Kanta Rao

Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao (Telugu: తాడేపల్లి లక్ష్మీ కాంతారావు) (16 November 1923 22 March 2009), more popularly known as Kanta Rao, was an Indian film actor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema.[1] Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rao starred in more than four hundred feature films in a variety of genres including mythological, social and folklore. He has also acted in a few Hindi, Kannada Tamil, and Malayalam movies. He has produced about five films under the Hyma Films banner.[2] In the 1960s, he was one of the primary actors in Telugu cinema, along with N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Kanta Rao was known for portraying the roles of Narada, Lord Krishna and Arjuna. He played Lakshmana in the blockbuster film Lava Kusa, for which he has won the Rashtrapati Award for best actor in 1963.[3][4][5]

Kanta Rao
Born
Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao

(1923-11-16)16 November 1923
Died22 March 2009(2009-03-22) (aged 85)
Other namesNata Prapoorna
Kattula Kanta Rao
OccupationActor
Years active1950s–1990s
Spouse(s)Suseela, Hymavati

He is very familiar with the name of Kattula Kantarao in grandma stories, because he has carried swords in many films while entering the scene.

Early life

Kanta Rao was born to Kesavarao and Seetaramamma at Kodad of Nalgonda district in present-day Telangana on 16 November 1923.[6] According to the Hindu calendar, it corresponds to Rudhirodgari Samvatsara Kartika Sudha Ashtami day. He lost his father the next year. His primary education was done in Gudibanda and Khammam. He was exposed to puranas and Hindu epic stories from his grandmother.

Career

Surabhi Drama troupe has visited their village. Impressed by their professional performances, he established "Balamitra Natya Mandali" and used to play Gayopakhyanam and Madhuseva plays with his friends. He played the character Brahma in Sri Krishna Leelalu in the group "Surabhi" and subsequently in the plays Madhuseva, Kanakatara and Telugu Talli.

He was sent to Tenali to deviate from the drama activities. Tenali used to be very active in drama activities with stalwarts like Pulipati Lakshminarayana. He used to stay in same street where Rentachintala Satyanarayana and Banda Kanakalingeswara Rao used to live.

He then shifted to Madras in 1950 and used stay with T. Krishnamachari, who used to work as assistant director for H. M. Reddy's Rohini Pictures.

H. M. Reddy gave him chance to play a small role in Nirdoshi in 1951 and as his hero for Pratigna in 1953. He has acted in 450 films and in about 100 films as hero, whereas in others as different character roles. They include some popular roles in films like Jayasimha (1955), Shri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966), Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu (1963), Lava Kusha (1963), Nartanasala (1963), Pandava Vanavasam (1965) and Muthyala Muggu (1975). His last movie was Pandurangadu, with Balakrishna, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao in 2008.[7]

He made four films in between 1969 and 1974, Saptaswaralu, Gandara Gandadu, Premajeevulu and Gundelu Theesina Monagadu and lost all his previous earnings. The last film he made was Swathi Chinukulu. Subsequently he shifted to Hyderabad.[8]

Awards

National honours
Nandi Awards
Other honours

Filmography

Actor

This is the complete list of his films according to his autobiographical work, Anaganaga Oka Rakumarudu.

YearFilmLanguageCharacterDirector
1951 Nirdoshi Telugu H. M. Reddy
1953 Pratigna Telugu Pratap H. M. Reddy
1955 Jayasimha Telugu Vijayasimha D. Yoganand
Kanyadhanam Telugu B. Vittalacharya
1956 Bhakta Markandeya Telugu B. S. Ranga
Ilavelpu Telugu D. Yoganand
Sri Gowri Mahatyam Telugu
1957 Sati Anasuya Telugu K. B. Nagabhushanam
1958 Ganga Gowri Samvadamu Telugu Narada Muni V.N. Reddy
Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham Telugu Sattiraju Lakshmi Narayana
1959 Bhakta Ambarisha Bolla Subba Rao
Jaya Vijaya Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Sabash Ramudu Telugu C. S. Rao
Sati Sukanya Telugu Ashwini Devatalu
1960 Bhakta Ragunatha Telugu Samudrala Raghavacharya
Bhatti Vikramarka Telugu Bhatti Jampana Chandrasekhara Rao
Chivaraku Migiledi Telugu Prakasam Gutha Ramineedu
Deepavali Telugu Narada Muni Rajanikanth Sabnavis
Devantakudu Telugu Sri Mahavishnu C. Pullaiah
Kanaka Durga Pooja Mahima Telugu Madhava B. Vittalacharya
Mangalyam Telugu B.S.Narayana
Rama Sundari Telugu Hunsur Krishnamurthy
Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chinthamani Telugu S. D. Lal
Sanchari Telugu
Santhi Nivasam Telugu Raju C. S. Rao
Sri Krishna Rayabaram Telugu
1961 Bikari Ramudu Telugu Palagummi Padmaraju
Pellikani Pillalu Telugu C. S. Rao
Sabash Raja Telugu P. S. Ramakrishna Rao
Sati Sulochana Telugu Narada Muni Rajanikanth Sabnavis
Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam Telugu Narada Muni N. T. Rama Rao
Tandrulu Kodukulu Telugu K. Hemabharadara Rao
Usha Parinayam Telugu Anirudha K. B. Nagabhushanam
Bhakta Kuchela Malayalam Krishnan P. Subramaniam
Varalakshmi Vratham Telugu B. Vittalacharya
1962 Bhishma Telugu Salwa B. A. Subba Rao
Chitti Tammudu Telugu Srihari K. B. Tilak
Khaidi Kannayya Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Madanakaamaraaju Katha Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Mohini Rukmangada Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao
Nagarjuna Telugu Y. V. Rao
Nuvva Nena Telugu
Padandi Munduku Telugu V. Madhusudhana Rao
Raktha Sambandham Telugu Anand V. Madhusudhana Rao
Swarna Gowri Telugu
1963 Aapta Mitrulu Telugu Kadaru Nagabhushanam
Manthiri Kumaran Tamil B. Vittalacharya
Constable Kuturu Telugu Tapi Chanakya
Deva Sundari Telugu Hanumappa Vishwanath Babu
Edureeta Telugu Village Doctor B. S. Narayana Rao
Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu Telugu Vijayudu B. Vittalacharya
Lava Kusha Telugu Lakshmana C. Pullaiah and C. S. Rao
Manchirojulu Vastayi Telugu
Nartanasala Telugu Lord Krishna Kamalakara Kameswara Rao
Somavara Vrata Mahatyam Telugu
Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham Telugu Narada Muni Kadiri Venkata Reddy
Tobuttuvulu Telugu Ranganath Das
Vishnumaya Telugu Nammalvar
1964 Babruvahana Telugu Lord Krishna Samudrala Raghavacharya
Bangaru Timmaraju Telugu
Desa Drohulu Telugu
Mairavana Telugu B. A. Subba Rao
Marmayogi Tamil B. A. Subba Rao
Navagraha Pooja Mahima Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Sri Satyanarayana Mahatyam Telugu Rajanikanth Sabnavis
Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani Telugu
1965 Aada Bratuku Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Aakaasha Ramanna Telugu G. Viswanath
Chaduvukunna Bharya Telugu K. B. Nagabhushanam
Deveta Telugu Guest
Dorikithe Dongalu Telugu
Jwaladweepa Rahasyam Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Pakkalo Ballem Telugu S.R. Puttana Kanagal
Pandava Vanavasam Telugu Lord Krishna Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Prachanda Bhairavi Telugu C. S. Rao
Prameelaarjuneeyam Telugu Lord Krishna
Pratigyna Palana Telugu C. S. Rao
Sati Sakkubai Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima Telugu Pururava Chakravarthi B. V. Prasad
Veerabhimanyu Telugu Arjuna V. Madhusudan Rao
Vijaya Simha Telugu B Vittalacharya, S D Lal
1966 Ata Bommalu Telugu G. Vishwanathan
Bhimanjaneya Yuddham Telugu Nala Kuber S. D. Lal
Bhoolokamlo Yamolokam Telugu G. Viswanath
Mohini Bhasmasura B. A. Subba Rao
Paduka Pattabhishekam Telugu Kadaru Nagabhushanam
Palnati Yudham Telugu Nalagamaraju Gutha Ramineedu
Shri Krishna Pandaviyam Telugu Narada Muni N. T. Rama Rao
Shri Krishna Tulabharam Telugu Narada Muni Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Srimati
1967 Aggi Dora Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Chikkadu Dorakadu Telugu Dorakadu B. Vittalacharya
Devuni Gelichina Maanavudu Telugu Hunsur Krishnamurthy
Iddaru Monagaallu Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Kanchu Kota Telugu C. S. R. Rao
Maa Vadina Telugu Kotayya Pratyagatma
Pinni Telugu
Rahasyam Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Sati Sumati Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Sri Krishna Mahima
Stri Janma Telugu K.S. Prakash Rao
1968 Veera Pooja Telugu A.V. Seshagiri Rao
Aggimeeda Guggilam Telugu
Bhale Monagaadu Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Devakanya Telugu K. Hemambharadhara Rao
Devudichchina Bharta Telugu
Evaru Monagaadu? Telugu
Jeevita Bhandam Telugu M.S. Gopinath
Kumkuma Bharina Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Pedaraasi Peddamma Katha Telugu G. Suryam
Rajayogam Telugu K. S. R. Das
Ranabheri Telugu Giduthuri Satyam
Sati Arundhati Telugu K.V. Nandana Rao
Veeranjaneya Telugu Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Bangaru Gaajulu Telugu C.S.R. Rao
Niluvu Dopidi Telugu Guest C.S.R. Rao
1969 Bommalu Cheppina Katha Telugu G. Viswanath
Pancha Kalyani Dongala Rani Telugu
Raja Simha Telugu K. S. R. Das
Saptaswaralu Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Vukku Pidugu Telugu K. S. R. Das
Gandara Gandadu Telugu Manoharudu K. S. R. Das
Tarasasankam Telugu M. Appa Rao
Ekaveera Telugu Veerbhupati C.S.R. Rao
1970 Merupu Veerudu Telugu
Maa Manchi Akkayya Telugu V Ramachandra Rao
Janmabhoomi Telugu
Suguna Sundari Katha Telugu Prasoona H.S. Venu
Bhale Ettu Chivaraku Chittu Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Raite Raju Telugu B.S. Srinivas
Oke Kutumbham Telugu A. Bhimsingh
Khadga Veera Telugu T. Vishwanathan
1971 Prema Jeevulu Telugu K. S. R. Das
Sri Krishna Vijayamu Telugu
Kattiki Kankanamu Telugu K. S. R. Das
Ananda Nilayam Telugu
Sati Anasooya Telugu Subba Rao B.A.
Jataka Ratna Midatambhotlu Telugu Padmanabham
Andam Kosan Pandem Telugu
Adavi Veerulu Telugu P Subramanyam
Shri Krishna Satya Telugu Narada Muni Kadri Venkata Reddy
Chelleli Kapuram Telugu K. Viswanath
Varalakshmi Vratam Telugu B. Vittalacharya
1972 Adrusta Devata Telugu
Shri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham Telugu Narada Muni C. S. R. Rao
Sree Guruvayoorappan Malayalam P. Subramaniam
Bala Bharatam Telugu Pandu Raju Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Illu Illalu Telugu P. Chandrashekar Reddy
Praja Nayakudu Telugu V. Madhusudan Rao
1973 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Telugu V. Ramachandra Rao
Neramu Siksha Telugu Rajasekharam K. Viswanath
Mayadari Malligadu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao
1974 Gundelu Teesina Monagaadu Telugu N. B. Chakravarthi
Alluri Seetharama Raju Telugu Padalu V. Ramachandra Rao
Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddham Telugu Narada Muni Bapu
Vijaya Ramudu Telugu
Devi Kanyakumari Malayalam P. Subramaniam
Devadasu Telugu Vijaya Nirmala
Bangaru Kalalu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao
O Seeta Katha Telugu Madhava Rao K. Vishwanath
Nippulanti Manishi Telugu S. D. Lal
Tulabharam Telugu Pendyala Naganjaneyulu
Pooja Pushpaalu Telugu
Nirnayam Telugu
Adambaralu - Anubhandhalu Telugu C. S. Rao
1975 Gajula Kishtayya Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao
Padi Pantalu Telugu
Muthyala Muggu Telugu Raja Rao Bahadur Bapu
Maayaa Maschindra Telugu Babubhai Mistri
Pellade Bomma Telugu
Illu Vakili Telugu
Gunavantudu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao
Pooja Telugu Murugan Kumaran
Eduruleni Manishi Telugu K. Bapayya
Soubhagyavati Telugu P Chandrashekar Reddy
Challani Talli Telugu K. S. Rami Reddy
Rakta Sambhandhaalu Telugu M. Mallikarjuna Rao
Ammayila Sapadham Telugu G. V. R. Seshagiri Rao
Annadammula Anubhandham Telugu S. D. Lal
Bharatamulo oka Ammayi Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao
1976 Mahatmudu Telugu M.S. Gopinath
Raajaa Telugu K. Raghavendra Rao
Vemulavada Bhimakavi Telugu
America Ammayi Telugu Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
E Kalapu Pillalu Telugu
Magaadu Telugu S. D. Lal
Neram Naadi Kaadu Akalidi Telugu
Monagaadu Telugu T. Krishna
Mahakavi Kshetrayya Telugu C. S. Rao,
Adurthi Subba Rao
Padavoyi Bharateeyudaa Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao
Seeta Kalyanam Telugu Bapu
Sita Swayamvar Hindi Bapu
Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club Telugu Bapu,
Chakrapani
1977 Kurukshetram Telugu Drupada Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Panchayiti Telugu Vijaya Nirmala
Jeevanateeralu Telugu G. C. Shekhar
Yamagola Telugu Indrudu Tatineni Rama Rao
Andame Anandam Telugu Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
Edureeta Telugu V. Madhusudan Rao
Manavadi Kosam Telugu Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Manchini Penchali Telugu
Manassakshi Telugu P. Sambasiva Rao
JanmaJanmala Bhandham Telugu P. Chandrashekar Reddy
Geeta Sangeeta Telugu M.S. Koti Reddy
1978 Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi Telugu Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
Vayasu Pilichindi Telugu C. V. Sridhar
Manavoori Pandavulu Telugu Dharmaiah Bapu
1980 Chandipriya Telugu V. Madhusudan Rao
Vamsa Vruksham Telugu Bapu
Kaali Telugu I. V. Sasi
Superman Telugu V. Madhusudan Rao
Chukkallo Chandrudu Telugu
Sarada Ramudu Telugu Raja Rao Vasu
1981 Satyabhama Telugu K. Raghavendra Rao
Radha Kalyanam Telugu Bapu
Ooriki Ichina Maata Telugu Mannava Balayya
1982 Ekalavya Telugu Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Siripuram Simham Telugu
Swami Vaibhavam Telugu
1985 Vijetha Telugu Venkayya (guest) A. Kodandarami Reddy
Musugu Donga Telugu Boina Subba Rao
Mantra Dandam Telugu
America Alludu Telugu K. Vasu
Nerasthudu Telugu K.S.R. Das
Pachani Kapuram Telugu
1986 Pyaar Ka Sindoor Hindi Bapu
Simhasanam Telugu Krishna Ghattamaneni
Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam Telugu Shyama K. Vasu
1988 Jhansi Rani Telugu
1989 Mutyamantha Muddu Telugu Ravi Raja Pinisetty
1992 Soorigaadu Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao
1994 Mugguru Monagallu Telugu K. Raghavendra Rao
1998 Kante Kuthurnekanu Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao
2003 Kabirdas Telugu V. V. Raju
Nijam Telugu Narayana Rao Teja
2007 Shankar Dada Zindabad Telugu Prabhu Deva
2008 Pandurangadu Telugu K. Raghavendra Rao

Other movies as actor.

YearFilmCharacterDirectorNotes
2005 Dhana 51 R. Surya Kiran
2003 Satyam R. Surya Kiran
1999 Postman Muppalaneni Siva
1994 Bangaru Kutumbam Dasari Narayana Rao
1986 Vikram V. Madhusudan Rao
1981 Sati Savitri P. Subba Rao
1980 Ram Robert Rahim Catholic priest Vijaya Nirmala
Prema Tarangalu Ranga Rao S. P. Chitti Babu
1979 Yugandhar K. S. R. Das
Maavuri Devatha G. Giridhara Rao
1978 Gorantha Deepam Bapu
1976 Tu Hi Ram Tu Hi Krishna Narada Muni Kadri Venkata Reddy Hindi film
1975 Alakh Niranjan Babubhai Mistri Hindi film
1974 Hare Krishna Hindi film
1963 Valmiki C. S. Rao

Producer

  • Saptaswaralu (1969)
  • Gandara Gandadu (1969)
  • Premajeevulu (1971)
  • Gundelu Teesina Monagaadu (1974)
  • Swaati Chinukulu (1989)

Personal

He was married to Susheela and had a daughter in 1942. The daughter died of smallpox during infancy. They had a son in 1945 named after his father as Keshav. Susheela became sick. He married Hymavathi in 1950 and subsequently Susheela died of illness. His son also died of typhoid fever in childhood. He has four sons and a daughter by Hymavathi, named Pratap, Keshav, Susheela, Raja and Satyam, in that order. [9]

His son Raja (Rajeswara Rao) has acted in Sudigundalu, Prema Jeevulu, Gandara Gandadu, Gundelu Teesina Monagadu, Swati Chinukulu, Ukku Pidugu, Rajasimha, Evaru Monagadu, Maro Prapancham and Manushulu Matti Bommalu.

His son Satyam also has acted in Saptaswaralu, Prema Jeevulu and Gandara Gandadu'. His grandson Sai Eshwar also worked as child artist in Television industry.

Death

He died at 9:50 PM IST at Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad on 22 March 2009 due to cancer complications.

See also

References

  1. "Exposure in films decried". The Hindu.
  2. Murali Krishna. "T L KANTHA RAO ~ Early Tollywood".
  3. Social Post (25 March 2009). "Kantha Rao becomes a memory | News - Oneindia Entertainment". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  4. Ramachandran, T.M. (1973). Film world. 9.
  5. The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Times of India Press. 1984.
  6. Tanmayi, Bhawana. "Kantha Rao biopic to go on floors soon". Telangana Today. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  7. Kanta Rao passes away in The Hindu. Archived 7 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  8. A deprived legend: T L Kantha Rao; An exclusive interview at Tripod.com Archived 5 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ".:: Deccan Radio - 24/7 South India's Internet Radio - View topic - Actor Kanta Rao passed away at 85 Years ::".
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