Kalyanam Raghuramaiah: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by Kailash29792
Last edited September 5, 2025
VisualWikitext
->Kailash29792
→top: clean up
 
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Indian actor}}
{{Short description|Indian actor (1901–1975)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name         = Kalyanam Raghuramaiah
| name               = Kalyanam Raghuramaiah
| image         = Kalyanam Raghuramaiah.jpg
| image             = Kalyanam Raghuramaiah.jpg
| imagesize     =  
| imagesize         =  
| birth_name     =Kalyanam Venkata Subbaiah
| birth_name         = Kalyanam Venkata Subbaiah
| birth_date     = 5 March 1901
| birth_date         = 5 March 1901
| birth_place   = Suddapalli village, [[Guntur district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India
| birth_place       = Suddapalli village, [[Guntur district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India
| death_date     = {{death date and age|df=yes|1975|2|24|1901|3|5}}
| death_date         = {{death date and age|df=yes|1975|2|24|1901|3|5}}
| death_place   = [[Hyderabad]], India
| death_place       = [[Hyderabad]], India
| occupation   = Actor<br>Thespian
| occupation         = Actor<br>Thespian
| spouse       = Savitri (second daughter of Rohini Venkata Subbaiah n Sitamma)
| spouse             = Savitri
| children     =Thota satyavathi(daughter)
| children           = Thota Satyavathi (daughter)
| awards       =[[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] 1973<br>[[Padma Shri]] 1975
| awards             = [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] 1973<br>[[Padma Shri]] 1975
}}
}}
'''Kalyanam Raghuramaiah''' (1901–1975), popularly known as '''Eelapata Raghuramaiah''', was an Indian actor, and thespian known for his works in [[Telugu cinema]], and [[Telugu theatre]]. A recipient of the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]], and the [[Padmashri]], He was known for the roles of [[Krishna]] or Dushyantha, Bhavanisankar, Narada etc. He performed those roles for about 60 years. He indulged in elaborate raga alapana, based on different [[raga]]s while rendering padyams.<ref name="eenadu1">Article in Eenadu {{cite web |url=http://beta.eenadu.net/Cinema/Cinemainner.aspx?qry=gnapaka |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-08-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011175247/http://beta.eenadu.net/Cinema/Cinemainner.aspx?qry=gnapaka |archive-date=11 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="thehindu1">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/he-was-ahead-of-his-times/article4700920.ece |title=He was ahead of his times - Tirupati |publisher=The Hindu |date=10 May 2013 |access-date=2016-05-30}}</ref><ref name="blogspot1">{{cite web|url=http://pranaism.blogspot.in/p/blog-page_58.html |title=pranaism: తెలుగు నాటకరంగ ప్రముఖుల ఫోటోలు (సశేషం) |publisher=Pranaism.blogspot.in |access-date=2016-05-30}}</ref>


One of the finest method actors, He had the ability to sing padyams and songs through whistle, by putting his finger in mouth and producing the [[whistle]] or flute sound (meaning Eela in Telugu). He has acted in various dramas and gave more than 20,000 stage performances.<ref>20th Century Telugu Luminaries, Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, 2005</ref> He was called the "Nightingale of the Stage" by [[Rabindranath Tagore]]<ref name="eenadu1"/>
'''Kalyanam Raghuramaiah''' (5 March 1901 – 24 February 1975), popularly known as '''Eelapata Raghuramaiah''', was an Indian actor, and thespian known for his works in [[Telugu cinema]], and [[Telugu theatre]]. A recipient of the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]], and the [[Padmashri]], He was known for the roles of [[Krishna]] or Dushyantha, Bhavanisankar, Narada etc. He performed those roles for about 60 years. He indulged in elaborate raga alapana, based on different [[raga]]s while rendering padyams.<ref name="eenadu1">Article in Eenadu {{cite web |url=http://beta.eenadu.net/Cinema/Cinemainner.aspx?qry=gnapaka |title=Eenadu - the Heart and Soul of AndhraPradesh |access-date=2011-08-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011175247/http://beta.eenadu.net/Cinema/Cinemainner.aspx?qry=gnapaka |archive-date=11 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="thehindu1">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/he-was-ahead-of-his-times/article4700920.ece |title=He was ahead of his times - Tirupati |work=The Hindu |date=10 May 2013 |access-date=2016-05-30}}</ref><ref name="blogspot1">{{cite web|url=http://pranaism.blogspot.in/p/blog-page_58.html |title=pranaism: తెలుగు నాటకరంగ ప్రముఖుల ఫోటోలు (సశేషం) |publisher=Pranaism.blogspot.in |access-date=2016-05-30}}</ref>
 
One of the finest method actors, he had the ability to sing padyams and songs through whistle, by putting his finger in mouth and producing the [[whistle]] or flute sound (meaning Eela in Telugu). He has acted in various dramas and gave more than 20,000 stage performances.<ref>20th Century Telugu Luminaries, Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, 2005</ref> He was called the "Nightingale of the Stage" by [[Rabindranath Tagore]].<ref name="eenadu1"/>


==Early life==
==Early life==
He was born in Suddapalli village of [[Guntur district]] and named as Venkata Subbaiah. He was popular during childhood days in playing Raghurama, hence named as Raghuramaiah by [[Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao]].<ref name="thehindu1"/><ref name="blogspot1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://telugucineblitz.blogspot.in/2010/09/daksha-yagnam-1962.html?view=snapshot |title=Telugu Cinema Prapamcham: Daksha Yagnam (1962) |publisher=Telugucineblitz.blogspot.in |access-date=2016-05-30}}</ref>
Kalyanam Raghuramaiah was born in a [[Kapu (caste)|Kapu]] family<ref name=":5">M. L. Kantha Rao (July 1999), [https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/25437/ ''A Study of the Socio-Political Mobility of the Kapu Caste in Modern Andhra'']. [[University of Hyderabad]]. Chapter 6. p. 274. hdl:10603/25437</ref> in Suddapalli village of [[Guntur district]] and named as Venkata Subbaiah. He was popular during childhood days in playing Raghurama, hence named as Raghuramaiah by [[Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao]].<ref name="thehindu1"/><ref name="blogspot1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://telugucineblitz.blogspot.in/2010/09/daksha-yagnam-1962.html?view=snapshot |title=Telugu Cinema Prapamcham: Daksha Yagnam (1962) |publisher=Telugucineblitz.blogspot.in |access-date=2016-05-30}}</ref>


==Early career==
==Early career==
He entered [[Telugu cinema]] in 1933 in the film "Prudhvi Putra". It is the 5th movie in Telugu cinema industry. This is the 1st Telugu movie produced by Telugu person viz. Pothina Srinivasa Rao. He acted as Krishna in many films including ''[[Sri Krishna Rayabaram]]'' and in the film ''Chintamani''.<ref name="thehindu1"/><ref name="blogspot1"/><ref name="indiontv1">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiontv.com/star-biography.php?title=kalyanam-raghuramaiah |title=Kalyanam Raghuramaiah |publisher=IndionTV |date=5 March 2013 |access-date=2016-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820194029/http://www.indiontv.com/star-biography.php?title=kalyanam-raghuramaiah |archive-date=20 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
He entered [[Telugu cinema]] in 1933 in the film ''[[Prudhvi Putra]]''. It is the fifth talkie film in Telugu cinema industry.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} This is the 1st Telugu movie produced by Telugu person viz. Pothina Srinivasa Rao.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} He acted as Krishna in many films including ''[[Sri Krishna Rayabaram]]'' (1960) and in the film ''Chintamani''.<ref name="thehindu1"/><ref name="blogspot1"/><ref name="indiontv1">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiontv.com/star-biography.php?title=kalyanam-raghuramaiah |title=Kalyanam Raghuramaiah |publisher=IndionTV |date=5 March 2013 |access-date=2016-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820194029/http://www.indiontv.com/star-biography.php?title=kalyanam-raghuramaiah |archive-date=20 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
He married Savitri second daughter of Rohini Venkata Subbaiah and Sitamma in 1938 at Bapatla.  She inaugurated the statue of her husband Raghuramaiah at Chebrolu, Guntur district on 5 March 2013.  At the age of 92 years i.e. on 8 December 2014 she died due to old age at Vijayawada. They have only one daughter viz. Thota Satyavathi, Son-in-law Thota Parvateeswara Rao.<ref name="thehindu1"/><ref name="blogspot1"/><ref name="indiontv1"/>
He married Savitri, second daughter of Rohini Venkata Subbaiah and Sitamma in 1938 at Bapatla.  She inaugurated the statue of her husband Raghuramaiah at Chebrolu, Guntur district on 5 March 2013.  At the age of 92 years i.e. on 8 December 2014 she died due to old age at Vijayawada. They have only one daughter viz. Thota Satyavathi, Son-in-law Thota Parvateeswara Rao.<ref name="thehindu1"/><ref name="blogspot1"/><ref name="indiontv1"/>


Their grand children are Dr. T.V.S. Gopal, Chintala Ratna, and Gangisetty Raja.  His brother-in-law Rohini Venkaiah, Commercial Tax Officer (Retd.) and his wife Dr. Rohini Venkata Sundara Varada Rajeswari, Famous Devotional Writer of several books and Member Sree Hampi Virupaksha Vidyaranya Maha Samsthanam and their son Rohini Mahesh, Devotional Writer of several articles and Member Sree Hampi Virupaksha Vidyaranya Maha Samsthanam date of birth and his son Rohini Harish date of birth and Raghramaiah's date of death is same i.e. 24 February. He toured Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore with a drama troupe in 1972.<ref name="thehindu1"/><ref name="blogspot1"/><ref name="indiontv1"/>
Their grand children are Dr. T.V.S. Gopal, Chintala Ratna, and Gangisetty Raja.  His brother-in-law Rohini Venkaiah, Commercial Tax Officer (Retd.) and his wife Dr. Rohini Venkata Sundara Varada Rajeswari, Famous Devotional Writer of several books and Member Sree Hampi Virupaksha Vidyaranya Maha Samsthanam and their son Rohini Mahesh, Devotional Writer of several articles and Member Sree Hampi Virupaksha Vidyaranya Maha Samsthanam date of birth and his son Rohini Harish date of birth and Raghramaiah's date of death is same i.e. 24 February. He toured Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore with a drama troupe in 1972.<ref name="thehindu1"/><ref name="blogspot1"/><ref name="indiontv1"/>
Line 34: Line 36:


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
# ''Prithvi Putra'' (1933)
{{Div col start}}
# ''Bhakta Kuchela'' (1935)
* ''[[Prudhvi Putra]]'' (1933)
# ''Lanka Dahanam'' (1936)
* ''Bhakta Kuchela'' (1935)
# ''Rukmini Kalyanam'' (1937)
* ''Lanka Dahanam'' (1936)
# ''Pasupathastram'' (1939)
* ''Rukmini Kalyanam'' (1937)
# ''[[Apavadu]]'' (1941)
* ''Pasupathastram'' (1939)
# ''Talliprema'' (1941)
* ''[[Apavadu]]'' (1941)
#[[Gollabhama (1947 film)|''Gollabhama'']] (1947)  
* ''Talliprema'' (1941)
# ''Madalasa'' (1948)
* ''[[Gollabhama (1947 film)|Gollabhama]]'' (1947)  
# ''Maya Rambha'' (1950)
* ''Madalasa'' (1948)
# ''Mayapilla'' (1951)
* ''Maya Rambha'' (1950)
# ''Prapancham'' (1953)
* ''Mayapilla'' (1951)
# ''Sati Sakkubai'' (1954) as [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]]
* ''Prapancham'' (1953)
# ''Shri Krishna Tulabharam'' (1955/I) as [[Krishna|Sri Krishna]]
* ''Sati Sakkubai'' (1954) as [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]]
# ''[[Chintamani (1956 film)|Chintamani]]'' (1956)
* ''Sri Krishna Tulabharam'' (1955/I) as [[Krishna|Sri Krishna]]
# ''Shri Krishna Maya'' (1958)
* ''[[Chintamani (1956 film)|Chintamani]]'' (1956)
# ''[[Sri Krishna Rayabaram]]'' (1960)
* ''Sri Krishna Maya'' (1958)
# ''Nagarjuna'' (1961/I)
* ''[[Sri Krishna Rayabaram]]'' (1960)
# ''[[Usha Parinayam]]'' (1961) as [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]]
* ''Nagarjuna'' (1961/I)
# ''[[Dakshayagnam (1962 film)|Dakshayagnam]]'' (1962/I) as [[Narada]]
* ''[[Usha Parinayam]]'' (1961) as [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]]
# ''Valmiki'' (1963/I)
* ''[[Dakshayagnam (1962 film)|Dakshayagnam]]'' (1962/I) as [[Narada]]
#''Somavara Vratha Mahatyam'' (1963)<ref>{{Citation|title=Somavara Vratha Mahatyam (1963) - IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8836706/|language=en-US|access-date=2021-08-24}}</ref>
* ''Valmiki'' (1963/I)
# ''Mohini Bhasmasura'' (1966)
* ''[[Somavara Vrata Mahatyam]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Somavara Vratha Mahathyam (1963) |url=https://indiancine.ma/KXL |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref> (1963) as [[Narada]]
# [[Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna]] (1967)
* ''[[Mohini Bhasmasura 1966 Telugu Film|Mohini Bhasmasura]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mohini Bhasmasura 1966 Telugu Movie Cast Crew,Actors,Director, Mohini Bhasmasura Producer,Banner,Music Director,Singers & Lyricists |url=https://moviegq.com/movie/mohini-bhasmasura-5475/cast-crew |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=MovieGQ |language=en}}</ref> (1966) as [[Indra]]
* ''[[Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna]]'' (1967)
{{Div col end}}


==Awards==
==Awards==
Line 67: Line 71:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2010}}
 
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}


Line 75: Line 79:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Raghuramaiah, Kalyanam}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Raghuramaiah, Kalyanam}}
[[Category:Telugu male actors]]
[[Category:Telugu male actors]]
[[Category:Telugu people]]
[[Category:Andhra University alumni]]
[[Category:Andhra University alumni]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]
[[Category:People from Guntur district]]
[[Category:Actors from Guntur district]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Indian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Indian male stage actors]]

Latest revision as of 15:25, 5 September 2025


Kalyanam Raghuramaiah
Born
Kalyanam Venkata Subbaiah

5 March 1901
Suddapalli village, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died24 February 1975(1975-02-24) (aged 73)
Hyderabad, India
OccupationActor
Thespian
Spouse(s)Savitri
ChildrenThota Satyavathi (daughter)
AwardsSangeet Natak Akademi Award 1973
Padma Shri 1975

Kalyanam Raghuramaiah (5 March 1901 – 24 February 1975), popularly known as Eelapata Raghuramaiah, was an Indian actor, and thespian known for his works in Telugu cinema, and Telugu theatre. A recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and the Padmashri, He was known for the roles of Krishna or Dushyantha, Bhavanisankar, Narada etc. He performed those roles for about 60 years. He indulged in elaborate raga alapana, based on different ragas while rendering padyams.[1][2][3]

One of the finest method actors, he had the ability to sing padyams and songs through whistle, by putting his finger in mouth and producing the whistle or flute sound (meaning Eela in Telugu). He has acted in various dramas and gave more than 20,000 stage performances.[4] He was called the "Nightingale of the Stage" by Rabindranath Tagore.[1]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Kalyanam Raghuramaiah was born in a Kapu family[5] in Suddapalli village of Guntur district and named as Venkata Subbaiah. He was popular during childhood days in playing Raghurama, hence named as Raghuramaiah by Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao.[2][3][6]

Early career[edit | edit source]

He entered Telugu cinema in 1933 in the film Prudhvi Putra. It is the fifth talkie film in Telugu cinema industry.[citation needed] This is the 1st Telugu movie produced by Telugu person viz. Pothina Srinivasa Rao.[citation needed] He acted as Krishna in many films including Sri Krishna Rayabaram (1960) and in the film Chintamani.[2][3][7]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

He married Savitri, second daughter of Rohini Venkata Subbaiah and Sitamma in 1938 at Bapatla. She inaugurated the statue of her husband Raghuramaiah at Chebrolu, Guntur district on 5 March 2013. At the age of 92 years i.e. on 8 December 2014 she died due to old age at Vijayawada. They have only one daughter viz. Thota Satyavathi, Son-in-law Thota Parvateeswara Rao.[2][3][7]

Their grand children are Dr. T.V.S. Gopal, Chintala Ratna, and Gangisetty Raja. His brother-in-law Rohini Venkaiah, Commercial Tax Officer (Retd.) and his wife Dr. Rohini Venkata Sundara Varada Rajeswari, Famous Devotional Writer of several books and Member Sree Hampi Virupaksha Vidyaranya Maha Samsthanam and their son Rohini Mahesh, Devotional Writer of several articles and Member Sree Hampi Virupaksha Vidyaranya Maha Samsthanam date of birth and his son Rohini Harish date of birth and Raghramaiah's date of death is same i.e. 24 February. He toured Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore with a drama troupe in 1972.[2][3][7]

Death and popularity[edit | edit source]

He died of a heart attack in 1975 at the age of 75 years. He was called the "Nightingale of the Stage" by Rabindranath Tagore. A well sheltered bronze statue of him was installed in his honor at Suddapalli village, his birthplace, on 14 February 2014 by his Eldest brother's son Sri. Kalyanam Narasimha Rao, Retd. Senior Manager, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Hyderabad and the statue was inaugurated by Sri. Mandali Budda Prasad, Chairman Official Languages, Andhra Pradesh.[1][2][7]

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Awards[edit | edit source]

National Honors
Civilian Honors
  • He was awarded Padmashri by Government of India in 1975.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Article in Eenadu "Eenadu - the Heart and Soul of AndhraPradesh". Archived from the original on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "He was ahead of his times - Tirupati". The Hindu. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "pranaism: తెలుగు నాటకరంగ ప్రముఖుల ఫోటోలు (సశేషం)". Pranaism.blogspot.in. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  4. ↑ 20th Century Telugu Luminaries, Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, 2005
  5. ↑ M. L. Kantha Rao (July 1999), A Study of the Socio-Political Mobility of the Kapu Caste in Modern Andhra. University of Hyderabad. Chapter 6. p. 274. hdl:10603/25437
  6. ↑ "Telugu Cinema Prapamcham: Daksha Yagnam (1962)". Telugucineblitz.blogspot.in. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Kalyanam Raghuramaiah". IndionTV. 5 March 2013. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "Somavara Vratha Mahathyam (1963)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  9. ↑ "Mohini Bhasmasura 1966 Telugu Movie Cast Crew,Actors,Director, Mohini Bhasmasura Producer,Banner,Music Director,Singers & Lyricists". MovieGQ. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kalyanam_Raghuramaiah&oldid=454956"
Discover more