''Mantra Dandam'' ( ''Magical Wand'') is a 1951

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode S ...

-language

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

swashbuckler film Swashbuckler films are a subgenre of the action film genre, often characterised by swordfighting and adventurous heroic characters, known as swashbucklers. Real historical events often feature prominently in the plot, morality is often clear-c ...

, produced by C. K. C. Chitti under the Sri Gnanambika Pictures banner and directed by K. S. Ramachandra Rao. It stars

Akkineni Nageswara Rao Akkineni Nageswara Rao (20 September 1923 – 22 January 2014), widely known as ANR, was an Indian actor and producer, known for his works majorly in Telugu cinema. He starred in many landmark films in his seventy five-year career, and became on ...

Sriranjani Jr. Sriranjani (22 February 1927 – 27 April 1974) was an Indian actress active in Telugu and Tamil films. She was the younger sister of Sriranjani. She is known mainly for her tragedy roles particularly as the long-suffering wife. Life in Brief ...

and music composed by Nallam Nageswara Rao, while S. Rajeswara Rao has taken care of the background score. The film was dubbed into Tamil with the title ''Arasaala Piranthavan'' and released in 1958.

Plot

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom, and its queen departed after giving birth to a baby boy. Just after, the younger Queen ploys and dumps him in the forest. Here, the baby is safeguarded by a Yogini who rears him as Siva Prasad. Years roll by, and Siva Prasad falls for a florist Gowri and a naughty girl Girija also behind him. After some time, Siva Prasad & Gowri move to the capital, Girija's posteriors, and they split in between. At the fort, the King opts for Siva Prasad as his heir as a royal elephant facilitates him. Simultaneously, Gowri enrolls with the queen, and Girija is seized by a sorcerer Tintakarala one that aids the queen. After some time, Gowri is indicted for a theft done by the queen's brother when Siva Prasad punishes her imperatively. Soon, he proves her guiltless and ascertains to knit her which the King opposes. During this, the queen realizes Siva Prasad is the prince by his birthmark. So, she conspires to eliminate him via Tintakarala and he utilizes Girija by creating a magic wand to clutch Siva Prasad. Discerning it, she absconds together with Magic Wand. Forthwith, Gowri is apprehended and penalized for death within 7 days. Afterward, aware of Siva Prasad's love for Gowri Girija proceeds to slay her when the queen's brother heists Magic Wand. Parallelly, the King discloses the fact when the queen commits suicide. However, Tintakarala captures Siva Prasad and judges him to sacrifice. Distressed King hits his cave under the umbrella of Yogini. At last, Siva Prasad eliminates Tintakarala when Girija dies while guarding her love. All at once, Gowri is edged to hang and frees her. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the marriage of Siva Prasad & Gowri.

Cast

as Siva Prasad *

as Gowri * C.S.R as Maharaju *

Kasturi Siva Rao Kasturi Siva Rao (6 March 1913 - 24 February 1966) was an Indian actor, comedian, playback singer, producer and director known for his works in Telugu cinema. He was one of the first star comedians of Telugu cinema.26lettersto24frames.wordpress. ...

as Shankara Sarma *Ram Murthy as Sambaiah *Linga Murthy as Tintakarala, a wizard *Aadiseshaiah as Mahamantri *Ganapathi Bhattu as Rajagaru *Suryanarayana as Kothvalu *Kanchi Narasimham as Maavati * Krishna Kumari as Bhavani *Surabhi Balasaraswathi as Girija *

B. Jayamma B. Jayamma (15 November 1915 – 20 December 1988) was an Indian actress and singer. She began her career on stage as a 14-year-old when she joined a theatre group owned by Gubbi Veeranna, her future husband. She went on to perform for 45 years ...

as Yogini *C. Hemalata Devi as Chinna Rani *K. Jayalakshmi as Pedda Rani *C. Varalakshmi as Durga *Radio Bhanumathi as Gowri's mother *Kantha Devi as Dancer

Soundtrack

Music composed by Nallam Nageswara Rao. Lyrics were written by

Tapi Dharma Rao Thapi Dharma Rao Naidu (1887–1973) was a Telugu writer, lyricist and social reformer. He wrote dialogues and lyrics for the films like ''Mala Pilla'', ''Drohi'', ''Thathaji'', ''Bhishma'', and ''Patni''. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Awar ...

. Music released on Audio Company.

References

{{reflist 1950s Telugu-language films Indian fantasy adventure films 1950s fantasy adventure films Films based on Indian folklore Films scored by S. Rajeswara Rao