Allama (film)
| Allama | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | T. S. Nagabharana |
| Screenplay by | T. S. Nagabharana |
| Story by | T. S. Nagabharana |
| Produced by | Srihari L. Khode |
| Starring | Dhananjaya Meghana Raj |
| Cinematography | G. S. Bhaskar |
| Music by | Bapu Padmanabha |
Production company | Yajaman Enterprises |
| Distributed by | Mars Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 139 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada |
Allama is a 2017 Indian Kannada musical drama Historical film directed by T. S. Nagabharana.[1] The film stars Dhananjaya and Meghana Raj in the lead roles. Principal photography of the film started in late 2015. It was released theatrically on 26 January 2017.
The film was nominated as India's entry for the International Council for Film, Television and Audio-visual Communication (ICFT) UNESCO Gandhi Medal.[2] At the 64th National Film Awards, it won awards for Best Music Direction for Songs and Best Background Score (Bapu Padmanabha) and Best Make-up Artist (N. K. Ramakrishna).[3]
Plot
The film captures the story of the rebellious thinker Allama, also known as Allama Prabhu. It narrates the tale of the 12th-century metaphysician, a son of a temple dancer, who embarks on a quest for knowledge and answers to his four core sentiments, yearning, and obsession – Maddales, failures, and self-realization.
Cast
- Dhananjaya as Allama Prabhu
- Meghana Raj as Maya Devi, a temple dancer
- Taushir
- Lakshmi Gopalaswamy as Allama's mother
- Sanchari Vijay as Basavanna
- Ramakrishna
- Prasanna Shetty as Bahuroopi Shivayya
- Mico Manju as Siddarama
- Bajarangi Chetan as Shambhunatha
- Ashalatha
- Shrutha Bharana as Akkamahadevi
Soundtrack
| Allama | |
|---|---|
 Soundtrack cover | |
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 31 March 2016 |
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
| Length | 41:12 |
| Language | Kannada |
| Label | Aantardhwani |
Bapu Padmanabha scored the film's background and soundtrack. The soundtrack album consists of 18 tracks.[4] It includes 14 vachanas; 11 of Allama Prabhu, and 1 each of Basava, Akka Mahadevi and Siddheshwar. The album was released on 31 March 2016 in Bangalore.[5]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Honnu Maaye Embaru" | Allama Prabhu | Hemanth | 2:05 |
| 2. | "Ayya Nimma" | Basava | Ganesh Desai | 1:30 |
| 3. | "Banavasi Kaada Tumba" | Doddarange Gowda | Rajesh Krishnan | 3:46 |
| 4. | "Sri Guruve Enage" | Traditional | Rajesh Krishnan | 2:02 |
| 5. | "Pranathiyu Ide Batthiyu Ide" | Allama Prabhu | Hemanth | 3:07 |
| 6. | "Sambandha Asambandha" | Allama Prabhu | Hemanth | 1:28 |
| 7. | "Temple Dance" | Traditional | Tejaswini M. K. | 3:51 |
| 8. | "Nelada Bombeya Maadi" | Allama Prabhu | Bapu Padmanabha | 1:35 |
| 9. | "Maya Shringara" | B. R. Lakshmana Rao | Manjula Gururaj | 3:17 |
| 10. | "Kaana Baarada Lingavu" | Allama Prabhu | Rajesh Krishnan | 1:29 |
| 11. | "Kaalugaleradu Gaali Kandayya" | Allama Prabhu | Shankar Mahadevan | 2:09 |
| 12. | "Agniya Suduvalli" | Allama Prabhu | Shankar Mahadevan | 2:17 |
| 13. | "Ettana Maamara Ettana Kogile" | Allama Prabhu | Shankar Mahadevan | 2:10 |
| 14. | "Sutthi Sutthi Bandhadilla" | Allama Prabhu | Shankar Mahadevan | 1:36 |
| 15. | "Sangana Basavannana Paadava" | Akka Mahadevi | Sangeetha Katti | 2:53 |
| 16. | "Vachanaanubhava" | Siddheshwar | Ganesh Desai | 1:04 |
| 17. | "Kendadha Giriya Melondu" | Allama Prabhu | Bapu Padmanabha | 1:28 |
| 18. | "Bayalu Bayalane Bitthi" | Allama Prabhu | Rajesh Krishnan | 3:25 |
| Total length: | 41:12 | |||
Reception
The Kannada movie Allama, which hit screens in 2017, got a proper mixed response from critics. Deccan Chronicle said it’s like "Allama with a guidebook"—interesting but feels a bit too textbook-ish, not fully gripping.[6] The Hindu was straight-up disappointed, calling it a "disappointing saga" that didn’t live up to the hype around the philosopher’s story.[7] New Indian Express gave it a light pat, saying it’s "Allama for beginners"—good for newbies but too simple for those who know the real deal.[8] Meanwhile, Deccan Herald was all praises, calling it an "engaging portrait" of the philosopher that keeps you hooked.[9] The Times of India had a middle-ground take, saying it’s decent with some strong moments but doesn’t fully hit the mark.[10] Vijaya Karnataka liked the effort, saying it’s a solid try to show Allama’s life, even if not perfect.[11] Prajavani also gave it a nod, appreciating the deep vibes and how it brings out the thinker’s journey.[12]
Controversy
The film landed in controversy prior to its release in January 2016, after groups, such as Rashtriya Basavadal and Basava Peetha, staged demonstrations in Dharwad calling for its ban. They alleged that the film wrongly depicts the ritual of wearing miniaturized iconographic form of the deity Shiva, the Jyotirlinga. They claimed that, instead, Ishtalinga should have been depicted.[13] The film shows the worship of Lingam performed placing it on the devotee's right hand, when they claimed that history states that it was done by keeping it in the left hand. The protesters also said that Allama Prabhu and Akka Mahadevi are depicted in the film without wearing the lingam. They claimed that "all these scenes prove that it is a systematic approach to fabricate vachana sahitya", in a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister of Karnataka calling for the film's ban.[14]
Awards and nominations
- Best Music Direction (Songs) — Bapu Padmanabha
- Best Music Direction (Best Background Score) — Bapu Padmanabha
- Best Make-up Artist — N. K. Ramakrishna
References
- ^ Sharadhaa, A (2 September 2014). "Allama Prabhu Draws From History: T S Nagabharana". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- ^ "Allama is Indias entry for ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal at IFFI". India Today. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ "64th National Film Awards, 2016" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. dff.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ "Allama". iTunes. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
- ^ "Music for Dhananjaya's Allama out this week". The Times of India. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
- ^ "Allama Movie Review: Allama with a Guidebook". Deccan Chronicle. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "Allama: A Disappointing Saga". The Hindu. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "Review: Allama for Beginners". New Indian Express. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "Engaging Portrait of a Philosopher". Deccan Herald. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "Allama Movie Review". Times of India. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "Movie Review: Allama". Vijay Karnataka. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "Allama Review". Prajavani. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "Grave mistakes in Allama; ban movie screening: Basava Peetha". The Times of India. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ "Ban sought on screening of 'Allama'". The Hindu. 29 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.