V. Nagaiah
Chittoor V. Nagaiah (born Vuppaladadiyam Nagaiah Sarma) was a multilingual Indian film actor, composer, director, producer, writer and playback singer from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India. Indian film journalist and the editor of Film India, Baburao Patel, described Nagiah as The Paul Muni of India.[1] In his honour, the Chittoor Nagaiah Kalakshetram of arts was established in Chittoor city of Andhra Pradesh.[2]
V. Nagaiah | |
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Born | Vuppaladadiyam Nagaiah 28 March 1904 |
Died | 30 December 1973 69) | (aged
Occupation | Actor, composer, director, producer, writer and playback singer |
Years active | 1938–1973 |
Awards | Padma Shri 1965 |
Nagaiah was closely connected to Rama Vilasa Sabha, a Telugu theatre association in Chittoor City. He performed and directed several stage plays, such as Sarangadhara, Viswamithra Chitra Nilayam, Savitri, Bruhannala and Ramadasu. He staged the roles of Telugu Saint-poets Pothana, Vemana, Ramadasu and Tyagaraja. Nagaiah developed a life-time association with B. N. Reddy, at this juncture H. M. Reddy formed Rohini Pictures with the association of B. N. Reddy. The firm started its first venture in Telugu through the film Gruhalakshmi in 1938, in which Nagaiah played a significant role. Later, the association worked through several films with Vauhini Studios including social films such as; Vande Matharam (1939), Sumangali (1940), Devata (1941), Swarga Seema (1945) and Beedhalapatlu. (1947).[3]
Nagaiah made significant contributions to Telugu cinema, and starred in about two hundred Telugu films.[4] Regarded as one of the finest Indian method actors, and the first Telugu matinee idol, his forte was usually playing intense characters, often immersing himself in study of the real character's traits and mannerisms.[5] Nagaiah was the lead protagonist in the most expensive 1940 Telugu production, Viswa Mohini, touted to be the first film on the Indian motion picture world.[6][7][8] He was the producer, director, composer and actor for pioneering works; he essayed 14th-century poet Pothana in Bhakta Potana (1942), 17th-century saint Tyagaraja in Thyagayya (1946), 12th-century saint Gora Kumbhar in Chakradhari (1948), and the social problem film Naa Illu (1953). In 1964, Nagaiah essayed 17th-century saint Kancharla Gopanna in Ramadasu for which he won the National Film Award.[9] Nagaiah also starred in about one hundred and sixty films in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.[10] He received the Padma Shri from the Government of India in 1965 for his contributions to Indian cinema.[11][12][13]
Early life
Nagaiah was born on 28 March 1904 in a Telugu-speaking Brahmin family in a tiny hamlet near Repalle, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. His parents were Ramalinga Sharma and Venkata Lakshmamba. His maternal grandmother adopted him and took him to her native village, Gonugur, near Kuppam and later to Chittoor. He took up studies with a scholarship provided by the Tirupati Devasthanam and took his degree in Chittoor.[14]
After working as a clerk in a government office, Nagaiah became a journalist with Andhra Patrika. Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru influenced him and he participated in the freedom struggle (Dandi Satyagraha) in 1930, later going on to work for some gramophone companies including Hutchins as well as attending the Gowhati Congress conclave with S. Srinivasa Iyyengar.[15] He was married to Jaya Lakshmi, but she died giving birth to a daughter a year after. He then married Girija, and Girija, too died due to miscarriage in the eighth month. His first daughter died of an un-diagnosed illness. He then participated in long stays at Ramana Maharshi Ashram. He has family in Tirupati who are his brother's (Vuppaladadiyam Subrahmanya Sharma) son, Vuppaladadiyam S. Haragopal and daughters (Late Amruthavalli and Late Kusuma) , Lakshmi Narasimha and their children, Vuppaladadiyam Shyam Sundar and Vuppaladadiyam Pavan Kumar.[16]
Civilian honours
- Padmashri, Government of India in 1965
Awards
- National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu (director) – 1964 for Ramadasu[17]
- State Awards
- Abinava Thyagaraju by the Maharaja of Travancore.
- Best Actor Award by the Andhra Film Journalists Association
- Felicitated by a life size statue in Panagal Park, Chennai after his demise.
Filmography
Actor
Year | Title | Language | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1938 | Gruhalakshmi | Telugu | Gopinath | |
1939 | Vande Mataram | Telugu | Raghu | |
1940 | Viswa Mohini | Telugu | A Film Director | |
1940 | Sumangali | Telugu | Panthulu | |
1941 | Devatha | Telugu | Venu | |
1941 | Ashok Kumar | Tamil | King Ashoka | |
1943 | Bhakta Potana | Telugu | Pothana | |
1943 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Telugu | Chenchu's Father | |
1943 | Bhagyalaxmi | Telugu | Srinivasa Rao | |
1945 | Swargaseema | Telugu | Murthy | |
1945 | Meera | Hindi / Tamil | King of Mewar | |
1946 | Thyagayya | Telugu | Tyagayya | |
1947 | Yogi Vemana | Telugu | Vemana | |
1948 | Chakradhari | Tamil | Korakumbar | |
1948 | Bhaktha Jana | Tamil | Namadeva | |
1949 | Mana Desam | Telugu | ||
1949 | Navajeevanam | Tamil | Mahadevan | |
1950 | Ezhai Padum Padu | Tamil | Kandan | |
1950 | Beedala Patlu | Telugu | ||
1951 | Sarvadhikari | Tamil | ||
1952 | Thai Ullam | Tamil | ||
1953 | Ulagam | Tamil | ||
1953 | Prapancham | |||
1953 | Penn | Tamil | ||
1953 | Panakkari | Tamil | ||
1953 | Naa Illu | Telugu | Sivaram | |
1953 | Ladki | Hindi | Kamini's father | |
1953 | Gumastha | Tamil | Ranganatham | |
1953 | Gumasta | Telugu | Ranganatham | |
1953 | En Veedu | Tamil | Shivram | |
1954 | Viduthalai | Tamil | Periaswamy | |
1954 | Thuli Visham | Tamil | ||
1954 | Maa Gopi | Telugu | ||
1954 | Edhir Paradhathu | Tamil | Dayaparar | |
1954 | Prapancham | Telugu | ||
1954 | Sangham | Telugu | ||
1955 | Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam | Tamil | ||
1955 | Anarkali | Telugu | Raja Mansingh | |
1955 | Nam Kuzhandai | Tamil | ||
1956 | Tenali Ramakrishna | Telugu | Mahamantri Thimmarusu | |
1956 | Uma Sundari | Telugu | ||
1956 | Pennin Perumai | Tamil | Zamindar, father of Ragunathan / Nagendran | |
1956 | Naga Panchami | Telugu | ||
1956 | Muddu Bidda | Telugu | ||
1956 | Marmaveeran | Tamil | ||
1956 | Asai | Tamil | ||
1956 | Bhakta Markandeya | Kannada | ||
1956 | Bhakta Markandeya | Tamil | ||
1956 | Bhakta Markandeya | Telugu | ||
1956 | Amaradeepam | |||
1956 | Tenali Raman | Tamil | Appaji | |
1957 | Yaar Paiyyan | Tamil | ||
1957 | Vanangamudi | Tamil | ||
1957 | Sati Savitri | Telugu | ||
1957 | Panduranga Mahatyam | Telugu | Jahnavi | |
1957 | Nala Damayanti | Tamil | ||
1957 | Nala Damayanti | Telugu | ||
1957 | Ambikapathy | Tamil | Raja Kulothunga Chola I, the father of Amaravathi | |
1958 | Piya Milan | |||
1958 | Sampoorna Ramayanam | Telugu | ||
1958 | Pati Bhakti | Tamil | Bhikshu | |
1958 | Parvati Kalyanam | Telugu | ||
1958 | Ettuku Pai Ettu | Telugu | ||
1958 | Bommala Pelli | Telugu | Varadarajan | |
1958 | Bommai Kalyanam | Tamil | ||
1958 | Illarame Nallaram | Tamil | ||
1959 | Jayabheri | Telugu | Viswambhara Sastri | |
1959 | Sahodhari | Tamil | Pazhani, father of Chandiran and Meena | |
1959 | Nalla Theerpu | Tamil | ||
1959 | Mahishasura Mardini | Kannada | Shukracharya | |
1959 | Kalaivanan | Tamil | ||
1959 | Banda Ramudu | Telugu | ||
1960 | Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam | Telugu | Bhavaji | |
1960 | Abhimanam | Telugu | ||
1961 | Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam | Telugu | Dasarathudu | |
1961 | Intiki Deepam Illale | Telugu | ||
1961 | Vagdanam | Telugu | Vishwanatham (Vijaya's father) | |
1961 | Sabash Raja | Telugu | ||
1961 | Paava Mannippu | Tamil | ||
1961 | Nichaya Thamboolam | Tamil | Ramanna, a teacher who is the father of Seetha (Jamuna) | |
1961 | Nagarjuna | Telugu | ||
1961 | Kappalottiya Thamizhan | Tamil | Ulaganatha Pillai | |
1961 | Ellam Unakkaga | Tamil | ||
1961 | Thirudathe | Tamil | ||
1961 | Palum Pazhamum | Tamil | ||
1961 | Manapanthal | Tamil | ||
1962 | Gaali Medalu | Telugu | Ranganatham the father of Krishna (NTR) | |
1962 | Dakshayagnam | Tamil | Dadhichi | |
1962 | Dakshayagnam | Telugu | Dadhichi | |
1962 | Swarnamanjari | Telugu | ||
1962 | Aalayamani | Tamil | ||
1962 | Valar Pirai | Tamil | ||
1962 | Thendral Veesum | Tamil | ||
1962 | Siri Sampadalu | Telugu | Nayudu | |
1962 | Shantinivasam | Telugu | Ramadasu the father of four children | |
1962 | Padandi Munduku | Telugu | ||
1963 | Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham | Telugu | Akroora | |
1963 | Lava Kusha | Telugu | Valmiki Maharshi | |
1963 | Amarshilpi Jakanachari | |||
1963 | Naan Vanangum Dheivam | Tamil | ||
1963 | Naanum Oru Penn | Tamil | ||
1963 | Mani Osai | |||
1963 | Lava Kusa | Hindu | Valmiki | |
1963 | Karpagam | Tamil | The father of Amudha (Savitri) | |
1963 | Anuragam | Telugu | ||
1963 | Lakshadhikari | Telugu | Lakshadhikari Rangaiah | |
1964 | Bobbili Yudham | Telugu | ||
1964 | Ramadasu | Telugu | Ramadasu | |
1964 | Pachai Vilakku | Tamil | Gopalaiya | |
1964 | Kai Koduttha Dheivam | Tamil | Father of Latha | |
1964 | Amarshilpi Jakanna | Telugu | ||
1964 | Aggi Pidugu | Telugu | ||
1964 | Aatma Balam | Telugu | ||
1964 | Amarshilpi Jakkanachari | Kannada | ||
1964 | Chandavalliya Tota | Kannada | ||
1964 | Annapurna | Kannada | Father of Annapurna | |
1964 | Devatha | Telugu | Father of Prasad | |
1964 | Gudi Gantalu | Telugu | ||
1964 | Aandavan Kattalai | Tamil | Doctor | |
1965 | Sumangali | Telugu | Venkata Chalam | |
1965 | Satya Harishchandra | Telugu | Vasistha Maharshi | |
1965 | Devatha | Telugu | ||
1965 | Santhi | Tamil | ||
1965 | Preminchi Choodu | Telugu | ||
1965 | Enga Veetu Penn | Tamil | ||
1965 | Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima | Telugu | Father of Pururava | |
1965 | Veerabhimanyu | Telugu | ||
1965 | Dorikithe Dongalu | Telugu | ||
1966 | Sri Krishna Pandaviyam | Telugu | ||
1966 | Selvam | Tamil | ||
1966 | Shakuntala | Telugu | ||
1966 | Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha | Telugu | Paramanandaiah | |
1966 | Parakkum Paavai | Tamil | ||
1966 | Navarathri | Telugu | ||
1966 | Motor Sundaram Pillai | Tamil | ||
1966 | Bhakta Potana | Telugu | Vyasa Maharshi | |
1966 | Adugu Jaadalu | Telugu | ||
1966 | Aastiparulu | Telugu | Diwan to Zamindar | |
1966 | Sadhu Mirandal | Tamil | Priest Micheal | (Special Appearance) |
1966 | Saraswati Sabatham | Tamil | Vidhyapathy father | |
1967 | Kanchukota | Telugu | Raja Rajendra Bhupathi | |
1967 | Sri Krishnavataram | Telugu | Dhritarashtra | |
1967 | Punyavathi | Telugu | ||
1967 | Veera Pooja | Telugu | ||
1967 | Rahasyam | Telugu | ||
1967 | Poola Rangadu | Telugu | Veeraiya | |
1967 | Patukunte Padivelu | |||
1967 | Iru Malargal | Tamil | Sivasamy | |
1967 | Bhama Vijayam | Telugu | ||
1967 | Maa Vadina | Telugu | ||
1967 | Private Master | Telugu | Father of Private Master | |
1967 | Marapurani Kadha | Telugu | Madhava Rao | |
1968 | Brahmachari | Telugu | ||
1968 | Ramu | Tamil / Telugu | ||
1968 | Thillana Mohanambal | Tamil | Shanmugasundaram's Nadaswara Guru | |
1968 | Nindu Samsaram | Telugu | ||
1968 | Niluvu Dopidi | Telugu | Swamiji the director of an orphanage | |
1968 | Bandhavyalu | Telugu | ||
1968 | Uyarndha Manithan | Tamil | Manickam | |
1969 | Saptaswaralu | Telugu | ||
1969 | Nam Naadu | Tamil | The school master Kandhaya | |
1969 | Mooga Nomu | Telugu | ||
1969 | Deiva Magan | Tamil | ||
1969 | Annaiyum Pithavum | Tamil | ||
1969 | Aadarsa Kutumbam | Telugu | ||
1969 | Natakala Rayudu | Telugu | Adiseshayya | |
1970 | Akka Chellelu | Telugu | Second judge | |
1970 | Kaalam Vellum | (Guest Appearance) | ||
1970 | Engirundho Vandhaal | Tamil | Dharmalingam | |
1970 | Thalli Thandrulu | Telugu | Raobahadur Perumallu | |
1970 | Thabalkaran Thangai | Tamil | ||
1970 | Raman Ethanai Ramanadi | Tamil | Director Nagaiya | |
1970 | Kanmalar | Tamil | ||
1970 | Sorgam | Tamil | Judge | |
1971 | Srimanthudu | Telugu | ||
1971 | Vichithra Dampathyam | |||
1971 | Sri Krishna Satya | Telugu | ||
1971 | Raitu Kutumbam | Telugu | ||
1971 | Kulagaurava | Kannada | ||
1971 | Jeevitha Chakram | Telugu | Father of Raja (NTR) | |
1971 | Iru Thuruvam | Tamil | Teacher | |
1971 | C.I.D.Raju | Telugu | ||
1971 | Thangaikkaaga | Tamil | ||
1971 | Ramalayam | Telugu | Temple priest | |
1971 | Pavitra Hrudayalu | Telugu | ||
1972 | Sampoorna Ramayanam | Telugu | Vasishta Mahamuni | |
1972 | Papam Pasivadu | Telugu | Doctor | |
1972 | Shakti Leelai | Tamil | ||
1972 | Pedda Koduku | Telugu | ||
1972 | Neethi | Tamil | Judge | |
1972 | Iddaru Ammayilu | Telugu | Laxman Rao | |
1972 | Goodu Putani | Telugu | ||
1972 | Beedala Patlu | Telugu | ||
1972 | Bala Bharatam | Telugu | ||
1972 | Raja | Tamil | Haridass | |
1972 | Shakthi Leelai | Tamil | Guruji | |
1972 | Ganga Gauri | Tamil | ||
1972 | Inti Kodalu | Telugu | ||
1973 | Vishali | Telugu | ||
1973 | Sampoorna Ramayan | Vashisht Muni | ||
1973 | Pattikaattu Ponnaiya | Tamil | ||
1973 | Panjaramlo Pasipapa | |||
1973 | Ganga Gowri | |||
1973 | Puttinillu Mettinillu | Telugu | ||
1974 | Lav Kush | Valmiki | ||
1974 | Sivagamiyin Selvan | Tamil | Church Father | |
1974 | Inti Kodalu | |||
1976 | Tu Hi Ram Tu Hi Krishna | |||
1976 | Kula Gowravam' | Tamil | ||
1976 | Ennai Pol Oruvan | Tamil | Sundaramoorthy's Father | (final film role) |
- Composer and play back singer
Year | Title | Song |
---|---|---|
1938 | Gruhalakshmi | Lendu Bharata Veerulara |
1953 | Gumasta | Oyi Parugekkadikoyi |
1953 | Prapancham | Anta Kooleelam Manamanta Kooleelam, Premasudha Sarasilo Hamsalamai |
1953 | Sangham | Jati Bhedam Samasipoda |
1954 | Maa Gopi | Sanubhoothiye Leda Jagatini, Amma Krishnamma Apacharamemitamma |
1956 | Bhakta Markandeya | Om Namashivaya, Jaya Jaya Shankara Sambasadashiva |
1956 | Naga Panchami | Sambho Mahadeva |
1956 | Muddu Bidda | Itulela Chesavaya O Devadeva |
1956 | Tenali Ramakrishna | Gandupilli Menu Marichi |
1957 | Nala Damayanti | Ghorambaina Daavagni Keelakerayai |
1957 | Panduranga Mahatyam | Jaya Jaya Gokula Bala, Sannuti Seyave Manasa |
1962 | Swarnamanjari | Madhuramaina Guru Deevena |
1967 | Maa Vadina | Suthudilu Peeda Mandiramu (poem) |
1967 | Poola Rangadu | Chillara Rallaku Mokkutu Unte Chedipoduvura |
- Playback singer
- Ramadasu (1964)
- Tenali Raman
- Gumasta (1953/II) (playback singer and composer)
- Naa Illu (1953) (playback singer and composer)
- Yogi Vemana (1947) (playback singer and composer)
- Thyagayya (1946) (playback singer and composer)
- Swargaseema (1945) (playback singer and composer)
- Bhakta Potana (1942) (playback singer and composer)
- Devatha (1941) (playback singer and composer)
- Sumangali (1940) (playback singer and composer)
- Vishwamohini (1940) (playback singer)
- Vande Mataram (1939) (playback singer and composer)
- Gruhalakshmi (1938) (playback singer)
- Director (partial filmography)
- Producer (partial filmography)
- Naa Illu (1953)
- Writer (partial filmography)
- Thyagayya (1946)
References
- "Paul Muni of India – Chittoor V.Nagayya". Bharatjanani.com. 6 May 2011. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
- "Mahati Kalakshetram to retain Chittoor Nagaiah's name". The Hindu.
- Amazon / Books / Indian actor Chittoor V. Nagaiah: A Monograph, by K. N. T. Sastry (Author)
- "Chittoor Nagaiah statue to be installed in Tirupati". The Hindu.
- "Chittoor Nagaiah statue to be installed in Tirupati". The Hindu.
- The Hindu : A revolutionary filmmaker
- Vishwamohini (1940) - IMDb
- entertaianment.oneindia.in/celebs/lakshmi/biography.html
- "Chittoor Nagaiah statue to be installed in Tirupati". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 18 July 2006.
- Autobiography – Chittor V. Nagaiah, RK Books, Hyderabad, 2004.
- "acting mentor". The New Indian Express.
- Autobiography – Chittor V. Nagaiah, RK Books, Hyderabad, 2004.
- "Special story on veteran actor Chittor Nagaiah Part 1". YouTube.
- "Chittoor V. Nagaiah – A Monograph". Archived from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- "Nagaiah – noble, humble and kind-hearted". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 8 April 2005.
- Chittoor V. Nagaiah: A Monograph
- "National Film Awards (1964)". Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2013.