Ranakdevi is a 1946 Indian Gujarati historical drama film written, directed and produced by V. M. Vyas. The film was based on the legend of Ranakadevi.

Ranakdevi
Directed byV. M. Vyas
Written byV.M. Vyas, Mohanlal G. Dave (story), Karsandas Manek (dialogue)
Based onLegend of Ranakadevi
Produced byV. M. Vyas
Starring
  • Bhagwandas
  • Chhanalal Thakur
  • Master Dhulia
  • Anjana
  • Motibai
  • Dulari
  • Nirupa Roy
CinematographyR. M. Rele[1]
Music byChhanalal Thakur
Production
company
Sunrise Pictures[1]
Release date
  • 1946 (1946)
Running time
123 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageGujarati

Plot

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Siddhraj Jaysinh is a Solanki ruler of Patan. He was a childless and decided to conduct a worship of Shiva with his queens. Ranak is a daughter of Parmara of the Sindh and an adopted daughter of Hadmat Kumbhar of Majevadi village near Junagadh. Shrikanth Barot, his bard, arranges a mock marriage of Ranak with a sword of Jaysinh as he predict she will be a mother of his child. Before the mock marriage, Junagadh king Khengar abducts Ranak to avenge his father Navghan. Jaysinh attacks Junagadh and won the battle with aid of Deshal and Vishal, nephews of Khengar. He returns to Patan with Ranak but on their way, at Wadhwan on the banks of river Bhogavo, she commits sati by burning herself on the funeral pyre.[2][1]

Cast

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The following actors were starred in the film:[2][1]

  • Anjana
  • Motibai
  • Dulari
  • Nirupa Roy
  • Lilavati
  • Lila Jayawant
  • Mallika
  • Damayanti
  • Chandrabala
  • Amubai
  • Sumati
  • Daksha
  • Kavita
  • Bhagwandas
  • Pande
  • Chhanalal Thakur
  • Natwarlal Chohan
  • Master Dhulia
  • Shyam
  • Gangaram
  • Gautam

Production

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The film is based on local folk legend of Ranakadevi, a 12th century queen of Khengara, the Chudasama ruler of Saurashtra region of western India. In film, the historical events were mixed with folk legends. The film was directed and produced by V. M. Vyas. The story was written by Mohanlal G. Dave while the script was written by V. M. Vyas. The dialogues were written by Karsandas Manek.[2][1] Nirupa Roy made her debut as an actress in the film.[3]

Soundtrack

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Ranakdevi
Soundtrack album by
Chhanalal Thakur
Released1946
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LanguageGujarati
LabelSa Re Ga Ma
External audio
  Sa Re Ga Ma

All lyrics are written by Manaswi Prantijwala[1]; all music is composed by Chhanalal Thakur[1]

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Lakh Lakh Divdani Arati"Motibai, Chorus2:20
2."Mhare Te Gamde Ek Vaar Avjo (Rasdo)"Amirbai Karnataki, Chorus3:24
3."Ghani Khamma, Ghani Khamma, Mara Baludane Ghani Khamma"Rampyari3:15

Release and reception

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The film was released in 1946. It was the only Gujarati film released that year. It was well received by the audience.[2][1]

The film started a tradition of historical fiction films in Gujarati cinema.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1999). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema (Revised ed.). Routledge. p. 306. ISBN 978-1-135-94325-7.
  2. ^ a b c d Raghuvanshi, Harish. "રાણકદેવી". Gujarati Vishwakosh (in Gujarati).
  3. ^ "Nirupa Roy passes away". Bollywood Hungama. 14 October 2004. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
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