''Srimad Virata Parvam'' is a 1979

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

Hindu mythological film This is a list of genres of literature and entertainment ( film, television, music, and video games), excluding genres in the visual arts. ''Genre'' is the term for any category of creative work, which includes literature and other forms of a ...

, produced and directed by

N. T. Rama Rao Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996), often referred to by his initials NTR, was an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician who served as List of Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh fo ...

under his Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner. It stars

Vanisri Vanisri (born Rathna Kumari) is an Indian actress known for her works predominantly in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada films. In a film career spanning 40 years, she has received three Filmfare Awards South, the Nandi Awards and the Tamil Nadu St ...

Nandamuri Balakrishna Nandamuri Balakrishna (born 10 June 1960), simply known as Balakrishna or Balayya or NBK, is an Indian actor, producer and politician. He appeared in more than 100 Telugu cinema, Telugu films over forty years in a variety of roles and establis ...

and music composed by Susarla Dakshina Murthy. The film is based on ''

Virata Parva Virata Parva, also known as the “Book of Virata”, is the fourth of eighteen books of the Indian Epic Mahabharata.van Buitenen, J.A.B. (1978) ''The Mahabharata: Book 4: The Book of the Virata; Book 5: The Book of the Effort''. Chicago, IL: Univ ...

'' from epic ''

Mahabharata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; sa, महाभारतम्, ', ) is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India in Hinduism, the other being the ''Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the struggle between two groups of cousins in the Kuruk ...

'' in which NTR has performed 5 pivotal roles, after blockbuster success of ''

Daana Veera Soora Karna ''Daana Veera Soora Karna'' () is a 1977 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film co-written, produced and directed by N. T. Rama Rao under his banner, Ramakrishna Cine Studios. Based on the life of Karna from the ''Mahabharata'', ...

'' (1977), in which he emoted 3 different roles. It is a color remake of the 1966 movie

Nartanasala Nartanasala may refer to: * Nartanasala (1963 film), an Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film * Nartanasala (2018 film) ''Nartanasala'' (stylized as ''@Nartanasala'') is a 2018 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film written and dire ...

both starring

N.T.Rama Rao Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996), often referred to by his initials NTR, was an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician who served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for seven years over three terms. He starred ...

Arjuna Arjuna (Sanskrit: अर्जुन, ), also known as Partha and Dhananjaya, is a character in several ancient Hindu texts, and specifically one of the major characters of the Indian epic Mahabharata. In the epic, he is the third among Panda ...

Plot

The film begins with Pandavas' triumphs against their 12 exiles and starts the 13th year of ''Agnathavasam'' i.e. living incognito under different identities. Here, Lord Krishna advises that the ''Matsya Kingdom'', ruled by Virata is a haven for them. Moreover, his liaison is necessary for the upcoming battle. Besides, he caveats the hindrance of his brother-in-law Kichaka the soulmate of Duryodhana. Right now, Pandavas abides under various forms of disguise Dharma Raju as an advisor Kankubhattu, Bheema as the cook Valala, Nakula as a horse groomsman Damagranthi, and Sahadeva as a cowherd Tantripala. Arjuna by the curse of Urvashi turns into a transgender Brihannala and enrolls as a dance master to princess Uttara. Eventually, Draupadi infiltrates as Sairandhri Malini, a decorator to queen Sudheshna Devi. Meanwhile, Kichaka returns victorious from the conquest of the Matsya and observes changes in the fort. Parallelly, Duryodhana & Shakuni conspire to knit Lakshmana Kumara with Uttara to gain reinforcement which Kichaka graciously accords. Knowing it, Pandavas kindles Ghatothkacha to couple up Uttara with Abhimanyu. Just as, he fraternizes Uttara & Abhimanyu, boomerangs the wedding by purporting as Uttara. All at once, fulminated Kitchaka seeks to strike actuality behind the disappearance of Uttara. Soon, he surmises Pandavas' presence in the kingdom, and excluding Arjuna, he fathoms remaining and Draupadi. At the juncture, Kitchaka affirms Sudheshna, abet of Sairandhri behind the turbulence, and instructs her to send wine through Malini. Thereupon, Kitchaka hails and badly humiliates her in between the court. Due to stipulation, Pandavas persevere with patience. Thereafter, they tactically plot by alluring Kichaka through Draupadi and invite him to the dancing hall where Bheema backstabs him. Being cognizant of it, Duryodhana unearths the Pandavas concealed in Matsya. So, they launch an attack on their cattle when all the soldiers are engaged in war. The next day, they attack cattle from another side, immediately, Uttara Kumara swears to fight against them taking Brihannala as his charioteer. However, after watching their troops, he loses his confidence. During that plight, Brihannala volunteers to fight and angles Uttara Kumara to handle the chariot. Before, they move to the ''Shami tree'' where the Pandavas' divine weapons are hidden, and procure the ''Gandeevam'' when Brihannala regains his original form. At present, Arjuna fires ''Sammohanastra'' a smoke weapon, which puts the Kaurava army to sleep, and the cattle are rescued. Parallelly, the 13th year of the Pandavas' ''Agnathavasam'' was completed. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the marriage of Uttara & Abhimanyu.

Cast

Lord Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one of ...

Duryodhana Duryodhana ( sa, दुर्योधन, ) also known as Suyodhana, is the primary antagonist in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata.'' He was the eldest of the Kauravas, the hundred sons of the blind king Dhritarashtra and his queen Gandhari. Being ...

Brihannala Arjuna (Sanskrit: अर्जुन, ), also known as Partha and Dhananjaya, is a character in several ancient Hindu texts, and specifically one of the major characters of the Indian epic Mahabharata. In the epic, he is the third among Panda ...

Kichaka In the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata'', Kichaka or Keechaka is the commander-in-chief of Matsya kingdom, the country ruled by King Virata. He was the 1st Younger Brother of Sudeshna, the queen of Virata. Kichaka was a very powerful man and had imme ...

(Five roles) *

Draupadi Draupadi ( sa, द्रौपदी, draupadī, Daughter of Drupada), also referred to as Krishnaa, Panchali, and Yagyaseni, is the main female protagonist of the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata,'' and the common consort of the five Pandava brothers ...

Abhimanyu Abhimanyu is a legendary warrior from the ancient Hindu history ''Mahabharata''. He was born to the third Pandava prince Arjuna and the Yadu princess Subhadra, who was Krishna's younger sister. The ''Sambhava Parva'' of the Adi Parva sta ...

* Satyanarayana as

Bhima In Hindu epic Mahabharata, Bhima ( sa, भीम, ) is the second among the five Pandavas. The ''Mahabharata'' relates many events that portray the might of Bhima. Bhima was born when Vayu, the wind god, granted a son to Kunti and Pandu. Af ...

Ghatotkacha Ghatotkacha ( sa, घटोत्कच, , literally: "Bald Pot") is a prominent character in the story of ''Mahabharata''. His name comes from the fact that his head was hairless (''utkacha'') and shaped like a ghatam, or a pot. Ghatotkacha ...

(Dual role) *

Prabhakar Reddy Mandadi Prabhakar Reddy (1935–1997) was an Indian film character actor and doctor known for his works in Telugu cinema. He acted in over 472 films over three decades. He wrote stories for several acclaimed films, including '' Karthika Deepa ...

as Dharma Raju * Mukkamala as

Virata Virata ( sa, विराट, IAST ''virāṭa''), was the king of the Matsya Kingdom, in whose court the Pandavas spent a year in concealment during their exile. Virata was married to Queen Sudeshna and was the father of Prince Uttara and Pr ...

* Mikkilineni as

Bhishma Bhishma (Sanskrit: भीष्‍म, , ), also known as Pitamaha, Gangaputra, and Devavrata, played an integral role in Mahabharata. He was the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces during the Kurukshetra War mentioned in the Hindu epic M ...

Dhulipala Dhulipala Sitarama Sastry (24 September 1921 – 13 April 2007), known mononymously by the surname Dhulipala, was an Indian actor and thespian, known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He was noted for playing mythological roles, ...

Shakuni Shakuni ( sa, शकुनि, , ) plays a key role in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. He is one of the main antagonists of the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. He was the prince of the kingdom of Gandhara when introduced, later becoming its king a ...

* Rajanala as

Drona Droṇa ( sa, द्रोण, Droṇa), also referred to as Dronacharya ( sa, द्रोणाचार्य, Droṇācārya), is a major character of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. In the epic, he serves as the royal preceptor of the Kaurav ...

Mada Mada ( sa, मद) is a term used in both Āstika and nāstika, Hindu theology and Hindu mythology, mythology. It is one of the Arishadvargas. It refers to one of the six enemy of the mind or a vice according to the Hindu texts, Hindu scriptures ...

as Uttara Kumara *

Bhavani Bhavānī (also known as Bhāvya, Tulajā, Turajā, Tvarita, Aṃbā, Jagadambā and Aṃbē) is manifestation of Adi Shakti (Durga). Bhavani translates to "giver of life", meaning the power of nature or the source of creative energy. She is co ...

Uttara Uttara, which means "north" in Sanskrit and many other South Asian languages, may refer to: Places * Uttara Export Processing Zone, Bangladesh * Uttara, a suburb north of Dhaka, Bangladesh *Uttara East Thana *Uttara West Thana *Uttaradit, a city i ...

*Chhaya Devi as

Hidimbi Hiḍimbī (Sanskrit: , IAST: ''Hiḍimbī''), or Hiḍimbā, is the rakshasi wife of the Pandava Bhima and the mother of Ghatotkacha in the ''Mahābhārata''. She meets Bhima in the 9th sub-parva (Hidimva-vadha Parva) of the Adi Parva. She ...

* Prabha as

Satyabhama Satyabhama, also known as Satrajiti, is a Hindu goddess and the third queen-consort of the Hindu god Krishna. Satyabhama is described as the incarnation of Bhudevi, the goddess and the personification of the earth. She aided Krishna in defeati ...

Pushpalatha Pushpalatha is an Indian actress, who has worked predominantly in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam language films. She has acted as heroine and character roles in more than 100 films. Her debut film was '' Sengottai Singam'', released in 1958. When ...

as Sudeshna *

Vijayalalitha Vijayalalitha or Vijaya Lalitha was an Indian actress who appeared in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films in the 1960s and 1970s. She is best known for her appearances in '' Rani Mera Naam'' (1972), ''Baazigar'' (1972) and '' Saa ...

Urvashi Urvashi ( sa, उर्वशी, Urvaśī}) is the most prominent apsara (celestial nymph) in Hindu mythology, considered to be the most beautiful of all the apsaras, and an expert dancer. She is mentioned in both ''Vedic'' and ''Puranic'' s ...

Soundtrack

Music composed by Susarla Dakshinamurthi. Music released on EMI Columbia Audio Company.

Other

* VCDs and DVDs on – Universal Videos, SHALIMAR Video Company,

Hyderabad Hyderabad ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana and the ''de jure'' capital of Andhra Pradesh. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part ...

References

{{reflist 1979 films Hindu mythological films Films scored by Susarla Dakshinamurthi 1970s Telugu-language films Films based on the Mahabharata Films directed by N. T. Rama Rao