S. V. Ranga Rao

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S. V. Ranga Rao
SV Ranga Rao 2013 stamp of India.jpg
Rao on a 2013 stamp of India
Born
Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao

3 July 1918
Nuzvidu, Madras Presidency, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died18 July 1974 (aged 56)
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Other namesSVR, Viswanata Chakravarthi
OccupationFilm Actor, Producer, Director
Spouse(s)
Leelavathi
(
m. 1947)
AwardsRashtrapati Award
International Honor
Signature
Svr signature.jpg

Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (3 July 1918 – 18 July 1974), popularly known by his initials SVR, was an Indian film actor, director and producer known for his works in Telugu cinema and Tamil cinema. Rao was popularly known as "Viswa Nata Chakravarthi".[1] Throughout his film career, which spanned a total of thirty years, Rao garnered various National Honors, International Honors, State Nandi Awards, and the Filmfare Special Award - South.[1][2] In 1951, Rao appeared in the fantasy film, Pathala Bhairavi, screened at the first India International Film Festival, held in Mumbai on 24 January 1952.[3] Rao received wide reception for his portrayal of Nepala Manthrikudu the tantric in the super-hit film.[4]

Rao was known for his natural acting style, portraying complex - social, biographical, and mythological characters such as - Ghatotkacha in Maya Bazaar (1957) which is regarded as the "greatest Indian film of all time" by CNN-India Poll, and was screened at the 1957 International Film Festival of India and the Indonesian Film Festival; Mayasura in Bhookailas (1958); Bhoja in Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960) which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. In 1964, Rao received the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Kichaka in Nartanasala (1963) at the Third Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Jakarta,[5] becoming the only Indian actor to have ever garnered the honor.[6][7] In the same year, he received Filmfare Special Award - South for his performance in Naanum Oru Penn. He then essayed Duryodhana in the blockbuster Pandava Vanavasamu (1965); Hiranyakashipu in Bhakta Prahlada (1967), which won the Nandi Award for Second Best Feature Film; and Ravana in Sampoorna Ramayanamu (1971) to name a few.[8][9]

Rao has made his foray as a character actor in super-hits such as Mana Desam (1949), Palletoori Pilla (1950), Devadasu (1953), Bangaru Papa (1954), Raju Peda (1954), Thodi Kodallu (1957), Chenchu Lakshmi (1958), Pelli Naati Pramanalu (1958), Nammina Bantu (1959), Gundamma Katha (1962), Sarada (1962), Annai (1962), Karpagam (1963), Naanum Oru Penn (1963), Bobbili Yudham (1964), Bandhavyalu (1968), Lakshmi Nivasam (1968), Prem Nagar (1971), Dasara Bullodu (1971) and Vasantha Maligai (1972). Since he is considered as the golden standard for acting, the Andhra Pradesh Government instituted an award in his memory, presented to the best character acting performance of every year, known as the S.V. Ranga Rao Award for Best Actor.[1]

Early life[edit]

Statue of S. V. Ranga Rao, inaugurated by Chiranjeevi at Tummalapalli Kshetraya School of Arts in Vijayawada

Rao was born in Dowlaiswaram near Rajahmundry in East Godavari District to a Telugu Speaking family. Samarla Lakshmi was his mother and Samarla Gotteswara Rao, an excise inspector at Nuzvidu town in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India, was his father.[8][9] His mother, Lakshmi Narasayamma, a staunch devotee of Lord Venkateswara, named the boy after him. Rao was sent to the erstwhile Madras Presidency where he completed his schooling at Hindu College. At an early age of 12, he showed interest in stage action, he ventured into acting after completing his bachelor's degree in sciences.[8][9]

Cinema[edit]

S.V.R. got an invitation from one of his relatives, B.V. Ramanandam, to play the lead actor in his film Varoodhini. He immediately abandoned the job, and left for Salem to join the celluloid world. In fact, it was a great beginning for the young man when the film was released. However, S.V.R. left the Madras Presidency and reached Jamshedpur, where he took up the job as a budget assistant with the Tata Company. However, his love for dramas began to bloom multifold. At this juncture, he married Leelavathi Badeti on 27 December 1947. In the days that followed, S.V.R. was given an opportunity to appear in Palletoori Pilla, produced by B. A. Subba Rao.[8] Rao was offered his first lead antagonist role by Vijaya Pictures.[9]

Characters essayed[edit]

Personal life and Death[edit]

Ranga Rao married Leelavati, daughter of Badeti Venkata Ramaiah and Koteswaramma on 27 December 1947. They have three children: two daughters, Vijaya and Prameela and a son, Koteswara Rao.[8] Rao had a cardiac arrest at Hyderabad in February 1974. He was admitted to Osmania General Hospital, and then discharged. Another attack on 18 July 1974 at Madras proved fatal and the actor died before any medical treatment could be administered.[8]

Awards[edit]

International honors
Rashtrapati Award for Best Acting
Nandi Award for Best Actor
Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Director)
Filmfare Awards South
Other honors
  • He was given the distinguished names as Viswa Nata Chakravarti, Nata Sarvabhouma, Nata Sekhara, Nata Simha.[1]

Selected filmography[edit]

Template:Unref-sect

Actor[edit]

Year Film Language Character Notes
1947 Varudhini Telugu Debut Film
1949 Mana Desam Telugu
1950 Bhale Papa Telugu Blind person
1950 Palletoori Pilla Telugu Taatha
1950 Shavukaru Telugu Sunnapu Rangadu
1950 Tirugubatu Telugu
1951 Akasharaju Telugu
1951 Navvite Navaratnalu Telugu
1951 Pathala Bhairavi Telugu

Tamil

Nepala Mantrikudu screened at the 1st International Film Festival of India
1952 Daasi Telugu Badrinath
1952 Kalyanam Panni Paar Tamil
1952 Palletooru Telugu Ganapati
1952 Pelli Chesi Choodu Telugu Zamindar Veeyanna
1953 Bratuku Theruvu Telugu Zamindar
1953 Chandirani Telugu Prachandudu
1953 Chandirani Tamil Prachandudu
1953 Devdas Tamil
1953 Devadasu Telugu Zamindar Narayana Rao
1953 Jatakam Telugu
1953 Jatakaphalam Telugu
1953 Pardesi Telugu Rangadu
1953 Pempudu Koduku Telugu
1953 Poongothai Tamil
1953 Rohini Tamil
1953 Sangham Telugu
1954 Annadata Telugu
1954 Anta Manavalle Telugu Jagannatham
1954 Bangaru Papa Telugu Kotayya National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1954 Chandraharam Tamil
1954 Chandraharam Telugu Dhoomakethu
1954 Chakrapani Telugu
1954 Rajee Naa Pranam Telugu
1954 Rajee En Kanmani Tamil Rich man
1954 Raju Peda Telugu King
1954 Thuli Visham Tamil Naga Nadu King VeeraMarththandan
1955 Anarkali Telugu Akbar
1955 Guna Sundari Katha Telugu King Ugrasena
1955 Jayasimha Telugu Rudrasimha
1955 Missamma Telugu Gopalam
1955 Missiamma Tamil Gopalan
1955 Santanam Telugu Rangayya
1956 Charana Daasi Telugu Raghavaiah
1956 Chintamani Telugu
1956 Kanakatara Telugu
1956 Naan Petra Selvam Tamil
1956 Mathar Kula Manickam Tamil
1957 Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam Telugu Jaffer, the magician
1957 Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum Tamil
1957 Maya Bazaar Telugu Ghatotkajudu
1957 Maya Bazaar Tamil Ghadotgajan
1957 Pathini Deivam Tamil
1957 Repu Neede Telugu
1957 Sarangadhara Telugu Raja Raja Narendrudu
1957 Sati Savitri Telugu Yamudu
1957 Soubhagyavathi Tamil Maha Bhairavan, Bad Magician
1957 Engal Veettu Mahalakshmi Tamil Lawyer Ganapathi
1957 Thodi Kodallu Telugu Kutumba Rao National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1957 Vinayaka Chaviti Telugu Narakasurudu
1958 Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu Telugu Diwan Bahadur Mukunda Rao
1958 Bhookailas Telugu Maayasura
1958 Bommala Pelli Telugu
1958 Chenchu Lakshmi Tamil Hiranyakashipa
1958 Chenchu Lakshmi Telugu Hiranyakashipu
1958 Kadan Vaangi Kalyanam Tamil
1958 Annaiyin Aanai Tamil
1958 Bommai Kalyanam Tamil Veeramuthu
1958 Kudumba Gouravam Tamil
1958 Mangalya Balam Telugu
1958 Pelli Naati Pramanalu Telugu Bheemasena Rao National Film Award For Best Feature Film in Telugu
1958 Sabaash Meena Tamil Appadorai
1958 Anbu Engey Tamil Masilamani Mudaliar
1958 Thirumanam Tamil Damodharam
1958 Sarangadhara Tamil King Narendra
1959 Aval Yar Tamil
1959 Bhakta Ambarisha Telugu
1959 Jayabheri Telugu Vijayananda Ramagajapati
1959 Kalaivanan Tamil
1959 Krishna Leelalu Telugu
1959 Nammina Bantu Telugu National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1959 Raja Sevai Tamil
1959 Manjal Mahimai Tamil
1959 Rechukka Pagatichukka Telugu
1959 Vazhkai Oppantham Tamil
1960 Bhatti Vikramarka Telugu Maantrikudu
1960 Deepavali Telugu Narakasurudu
1960 Devanthakudu Telugu
1960 Harishchandra Telugu Harischandra Maharaju
1960 Irumputhirai Tamil
1960 Mahakavi Kalidasu Telugu Bhoja Raju National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1960 Mamaku Tagga Alludu Telugu
1960 Naan Kanda Sorgam Tamil
1960 Padikkadha Medhai Tamil
1960 Pattaliyin Vetri Tamil
1960 Parthiban Kanavu Tamil King Narasimhavarman
1960 Petra Manam Tamil
1960 Vidivelli Tamil
1964 Velugu Needalu Telugu Rao Bahadur Venkataramaiah [12]
1961 Ellam Unnakkaga Tamil
1961 Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham Telugu
1961 Kappalottiya Thamizhan Tamil
1961 Kumudham Tamil Public Prosecutor, Shanthi's father
1961 Krishna Prema Telugu
1961 Pangaaligal Tamil One of the 3 Partners
1961 Pelli Thambulam Telugu
1961 Sati Sulochana Telugu
1961 Usha Parinayam Telugu Banasura
1962 Atma Bandhuvu Telugu Father
1962 Bandha Pasam Tamil
1962 Dakshayagnam Telugu Daksha
1962 Padithal Mattum Podhuma Tamil
1962 Deivathin Deivam Tamil
1962 Muthu Mandapam Tamil
1962 Nichaya Thaamboolam Tamil Ranganathan
1962 Sarada Tamil Rashtrapati Award for Best actor
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1962 Gaali Medalu Telugu
1962 Gundamma Katha Telugu Ramabhadraiah
1962 Kaathiruntha Kangal Tamil
1962 Manchi Manasulu Telugu
1962 Manithan Maravillai Tamil
1962 Padandi Munduku Telugu
1962 Sri Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha Telugu Suchandrasena Maharaju
1962 Tiger Ramudu Telugu
1962 Annai Tamil Rashtrapati Award for Best actor
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1962 Visha Binduvu Telugu
1962 Kavitha Tamil
1963 Annai Illam Tamil
1963 Iruvar Ullam Tamil
1963 Kalyaniyin Kanavan Tamil Kalyani's Father
1963 Kungumam Tamil Punniyakodi / James / Sambasivam
1963 Needhikkuppin Paasam Tamil
1963 Karpagam Tamil Rashtrapati Award for Best actor
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1963 Narthanasala Telugu Keechakudu Best Lead Actor - 3rd Afro Asian Film Festival, Jakarta
Rashtrapati Award for Best actor
1963 Thobuttuvulu Telugu
1963 Naanum Oru Penn Tamil Rashtrapati Award for Best actor
Filmfare Special Award - South
Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1964 Bobbili Yudham Telugu Tandra Paparayudu
1964 Kai Kodutha Deivam Tamil
1964 Main Bhi Ladki Hoon Hindi
1964 Murali Krishna Telugu Father of Murali
1964 Ramudu Bheemudu Telugu
1964 Server Sundaram Tamil
1964 Pachai Vilakku Tamil
1965 Enga Veetu Pillai Tamil Father of Saroja Devi
1965 Kakkum Karangal Tamil
1965 Aadabrathuku Telugu
1965 Naadi Aada Janme Telugu
1965 Pandava Vanavasam Telugu Duryodhanudu
1965 Vaazhkai Padagu Tamil Rajan Father
1965 Paditha Manaivi Tamil
1966 Aata Bommalu Telugu
1965 Sati Sakkubai Telugu
1965 Todu Needa Telugu
1966 Chilaka Gorinka Telugu
1966 Kumari Penn Tamil Grandfather of Shyamala
1966 Selvam Tamil
1966 Thedi Vandha Thirumagal Tamil
1966 Thattungal Thirakkappadum Tamil Church Father
1966 Mohini Bhasmasura Kannada
1966 Ramu Telugu
1967 Pesum Dheivam Tamil
1967 Bhakta Prahlada Tamil
1967 Bhakta Prahlada Telugu Hiraynakashipudu Nandi Award for Best Feature Film
1967 Chadarangam Telugu Nandi Award for Best Feature Film
1967 Rahasyam Telugu
1967 Thaikku Thalaimagan Tamil Father of Malathi
1967 Kan Kanda Deivam Tamil The Landlord
1968 Bandhavyalu Telugu Nandi Award for Best Actor
Nandi Award for Best Feature Film
1968 Bandhipotu Dongalu Telugu Bandipotu Malludora
1968 Lakshmi Nivasam Telugu
1968 Chinnari Papalu Telugu
1968 Poovum Pottum Tamil Professor Raja Rathinam
1969 Nam Naadu Tamil Dharmalingham
1969 Sivandha Mann Tamil
1969 Kula Vilakku Tamil
1969 Kuzhandhai Ullam Tamil
1969 Mooga Nomu Telugu
1971 Dasara Bullodu Telugu Bhushaiah
1971 Debbaku Tha Dongala Mutha Telugu
1971 Praptham Tamil
1971 Thenum Paalum Tamil
1971 Irulum Oliyum Tamil
1971 Aathi Parasakthi Tamil Dhakshan
1971 Prem Nagar Telugu Zamindar
1971 Sampoorna Ramayanam Telugu Ravana
1971 Vidhyarthigale Ithile Ithile Malayalam Principal
1972 Bala Bharatam Telugu Bheeshma
1972 Iddaru Ammayilu Telugu Lawyer Narayan Rao
1972 Kathula Rathaiah Telugu
1972 Koduku Kodalu Telugu
1972 Pandanti Kapuram Telugu Head of the family
1972 Papam Pasivaadu Telugu Venugopal
1972 Tata Manavadu Telugu Grandfather Rangaiah Nandi Award for Best Feature Film
1972 Vasantha Maligai Tamil
1972 vazhaiyadi vazhai Tamil
1973 Anbu Sagodharargal Tamil Elder Brother
1973 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Telugu
1973 Bangaru Babu Telugu Raghavaiah
1973 Minor Babu Telugu
1973 Samsaram Sagaram Telugu Nandi Award for Best Feature Film
1974 Andaru Dongale Telugu Chanti Babu
1974 Bangaru Kalalu Telugu
1974 Chakravakam Telugu Dharma Rayudu
1974 Galipatalu Telugu Ganganna and Manganna
1974 Inti Kodalu Telugu
1974 Premalu Pellilu Telugu
1974 Pillai Selvam Tamil
1974 Sivakamyin Selvan Tamil Last film in Tamil
1975 Yashoda Krishna Telugu Kamsa Last film in Telugu

Director[edit]

Producer[edit]

  • Bandhavyalu (1968) (producer)
  • Chadarangam (1967) (producer)
  • Naadi Aada Janme (1965) (producer)
  • Sukhadukhalu (1969)

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Sanmana Satkaralu, Viswa Nata Chakravarti, M. Sanjay Kishore, Sangam Akademy, Hyderabad, 2005, pp: 65.
  2. ↑ Narasimham, M. l (21 July 2013). "PELLI CHESI CHOODU (1952)" – via The Hindu.
  3. ↑ "::Directorate Of Film Festivals::". Archived from the original on 28 May 2015.
  4. ↑ "4th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF).
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "SVR's versatility remembered". 19 July 2010 – via The Hindu.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lindsay, Jennifer (1 January 2012). Heirs to World Culture: Being Indonesian, 1950-1965. BRILL. ISBN 9789004253513 – via Google Books.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Mahabhinishkramana, Viswa Nata Chakravarti, M. Sanjay Kishore, Sangam Akademy, Hyderabad, 2005, pp: 69-70.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "S.V. Ranga Rao's bronze statue unveiled". 19 July 2010 – via The Hindu.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Nandi Awards - 1968 - Winners & Nominees".
  11. ↑ "Nandi Awards - 1967 - Winners & Nominees".
  12. ↑ Narasimham, M.L. (13 May 2015). "Velugu Needalu (1961)". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
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