Ilavelpu story at a glance
Ilavelpu was the first film for L.V.Prasad as producer and he introduced his assistant Yoganand as director. The film is best remembered for its performances and great music. This film was also remade in Hindi with Raj Kapoor and Meena Devi as “Sarada” with L.V.Prasad himself as the director. It was tremendously successful too.
Story Details:
Kantharao (Gummadi) is a landlord and a widower. His son Sekhar (ANR) studies B.A. Sekhar uncle’s (Sivarama Krishnayya) daughter Tarala(Jamuna) loves him. But Tarala’s mother (Suryakantham) is a very aggressive woman and Sekhar stays away from his uncle’s family thinking that Tarala might have his aunt’s qualities. Tarala’s brother (Relangi) roams outside the house in order to escape the torture of his mother. Kantharao’s lands are tilled by Chandrayya (A.L.Narayana) and his daughter is Sarada (Anjali). Sarada grows up in an ashram as her mother dies in her childhood. She is well versed in Sanskrit and Telugu along with having spiritual ideologies . Once, Sekhar visits the ashram and meets Sarada there. He respects her ideologies, falls in love and proposes her too. Sarada tells she also admires Sekhar but in a way a fellow human being is liked but not love. Instead of giving up, Sekhar repeatedly requests her to accept his love. Sarada finally says she would talk to her parents and let him know. It is when Sekhar leaves for China to study further but his flight meets with an accident. Everybody thinks Sekhar in dead in the accident. Sarada and Tarala get distraught with the news and the story takes a huge twist. Sarada gets forced to marry Sekhar’s father Kantharao in dramatic circumstances. It is when Sekhar saves himself from the accident and returns. He feels shocked seeing his lover in the position of mother in the house. Sarada requests Sekhar to marry Tarala and makes him agree for the wedding. But Tarala has her own suspicions about Sekhar and Sarada and always thinks they both have something else in mind. Sekhar gets upset with this and leaves the house. Sarada gives her life in sacrifice and Sekhar- Tarala unite again- eventually making the house a paradise again. Sarada gets all the prayers as the family deity (Ilavelpu) of the house.
Performances:
ANR gives a balanced performance as Sekhar in the film. Anjali gives a brilliant performance as Sarada which is the most key role in the film. Jamuna is very good as the innocent Tarala whose ideas change after marriage with Sekhar. Gummadi, Suryakantham, A.L. Narayana, and Relangi are adequate in their respective roles.
Technical Aspects:
Music is the main lifeline of this film. Challani Raja O Chandamama, Anna Anna Vinnava became all time hits. Direction by debutant Yoganand is commendable. Dialogues by Pinisetty Ramamurthy are crisp and aid the story well.
Cast and Crew:
Sekhar- ANR
Sarada- Anjali
Tarala- Jamuna
Kantharao- Gummadi
Chandrayya- A.L.Narayana
Tarala’s Mother- Suryakantham
Tarala’s Brother- Relangi
Sekhar’s Uncle- Sivaramakrishnayya
Dialogues- Pinisetty Ramamurthy
Lyrics- Sri Sri, Kosaraju, Vaddadhi, Anisetty
Music- Susarla Daksinamurthy
Producer- L.V.Prasad
Director- B.Yoganand (Debut)
Banner- Lakshmi Productions
Release Date- 21st June 1956