vengamamba

Movie Review : vengamamba Previous Movie Movie Review Gallery Preview Movie Review Updated on: 29 Aug 2009 Views: 93 Vengamamba refuses to accept this. The boy is bitten by a snake. He takes word from his father that Vengamamba should not be changed into a widow after his death.

Though the locals insist on the tradition of widowhood, Vengamamba refuses to oblige them and goes to Madanapalli. She completes her studies there and returns to her village. She begins to write Nrusimha Satakam. Her aunt Narayanamma's daughter tries to burn the script and is punished for her deed. This changes Narayanamma forever and seeks her forgiveness.

Peetadhipati who comes to question her knowledge, bows to her greatness. Vengamamba gives temple water to quench the thirst of a muslim. This causes a great
commotion. She revolts against the wicked people of the village, and sits for penance in a cave previously used by the Sage Durvasa. The cruel gang tries to burn her alive. All believe that she is dead. But she goes to Tirupati to worship the Lord of Seven Hills. There she offers Tulasimala to the deity and is criticized for her offerings by the main priest there (as a widow is not allowed to worship the temple deity in those days). He throws the garland away. But Lord Venkateshwara appears to her wearing her tulasimala .

She is blamed with the theft of the Lord's ornaments. But Lord appears to the devotees
wearing her tulasimala every day. When observed, it is found that Vengamamba comes through the locked doors and offers the garland to the deity. This opens the eyes of the priests and she is invited back to Tirumala. There she spends rest of her life writing hymns in praise of the Lord Venkateshwara and finally attains salvation (moksha)

Analysis

Director Uday Bhaskar is a seasoned director with more than seventy Nandi Awards to his credit for producing TV serials. Moreover, he directed a TV serial (52 episodes) based on Vengamamba's story. There is a probability that presence of many TV artistes makes it more a TV serial than a film. Director's experience reflects in some scenes like mother commanding Vengamamba to stay away from the puja room, her father Subbaraya Sarma requesting Sarat Kumar not to make his daughter a widow, in the scene between the peetadhipati and Vengamamba where the scenes are loaded with heart rending emotions. Many scenes in the film remind one about their similarity in presentation with Annamayya. At the same time one cannot ignore the difference between the ace director Raghavendra Rao and Uday Bhaskar. Vengamamba's revolt against widowhood makes her an epitome of social justice.

Action: Meena performed well in the title role. Sai Kiran excelled in his role as Lord
Venkateshwara. His costumes are also impressive. Saratbabu, Subbaraya Sarma, Ragini performed well. Ananth did not fit the negative role and he fails to rise up to the occasion. Even Ashok Kumar as Dikshitulu fails to impress the audience. Sana did not suit for the role of Sri Lakshmi. But Sudha acted well as the mother of Vengamamba.

Music: Keeravani's music is good. Though there are 21 songs, all had captive scores. Even re-recording is impressive.

Cinematography: Very good. The graphics are effective.

Editing: Good

Choreography: O.K

Art: Excellent. The temple set and some miniature works are impressive.