| Seetha Kalyanam | |
| Director: | Chitrapu Narasimha Rao |
| Producer: | Pinapala Venkata Dasu |
| Starring: | Bezawada Rajaratnam Master Kalyani Madhavapeddi Venkatramayya T. Venkateswarlu |
| Cinematography: | K. Ramnoth |
| Music: | Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao |
| Studio: | Vel Pictures |
| Runtime: | 133 minutes |
| Language: | Telugu |
| Country: | India |
Sita Kalyanam is a 1934 Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by Chitrapu Narasimha Rao and produced by Pinapala Venkata Dasu (P. V. Dasu) under the banner of Vel Pictures.[1] The film stars Bezawada Rajaratnam, Master Kalyani, and Madhavapeddi Venkatramayya, with music composed by Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao.[2] It is considered the first Telugu talkie to feature outdoor sequences[3] and the first Telugu talkie produced in Madras.[4] [5] Additionally, it was the second Telugu talkie film produced by a Telugu person. Released on October 6, 1934, Sita Kalyanam was a commercial success.
Sita Kalyanam is based on the story of Sita from the Ramayana, focusing on her marriage to Lord Rama. The film emphasizes the divine and ceremonial aspects of the wedding, showcasing several key events leading up to their union.
Source:[6]
Pinapala Venkata Dasu (P. V. Doss), who had previously built Minerva Talkies in Machilipatnam and Srikrishna Talkies in Repalle, relocated to Madras, where he established Vel Pictures.[7] [8] He partnered with a few local Tamil individuals for this venture. Vel Pictures is considered to be the first Telugu talkie studio founded in Madras.[9] [10] Due to the lack of available studios at the time, the team rented the bungalow of the Pithapuram Raja and used temporary structures to facilitate film production.
Their first project was Sita Kalyanam, which became the second talkie film produced by a Telugu filmmaker. The film was an adaptation of Prabhat Film Company's Tamil film of the same name. Directed by Chitrapu Narasimha Rao, with K. Ramnoth as the cinematographer and A. K. Sekhar overseeing art direction. It was the first Telugu talkie to incorporate outdoor sequences, setting it apart from other early productions.
The soundtrack features devotional songs and verses relevant to the mythological theme. The film's songs, composed by Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao (Master Penchalayya), were well-received.
Seetha Kalyanam was released on October 6, 1934, and was a commercial success, garnering praise for its devotional content and performances by the lead actors.[11]