Relangi Venkata Ramaiah

Relangi Venkata Ramaiah
Born	1909-1910 Ravulapalem, British Raj
Died	26 November 1975 (aged 65) Tadepalligudem, Andhra Pradesh
Occupation	Actor and playback singer
Spouse(s)	Sridevamma
Awards	Padma Shri 1970

Relangi Venkata Ramaiah (9 August 1910 – 26 November 1975) was an Indian film character actor, comedian and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema.^[1][2] He was honored with the Padma Shri, for his contribution to Indian cinema in 1970. Relangi is regarded as one of the finest comic actors of India, noted particularly for his comic expressions, and dialogues during the golden age of Telugu cinema. Together with Ramana Reddy were a comedy double act during the era of early Tollywood. Notable Relangi performances include those from Gunasundari Katha, Missamma, Mayabazar, Nartanasala, Donga Ramudu, Iddaru Mitrulu, Chaduvukunna Ammayilu, Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu, Velugu Needalu, Vipra Narayana, Lava Kusha , Kula Gothralu and Preminchi Choodu.^[3][4] The Relangi Art Aacademy Award was instituted in his honor for best comic performances.^[5]

Early life

Relangi was born in the village of Ravulapalem in the East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. He was a professional Harikatha performer and also an expert Harmonium player.^[4] He grew up in Kakinada; however, he didn't show interest in education due to his passion for acting.

Career

Relangi started his initial career acting in stage and folk theater and also took female roles in stage theatre. He started his film career by playing a Vidushaka (Jester) role in his first Telugu film Sri Krishna Thulaabaaram in 1935 under the direction of C. Pullaiah. Later on, he assisted Pullaiah as a Production Manager until he got a major break with the film Gollabhama released in 1947. Subsequently, he played a comedic role in Vindhyarani, which was a big hit. He was a regular face in all the movies made under the Vijaya Films banner from 1950. He grew so popular that he was given a chance to play a comedic hero role in Pakkinti Ammayi in 1953 under Pullayya opposite Anjali Devi.^[6]

Filmography

Actor

As a comedic actor, he was quite popular when partnered with actress Girija, actress Suryakantham, and another comedian actor, Ramana Reddy. These combinations were repeated for several hit movies in Telugu. Some of the well-known movies in which Relangi acted are shown below.

1930s Sri Krishna Thulaabaaram in 1935 Vara Vikrayam in 1939 1940s Malathi Madhavam in 1940 Bala Nagamma in 1942 Gollabaama in 1947 Vindhyarani in 1948 Keelu Gurram in 1949 Gunasundari Katha in 1949 Mana Desam in 1949 1950s Samsaram in 1950 Maya Ramba in 1950 Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha in 1950 Shavukaru Navvite Navaratnalu in 1951 Patala Bhairavi in 1951 Perantaalu in 1951 Agni Pariksha in 1951 Prema in 1952 Dharmadevatha in 1952 Daasi in 1952 Manavati in 1952 Priyuralu in 1952 Tingu Ranga in 1952 Peda Rythu in 1952 Pardesi in 1953 Pakkinti Ammayi in 1953

Chandirani in 1953 Bratuku Theruvu in 1953 Peddamanushulu in 1954 Chandraharam in 1954 Raju Peda in 1954 Vipra Narayana in 1954 Rani Ratnaprabha in 1955 Jayasimha in 1955 Missamma in 1955 Ardhangi in 1955 Rojulu Marayi in 1955 Santhanam in 1955 Donga Ramudu in 1955 Jayam Manade in 1956 Bhale Ramudu in 1956 Chintamani in 1956 Charana Daasi in 1956 Veera Kankanam in 1957 Todi Kodallu in 1957 Sarangadhara in 1957 Kutumba Gauravam in 1957 Dongallo Dora in 1957 Bhagya Rekha in 1957 Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam in 1957 Maya Bazaar in 1957 Suvarna Sundari in 1957 Mangalya Balam in 1958 Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu in 1958 Chenchu Lakshmi in 1958 Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu in 1958

Krishna Leelalu 1959 Jayabheri in 1959 Illarikam in 1959 1960s Bhatti Vikramarka in 1960 Shantinivasam in 1960 Samajam in 1960 Pelli Kaanuka in 1960 Mamaku Tagga Alludu in 1960 Vagdanam in 1960 Usha Parinayam in 1961 Shabash Raja in 1961 Iddaru Mitrulu in 1961 Bharya Bharthalu in 1961 Bhaktha Jayadeva in 1961 Jagadeka Veeruni Katha in 1961 Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham in 1961 Sri Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha in 1962 Siri Sampadalu in 1962 Raktha Sambandham in 1962 Mohini Rugmangada in 1962 Kula Gothralu in 1962 Bhishma in 1962 Aradhana in 1962

Tiger Ramudu in 1962 Mahamantri Timmarusu in 1962 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu in 1963 Lakshadhikari in 1963 Lava Kusha in 1963 Paruvu Prathishta in 1963 Narthanasala in 1963 Velugu Needalu in 1964 Ramudu Bheemudu in 1964 Pooja Phalam in 1964 Aatma Balam in 1964 Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima in 1965 Satya Harishchandra in 1965 Preminchi Choodu in 1965 Chitti Chellelu in 1965 Antastulu in 1965 Aatma Gowravam in 1965 Navarathri in 1966 Letha Manasulu in 1966 Aastiparulu in 1966 Rahasyam in 1967 Private Master in 1967 Goodachari 116 in 1967 Bhakta Prahlada in 1967 Aada Paduchu in 1967 Bhale Tammudu in 1969 Matrudevata in 1969 1970s Thalli Thandrulu in 1970 Jeevitha Chakram in 1971 Ganga Manga in 1973 Nippulanti Manishi in 1973 Pooja in 1975

Singer

Some of the well-known songs sung by Relangi are in the following movies:

Year	Film	Song
1949	Gunasundari Katha	Adive Eduraivachche Daka Padara Munduku Padipodam
1951	Patala Bhairavi	Talalene Ne Talalene Vinave Bala Naa Prema Gola
1952	Dharma Devata	Virise Vennelalo
1954	Vipra Narayana	Aadadhi Ante Layam Layam Aa Needantene Bhayam Bhayam
1954	Pedda Manushulu
1955	Missamma	Dharmam Cheyyi Babu Kaani Dharmam Seetaram Seetaram Seetaram Jai Seetaram
1959	Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
1966	Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha

Producer

• Relangi acted and produced the film Samajam in 1960.

Awards

In 1970, he was awarded the Padma Shri, a civilian award from the Government of India.

References

1. M.L. NARASIMHAM. "Blast from the past: Illarikam (1959)". The Hindu.
2. M L Narasimham. "Blast from the Past: Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960)". The Hindu.
3. http://www.filmchamber.com/tmpl.asp?it=prfbrelangi
4. http://www.tollynation.com/article/1926
5. "Relangi Art Academy awards declared". The Hindu.
6. "CineGoer.com - Titbits".

External links

• Relangi Venkatramaiah at the Internet Movie Database