fiction.wikisort.org - Actor

S. V. Ranga Rao (born Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao; 3 July 1918 – 18 July 1974), popularly known as SVR, was an Indian film actor, producer, and director known for his works majorly in Telugu and Tamil films. He is regarded as one of the finest actors in the history of Indian cinema.[1] He is known by the epithet "Viswa Nata Chakravarthi" (transl. "Universal Emperor of Acting").[2][3] He was the earliest known character actor to have enjoyed a star status in South Indian cinema.[4] In a career spanning nearly three decades, Ranga Rao garnered various national and international honours.[2][5]

S. V. Ranga Rao
S. V. Ranga Rao on a 2013 stamp of India
Born	Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao 3 July 1918 Nuziveedu, Madras Presidency, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died	18 July 1975 (aged 57) Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Other names	SVR, Viswa Nata Chakravarthi
Occupation	Actor, Producer, Director
Spouse	Leelavathi ​ (m. 1947)​
Awards	Rashtrapati Award International Honor
Signature

Ranga Rao was a method actor known for his natural acting style, portraying complex — social, biographical, and mythological — characters such as 'Nepala Manthrikudu', a tantric in Pathala Bhairavi (1951), Yama in Sati Savitri (1957), Ghatothkacha in Maya Bazaar (1957), Mayasura in Bhookailas (1958), Bhoja in Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960).[6] In 1964, he received the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Kichaka in Nartanasala (1963) at the third Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Jakarta,[7] becoming the only Indian actor to have ever garnered the honour.[8][9] He then essayed Duryodhana in the blockbuster Pandava Vanavasam (1965), Hiranyakasipu in Bhakta Prahlada (1967), and Ravana in Sampoorna Ramayanam (1971) to name a few.[10][11][3]

He made his foray as a character actor in films 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), Aatma Bandhuvu (1962), Annai (1962), Karpagam (1963), Naanum Oru Penn (1963), Bobbili Yuddham (1964), Bandhavyalu (1968), Prema Nagar (1971), Dasara Bullodu (1971), Pandanti Kapuram (1972), Vasantha Maligai (1972), Tata-Manavadu (1973), and Andaru Dongale (1974).[4][12]

Government of Andhra Pradesh instituted an award in his memory, presented every year to the best character acting performance, known as the S. V. Ranga Rao Award for Best Character Actor.[2]

Early life

Ranga Rao was born in Nuziveedu in erstwhile Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh in 1918 in a Telugu zamindari family.[3][13] Samarla Lakshmi was his mother and Samarla Koteswara Rao, an excise inspector at Nuzvidu, was his father.[10][11] His grandfather was working as a doctor in the town. He had relatives scattered in East Godavari district. His grandfather, Kotayya Naidu, lived in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu.[3]

His mother, Lakshmi Narasayamma, a staunch devotee of Lord Venkateswara, named the boy after him. Ranga Rao was sent to Madras, where he completed his schooling at Hindu College. He also studied in Eluru and Visakhapatnam.[3] At an early age of 12, he showed interest in stage acting. He ventured into acting after completing his bachelor's degree in sciences.[10][11][13]

Career

S. V. R. got an invitation from one of his relatives, B. V. Ramanandam, to play the lead actor in his film Varoodhini (1947). He immediately abandoned the job, and left for Salem to join the celluloid world. However, the film didn’t do well at the box office.[3][4]

S. V. R. left Madras Presidency and reached Jamshedpur, where he took up the job as a budget assistant with the Tata company.[4][13] However, his love for theatre began to bloom multifold. At this juncture, he married Badeti Leelavathi on 27 December 1947. In the days that followed, S. V. R. was given an opportunity to appear in Palletoori Pilla (1950), produced by B. A. Subba Rao.[10] Shavukaru (1950) earned him recognition as a fine actor.[3][4]

His role as the antagonist 'Nepala Manthrikudu', a tantric in Pathala Bhairavi (1951) was a turning point in his career.[12][4] The film became a breakthrough for both Ranga Rao and the lead actor N. T. Rama Rao. Pathala Bhairavi was the only south Indian film screened at the first International Film Festival of India.[14][15][16] Ranga Rao also starred in the enduring classics Mayabazar (1957) and Nartanasala (1963), featured in the CNN-IBN's list of "100 greatest Indian films of all time".[17]

In a career spanning nearly three decades, he acted in over 160 films —109 in Telugu and 53 in Tamil.[12] He was one of the earliest stars to feature in commercials and his ad for the popular cigarette brand Berkeley, was extremely popular.[12]

Characters essayed

Personal life

Ranga Rao married Leelavati, daughter of Badeti Venkata Ramayya and Koteswaramma on 27 December 1947. They have three children: two daughters, Vijaya and Prameela and a son, Koteswara Rao.[10] His wife would often go back to her parents as a protest to his erratic film schedules. "Come back only when you want to, I’ll promise you a good future", he told her.[4]

Ranga Rao wanted to launch his son into films and shot a few portions. But the film didn’t take off for unknown reasons.[4] He was a pet-lover, owned two German Shepherds at his residence. Ranga Rao was a poet and also wrote short stories for a few publications and nurtured a love for cricket, painting, hunting.[4]

Death

Ranga 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.[10]

Legacy

Government of Andhra Pradesh instituted an award in his memory, presented every year to the best character acting performance, known as the S. V. Ranga Rao Award for Best Character Actor.[2]

A bust-size bronze statue of Ranga Rao was unveiled by popular actor Chiranjeevi at Tummalapall Kalakshetram in Vijayawada in 2010.[18] In 2018, N. Chandrababu Naidu, then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh unveiled a 12.5 feet bronze statue of Ranga Rao at Kalaparru on the outskirts of Eluru and announced that the state government was planning to establish a museum on Ranga Rao in Eluru.[19][13]

Srivathsan Nadadhur of The Hindu wrote of him during his birth centenary in 2018 as follows, "S V Ranga Rao’s diction, towering on-screen persona, impressive quirks to his character-sketches, the ability to draw inspiration from society and literature have cemented his ‘irreplaceable’ stature over the years."[4]

CV Aravind of The News Minute wrote of him in 2018, "SV Ranga Rao was ranked on par with the superstars of the 1950s, 60s and 70s such as N. T .Rama Rao, Nageswara Rao, M. G. Ramachandran, and Sivaji Ganesan. Ranga Rao was one of the earliest to be hailed as a ‘method’ actor and a substandard performance from him was simply out of the question. Rated as one of the most dignified and cooperative stars, he was held in high regard by the acting fraternity."[12]

Awards

International honors

• Best Actor Award - 3rd Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Jakarta - (1963) - for Keechaka in Nartanasala[7][8]
• Special Mention - 8th San Sebastián International Film Festival - (1960) Nammina Bantu[9][2][3]

Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Director)

• Chadarangam (1967) - Silver Nandi^{[citation needed]}
• Bandhavyalu (1968) - Gold Nandi^{[citation needed]}

Other honors

• He was given distinguished titles such as Rashtrapati Award, Viswa Nata Chakravarti, Nata Sarvabhouma, Nata Sekhara, Nata Simha.[2]

Selected filmography

Actor

Year	Film	Character	Language	Notes
1947	Varudhini		Telugu	Debut Film
1949	Mana Desam		Telugu
1950	Bhale Papa	Blind person	Telugu
1950	Palletoori Pilla	Taatha	Telugu
1950	Shavukaru	Sunnapu Rangadu	Telugu
1950	Tirugubatu		Telugu
1951	Akasaraju		Telugu
1951	Navvite Navaratnalu		Telugu
1951	Pathala Bhairavi	Nepala Mantrikudu	Telugu Tamil	1st International Film Festival of India
1952	Daasi	Badrinath	Telugu
1952	Kalyanam Panni Paar		Tamil
1952	Palletooru	Ganapati	Telugu
1952	Pelli Chesi Choodu	Zamindar Veeyanna	Telugu
1953	Bratuku Theruvu	Zamindar	Telugu
1953	Chandirani	Prachandudu	Telugu
1953	Chandirani	Prachandudu	Tamil
1953	Devdas		Tamil
1953	Devadasu	Zamindar Narayana Rao	Telugu
1953	Jatakam		Telugu
1953	Jatakaphalam		Telugu
1953	Pardesi	Rangadu	Telugu
1953	Pempudu Koduku		Telugu
1953	Poongothai		Tamil
1953	Rohini		Tamil
1953	Sangham		Telugu
1954	Annadata		Telugu
1954	Anta Manavalle	Jagannatham	Telugu
1954	Bangaru Papa	Kotayya	Telugu	National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1954	Chandraharam		Tamil
1954	Chandraharam	Dhoomakethu	Telugu
1954	Chakrapani		Telugu
1954	Rajee Naa Pranam		Telugu
1954	Rajee En Kanmani	Rich man	Tamil
1954	Raju Peda	King	Telugu
1954	Thuli Visham	Naga Nadu King VeeraMarththandan	Tamil
1955	Anarkali	Akbar	Telugu
1955	Guna Sundari Katha	King Ugrasena	Telugu
1955	Jayasimha	Rudrasimha	Telugu
1955	Missamma	Gopalam	Telugu
1955	Missiamma	Gopalan	Tamil
1955	Santanam	Rangayya	Telugu
1956	Charana Daasi	Raghavaiah	Telugu
1956	Chintamani		Telugu
1956	Kanakatara		Telugu
1956	Naan Petra Selvam		Tamil
1956	Mathar Kula Manickam		Tamil
1957	Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam	Jaffer, the magician	Telugu
1957	Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum		Tamil
1957	Maya Bazaar	Ghatotkajudu	Telugu
1957	Maya Bazaar	Ghadotgajan	Tamil
1957	Pathini Deivam		Tamil
1957	Repu Neede		Telugu
1957	Sarangadhara	Raja Raja Narendrudu	Telugu
1957	Sati Savitri	Yamudu	Telugu
1957	Soubhagyavathi	Maha Bhairavan, Bad Magician	Tamil
1957	Engal Veettu Mahalakshmi	Lawyer Ganapathi	Tamil
1957	Thodi Kodallu	Kutumba Rao	Telugu	National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1957	Vinayaka Chaviti	Narakasurudu	Telugu
1958	Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu	Diwan Bahadur Mukunda Rao	Telugu
1958	Bhookailas	Maayasura	Telugu
1958	Bommala Pelli		Telugu
1958	Chenchu Lakshmi	Hiranyakashipa	Tamil
1958	Chenchu Lakshmi	Hiranyakashipu	Telugu
1958	Kadan Vaangi Kalyanam		Tamil
1958	Annaiyin Aanai		Tamil
1958	Bommai Kalyanam	Veeramuthu	Tamil
1958	Kudumba Gouravam		Tamil
1958	Mangalya Balam		Telugu
1958	Pelli Naati Pramanalu	Bheemasena Rao	Telugu	National Film Award For Best Feature Film in Telugu
1958	Sabaash Meena	Appadorai	Tamil
1958	Anbu Engey	Masilamani Mudaliar	Tamil
1958	Thirumanam	Damodharam	Tamil
1958	Sarangadhara	King Narendra	Tamil
1959	Aval Yar		Tamil
1959	Bhakta Ambarisha		Telugu
1959	Jayabheri	Vijayananda Ramagajapati	Telugu
1959	Kalaivanan		Tamil
1959	Krishna Leelalu		Telugu
1959	Raja Sevai		Tamil
1959	Manjal Mahimai		Tamil
1959	Rechukka Pagatichukka		Telugu
1959	Vazhkai Oppantham		Tamil
1960	Nammina Bantu		Telugu	8th San Sebastián International Film Festival National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1960	Bhatti Vikramarka	Maantrikudu	Telugu
1960	Deepavali	Narakasurudu	Telugu
1960	Devanthakudu		Telugu
1960	Harishchandra	Harischandra Maharaju	Telugu
1960	Irumputhirai		Tamil
1960	Mahakavi Kalidasu	Bhoja Raju	Telugu	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	King Narasimhavarman	Tamil
1960	Petra Manam		Tamil
1960	Vidivelli		Tamil
1964	Velugu Needalu	Rao Bahadur Venkataramaiah	Telugu	[20]
1961	Ellam Unnakkaga		Tamil
1961	Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham		Telugu
1961	Kappalottiya Thamizhan		Tamil
1961	Kumudham	Public Prosecutor, Shanthi's father	Tamil
1961	Krishna Prema		Telugu
1961	Pangaaligal	One of the 3 Partners	Tamil
1961	Pelli Thambulam		Telugu
1961	Sati Sulochana		Telugu
1961	Usha Parinayam	Banasura	Telugu
1962	Atma Bandhuvu	Father	Telugu
1962	Bandha Pasam		Tamil
1962	Dakshayagnam	Daksha	Telugu
1962	Padithal Mattum Podhuma		Tamil
1962	Deivathin Deivam		Tamil
1962	Muthu Mandapam		Tamil
1962	Nichaya Thaamboolam	Ranganathan	Tamil
1962	Sarada		Tamil	National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1962	Gaali Medalu	Paanakaalu	Telugu
1962	Gundamma Katha	Ramabhadraiah	Telugu
1962	Kaathiruntha Kangal		Tamil
1962	Manchi Manasulu		Telugu
1962	Manithan Maravillai		Tamil
1962	Padandi Munduku		Telugu
1962	Sri Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha	Suchandrasena Maharaju	Telugu
1962	Tiger Ramudu		Telugu
1962	Annai		Tamil	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	Kalyani's Father	Tamil
1963	Kungumam	Punniyakodi / James / Sambasivam	Tamil
1963	Needhikkuppin Paasam		Tamil
1963	Karpagam		Tamil	National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1963	Narthanasala	Keechakudu	Telugu	Best Actor - 3rd Afro-Asian Film Festival, Jakarta National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film
1963	Thobuttuvulu		Telugu
1963	Naanum Oru Penn		Tamil	Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1964	Bobbili Yudham	Tandra Paparayudu	Telugu
1964	Kai Kodutha Deivam		Tamil
1964	Main Bhi Ladki Hoon		Hindi
1964	Murali Krishna	Father of Murali	Telugu
1964	Ramudu Bheemudu		Telugu
1964	Server Sundaram		Tamil
1964	Pachai Vilakku		Tamil
1965	Enga Veetu Pillai	Father of Saroja Devi	Tamil
1965	Kakkum Karangal		Tamil
1965	Aadabrathuku		Telugu
1965	Naadi Aada Janme		Telugu
1965	Pandava Vanavasam	Duryodhanudu	Telugu
1965	Vaazhkai Padagu	Rajan Father	Tamil
1965	Paditha Manaivi		Tamil
1966	Aata Bommalu		Telugu
1965	Sati Sakkubai		Telugu
1965	Thodu Needa		Telugu
1966	Chilaka Gorinka		Telugu
1966	Kumari Penn	Grandfather of Shyamala	Tamil
1966	Selvam		Tamil
1966	Thedi Vandha Thirumagal		Tamil
1966	Thattungal Thirakkappadum	Church Father	Tamil
1966	Mohini Bhasmasura		Kannada
1966	Adugu Jaadalu	Dr. Krishna	Telugu
1966	Ramu		Telugu
1967	Pesum Dheivam		Tamil
1967	Bhakta Prahlada		Tamil
1967	Bhakta Prahlada	Hiraynakashipudu	Telugu	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film
1967	Chadarangam		Telugu	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film
1967	Rahasyam		Telugu
1967	Thaikku Thalaimagan	Father of Malathi	Tamil
1967	Kan Kanda Deivam	The Landlord	Tamil
1968	Bandhavyalu		Telugu	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film
1968	Bandhipotu Dongalu	Bandipotu Malludora	Telugu
1968	Lakshmi Nivasam		Telugu
1968	Chinnari Papalu		Telugu
1968	Poovum Pottum	Professor Raja Rathinam	Tamil
1969	Nam Naadu	Dharmalingham	Tamil
1969	Sivandha Mann		Tamil
1969	Kula Vilakku		Tamil
1969	Kuzhandhai Ullam		Tamil
1969	Mooga Nomu		Telugu
1970	Sambarala Rambabu		Telugu
1971	Dasara Bullodu	Bhushaiah	Telugu
1971	Debbaku Tha Dongala Mutha		Telugu
1971	Praptham		Tamil
1971	Thenum Paalum		Tamil
1971	Irulum Oliyum		Tamil
1971	Aathi Parasakthi	Dhakshan	Tamil
1971	Prem Nagar	Zamindar	Telugu
1971	Sampoorna Ramayanam	Ravana	Telugu
1971	Vidhyarthigale Ithile Ithile	Principal	Malayalam
1971	Debbaku tha Dongala Mutha	Gangu	Telugu
1972	Bala Bharatam	Bheeshma	Telugu
1972	Iddaru Ammayilu	Lawyer Narayan Rao	Telugu
1972	Kathula Rathaiah		Telugu
1972	Koduku Kodalu		Telugu
1972	Pandanti Kapuram	Head of the family	Telugu
1972	Papam Pasivaadu	Venugopal	Telugu
1972	Vasantha Maligai		Tamil
1972	Vazhaiyadi Vazhai		Tamil
1973	Anbu Sagodharargal	Elder Brother	Tamil
1973	Devudu Chesina Manushulu		Telugu
1973	Bangaru Babu	Raghavaiah	Telugu
1972	Tata-Manavadu	Grandfather Rangayya	Telugu	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film
1973	Minor Babu		Telugu
1973	Samsaram Sagaram		Telugu	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film
1974	Andaru Dongale	Chanti Babu	Telugu
1974	Bangaru Kalalu		Telugu
1974	Chakravakam	Dharma Rayudu	Telugu
1974	Galipatalu	Ganganna and Manganna	Telugu
1974	Inti Kodalu		Telugu
1974	Premalu Pellilu		Telugu
1974	Pillai Selvam		Tamil
1974	Sivakamyin Selvan		Tamil	Last film in Tamil
1975	Yashoda Krishna	Kamsa	Telugu	Last film in Telugu

Director

• Bandhavyalu (1968)
• Chadarangam (1967)

Producer

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

References

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