Saturday, January 26, 2008

Obituray :Sri Raja Rajeswari Theatre

Sri Raja Rajeswari Theater in Palvancha is now demolished, for my nostalgic heart it is painful. It may be one among the not so horrible theatres in A.P,but I want pay Obituary as we all associated past moments with it.

The first movie screened in Raja Rajeswari is first Cinemascope Telugu Movie Alluri Seetharamaraju (Released in 1974) is the first movie in it(might be somewhere in 1975),we went to that movie on first day, evening show of the movie. As the Projector operator does not have much experience, the film reel is burnt , and the show is stopped. we returned back home.

There were certain rituals that theatre is used to follow, before the start of news reel , they used to play, SriSeetharamula Kalyanam Chuddam rarandi song and Raja Rajeswari devotional song (I like to collect this song) while starting of the morning show. During local ad slide show, a very popular 70’s instrumental music used to come, this music is played in background for Sharuk’ Movie Kabhi Ha Kabhi Na ,in the party scene.(I am very much interested to know details about this music).

It screened every telugu blockbuster, my memorable movies in that theater are Sholay, Manchimanshulu(Sobhans Movie),Jeevanjyothy, Sri Rama pattabishekam,Bangaru Babu,Adavi Ramudu,Pranamkareedu and the list goes on.

Later on they built around 1997-98,Mini Rajeswari came in the same compound, I watched Pellipandiri ( May 1998) (Jagapathi Babu),that was my last movie in that compound, before coming to U.K in August 1998.

Some snippets about the theatre.

People used to say,that owner Radhamma,is once small time food vendor outside the theatre in Khotagudem.(or Bhadrachalam?).

Sholay is the first movie to be screened in Palvancha,before Kothagudem which is a ‘B’ Center,samething happened for Yamagola also(1977-78),but after first day it is shifted to Kothagudem Durga Kalamandir.

Bobbilipulli,Eenadu,Devatha(Sobhans),Munduadugu are the most awaited movies. They used to show slides as next changing movie,and finally screened only after 2 years of release.

1975-95 is the golden period of that theatre, I think Siva and Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari compete for highest number of days(around 31 days )screened in that theatre.

Two Wheelarism

As the ,Tata’s 1 Lac,Car is announced it may be leading to the end of two wheeler highway. Now we can imagine tomorrow, with full of low price cars might be replacing two wheelers and autos.

Familiar site of whole family going on a two wheeler ,might be confined to archive photos and now Milk/Vegetable Vendors might be shifting to Tata Nano ,replacing the trusty two wheelers.

In Indian market If a two wheeler is succeeded in becoming the ‘PALABANDI’.or used by the Milk vendors, by accommodating at least two heavy loads of the Aluminum cans .The vehicle success is engraved for another twenty years because at last it passed the ultimate road test. Rajdoot, Bajaj Chetak, TVS 50 and Hero Honda,are forerunners that withstood this test.Bajaj M50 also races for the coveted place in Maharashtra.

Basically this brands succeeded in conquering the Great Indian rural market, not by market campaigning but by their road worthiness.`Hamara Bajaj’ ,`Chal mere Luna’ became comCmon man notation.

It might be funny anecdote to the present generation, if we tell that our parents waited for long years to get the prized two wheeler, out of the given permitted Quota, in those days winning lottery seems to be easy task.

The familiar site of Lambrator, carrying the whole family still in our minds,Lambrrator, is not a smooth God, to convince, it least she requires 100 storkes and more often,to open its back bannet,to cajole it for a 10 minute smooth ride . Now you can start bidding it in E-bay at 150 $. As a antique Icon.

Suvega, Avanti Garelli, Luna ,Priya, Java(Czech Made) and Later TVS 50are some other brands which flow my mind ,from seventies era. Luna entered the market as ladies vehicle. If we go back in time, we can identify each family with their two wheeler, as most cases it framed into the Family portrait.









LML Vespa, Hero Hond,Yamaha RTZ served us later,making us become lazy and gain the cholesterol.(as we stopped cycling).


Italy is the mother of two wheelers, Piaggo, Lamboretta, Gairelli are born here, My eyes are conjured by the regular site of two wheelers here in Milan.
Milan got a Scooter museum ,which I need to pay a visit,and pay my tributes to the phenomenon of Indian Two wheelerism.

I added some pictures here is the Scooter museum link

http://www.mmlambretta.com/sites/lambrettamuseum.html

Ebay link

http://search.ebay.com/lambretta_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40QQpqryZlambratta