Director: K Viswanath (1979, Telugu, 143 mins)

Reviews: IMDB (8.3), Wikipedia.

Watch online: YouTube.

Similar movies: .

Summary: One of the best movies from Telugu cinema. Its Hindi remake was "Sur Sangam". What I enjoyed was the music. The songs are of the highest quality, sung by S P Balasubramanian, Vani Jayaram and S Janaki.

The story revolves around Sankar Sastry, a devout Brahmin and maestro of Carnatic music. A small but cute part of the movie is the romance between Sankar Sastry's daughter and her future husband, in "traditional Indian style". Another cute character is a young boy who starts living with Sankar Sastry. The two women in the movie are plain and simple, reminding me of Nutan and Jaya Bhaduri.

Not in the same league as movies by Satyajit Ray or Akira Kurosawa but watchable.

Director: Mani Ratnam (1989, Telugu, 142 mins)

Reviews: RottenTomatoes (N/A), IMDB (7.7), Wikipedia.

Watch online: YouTube.

Similar movies: death, illness, romance.

Summary: A romantic movie that touches upon the theme of death. The storyline reminded me of a Buddhist tale:

A woman anxiously told a monk, "My doctor has given me only a few months to live. Can you help me? I am dying." To her surprise, the monk began to chuckle. Then he said quietly, "You see, we are all dying. It’s only a matter of time. Some of us just die sooner than others."

The movie is entertaining. Like a Hindi masala movie. Acting by the lead actress (Girija Shettar) is pretty good. Songs by S P Balasubramaniam and Chitra are "wow"!

An awesome song in the movie is Om Namaha by S P Balsubramaniam and Chitra. It sounds like a Sanskrit prayer but it is actually a romantic song filmed around the two protagonists absorbed in a three minute long kiss. Translation of Om Namaha. Lyrics are by Veturi, Gulzar of Telugu Cinema.