National Arts

Credits

Video captures courtesy of
Tanzim K and The Rooster Hydra

Background:

N.A.T. Pictures (National Art Theater) was a production company co-founded by N. Trivikrama Rao in 1953 solely to produce Telugu-language films.

1st Logo (July 17, 1953)

Visuals: There is an ancient lamp inside a circular emblem outline being illuminated by several lightning strikes. When there are no more lightning strikes, there are three flames over the lamp (turned up). After that, the camera moves down to show us a rectangle with "NATIONAL ARTS" written inside. Then, the camera zooms very slowly to the lamp.

Closing variant: The camera zooms out slowly from the lamp with a male announcer heard in the variant.

Technique: Practical effects with live-action for the flames.

Audio: The sounds of thunder, a male voice-over singing in Sanskrit, with an ominous tanpura note held throughout, and sounds with a wind instrument.

Availability: Appears only on Pitchi Pullaiah. A print version of this logo appears on the poster of Todu Dongalu.

Legacy: It was often classified as one of the scariest Indian logos among the community for its dark atmosphere and ominous audio. However, this is seen as normal in its home country, since countries around the world have different cultures.

2nd Logo (October 21, 1955-August 29, 1974)

Visuals: There are some statues surrounded by flowers, with a couple candles on each side of it. The camera then zooms out to reveal two religiously-dressed women on a table around what appears to be food and a priest waving another candle in front of the women three times before placing it down on the table to pray. The company name does not appear.

Technique: Live-action.

Audio: A male voice-over singing in Sanskrit, and then speaking fast and a chorus of males chanting in Sanskrit three times, and some bells ringing.

Availability: Seen on Jayasimha, Varakatnam, Panduranga Mahatyam, Kodalu Diddina Kapuram, Seetharama Kalyanamand Tatamma Kala, among other films.