Jaggayya (actor)
| Kongara Jaggayya | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1926-12-31)31 December 1926 Tenali, Guntur district, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Died | 5 March 2004(2004-03-05) (aged 77) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Other names | Kalavachaspati Kanchu Kantham Super star |
| Alma mater | Andhra Christian College |
| Occupation | Actor, dubbing artist, littérateur, journalist, poet, politician |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan 1992 |
Kongara Jaggayya (31 December 1926 – 5 August 2004) was an Indian film actor, littérateur, journalist, lyricist, dubbing artist and politician known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre.[1] Regarded as one of the finest method actors of Indian cinema,[2] he was known as Kanchu Kantham Jaggayya (Telugu) for his booming voice. In a film career spanning forty years as a matinee idol, he starred in eighty films, as a lead actor, and lead antagonist in a variety of genres.[2]
During his early career he portrayed breakthrough characters in works such as Donga Ramudu (1955), which was archived by the Film and Television Institute of India, He starred in award winning works such as Bangaru Papa (1954), Ardhangi (1955), Edi Nijam (1956), Todi Kodallu (1957), Dr. Chakravarti (1964), Antastulu (1965), the Cannes Film Festival featured Megha sandesam (1982), and Seetakoka Chiluka (1981); all of which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Films in Telugu. In 1962, he co-produced and starred in the political drama film Padandi Munduku based on Salt March, the film was screened at the International Film Festival of India, the Tashkent Film Festival, and got a special mention at the 5th Moscow International Film Festival.[3][4]
As a character actor he received critical appreciation for his performance in notable works such as Velugu Needalu (1961), Chitti Tammudu (1962), Aaradhana (1962), Aatma Balam (1964), Sumangali (1965), Gudi Gantalu (1965), Nava ratri (1966), Aame Evaru? (1966), Aastiparulu (1966), Jarigina Katha (1969), Bala Mitrula Katha (1972), Badi Pantulu (1972), Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973). He portrayed British official Rutherford in the biographical film Alluri Sita Rama Raju (1974), and essayed Pontius Pilate in the hagiographical film Karunamayudu (1978). He then appeared in works such as Veta (1986), Chantabbai (1986), Pasivadi Pranam (1987), and Dharma Kshetram (1992). He has won the Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Award for Best Character Actor for his works in some of these films. A recipient of the Tamil Nadu state's Kalai mamani, the Government of India has honored him with the Padma Bhushan in 1992 for his contributions towards Indian cinema.[5]
Contents
1 Early life
2 Early career
3 Political career
4 Literary achievements
5 Awards
6 Selected filmography
7 Death
8 References
9 External links
Early life
Jaggayya was born on a well-to-do family in Morampudi village near Tenali in Guntur district. He started acting at the age of 11, with the role of Lava in a Hindi play. As a student, he joined the Congress party in Tenali, which was involved in the Indian Independence Movement at that time. After his school education, he joined a periodical named Desabhimani (meaning "Patriot") as a journalist.[6]
Later he worked as an editor for the weekly Andhra Republic. He joined the Andhra-Christian College in Guntur for his higher studies, where N. T. Rama Rao, (in his later days) also happened to study at the same time. Both of them acted together in several plays. Jaggaiah won the best actor award in three successive years. He got trained in the art of painting under the guidance of Adivi Bapiraju, a noted painter. After working as a teacher for a brief while, he became a news anchor.[7]
Early career
He made his cinematic debut in 1952 drama film Priyuralu directed by Tripuraneni Gopichand.[8] He was distinguished for his booming voice and gave contributed as voice artist for more than hundred feature films. He dubbed in Telugu language for veteran Sivaji Ganesan, He was the narrator, and dubbing artist for internationally recognized works such as Maa Bhoomi, and Richard Attenborough's character of John Hammond in the Telugu-dubbed version of the hollywood film Jurassic Park. He was awarded the 'Kala Vachaspathi' for his sonorous voice.[9]
Political career
Jaggaiah was active in politics right from his student days and was allied with the socialist group within the Congress party. When the group was disbanded, he joined Jayaprakash Narayan's Praja Socialist Party, but returned to Congress in 1956, heeding the call of Jawaharlal Nehru. In 1967, he was elected as a member of the fourth Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India from the constituency of Ongole on a Congress Party ticket. He was the first Indian film actor to be elected as a member of parliament.[10]
Literary achievements
He translated Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's Geetanjali into Telugu under the name Ravindra Geetha. He also translated Tagore's play "Sacrifice" into Telugu under the name Balidaanam.
Awards
- Civilian honours
Padma Bhushan, Government of India in 1992
- Nandi Awards
- Nandi Award for Best Character Actor
- State Awards
- Andhra Pradesh Government cash award for producing Padandi Munduku in 1962
- Title of Kalaimamani from Tamil Nadu government
- Other honours
- Title of Kala Vachaspathi from the Sanskrit Viswa Vidyalaya, Delhi
- Title of Kala Prapoorna from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam
- Honorary D. Litt. from the Telugu University, Hyderabad
Selected filmography
| S No | Movie Name | Year of release | Notes / Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Priyuralu | 1952 | |
| 2 | Adarsam | 1952 | |
| 3 | Bangaru Papa | 1954 | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu / Manohar |
| 4 | Ardhangi | 1955 | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu / Chinna Babu |
| 5 | Donga Ramudu | 1955 | Archived at the Film and Television Institute of India / Dr. Mohan |
| 6 | Muddu Bidda | 1956 | |
| 7 | Edi Nijam | 1956 | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu |
| 8 | Veera Kankanam | 1957 | |
| 9 | Varudu Kavali | 1957 | |
| 10 | Thodi Kodallu | 1957 | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu / Vaikuntam |
| 11 | MLA | 1957 | |
| 12 | Bhale Bava | 1957 | |
| 13 | Aalu Magalu | 1957 | |
| 14 | Mundadugu | 1958 | |
| 15 | Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu | 1958 | |
| 16 | Bhagya Devata | 1959 | |
| 17 | Pelli Kanuka | 1960 | |
| 18 | Velugu Needalu | 1961 | |
| 19 | Pellikani Pillalu | 1961 | |
| 20 | Kalasi unte Kaladu Sukham | 1961 | |
| 21 | Intiki Deepam Illalu | 1961 | |
| 22 | Chitti Tammudu | 1962 | |
| 23 | Aradhana | 1962 | |
| 24 | Padandi Munduku | 1962 | Producer |
| 25 | Constable Koothuru | 1963 | |
| 26 | Anubandhalu | 1963 | |
| 27 | Eedu Jodu | 1963 | |
| 28 | Manchi rojulu vasthayi | 1963 | |
| 29 | Pooja Phalam | 1964 | |
| 30 | Manchi Manishi | 1964 | |
| 31 | Dr. Chakravarthi | 1964 | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu |
| 32 | Aathma Balam | 1964 | |
| 33 | Uyyala Jampala | 1965 | |
| 34 | Sumangali | 1965 | |
| 33 | Preminchi Choodu | 1965 | |
| 34 | Manasulu Mamatalu | 1965 | |
| 35 | Gudi Gantalu | 1965 | |
| 36 | Antastulu | 1965 | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu |
| 37 | Navarathri | 1966 | |
| 38 | Manase Mandiram | 1966 | |
| 39 | Aame Evaru? | 1966 | |
| 40 | Aastiparulu | 1966 | |
| 41 | Prana Mithrulu | 1967 | |
| 42 | Bandipotu Dongalu | 1968 | |
| 43 | Adrustavanthulu | 1969 | |
| 44 | Ardha Rathri | 1969 | |
| 45 | Thalli Thandrulu | 1970 | |
| 46 | Srimanthudu | 1971 | |
| 47 | Ramalayam | 1971 | |
| 48 | Naa Thammudu | 1971 | |
| 49 | Chinnanati Snehitulu | 1971 | |
| 50 | Badi Panthulu | 1972 | |
| 51 | Devudu Chesina Manushulu | 1973 | |
| 52 | Bhoomi Kosam | 1974 | |
| 53 | Deeksha | 1974 | |
| 54 | Alluri Sita Rama Raju | 1974 | |
| 55 | Sri Rajeswari Vilas Coffee Club | 1976 | |
| 56 | Paadipantalu | 1976 | |
| 57 | Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam | 1976 | |
| 58 | Adavi Ramudu | 1977 | Forest Officer |
| 59 | Chanakya Chandragupta | 1977 | |
| 60 | Manassakshi | 1977 | |
| 61 | Karunamayudu | 1978 | As Pontius Pilate, then Prefect of the Roman Province of Judaea, known today for the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. |
| 62 | Ram Robert Rahim | 1980 | |
| 63 | Nyayam Kavali | 1981 | |
| 64 | Seethakoka Chilaka | 1981 | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu |
| 65 | Bobbili Puli | 1982 | |
| 66 | Yamakinkarudu | 1982 | |
| 67 | Meghasandesam | 1983 | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu |
| 68 | Disco King | 1984 | |
| 69 | Anubandham | 1984 | |
| 70 | Swathi | 1985 | |
| 71 | Adavi Donga | 1985 | |
| 72 | Agni Parvatam | 1985 | |
| 73 | Vijetha | 1985 | |
| 74 | Kiraathakudu | 1986 | |
| 75 | Veta | 1986 | |
| 76 | Chantabbai | 1986 | |
| 77 | Ramu | 1987 | |
| 78 | President Gari Abbayi | 1987 | |
| 79 | Aradhana | 1987 | |
| 80 | Pasivadi Pranam | 1987 | |
| 81 | Viswanatha Nayakudu | 1987 | |
| 82 | Jeevana Ganga | 1988 | |
| 83 | Alludugaru | 1990 | |
| 84 | Assembly Rowdy | 1991 | |
| 85 | Dharma Kshetram | 1992 | |
| 86 | Joker | 1993 | |
| 87 | Detective Narada | 1993 |
Death
He underwent a Hip Replacement surgery and complications after the surgery resulted in his death.[2]
References
^ krshychait (12 December 2011). ""Kalaa Vachaspati", "Kanchu Kantham": Kongara Jaggayya"..mw-parser-output cite.citationfont-style:inherit.mw-parser-output qquotes:"""""""'""'".mw-parser-output code.cs1-codecolor:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registrationcolor:#555.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration spanborder-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-errordisplay:none;font-size:100%.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-errorfont-size:100%.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-formatfont-size:95%.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-leftpadding-left:0.2em.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-rightpadding-right:0.2em
^ abc "The Hindu : Jaggayya passes away". www.thehindu.com.
^ "Tollywood's Glorious Journey at Chitramala". Archived from the original on 30 January 2010.
^ "Profile of Gummadi - Telugu film actor".
^ Correspondent, By Our Special (3 May 2004). "Jaggayya passes away". p. 06 – via The Hindu (old).
^ http://www.filmchamber.com/tmpl.asp?it=prfbjagaya
^ telugucinema.com/c/stars/KJaggayya.shtml
^ "Rutherford of Telugu cinema".
^ earlytollywood.blogspot.in/2008/02/kongara-jaggaiah.html
^ tollywood.info/actor/k/kongara_jaggayya.htm
External links
Jaggaiah on IMDb
