut! “ also!
Nagaiah garu’s life became immortal by playing three legendary characters on silver screen- Namely Pothana, Thyagayya and Vemana. Though these movies were remade later in Telugu Cinema, they could not reach the standards Nagaiah set with his excellent acting skills.
Prominent actor Vijayachander acted as Vemana in the remade version “Sri Vemana Charitra” which released in 1996. But this film could not be on par with the original Yogi Vemana released in 1947!
