J. V. Somayajulu
| J. V. Somayajulu | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Jonnalagadda Venkata Somayajulu 30 June 1928 Lukalam Agraharam, Srikakulam district |
| Died |
24 April 2004 (aged 75) Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Occupation | Actor, Government Officer |
| Notable work |
Sankar Sastry in Sankarabharanam, Tyagaraja in Tyagayya |
J. V. Somayajulu (Born Jonnalagadda Venkata Somayajulu - Telugu: జొన్నలగడ్డ వేంకట సోమయాజులు) (30 June 1928 – 27 April 2004) was an Indian film actor known for his works in Telugu cinema and a few Tamil and Hindi films.[1] In 1979, He received the Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) for his work in the classic Sankarabharanam. On the centenary of Indian cinema, Forbes included his performance in the film among the 25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema.[2]
Some of the other films that earned Somayajulu a good reputation as an actor were Allari Pillalu, Nelavanka, Rowdy Alludu, Swatimutyam, Tyagayya, Saptapadi, Vijeta, Appula Appa Rao and Vamsha Vruksham. He portrayed the guru character of Sri Raghavendra (played by Rajinikanth) in the Tamil movie Sri Raghavendrar.[3] He made a 13-episode television serial based on the play Kanyasulkam.[4]
For the development of Telugu theatre in the twin cities Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Somayajulu established 'Rasaranjani' along with his contemporaries, Chatla Sriramulu, Garimella Rama Murthy and Rallapalli.[4] Somayajulu worked in the Directorate of Cultural Affairs before retiring from government service. He died of heart attack at Hyderabad in 2004 at the age of 76.[4]
Personal life
He was a government official for a long time. He hailed from the village of Lukalam Agraharam near kameswaripeta,urlam in Srikakulam district. His father worked as an Inspector in Prohibition & Excise department in Gudivada and other towns. He spent his childhood in Vizianagaram and also learnt playing stage dramas when he was in Vizianagaram.[4]
His career spanned five decades in stage dramas, films and television. His passion for Gurazada Apparao's play, Kanyasulkam, was such that he, along with his actor brother J. V. Ramana Murthy, played it for about 500 times in 45 years. His exposition of the delightfully notorious character, 'Ramappanthulu' in the play, has become legendary. The woman behind the success of Somayajulu was his mother Saradamma. He died of illness at Hyderabad in 2004 at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.[4]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Bhagmati | Hindi film | |
| 2003 | Ondagona Baa | Raghavayya (Ajja) | Kannada film |
| Kabirdas | |||
| 1997 | Mannava | Astrologer | Tamil film |
| 1994 | Sarigamalu | ||
| 1993 | Govinda Govinda | ||
| Mutha Mestri | |||
| Sopanam | Raja Raja Varma Thamburan | Malayalam film | |
| 1992 | Allari Mogudu | ||
| 1991 | Rowdy Alludu | ||
| Aditya 369 | Mahamantri Thimmarusu | ||
| Appula Appa Rao | Sankara Sastri | ||
| 1990 | Pratibandh | Chief Minister Satyendra | Hindi film |
| 1989 | Swara Kalpana | ||
| Thiruppu Munai | Sathyamoorthy | Tamil film | |
| 1988 | Idhu Namma Aalu | Srinivasa Sastry | Tamil film |
| Abhinandana | |||
| 1987 | Viswanatha Nayakudu | ||
| Swayam Krushi | |||
| Chakravarthy | Swamiji | ||
| Majnu | |||
| Sankeertana | |||
| 1986 | Kaliyuga Pandavulu | ||
| Magadheerudu | |||
| Aalaapana | |||
| Kalyana Tambulam | |||
| Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam | Nana Chandorkar | ||
| Tandra Paparayudu | |||
| Pyaar Ka Sindoor | Hindi film | ||
| 1985 | Vijetha | Narasimham | |
| Devalayam | |||
| Yaar? | Swamiji | Tamil film | |
| Swati Mutyam | |||
| Sri Raghavendrar | Saint Sudheendra | Tamil film | |
| 1983 | Sitaara | ||
| Nelavanka | Raheem | ||
| 1982 | Pelleedu Pillalu | P. V. Rao | |
| 1981 | Tyagayya | Tyagayya | |
| 1980 | Vamsa Vruksham | ||
| Saptapadi | Yajulu | ||
| Shankarabharanam | Shankara Sastry | winner: Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) | |
| 1976 | Jyoti |
References
- ↑ "The Hindu : An embodiment of Uttarandhra culture". hindu.com.
- ↑ Prasad, Shishir; Ramnath, N. S.; Mitter, Sohini (27 April 2013). "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Forbes. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
- ↑ "The Hindu : Metro cultural round-up". hindu.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Somayajulu passes away". hinduonnet.com.
External links
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