Sanaadi Appanna

Sanaadi Appanna
Poster
Directed by	Vijay
Written by	Krishnamoorthy Puranik
Screenplay by	Chi. Udaya Shankar
Based on	Kuniyitu Hejje Naliyithu Gejje byKrishnamoorthy Puranik
Produced by	Saraswathi Srinivas V. S. Murali
Starring	Rajkumar Jaya Prada
Cinematography	R. Chittibabu
Edited by	P. Bhaktavatsalam
Music by	G. K. Venkatesh
Distributed by	Anandalakshmi Enterprises
Release date	August 1977(1977-08)
Running time	170 minutes
Country	India
Language	Kannada

Sanaadi Appannais a 1977 IndianKannada-languagemusical filmdirected byVijaybased on the novelKuniyitu Hejje Naliyithu GejjebyKrishnamoorthy Puranikwhich was loosely based on the life ofBagalkoteshehnai player Appanna (1876-1945).The film starredRajkumarin title role withJaya Pradain the lead role along withAshok,Balakrishna,R. Sampath,Thoogudeepa Srinivas,Papamma andBaby Madhaviin supporting roles.Puneeth Rajkumarmade a brief appearance in one of the songs of this film.

The film is considered a landmark in Kannada cinema.It is notable for the fact thatBismillah Khanplayed the actualshehnaifor Rajkumar's character in this movie.The film was remade in Telugu asSannayi Appanna(1980) starringSobhan Babu.It saw a theatrical run of 50 weeks.

Cast

• Dr. Rajkumaras Appanna
• Jaya Pradaas Basanthi
• Ashokas Hanumanthu, Appanna's son
• Suma as Hanumanthu/Rao's wife
• Balakrishnaas Ayyanna
• Sampath,Appanna's uncle
• Thoogudeepa Srinivasas Shivaraya
• Papamma as Akkamma
• Baby Madhavi
• Shivaprakash
• K. Venkataraju
• Bhatti Mahadevappa
• Joker Shyam as Thammayya
• Honnavalli Krishnaas Apashruthi Ayyanna's son
• Puneeth Rajkumaras young Hanmanthu

Production

Sanaadi translates to shehnai in theKannada language.The films deals with the life of a rural shehnai artiste Appannna (played by Rajkumar). In early 1977,Bismillah Khanflew fromVaranasiwith his ten-member troupe toPrasad StudiosinMadras(now Chennai) and spent nine days working on the film.

Soundtrack

Sanaadi Appanna
Soundtrack albumby G. K. Venkatesh
Released	1977
Genre	Feature film soundtrack
Length	35:18
Label	Saregama

The background score for the film and soundtrack were composed byG. K. Venkatesh.The soundtrack album consists of seven tracks, which includes aShehnaisolo played byBismillah Khan.

Track list

No.	Title	Lyrics	Artist(s)	Length
1.	"Naane Thaayi Naane Thande"	Chi. Udaya Shankar	P. B. Sreenivas	6:05
2.	"Shehanoi Music Bit"		Bismillah Khan	3:03
3.	"Raaga Anuraaga"	Chi. Udaya Shankar	Rajkumar,S. Janaki	4:23
4.	"Ninagaagi Ododi Bande"	Chi. Udaya Shankar	Rajkumar	5:08
5.	"Shennai With Dialogues Raga Marwe"		Bismillah Khan	4:42
6.	"Karedaru Kelade"	Chi. Udaya Shankar	S. Janaki	6:58
7.	"Shennai With Diloguos Raga Sindhubhaira"		Bismillah Khan	4:59
Total length:				35:18

Release, reception and legacy

ADr. Rajkumarstatue which features him as Appanna from the film

The film made its theatrical release in August 1977. It completed a 100-day run in many centers acrossKarnataka.In the last week of November 1977, during the centenary day celebration at the Urvashi Theatre in Bangalore, Rajkumar paid tribute to Bismillah Khan saying, "I just acted in the role but Ustad Bismillah Khan is the real soul of the film. He gave life to the character I played in the film."

It has been reported that to master the shehnai-wielding technique, Dr. Rajkumar cancelled all his shooting schedules for a month. The elan with which he handles the instrument in the film is commendable. At no point does he ever resort to exaggerated gestures — quite a contrast to Sivaji Ganeshan, who plays the nadaswaram player inThillana Mohanambal.By the end of it, Khansaheb and Rajkumar had become close friends. When the film completed its 50-week run, Khansaheb came for the celebrations here. "You have handled the shehnai to such perfection that it seemed as if you were really playing it!" the maestro complimented Rajkumar.

Awards

• Karnataka State Film Award for Best Child Actor (Female)(1977) -Baby Madhavi

External links

• Sanaadi AppannaatIMDb