# Batasari

Batasari (transl. Wayfarer) is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Ramakrishna of Bharani Pictures. It was simultaneously made in Tamil as Kaanal Neer (transl. Mirage). Based on the Bengali novel Bardidi (transl. Elder sister) by Saratchandra Chatterjee, the film stars P. Bhanumathi and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, with music composed by Master Venu. Batasari was released on 30 June 1961, and Kaanal Neer on 21 July. Both versions did not succeed commercially.

## Plot

Surendranath / Suren, a lone wolf, is the maternal grandson & heir of Zamindar of Dharapuram. He stays with his father, Raghavaiah, & stepmother, Sundaramma, and she raises Suren with mollycoddle. Suren currently ranks in graduation and sets his sights on stepping into England for higher education. Sundaramma dismisses it, so peeved, Suren quits and proceeds to Madras. Appa Rao, a wealthy, resides with his son, Siva Chandra, and two daughters, Madhavi & Prameela. Madhavi is an honorable young widow and takes care of family tasks. Today, Suren approaches Apparao for a post; he appoints him as a tutor to Prameela and provides a roof. Madhavi gazes at Suren's distrait nature and covertly concerns his things in time. Hereupon, a strange adoration blossoms between them, and Suren silently endears without viewing her. It creates rumors that anguish Madhavi, and she scolds Suren for neglecting his duty. Thus, he exits, being upset on an aimless journey, and meets a fatal accident. Soon after the recovery, Raghavaiah carries Suren back, notifying Appa Rao. The detachment disconcerts the two, but they accept fate.
Meanwhile, Suren's grandfather passes away, and he crowns his terrain, which green eyes his sly Diwan Alwar. Following this, he splices benevolent Shanti, who worships him. However, Suren does not reciprocate because his heart longs for Madhavi. Parallelly, Appa Rao expires, Siva Chandra wedlocks shrew Kanti, and she scorns Madhavi. Then, she walks out to her in-law's house, which is under the regime of Suren, but Pullaiah, her peasant, envies it. Shanti molds Suren as a good Samaritan who handles his liabilities and hinders the atrocities of Diwan. Anyhow, his health deteriorates due to the post-effective of the accident. Shanti seeks to share all aspects of Suren's life when he divulges his holy love for Madhavi. As of now, Suren requests Shanti to get Madhavi to view it once before leaving his breath, which she denies. Besides, Pullaiah ruses with Diwan and vends Madhavi's assets. Engaged, Madhavi moves to confront Suren, being unbeknownst. Thereupon, she silently behinds discerning Suren and about to depart. Suren is aware of the totality and rushes for Madhavi. Simultaneously, Shanti becomes flat imploring before goddesses as she is conscious it will result in her husband's death. At last, with great difficulty, Suren reaches Madhavi and dies in her lap with the first look when she, too, accompanies him. Finally, the movie ends by showing the duo are immortal.

## Cast

* P. Bhanumathi as Madhavi
* Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Surendranath / Suren
* J. V. Ramana Murthy as Siva Chandra
* Mudigonda Lingamurthy as Diwan Alwar
* Vangara as Pullaiah
* B. R. Panthulu Apparao
* Vinnakota Ramanna Pantulu as Raghavaiah
* Boddapati as Anjaiah
* Doraiswamy as Zamindar of Dharapuram
* Sowcar Janaki as Shanthi
* Devika as Manorama
* Suryakantham as Sundaramma
* Chhaya Devi as Poornamma
* L. Vijayalakshmi as Dancer
* Lakshmirajyam as Dancer
* Baby Sasikala as Prameela

## Production

Batasari is based on the novel Bardidi by Saratchandra Chatterjee. It was simultaneously filmed in Tamil as Kaanal Neer. The Telugu version was originally titled Yendamavulu. Before and during the shoot, for inspiration, Akkineni Nageswara Rao was asked by Ramakrishna to watch Uttam Kumar's performance in the 1959 film version of Bardidi. Nageswara Rao complied, and even donned the getup just like Kumar, but held to his own on histrionics.

## Soundtrack

Music composed by Master Venu. Lyrics were written by Samudrala Sr. For Kaanal Neer, the lyrics were written by Kannadasan and Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam.
Telugu Track List :
| Song Title | Singers | Length |
| "O Batasari" | P. Bhanumathi | 2:54 |
| "Kanulakudoche Chetikandani" | P. Bhanumathi, Jikki | 2:45 |
| "Lokamerugani Baala" | P. Bhanumathi | 3:23 |
| "Uppakara Chinthaye" | P. Bhanumathi | 3:02 |
| "Oho Maharaja" | Jikki | 3:34 |
| "O Maata" | P. Susheela | 3:16 |
Tamil Track List :
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
| "Ulagam Theriyaa Payire" | P. Bhanumathi | Kannadasan | 03:22 |
| "Manamenum Maaligai Meedhu" | P. B. Sreenivas, K. Jamuna Rani | Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam | 02:18 |
| "Anbaana Enname Paavama... Kanaala Kaanaamale" | P. Bhanumathi | Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam | 03:02 |
| "Aasai Mozhi Pesa Vaa" | P. Susheela | Kannadasan | 03:09 |
| "Kannil Therindhum Kaikku Varaadha" | P. Bhanumathi, Jikki | Kannadasan | 02:35 |
| "O Matha Jegan Matha... Arul Vizhi Paaraai Daevi" | P. Susheela | Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam | 03:00 |
| "Vazhi Thedi Vandhaai" | P. Bhanumathi | Kannadasan | 02:39 |
| "Ammaan Magal Paaru" | Jikki | Kannadasan | 03:22 |

## Release and reception

Batasari was released on 30 June 1961, and Kaanal Neer on 21 July 1961. The Indian Express said, "The standout feature of Kaanal Neer is the fascinating photography of young Venkat, particularly in the climax. In other technical respects, the film maintains a good standard." Both versions did not succeed commercially; according to historian Randor Guy, this was because audiences felt the story was too highbrow.