BEST OF HISTORY IN A FILM THAT CREATED HISTORY

Abd-ar-Razzak, a Timurid scholar and chronicler and a scholar who visited the Vijaynagar Empire in circa 1443 CE as an ambassador of Shah Rukh, the Timurid dynasty ruler of Persia wrote about the capital city during the reign of Deva Raya II as: “the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it, and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world. It is built in such a manner that seven citadels and the same number of walls enclose each other.” Other scholars and explorers– the long list includes, the Turkish polymath, Katib-tchelebi; the Italian travellers, Niccolo de Conti and Cesare Federici; and, the Portuguese traders, Domingo Paes and Fernao Nunes– have rhapsodised about the magnificence of the empire and the enormity of weath therein.

"ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ದೇವರಾಯ" ('Sri Krishnadevaraya') is a1970, award-winning and critically hailed Kannada film. Oh, the blockbuster biopic went gangbusters at the box office too! The historical drama is based on the life of one of greatest monarchs of the Vijayanagara Empire, Sri Krishna Devaraya (Rajkumar), who belonged to the Tuluva dynasty. A great scholar, patron of fine arts and gallant warrior, he ruled between1509 and 1529 CE and took the empire to the pinnacle of its glory. He expanded the empire significantly; undertook development works extensively and granted endowments to temples generously. 

The film is doyen, BR Panthulu's directorial tour de force. He triumphs with his fluent narrative and sharp execution...a theatrical treat! The magnum opus leaves a lasting imprint in the viewer's mind; and, it makes every Kannadiga's heart swell with pride. The screenplay should have been tighter and the editing trimmer though.

Veterans RN Jayagopal and Kanagal Prabhakara Shastry have woven myth, folklore and history seamlessly into the rich tapestry of the script and dialogues. The legend, TG Lingappa, has composed exquisite music to the equally excellent lyrics of Vijay Narasimha and Kanagal Prabhakar Shastry. Cinematographer A Shanmugam has captured imagery that is compelling in its aesthetic merit.

Dr. Rajkumar, BR Panthulu (as Timmarasu, the Minister), Bharathi (as Chinna Devi), Jayanthi, Narasimharaju, et al are spellbinding in pivotal roles. The supporting cast, which includes R Nagendra Rao in a cameo, too is commendable. The real standout is Panthulu, who has not just enacted his role, but also enlivened the screen with his rendition.

The movie is about 30 minutes too long, for sure! It suffers from a bit of melodrama too, at times!

The empire collapsed a long time ago; its relics remain in ruins; the silent stones scattered all over Hampi speak loudly; umm...nay, sing melodiously about the splendid times during Krishna Devaraya rule. The movie provides the conduit for the glorious past to come alive in a gorgeous present on screen.

I rate it: 9.0 on 10!