Saturday, December 20, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Dakshayagnam Special Video
Sivuniga Annagari chesina sivatandavam chusthuntee sakshatthu aaaa parama sivuduni darsinchukunatle vuntundi....
Thanks to Suresh Mohan for the Video
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
N.T. Rama Rao – brief life history
N.T. Ramarao, founder of Telugu Desam party, created a lasting impression over Telugu people especially poor. People affectionately called him –N.T.R. Nandamuri Taraka ramarao was born on 28th-may-1923, in ‘’Nimmakuru’’ village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. At the time of his birth, the population of that village was 500 only.
Peda Ramaswamy, the grandfather of NTR, Was a land lord and had 80 acres of land. The Land was divided among his four sons and the family was reduced to a middle class family. Ramaswamy’s eldest son’s name was Ramaiah. The second son’s name was Lakshmaiah Chowdary, who was the father of NTR. His mother’s name was Venkataravamma. As Ramaiah had no children, he adopted NTR as his son. NTR’s younger brother’s name is Trivikrama Rao
2. Education:
After passing the school –final examination, he joined in S.R.R and C.V.R. College to study intermediate course. At that time his family’s condition was not good and they sold out 10 acres of land to clear the debts. So
His father Laxmaiah set up the dairy farm for selling the milk.
1. He began to take active part to act in the dramas (since his 20th year). He acted in a drama portraying a female role viz;’’ Nagamma’’.
2. He married “Basavatarakam’’ a nearest relative to him in 1942.
Whatever the cause may be
With the consent of his father, he had been to Bombay (Mumbai), to get training in sound recording system. He discarded the training as the conditions were not favorable. While he was in Bombay, he set up a meals hotel viz; ‘’Andhra Mess’’, there also he used to tell the customers about the greatness of the Telugu people. He returned to Vijayawada, at the call of his father. He did also tobacco business. At this time his foster father Ramaiah died due to ill health. Anyhow with the stint of hard work, he passed the intermediate examination.
Now he joined in BA course in AC College Guntur. At this time he got cinema offers but he refused to act in films. He passed BA in 1947 (in the same year India got independence). At this a son was born and his name was Ramakrishna.
In May 1947,
3. Job opportunities:
Again he received offers from Madras to act in films.
So
4. Cinema life:
In
Immediately Subbarao obtained an agreement from
Then he returned to Guntur and resigned the job. He left for Madras alone, for good, to act in films. He stayed in a lodge namely ‘’Poornam’s lucky lodge’’ along with three friends, whatever the cause may be, luckily all of them settled in cinema field. NTR’s first movie: Mana Desam (our country).
Everyone knew the movie and political history of Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao. We may never a person like N.T. Rama Rao in our life time. We are lucky in that aspect. Telugu Desam leaders and cadre should work hard to keep the spirit and values of our “Anna”.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Viswa Vikyatha Nata Sarvabhoumudu
May 28, 1923, 4.32 PM was a defining moment for the people of Andhra. No one has realized it that day but after a few years, everyone would feel the impact of the meteor that stuck them and their lives being changed forever. In a small village called Nimmakuru, Andhra Pradesh which was then a part of Madras state, a baby boy was born. The baby’s mother wished to name her son as Krishna but his uncle named him Taraka Ramudu, later changed to Taraka Rama Rao. Nandamuri Lakshmiah Chowdhary and Venkata Ramamma would never have dreamt even in their wildest dreams that on that day, they would be immortalized in the eyes of Telugu nation.
After finishing his school in Nimmakuru, Rama Rao’s uncle Ramaiah adopted him and took him to Vijaywada for his further studies. Right from that time, Rama Rao understood the value of hard work and to help his family, started selling milk with milk cans tied to his cycle. Later he even ran a provision store.
During those days, men used to play female roles in plays as no woman from any respectable family was allowed to be a part of stage dramas. When Rama Rao was studying Intermediate at SRR college, he was asked to play a female role of Nagamma. Well, Rama Rao was interested but there was a slight problem. NTR had a moustache which he was unwilling to shave off. Finally it was decided that he would play the role keeping his moustache! That drama earned NTR the nickname Meesala Nagamma (Mustached Nagamma)!
During Intermediate, NTR got married to his maternal uncle’s daughter Basavatarakam in May 1942. The beautiful Basavatarakam’s distraction caused Rama Rao to fail his final exams twice! But he finally managed to clear it and went on to finish B.A (Bachelor of Arts) at Andhra Christian College.
While at college, Rama Rao joined the National Arts Theatre Group and started performing and directing many stage plays.
After graduation, he got a job as a sub-registrar at Mangalagiri but he worked only for three weeks as the wonderful world of cinema beckoned.
B.A Subba Rao, the famous film producer signed Rama Rao’s photograph and signed him as a hero for his film “Palleturi Pilla” without any screen test. But the first film Rama Rao faced the camera was for “Mana Desam” where he played a small role as a sub inspector. Then came out his movie in lead role “Palleturi Pilla” and then L.V.Prasad’s “Shavukar”.
His career kick started with K.V.Reddy’s “Paathala Bhairavi” and then B.N.Reddy’s “Malleswari”, followed by “Pelli Cheesi Choodu” and “Chandra Haaram”.
All these movies were produced by the ever famous Vijaya Studios. Rama Rao was offered five hundred rupees monthly salary and five thousand rupees as the remuneration for each movie. (Authors Note: I get goose bumps when I remember that it was my great grand father, who was then the production controller at Vijaya, used to give NTR and other actors like Savithri their monthly salary)
In “Bhoo Kailas” NTR played the role of Ravana Brahma, the character that Rama Rao thought was the best legendary character ever.
After “Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam” Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao became NTR, the demigod of Telugus all around the world. Devotees used to throng NTR’s house for his darshan. From that time, people started keeping NTR’s photograph dressed as their favorite lord in their houses and started praying to him.
Many super hits followed in this golden era of Telugu cinema. He was mostly seen as Lord Krishna or Lord Rama in many of the mythological films produced that time.
In 1961, NTR became a director with the film “Sita Rama Kalyanam”. Then he directed another gem “Daana Veera Sura Karna” where he played a triple role.
Apart from mythology, NTR acted in many social movies like “Adavi Ramudu”, “Yamagola” etc., which were trend setters.
In his forties, he learnt Bharath Natyam to justify his role in the movie “Narthanasala”. In fact, he was so disciplined that he used to retire to bed every evening at 7.30 PM and get up by 3.30 AM and start practicing his dialogues.
In 1982, NTR entered politics with “Telugu Desham” party and within just nine months, managed to rout the ruling Congress Party and became the first non-congress chief minister in Andhra Pradesh.
In 1984, NTR had to go to the United States for surgery. Finding an opportunity, his aide and second in command Nadendla Bhaskar Rao revolted and managed to convince the governor to remove NTR from power and himself became the chief minister.
A massive public agitation followed and the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi dismissed the Nadendla Bhaskar Rao government and handed back the power to NTR.
During his tenure, NTR has brought in so many positive changes that took the state on the fast track to development and prosperity. He made Andhra Pradesh liquor Free State and banned Alcohol completely. He gave rice to the poor at two rupees a kg.
After the death of his wife Basavatarakam in 1986, NTR became a lonely man. In the late eighties, a woman called Lakshmi Parvathi entered his life to help him write his autobiography. During that time, NTR fell sick and Lakshmi Parvathi was besides him through out and took great care of him. This made NTR come closer to her and finally, he announced to a shocking Telugu nation and his family that he is marrying Lakshmi Parvathi. His family tried a lot to convince him to change his mind but NTR did not budge. After the wedding, they say Lakshmi Parvathi started interfering in the administration of the party and the government and totally sidelining the old members. In 1995, NTR’s son-in-law Nara Chandrababu Naidu revolted against NTR and got him ousted from power in an internal party coup.
Unable to bear this, NTR breathed his last six months later on 18th January 1996. NTR’s son Balakrishna is a superstar in Telugu films and prove himself as a king of TFI
Even today, every Telugu worships NTR and idolizes him. He will live forever in our hearts.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Narthanasala Online Movie
.jpg)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Exclusive : Poster By Anna Gari Abhimani
Thanks to Manabalayya.com Admin Naveen For Sending the pic...Hattsoff Brother Awesome Design
Sardar Paparayudu (1980)
One of NTR's landmark movies, Sardar Paparayudu was inspired from Dilip Kumar's Bollywood blockbuster Kranthi. Incidentally, the producer shared the same name-Kranthi Kumar. He was a small-time producer till then, he picked women-oriented subjects and made 'Sarada', 'Ame Katha', 'Kalpana' and 'Jyothi'. A casual bet with his friend made him decide to make a movie with the reigning superstar, NTR. A vague idea and a precise ambition actually got him dates from the star, and work on the movie began.
Dasari Narayana Rao was to direct this movie, who was inspired by Kranthi. Dasari, Kranthi Kumar and Palagummi Padmaraju scripted the movie together and Paparayudu was ready to roll. Later the title was changed to Sardar Paparayudu for the extra punch.
The story goes like this: Paparayudu is a freedom fighter whose name is maligned by traitors headed by Dharmaraju (Raogopal Rao) and Co. Paparayudu is jailed for the murder of Raja Raghav Raju, in reality committed by the villainous trio. Dharmaraju's daughter Vijaya (Sridevi) is in love with Inspector Ram Mohan, who is later discovered to be Paparayudu's son. A revenge drama follows and Paparayudu finally avenges himself on his enemies.
This movie was a trendsetter in its own right, and many movies with similar storylines have emerged since then. NTR-Dasari combo was seen before in Manushulantha Okkate and Circus Ramudu. The dialogues written by Dasari in this movie became so popular that the LP records and cassettes of the audio track of the movie sold like hot cakes. The re-recording was also highly appreciated in the movie, especially of the scenes belonging to the pre-independence era.
Music by Chakravarthy and the choreography by Saleem was targeted at the newly emerging 80s 'Mass' Mania. 'Tella Cheera', '1980 Varaku Ittanti Pilla' and 'Uyyalaku Vayasochindi', written by Dasari and rendered by SP Balasubrahmanyam and Susheela drew whistles and hoots from the 'youth'. After the movie finished a 50-day run, the song 'Jyothilakshmi Cheerakattindi' was added to it. Sri Sri's 'Vinara Bharatha Veera Kumara', a Burrakatha rendered by the famous 'Burrakatha Benarjee' is ever-popular.
NTR dons the role of Alluri Seetharamaraju in this song, a dream he cherished and realized only in this movie. The filmmaker, fans and NTR himself enjoyed the dual role of father and son portrayed by him in this movie. He took special care to see that the dialogue and mannerisms of both the distinct characters remained distinct and the dubbing part of it was also done with utmost dedication. The role of Baba by Gummadi and Mohan Babu's role of a British soldier were also a hit with the public.
There was a sentiment among the makers that if NTR gets injured on the set during the filming, then the movie is a hit. And sure enough, this movie saw NTR fracturing his wrist-not the first time, incidentally. He had almost 10 fractures in his lifetime while filming various movies, all of which turned out to have really long runs at the BO. NTR was appreciated in this social drama, proving his versatility and dedication as an actor yet again.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
NTR Missamma Video Songs
http://rapidshare.com/files/122591797/Avunante_kadanile.MPG
http://rapidshare.com/files/122592418/Brundavanamadi.MPG
http://rapidshare.com/files/122592339/Kolo_kolo_yanna.avi
http://rapidshare.com/files/122593008/Raavoie_Chandamama.MPG
http://rapidshare.com/files/122592907/Raga_Sudharasa.MPG
http://rapidshare.com/files/122594145/Telusukonave_chelli.MPG
Friday, November 21, 2008
Pathala Bhairavi (1951) Classical Movie |DVD |
Filmography
he most notable movies acted by NTR in mythological characters are Maya Bazaar (Sri Krishna), Lava Kusa (Lord Rama), Sri Krishnaarjuna Yuddham (Sri Krishna), Bheeshma (Bheeshma), Bhookailas(Raavana),Nartanasala (Arjuna also as Bruhannala), Panadava-vanavsam (Bheema), Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (Lord Venkateswara), Maha Mantri Thimmarusu (Sri Krishna Devarayalu) and Dana Veera Sura Karna (Duryodhana, Sri Krishna, Karna). Apart from these he played a variety of roles in folklore characters like Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Pathala Bhairavi etc. On the social front he played roles in the movies Malliswari, Kanyasulkam, Gundamma Katha, Missamma, Raktha Sambandham, Ramudu Bheemudu, Adavi Ramudu, Vetagadu, Gajadonga, Driver Ramudu, Sardar Paparayudu, Kondaveeti Simham, Justice Chaudhary, Bobbili Puli etc. He acted in over two hundred and eighty movies in the lead role.
* Sreenatha Kavi Saarvabhouma (1993)
* Major Chandrakanth (1992)
* Samrat Ashok (1992)
* Brahmarishi Vishwamitra (1991)
* Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra (1984)
* Chanda Sasanudu (1983)
* Simham Navindi (1983)
* Anuraga Devatha (1982)
* Bobbili Puli (1982)
* Major Chakradhar (1994)
* Justice Chowdary (1982)
* Kaliyuga Ramudu (1982)
* Naa Desam (1982)
* Vayyari Bhamulu Vagalamari Bhartulu (1982)
* Tirugu Leni Manishi (1981)
* Kondaveeti Simham (1981)
* Satyam Shivam (1981)
* Aatagadu (1980)
* Circus Ramudu (1980)
* Sardar Papa Rayudu (1980)(Sardar Paparayudu/Gopi(dual roles))
* Vishwa Roopam (1980)
* Driver Ramudu (1979)
* Shrimad Virata Parvam (1979)
* Shri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam (1979)
* Vetagadu (1979)
* Yugandhar (1979)
* Saleem Anarkali (1978)
* KD No 1 (1978)
* Shri Rama Pattabhishekham (1978)
* Simha Baludu (1978)
* Adavi Ramudu (1977)
* Chanakya Chandragupta (1977)
* Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977)
* Manushulanta Okkate (1976)
* Yamagola (1975)
* Yeduruleni Manishi (1975)
* Ammayi Pelli (1974)
* Deeksha (1974)
* Manushullo Devudu (1974)
* Nippulanti Manishi (1974)
* Sree Rama Anjaneya Yuddham (1974)aka Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddham
* Tatamma Kala (1974)
* Deshoddharakulu (1973)
* Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973)
* Palletoori Chinnodu (1973)
* Aaradhana (1972)
* Badi Panthulu (1972)
* Chinnanaati Snehithulu (1971)
* Jeevitha Chakram (1971)
* Pethamdaarlu (1971)
* Rajakota Rahasyam (1971)
* Shri Krishna Satya (1971)
* Alibaba 40 Dongalu (1970)
* Maathru Devatha (1970)
* Nirdoshi (1970)
* Shri Krishna Vijayam (1970)
* Talla Pellamma (1970)
* Bhale Mastaru (1969)
* Ekaveera (1969)
* Gopaludu Bhoopaludu (1969)
* Katha Nayakudu (1969)
* Nindu Hridayalu (1969)
* Bagdad Gajadonga (1968)
* Bhagyachakram (1968)
* Kalisochchina Adrushtam (1968)
* Niluvu Dopidi (1968)
* Nindu Samsaram (1968)
* Ninne Pelladuta (1968)
* Umachandi Gauri Shankarula Katha (1968)
* Varakatnam (1968)
* Kanchukota (1967)
* Aada Paduchu (1967)
* Satyam Apoorva Piravaigal (1967)
* Bhama Vijayam (1967)
* Shri Krishnavataram (1967/I)
* Ummadi Kutumbam (1967)
* Adugu Jaadalu (1966)
* Palnati Yudham (1966)
* Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha (1966)
* Shri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966)
* Shri Krishna Tulabharam (1966/I)
* Chitti Chellelu (1965)
* CID (1965)
* Gudi Gantalu (1965)
* Naadi Aada Janme (1965)
* Satya Harishchandra (1965/II)
* Todu Needa (1965)
* Babruvahana (1964)
* Bobbili Yudham (1964)
* Daagudumootalu (1964)
* Devatha (1964)
* Manchi Manishi (1964)
* Ramadasu (1964)
* Ramudu Bheemudu (1964)
* Varasatwam (1964)
* Vivaha Bandham (1964)
* Manchi Chedu (1963)
* Narthanasala (1963)
* Tirupathamma Katha (1963)
* Lakshadhikari (1963)
* Bandipotu (1963)
* Paruvu Prathishta (1963)
* Lava Kusa (1963/I)
* Savati Koduku (1963)
* Valmiki (1963/I)
* Pempudu Kuthuru (1963)
* Irugu - Porugu (1963)
* Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham (1963)
* Apta Mithrulu (1963)
* Karna (1963)
* Karnan (1963)
* Atma Bandhuvu (1962)
* Raktha Sambandham (1962)
* Swarnamanjari (1962)
* Mahamantri Timmarasu (1962) as SriKrishna Deva Rayalu
* Gundamma Katha (1962)
* Dakshayagnam (1962/I)
* Bhishma (1962)
* Tiger Ramudu (1962)
* Gaali Medalu (1962)
* Gulebakavali Katha (1962)
* Sri Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha (1962)
* Taxi Ramudu (1961)
* Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham (1961)
* Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961)
* Santa (1961)
* Pendli Pilupu (1961)
* Sati Sulochana (1961)
* Intiki Deepam Illalu (1961)
* Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam (1961)
* Pandava Vanavasam (1961/I)
* Bhatti Vikramarka (1960)
* Deepavali (1960)
* Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam (1960)
* Srinivasa Vimala (1960)
* Balangamma (1959/I)
* Raja Makutam (1959/I)
* Rechukka Pragatichukka (1959)
* Sabhash Ramudu (1959)* aka Shabash Ramudu (India: Telugu title: alternative transliteration)
* Sri Panduranga Mahatyam (1959)
* Raja Nandini (1958)
* Bhookailas (1958) as
* Ravana aka Bhakta Ravana (India: Tamil title: dubbed version) aka Bhakti Mahima
(India: Hindi title: dubbed version)
* Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1958)
* Raja Rao Intiguttu (1958)
* Maya Bazaar (1957/I)
* Bhagya Rekha (1957)
* Maya Bazaar (1957/II)
* Nala Damayanti (1957)
* Panduranga Mahatyam (1957)
* Pundarikudu Sarangadhara (1957)
* Vinayaka Chaviti (1957)
* Chiranjeevulu (1956)
* Tenali Ramakrishna (1956/I)
* Charana Daasi (1956)
* Chintamani (1956)
* Bilwamangal Jayam Manade (1956)
* Marmaveeran (1956)
* Penki Pellam (1956)
* Sontha Ooru (1956)
* Jayasimha (1955) aka Jaisingh (India: Hindi title)
* Kanyasulkam (1955)
* Missamma (1955)
* Rani Ratnaprabha (1955)
* Santosham(old film) (1955) aka Naya Admi (India: Hindi title)
* Parivartana (1954)
* Aggi Ramudu (1954)
* Raju-Peda (1954)
* Rechukka (1954)
* Todu Dongalu (1954)
* Vaddante Dabbu (1954)
* Chandraharam (1954)
* Pitchi Pullaiah (1953)
* Ammalakkalu (1953)
* Chandirani (1953/I)
* Chandirani (1953/II)
* Marumagal (1953)
* Sangham (1953)
* Daasi (1952)
* Palletooru (1952)
* Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952)
* Tingu Ranga (1952)
* Malliswari (1951)
* Patala Bhairavi (1951)
* Navvite Navaratnalu (1951)
* Maya Rambha (1950)
* Palletoori Pilla (1950)
* Shavukaru (1950)
* Samsaram (1950)
* Mana Desam (1949)
* [Devatha] (1965)
As a Director (1990s)
* Samrat Ashok (1992)
* Brahmarishi Vishwamitra (1991)
* Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra (1984)
* Chanda Sasanudu (1983)
* Shrimad Virata Parvam (1979)
* Shri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam (1979)
* Akbar Saleem Anarkali (1978)
* Shri Rama Pattabhishekham (1978)
* Chanakya Chandragupta (1977)
* Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977)
* Tatamma Kala (1974)
* Talla Pellamma (1970)
* Varakatnam (1968)
* Shri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966)
* Gulebakavali Katha (1962)
* Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam (1961)
As a Producer
* Shrinatha Kavi Sarvabhowma (1993)
* Samrat Ashok (1992)
As a Writer
Bidaai (1974)(story)
The Greatest Political Leader Of Andhra Pradesh: N T R
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, or NTR as he is better known is the legend who restored the 3000 year old glory and tradition of Andhra Desam by beating the 97year old Congress Party by forming his own 'Telugu Desam' party and winning the 1983 elections in flat 9 months. This was to later get into the Guiness Book of World records. He was such unique that he served as the highest authority of Aandhra Pradesh for a mere 1Re. p.m. salary, inorder to motivate cost-cutting.
At a time when Politics meant stink NTR entered the arena, canvassed for 70days at a stretch, travelled 35000kms, reached out to the remotest parts and rose to become the Chief Minister. He introduced several schemes for the land tillers, peasants and underprivileged for he always lived by his words...
"The Society is my Temple- it's people my Deity's"
He was like a mountain in the terrific of winds as he always believed that as long as you're honest, unselfish and dedicated nothing can harm you. He served the people by these principles and this earned him an eternal place in the hearts of millions of people.Not only did the people of Aandhra adore him but worship him as Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Balaji etc., for it was he who donned the skin of these deity's in several mythological films, earlier in his acting career. He was at ease in any kind of character, from Lord Rama to Raavanasura, from Lord Krishna to Duryodhana and Karna, from Pitchi Pulliah to Sardar Paparayudu and Maj. Chandrakanth,
...the list is endless.
Though born into an agricultural family NTR rose to the highest position, and won the hearts of millions.
Infact, Nandamuri Taaraka Rama Rao is the most respected, adored and worshipped "Telugu Bidda" (Mother Telugu's son). This was the result of his rigorous discipline, sheer hardwork, endless enthusiasm and no-compromise attitude.
People of his generation may see him as the most versatile Actor, or the lion of a Leader, or an avatar of Lord Vishnu(for he played all of vishnu's avatars in films) but, for generations to come he will be remembered as......the Legend.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sarileru Neekevvaru (A Special Autobiography of NTR )
http://rapidshare.com/files/161257468/Sarileru_WW_1.wmv
http://rapidshare.com/files/161257583/Sarileru_WW_2.wmv
Sunday, September 21, 2008
N.T. Rama Rao (1923 - 1995): A messiah of the masses
Coming from an ordinary peasant family in a remote village in Krishna district, he worked his way to the top with his hard work and strong determination to reach the goal, come what may. After making it big in the filmdom, he was deeply moved by the plight of the poor and gave a patient hearing to their problems, when they called on him at his residence in Madras. This had, perhaps, had an effect on his life several years later. After his `shashtipoorthi' celebrations, he quit films and set up a political party to end the hegemony of the Congress Party in the State and usher in value-based politics. That was Nandamuri Taraka. Rama Rao, the hero of the masses in his reel life, who later became their hero in real life by unseating the nearly century old and well-entrenched Congress, and forming the first ever non-Congress Government in the State. NTR, as he was fondly called, launched the Telugu Desam Party in March 1982, and within a year - on January 5, 1983, to be precise - the fledgling party dealt a crushing blow to the Congress. He was successful in weaning the Telugus from their unflinching loyalty to Indira Gandhi. The wayward functioning of the Congress in the State and the Andhras' anger over the way the Chief Minister, T. Anjaiah, was insulted in public by Rajiv Gandhi, who was then only the AICC secretary-general, at the Hyderabad airport changed the mood of the public which started looking for an alternative to the Congress. NTR fulfilled that need by espousing the cause of `aarukotla Andhrula atma gauravam' (self-respect of six-crore Andhras). Soon after taking over as Chief Minister, NTR kept many of his election promises, which many had then dismissed as populist and earned a place for himself in the heart of Telugus. After his advent, the Telugus elsewhere got their exclusive identity, breaking away from the original tag of `Madrasis'. While emphasising the importance of Telugu, he, however, held out the assurance that the TDP would also encourage and protect the languages and culture of people from other States. He believed that only strong States could make a strong Centre. He convinced the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, in this regard which made her change her earlier stance that strong States would mean a weak Centre, says S. Venkat Narayan in his biography of NTR. Apart from introducing the cheap rice scheme of selling the grain at Rs.2 a kilogram for poor people with a monthly income of Rs.500 or less, he fought with the Centre to amend the Hindu Succession Act to ensure equal property rights to women. He introduced educational reforms and laid the foundation for the Telugu Ganga project to provide drinking water to Madras city apart from irrigating the dry lands of Rayalaseema. Born in Nimmakuru, a small village in Gudivada taluk on May 28, 1923, NTR had his early education from a tutor, Valluru Subba Rao, in his native village. His parents, Venkataramamma and Laxmaiah, gave him in adoption to the latter's brother, Ramaiah and his wife Chandramma, who were issueless. He studied up to Classs V in his village as there was no further education there, Ramaiah and his wife took their adopted son to Vijayawada and got him admitted into Class VI in the municipal school. He passed the matriculation examination in 1940 and joined the SRR and CVR College in Vijayawada. While doing his Intermediate course, he supplemented the family income by supplying milk to hotels in Vijayawada on his bicycle. At the end of the first year, the students decided to stage a play written by `Kavi Samrat' Viswanadha Satyanarayana, the well-known Telugu poet and writer and the head of the Telugu department of the college. The play, `Rachamalluni Dautyam', had a strong heroine's character and girls did not take part in stage activities in those days. Satyanarayana ordered Rama Rao to don the robe of the heroine, and the latter took it up, though unwillingly. That was his first role on the stage and it got him the first prize and also kindled his interest in histrionics. During the college anniversary celebrations the next year, he played the role of Salim in the play `Anarkali' and again bagged the first prize. In May 1942, when he was 20, Rama Rao married Basava Tarakam, the daughter of his maternal uncle. The marriage came in the way of his studies and he failed twice in the Intermediate examination. Unable to stand the teasing by his friends, he made a determined effort and finally passed the examination. He joined the Andhra Christian College at Guntur for the Bachelor of Arts course in 1945. He formed an amateur drama group, `National Art Theatre', with the help of his friends. The group used to stage plays to raise funds for noble causes. The first offer to join films came Rama Rao's way, when he was still in college. The famous Telugu director, C. Pullaiah, offered him a role in his film "Keelu Gurram". He, however, turned down the offer as he first wanted to complete his degree course. A well-wisher introduced him to the established director, L.V. Prasad, who after a screen test in Madras, offered him a small role in his film `Mana Desam'. Rama Rao, who wanted to take up acting as a full-time career was looking for the role of a hero and rejected the offer. In the meantime, he appeared for the Madras Service Commission examination for sub-registrar's post. Of the 1,100 candidates who took the test, seven were selected and he was one of them. He took up the job in October 1947 for a salary of Rs.120. On the very first day of reporting for duty, he was shocked to see the staff taking bribes and was disillusioned. Luckily for him, B.A. Subba Rao, who was making his directorial debut, `Palleturi Pilla', saw Rama Rao's photograph in L.V. Prasad's album and decided that he was the right man for the hero's role in his film. He was offered Rs.1,116 for the hero's role and he accepted the offer and went back home after signing an agreement. He resigned the sub-registrar's job, three weeks after he took it up and went back to Madras to launch himself in the screen career. He now accepted the role of a police sub- inspector in Prasad's Mana Desam, which was his first film. He had an obsession for trying to be realistic in his films. In his first film as hero in `Palleturi Pilla', Rama Rao refused the services of a duplicate to do the risky bullfight scene, much against the wishes of the director. After some time, he lost grip on the noose and the enraged bull lifted him, swung him around and threw him to the ground. He suffered a wrist fracture and was hospitalised for several weeks. The bullfight contributed to the success of the film and it became a mega hit, running for 100 days at seven theatres in Andhra region. It was the folklore, `Patala Bhairavi', which was the turning point in his career. The first godly role he played was that of Lord Krishna in `Maya Bazaar'. However, it was his role in `Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam', released in 1960, that gave him a new identity. The deification of Rama Rao began and his residence in Madras became a shrine for pilgrims, who would visit him after a trip to Tirupati. NTR fans used to wait in long queues outside his house for a darshan of their `living-god'. They used to apprise him of their problems back home in their villages and he listened to them patiently before rushing to the studio in the morning. In all, he acted in 292 films in a career spanning 33 years between 1949 and 1982. Of these, 274 are in Telugu, 15 in Tamil and three in Hindi. This apart, several of his Telugu films were dubbed into Tamil. After the death of Basava Tarakam, NTR, who had by then lost power, became a loner, and the entry into his household of Lakshmi Parvathi as his biographer, turned the situation leading to his marrying her in the ealrly1990s. This led to his estrangement with the family members. In 1994, he became Chief Minister again. The interference of Lakshmi Parvathi in political matters and his acquiescence in it distanced party legislators from him. Ultimately, his son-in-law, N. Chandrababu Naidu, became a rallying point for them, and the latter staged a silent coup and ousted NTR from power. Rama Rao felt heart-broken and made a vain attempt to get back the support of the MLAs. He went to the people who had voted him to power and demanded justice, but the people thought it was a family affair and ignored the issue. He died on January 18 1995. The statue of this `man of the masses' has been installed on the Beach Road. 
Friday, August 8, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Posts
