Relangi Venkata Ramaiah
| Relangi Venkata Ramaiah | |
|---|---|
| File:Relangi Venkata Ramaiah.jpg | |
| Born | 13 August 1910 Ravulapalem, AP, British India |
| Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. Tadepalligudem, AP, India |
| Occupation | Actor and playback singer |
| Spouse(s) | Sridevamma |
Relangi Venkata Ramaiah (9 August 1910 – 26 November 1975) was a comedian during the golden years of Telugu film. Hailing from the East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, he acted in several films as chief comedian, hero, anti-hero and character artiste.
During his golden days, Relangi was so popular that he was paid the same as the main hero and heroine of the film. He was also a good playback singer in Telugu. The impact of his songs was such that audiences started expecting separate songs for his character in the movies although he was a comedian actor. His songs were so popular that people still remember and enjoy them today.
Contents
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.[1] 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 theatre 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 playy a comedic hero role in Pakkinti Ammayi in 1953 under Pullayya opposite Anjali Devi.[2]
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.
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
1940s
1950s
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1960s
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1970s
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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 |
| 1955 | Missamma | Dharmam Cheyyi Babu Kaani Dharmam Seetaram Seetaram Seetaram Jai Seetaram |
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.
Social work
Relangi did several charity works. He donated substantial sums of money to establish a degree college in Tadepalligudem in West Godavari Dist in AP.
