Moola Narayana Swamy

Moola Narayana Swamy
File:MLNSwamy.jpg
Born	Tadpatri, Madras Presidency, India
Died	(1950-08-20)20 August 1950 Tadpatri, Madras Presidency, India
Occupation	Film Producer, Industrialist

Moola Narayana Swamy was an Indian film producer, known for his works in Telugu cinema. He founded the Vauhini Studios which became one of the largest production companies in South Asia at that time. In later years, B. Nagi Reddy acquired Vauhini Studios, and later renamed it to Vijaya Vauhini Studios.

Early life

Moola Narayana Swamy's native was Tadipatri, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Narayana Swamy's father, an Industrialist, died at a very young age. After the death of his father, Narayana Swamy took over the business inherited from his father, at a very tender age. He expanded the existing business into several businesses such as Rayalaseema Bank, Rayalaseema Textiles, Cuddapah Ceramics, Cuddapah Electric Company, Oil mills, Milk Co-op societies, Arrack contracting.

Narayana Swamy met Bommireddi Narasimha Reddy (father of B.N. Reddy and B. Nagi Reddy) through business connections. Both of them became business partners and started exporting onions to Rangoon in Burma. Narayana Swamy and B.N. Reddy joined as partners in Rohini Pictures owned by H.M. Reddy. Under Rohini pictures banner they produced some movies like Gruhalakshmi. Later, H.M. Reddy and B.N. Reddy had differences and B.N. Reddy and Narayana Swamy separated and decided to start their own production company. With Narayana Swamy as a major share holder Vauhini Pictures was started. Several movies were produced under this banner like Vandemataram, Sumangali, Devatha and Swarga Seema. Swarga Seema was shot mainly in Newtone studio in Madras, but, there were so many difficulties with the studio and younger B.N. Reddy who was also director for the movie was very upset and expressed this to Narayana Swamy, hence, Narayana Swamy suggested that they build a new studio.

Moola Narayana Swamy at his Oil Mill

Vauhini Studio was started under the chairmanship of Narayana Swamy. Narayana Swamy was the major share holder. Out of two and half lakh rupees investment, Narayana Swamy's share was two lakhs and rest were B.N. Reddy, Nagi Reddy and others. As part of inheritance from their father Narasimha Reddy, B.N. Reddy and Nagi Reddy got these shares.

In 1948, Narayana Swamy properties and businesses were seized due to income tax problems. Vauhini studio was hence leased, to Vijaya Productions, to save it from income tax dept. attachment.

Narayana Swamy died in 1950. He was 38 years old at the time of his death. He was survived by all his sons who were minors. Even his eldest son, Moola Venkata Rangaiah, was 11 years old. As of a result of this, his family eventually spiralled into deep financial trouble.

Moola Narayana Swamy Rayalaseema Bank

In 1961, after Narayana Swamy's son became major. His eldest son with the help of Damodaram Sanjivayya (whom Narayana Swamy helped for his education) sold the studio to B. Nagi Reddy as part of an agreement that they'll clear all the income tax dues that need to be paid by Narayana Swamy family. B.Nagi Reddy later renamed the studio to Vijaya Vauhini Studios.

Personal life

Narayana Swamy built theatres, Vauhini Talkies in his native place Tadipatri and Raghuveer Talkies in Anatapur. Narayana Swamy got his childhood friend, Kadiri Venakata Reddy, a cashier job in Vahuini Pictures and later made him direct the movie Bhakta Potana. Bhakta Potana was a very big hit, thus, K.V. Reddy's reputation was established and he went to direct many other movies for Vauhini and Vijaya studios.

Narayana Swamy had 4 sons and 4 daughters. His eldest son Moola Venkata Rangaiah was also Municipal Chairman for Tadipatri for one term.

MLN Swamy at his Textile Mill

MLN Swamy at Ayurveda Vidyalaya he funded

Death

Narayana Swamy died in 1950. His eldest son Moola Venkata Rangaiah was the co-owner of the studios.

Sale of Vauhini studios by Moola V. Rangaiah to Nagi Reddy

Selected filmography

Producer

• Vande Mataram (1939)
• Gruhalakshmi (1938)
• Sumangali (1940)
• Devatha (1941)
• Bhakta Potana (1942)
• Pedda Manushulu
• Vaddante Dabbu (1944)
• Swargaseema (1945)
• Yogi Vemana (1947)
• Guna Sundari Katha (1949)