Telugu Cinema Stills

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao


(28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996), more commonly known as N.T. Rama Rao, NTR, Pedala Pennidhi by his fans, or Anna garu, was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician. He founded the Telugu Desam Party and served thrice as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. His repertoire of films included mythological, social and folk themes. He was awarded the Padma Sree by the Government of India in the 1960s, recognizing his contribution to Telugu cinema. After his film career, NTR became a political activist and party leader.

He was born in Nimmakuru, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Andhra-Christian College of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. He later received an honorary doctorate from Andhra University.

NTR highlighted Andhra Pradesh's distinct cultural identity, distinguishing it from Madras State, with which it was so often associated.

Career as an actor

Though widely recognised for his mythological characters, NTR is considered one of the greatest actors in Telugu film, and in South Indian film generally. His portrayal of Lord Krishna in MaayaBazaar by B.Nagi Reddy, producer of Vijaya Productions was a turning point in his life. His portrayal of avatars of Vishnu, especially Rama and Krishna, mesmerised an entire generation who saw the face of NTR when the Lord Krishna/Rama was mentioned, this even transcending even into non-Telugu speaking states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

NTR had a major contribution to what can be considered "The Golden Age of Telugu Film Making" especially between the 1950 and 1965. Analysts believe that the Telugu film industry produced some of the best mythological movies from India, while the Tamil and Hindi movie industry produced better socially oriented films.

NTR was naturally talented and extremely disciplined with various aspects of acting like preparation, punctuality, and dialogue delivery. An important factor that made him a great actor was his ability to deliver dialogues which were extremely lengthy that were original verses from Ramayana and Mahabharatha, with a fervour and command (unlike most of his contemporaries, with certain exceptions like S. V. Ranga Rao). In addition, he generally used to play multiple roles in the same movie, which increased the number of dialogues and hence the preparation required.

NTR was very versatile. In Tamilnadu, Shivaji Ganesan was much more known for his acting skill and talent and MGR was much more known for his commercial movies. NTR struck a balance between both kinds of cinema. He used to perform roles in mythological movies like those only Shivaji could perform and even do commercial Janapadham (where the adventurous prince saves the damsel in distress) films which were MGR's forte.

NTR, in fact, played the role of Lord Krishna not only in Telugu Movies, but also in Tamil and Kannada movies. While the Megastars – MGR, Shivaji Ganesan and Kannada Rajkumar vied for the roles of other Mahabharata heroes like Karna, Arjuna and Bhima, there was no denying that NTR would be the only one to play Lord Krishna. This is probably the greatest tribute to Mr. N. T. Rama Rao's charismatic cine-genius.

One of his greatest janapadams was "Jagadekaveeruni katha" (the story of the universal hero) where he plays the role of Pratap, the prince of Ujjain. He dreams of celestial damsels as his wives. On revealing the dream to his father, he gets banished. But the heroic prince does the impossible - win the celestial damsels, pass the various tests put on him and bring his ladies to the kingdom. Another one of his janapadams was "Gulebakavali katha" (the story of Gulebakavali) where he plays the role of a prince who sets out to the heavens to bring the flower named "Gulebakavali" in order to cure his poisoned father and even win Indra's daughter.

As time passed by, NTR stopped playing the role of the prince in films. Instead, he played the role of a poor yet heroic young man against the system in his kingdom. To the lakhs of the denizens in Andhra Pradesh, he became 'one of them' -- one who assures the poor that he is there to rescue them from the wicked traitors in the kingdom.

One criticism levelled by the upper-classes of society was that NTR over-acted in his social roles (especially in comparison with his contemporary Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR)).

The 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.

He also donned the roles of an elderly teacher (Badi Pantulu) becoming a model to his pupils, as a prince and pauper(Raju-Peda), a down to earth servant dedicated to his master (Aatma Bhanduvu).

Politics

NTR formed the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on 29th April 1982. While promoting a new movie, he was asked a question by a person in the audience ayya, memu mimmalni devudu laga adarincamu, kani meeru maku emi chesaru? meaning Sir, we have treated you like a God but what have you done for us?. He was so moved by this that he formed TDP, and with a victory in the immediate election, formed the government and ruled the state of AP for a full term. He went into the elections with the slogan 'Atma Gauravam' which meant self-pride.

Like his movies, the formation of the party and storming into the assembly was very dramatic. TDP came into power within 9 months of its formation. Initially ridiculed by the Congress that state politics is not like movie acting among others, TDP was considered a no match for the Congress, with the local representatives unheard of, the complete burden rested on the shoulders of NTR, and true to his charisma he won the elections with a landslide majority. Among other reasons why he won the elections was no real alternative to the Congress, lack of development, unemployment etc. He was very well supported by Ramoji Rao who gave wide publicity through the Telugu daily Eenadu. NTR himself contested elections from the constituency of Gudivada in Krishna District.

During the first term as Chief Minister of AP, he got into the costumes of Swami Vivekananda and tried to govern the entire state solely on ideological terms which later proved to be disastrous. On Independence day, August 15, 1984, he was removed from officeby the Governor of AP in view of a revolt by his aide and 2nd in command Nadella Bhaskar Rao. Due to the public agitation in favor of NTR the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had to dismiss the Nadella Bhaskar Rao government in just one month and hand power back to NTR. Then NTR dissolved the assembly and asked for fresh mandate in 1985

He was returned to power; among the most significant changes he made was to abolish the Legislative Council of the State of Andhra Pradesh citing the reason that it was a non-performing body which just a burden on the state exchequer. NTR lost the subsequent elections held in 1989, but during the same period he gained valuable experience and had people like N Chandrababu Naidu, Daggubati Venkateswara Rao (both sons-in-Law) in his party.

Other contributions of NTR included the educational reforms he brought about in the state, where he overhauled the entire state's education syllabus for schools. He instituted statewide entrance examinations for all disciplines of higher education vis-à-vis Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, Law and MBA to name a few. Students, based on the merit of their ranks obtained in these tests, could join any state college of their choice.

It is noteworthy that though he didn't know Hindi, He gave a speech for 45 min in a packed stadium in Haryana. He later revealed that he had mugged up the speech. Devilal, Haryana Leader was shocked to learn this, but NTR was always an electrifying man. It speaks volumes about his memory. Even though he lost the 1989 elections, he shot to fame at the national level and was capable of uniting many regional parties. He formed the National Front with parties like Janata Dal as an alternative to Congress.

NTR stormed back to power in 1994 when he promised he would offer rice at Rs. 2/kg and to make AP an "Alcohol Free" state. True to his word he kept his promises only to burden the state exchequer. He also faced serious problems within his party. N Chandrababu Naidu led a sudden revolt against NTR and split thet TDP into two. Naidu survived NTR's onslaught when NTR approached the public for an opinion. The break-up of the party and the drama that took place on the Tank-Bund near Hotel Viceroy (road connecting Hyderabad and Secunderabad on the banks of Hussain Sagar) were probably the last significant events in NTR's life.

The loss of power and the subsequent events can be summed up as the start of anti-climax in NTR's life with several people believing that his second wife Lakshmi Parvathi was responsible for happenings. Lakhs of people flooded to pay homage.

NTR was survived by eight sons and four daughters. He has several grand sons and daughters, the most known amongst them are NTR Jr. who closely resembles NTR and Nandamuri Kalyan Ram. Among his sons Nandamuri Balakrishna is a popular film actor in Telugu. NTR's daughter Purandhreswari is a minister in the congress government.

Born:May 28, 1923
Nimmakuru, Andhra Pradesh, India

Died:Jan 18, 1996
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

Other names:NTR

Spouse:BasavaTarakam

Children:Ramakrishna(late),Mohankrishna, Jayakrishna, Harikrishna, Balakrishna, Saikrishna, Jayasankarkrishna, Ramakrishna, Purandheswari devi, Bhuvaneswari devi,Umamaheswari devi

Actor - filmography

* 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 (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)

Producer - filmography

* Shrinatha Kavi Sarvabhowma (1993)
* Samrat Ashok (1992)

Writer - filmography

Bidaai (1974)(story)

Source: www.wikipedia.org

Labels: N.T.Rama Rao, Profiles