March 27, 2006

I was watching the Academy awards last weekend, which set off a train of thought about Indian movies, and automatically I started thinking about Missamma, my all time favorite film. I imagined myself to be one of the Academy members in 1955, and reflected on how many Oscars I would have nominated Missamma for. The list came up like this:

Best Picture- Producers Nagireddi and Chakrapani (Vijaya Productions)
Best Director- L.V. Prasad
Best Actor- NTR
Best Actress- Savitri
Best Supporting Actor- Two nominations: ANR and Relangi
Best Supporting Actress- Jamuna
Best Adapted Screenplay- Chakrapani
Best Cinematography- Marcus Bartley
Best Film Editing- Jambulingam and Kalyanam
Best Art Direction- Gokhale and Kaladhar
Best Original Score- Saluri Rajeswara Rao
Best Original song- Two nominations for lyricist: Pingali Nagendra Rao: Ravoyi Chandamama and Aaduvari Maatalaku Ardhale Verule

Not being technical enough, I might have hesitated in the sound editing, costume and make up categories. Even without them, this would still be the most nominated film ever (counting the double nominations) with a grand total of 15 and if I was the only judge, it would also be the film with most Oscars ever.

I may be biased in considering Missamma as the best Telugu Movie ever made and placing it at the top 1-5 slots in the best Telugu movies,but I believe I have good reason to be; for lack of anything better, I would describe Missamma as Superlative in terms of Moviemaking.

Missamma is a "Drushya Kavyam", roughly translated as a "Visual poem". The movie's evergreen appeal transcends generations and time.Simplicity, being its innate strength, the movie has a very simple story line with humor as an undercurrent, highlighted by brilliant performances and melodious music. Set in early post-independence India with unemployment as the backdrop, the movie is about two young unemployed graduates (M.T. Rao and Mary) in financial dire straits, forced by their pecuniary circumstances to act like a married couple to gain employment with a quirky, but kind hearted employer (Gopalam). It so happens that Mary is also the long lost Daughter of Gopalam, who is brought up in a Christian household, with strong moral and religious convictions. It is this difference in their religions as well as characters that creates several complex and humorous situations between the unwilling couple and is beautifully and melodiously summarized in the song "Ravoyi Chandamama". Raju, Gopalams' Son-in law and the Private detective-cum- ex-headmaster is given the job of finding the lost daughter of Gopalam; his travails at discovering the truth and the methods he employs to establish Mary's true identity are hilarious. Devaiah, M.T. Rao's sidekick is the perfect foil for Raju, trying to thwart his plans and lead him astray. Going through these vicissitudes together, the bickering couple end up falling in love and eventually,Mary's true identity is established and all is well that ends well.

It is not as much the story that captivates you as how it is artfully presented with excellent performances, witty dialogue, some of the best lyrics ever penned and enchanting music. The movie exemplifies the motto " Art for Arts sake", which is the basic tenet on which Vijaya made all its movies and shows through in their other ventures like Pelli Chesi Choodu, Mayabazaar, Patala Bhairavi, Gundamma Katha, Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu and Sri Raja Rajeswari Vilas Coffee club.

Performances in the movie are stellar. Living in their roles rather than acting, each and every one of the cast breathes life into the movie. Savitri, as Mary (Missamma) however, walks away with all the honors. With tremendous screen presence, she lights up the screen and her histrionic capabilities are as unbelievable as they are legendary. Her expressive face and eyes can emote the Navarasas with ease and just with the twinkle in her eye, she can convey the meaning of a thousand words. It is rumored that Bhanumati was selected originally for the role, but as she was late for her first shoot, she was replaced by Savitri. Bhanumati's loss was the gain for the populace of South India, as Savitri never looked back and went on to become the biggest star in South Indian Cinema earning the title "Mahanati".

NTR's performance as M.T. Rao needs special mention also. He demonstrates the power of underplaying a role with a restrained but brilliant performance. Some may argue that restraint and NTR are oxymorons, but this was before NTR achieved the "Star" status and acquired all his mannerisms. He lives in the role and subsequently,all you see on the screen is M.T. Rao and never NTR. It is easily one of the best roles that he has ever played. Relangi as Devaiah, ANR as Raju, SVR as Gopalam and Jamuna as Seeta provide excellent support, making every scene of the movie a treat to watch.

No discussion about Missamma is complete without talking about its enchanting music and outstanding lyrics. Pingali's lyrics tuned by Saluri and rendered mellifluously by A.M.Raja, Leela and Suseela areevergreen and transcend time, place, cultures and nations:

"Avunante Kaadanile, Kaadante Avunanile
Aaduvaari Maatalaku Ardhale verule….."

is as relevant in 1955 India as it is in 2006 America

"Seetaram, Seetaram, Seetaram Jaya Seetaram…
Paina Pataram, Lona Lotaram ee Jagamanta Dambhacharam
Neetulu Palukutu Dharmavicharam, Gotulu Teese Goodacharam
Chandalantu Bhale Pracharam, Vandalu Velu Tama Palaharam…."

Again, a timeless lyric which reminds us very much of the simple Aataveladi verse of Vemana.

And of course Raavoyi Chandamama and Brundavanamadi Andaridi remain the most popular Telugu film songs so far. Also, the songs seem to be an integral part of the movie and it would not be an exaggeration to say that the movie is an asset to the songs, instead of the other way around.

In conclusion, Missamma is a Movie which pleases all your senses and appeals to one and all. If you are a Telugu Person and have not yet seen Missamma, fall on your knees immediately and pray, God may even forgive you; and then, run across to the nearest Indian store and buy the DVD and if you can, watch it on a big screen. If you have seen it five or ten years ago, watch it again. I watch it on my big screen at least once every month and enjoy it every time. For non-Telugu Speaking people, Missamma was remade in Tamil as "Missiyamma" and in Hindi as "Miss Mary", both of which fall miserably short of the cinematic stature of the original.

Ram
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