Watch Devara Gudi

Devara Gudi is a Kannada film released in 1974 that marking the directorial debut for KSL Swamy KSL. The movie features an extraordinary star cast of Leelavathi, Vishnuvardhan, K.S. Ashwath, and others in pivotal roles. The movie revolves around a village and its traditional values. The village is named Devara Gudi, which means Temple of God. The villagers are deeply religious and have great faith in their local deity, Lord Ranganatha. The movie starts with the grand celebrations of Rathotsava, the one festival that the entire village looks forward to every year.

The story is about the village chieftain, Gopal (K.S. Ashwath), who rules over the village and is very strict about following the customs and values of the village. He has a son named Rama (Vishnuvardhan), who is an adept in horse riding and is loved by the villagers. Rama and his best friend, who is also the village priest's son, Narayana (Lokanath), enjoy helping the villagers and learning about the customs and rituals.

The movie takes a twist when a city-based doctor, Vijaya (Leelavathi), comes to the village to treat a sick child. Rama and Vijaya's paths cross, and they eventually fall in love with each other. This becomes a huge scandal in the village, as the villagers do not approve of Rama marrying outside the village. However, Rama and Vijaya are determined to be with each other, despite all clashes and obstacles.

The movie has several subplots that run along with the main story, which includes the evil intentions of a wealthy businessman, who wants to acquire the village land for his personal gain. The businessman tries to take advantage of the villagers' ignorance and makes them sign the documents that would give him the land. Rama and Narayana discover this, and with the help of Vijaya and the village headman, they prevent the businessman from cheating the villagers.

What makes Devara Gudi standout is the portrayal of the village and its customs. The movie showcases how the villagers, even in the face of adversity or opposition, stick to their values and beliefs. The director has managed to capture the essence of a traditional Indian village, its customs, and its people's way of life.

The music of Devara Gudi, composed by G.K. Venkatesh, is one of its highlights. The film has some beautiful songs, of both classical and folk, which add depth to the story. One of the most popular songs is 'Siri Siri Muvva,' which is a lullaby sung by Vijaya for the sick child.

The film's performances were top-notch and are among the finest Kannada cinema has ever seen. K.S. Ashwath as Gopal delivered a great performance, as the strict and authoritative figure of the village. Vishnuvardhan and Leelavathi were a perfect match, with their electrifying chemistry, in their respective roles of Rama and Vijaya.

To sum it up, Devara Gudi is a classic Kannada film that portrays the traditional village life and its difficulties in the face of modernization. The movie has stood the test of time and continues to be an inspiration for modern Kannada films.