Missamma

Missamma is the soundtrack of the 1955 Indian Telugu-language film of the same name directed by L. V. Prasad. Composed by S. Rajeswara Rao, the soundtrack contains 11 songs with lyrics by Pingali. The film was written by Chakrapani, who co-produced it with B. Nagi Reddi for Vijaya Productions. N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri played the lead roles the Telugu version, with Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jamuna, S. V. Ranga Rao, Rushyendramani, Relangi and Ramana Reddy in supporting roles. Until Bhanumathi Ramakrishna was replaced by Savitri as the female lead, she was planned to provide vocals for her character in the film. After Ramakrishna left, P. Leela was chosen as Savitri's playback singer. Unlike their previous films, Vijaya Productions preferred A. M. Rajah over Ghantasala to sing for Rama Rao in the Telugu version. Chakrapani chose P. Susheela to sing the remaining two songs featuring Jamuna, and Venkata Ramaiah sang two uncredited songs. The soundtrack album was released by HMV on 21 September 1955. Although Rajeswara Rao was initially unhappy with his work, feeling that it was primarily influenced by Chakrapani, the soundtrack was critically and commercially successful. Missamma was released simultaneously in Tamil as Missiamma with a different cast; the same soundtrack was used, with lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. The Tamil soundtrack, released a month later by HMV, also received similar critical acclaim. Development S. Rajeswara Rao composed the soundtrack and background score, collaborating with Pingali and Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass on the lyrics for the Telugu and Tamil versions of the film respectively. The mixing was supervised by A. Krishnan and Siva Ram. It was processed by N. C. Sen Gupta and orchestrated by A. Krishnamurthy. Missamma was written by Aluri Chakrapani (who co-produced the film with B. Nagi Reddy for Vijaya Vauhini Studios) and directed by L. V. Prasad. The film starred N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri, with Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jamuna, S. V. Ranga Rao, Rushyendramani, Relangi and Ramana Reddy in supporting roles. The Tamil version had a slightly-different cast.