A kaleidoscopic view of Telugu cinema

Hyderabad, Jan 15 (UNI) Since its first film ''Bakta Prahalada'' in 1931, the Telugu film industry has traversed a long way churning out over 4,000 films.

Though Telugu film had its beginning in the same year when Hindi films were launched, it was mythological themes that dominated the Telugu film genre in the formative years.

Vying with stage plays, the film industry adopted the histrionics of plays on silverscreen and came out with memorable films like ''Bhakta Prahlada'', ''Paduka Pattabhishekam'', ''Shakuntala'', ''Sati Savitri,'' ''Narakasura Vadha'',''Ramadasu'', ''Ahalya'', ''Lavakusa'',''Sitakalyanam'' and ''Anasuya'' to name a few.

In due course, social subjects gained importance with the making of ''Prema Vijayam'' in 1936.

Two more social subject movies, followed ''Prema Vijayam'' during the end of 1930s and turned out as big hits.

The era also witnessed blending of certain interesting events with historical subjects for the films.

Between 1941 and 1960, the so- called golden era of the Telugu cinema, Gudavalli Ramabrahmam, B N Reddy and K V Reddy produced some best pictures highlighting the artistic talents and providing entertainment to film buffs.

The trio handled diverse subjects spanning from mythology, folk, historical to social. Meanwhile, the combined effort of Nai Reddy and Chakrapani unleashed new dimensions to Telugu film industry.

Chakrapani, who was well versed with Telugu literature and Bengali literature translated some Bengali master pieces.

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