Chittor V. Nagaiah
Chittoor Nagaiah | |
---|---|
Born |
Vuppaladadiyam Nagaiah 28 March 1904 Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh |
Died | 30 December 1973 69) | (aged
Occupation | actor, thespian, composer, director, producer, writer and playback singer |
Years active | 1938–1973 |
Awards | Padma Shri 1965 |
Chittoor V. Nagaiah (born Vuppaladadiyam Nagaiah) was a multilingual Indian film actor, thespian, 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 honor, the Mahati Chittor Nagaiah Kalakshetram of arts was established in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.[2]
Nagaiah was closely connected to Rama Vilasa Sabha, a Telugu theatre association in Chittoor. 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 was 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 was also starred in about one hundred and sixty films in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi in a variety of roles.[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 Andhra Pradesh. His parents were Ramalinga Sarma and Venkata Lakshmamba. The family moved to Kuppam and later to Tirupati, in Chittoor district. 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 at various gramophone companies including Hutchins as well as attend the Gowhati Congress conclave with S. Srinivasa Iyyengar.[15] he was married to Vijaya 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.[16]
Civilian honors
- 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
Selected filmography
Actor
Year | Film | Language | Character |
---|---|---|---|
1938 | Gruhalakshmi | Telugu | Gopinath |
1939 | Vande Mataram | Telugu | Raghu |
1940 | Sumangali | Telugu | Panthulu |
1940 | Viswa Mohini | Telugu | A Film Director |
1941 | Ashok Kumar | Tamil | King Ashoka |
1941 | Devatha | Telugu | Venu |
1942 | Bhakta Potana | Telugu | Pothana |
1943 | Bhagyalaxmi | Telugu | Srinivasa Rao |
1943 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Telugu | Chenchu's Father |
1945 | Meera | Hindi | King of Mewar |
1945 | Meera | Tamil | King of Mewar |
1945 | Swargaseema | Telugu | Murthy |
1946 | Thyagayya | Telugu | Tyagayya |
1947 | Yogi Vemana | Telugu | Vemana |
1948 | Chakradhari | Tamil | Korakumbar |
1949 | Mana Desam | Telugu | |
1949 | Navajeevanam | Tamil | Mahadevan |
1950 | Beedala Patlu | Telugu | |
1950 | Ezhai Padum Padu | Tamil | Kandan |
1951 | Sarvadhikari | Tamil | |
1952 | Thayi Ullam | Tamil | |
1953 | En Veedu | Tamil | |
1953 | Gumastha | Tamil | Ranganatham |
1953 | Gumasta | Telugu | Ranganatham |
1953 | Ladki | Hindi | |
1953 | Naa Illu | Telugu | Sivaram |
1953 | Panakkari | Tamil | |
1953 | Penn | Tamil | |
1953 | Prapancham | Telugu | |
1953 | Sangham | Telugu | |
1954 | Ethirparadathu | Tamil | Dayaparar |
1954 | Maa Gopi | Telugu | |
1954 | Viduthalai | Tamil | Periaswamy |
1955 | Anarkali | Telugu | |
1955 | Kanavane Kan Kanda Daivam | Tamil | |
1956 | Asai | Tamil | |
1956 | Bhakta Markandeya | Kannada | |
1956 | Bhakta Markandeya | Tamil | |
1956 | Bhakta Markandeya | Telugu | |
1956 | Muddu Bidda | Telugu | |
1956 | Naga Panchami | Telugu | |
1956 | Tenali Ramakrishna | Telugu | Mahamantri Thimmarusu |
1956 | Tenali Raman | Tamil | Mahamantri Thimmarusu |
1957 | Nala Damayanti | Tamil | |
1957 | Nala Damayanti | Telugu | |
1957 | Panduranga Mahatyam | Telugu | Jahnavi |
1957 | Sati Savitri | Telugu | |
1958 | Bommala Pelli | Telugu | |
1958 | Ettuku Pai Ettu | Telugu | |
1958 | Parvati Kalyanam | Telugu | |
1958 | Sampoorna Ramayanam | Telugu | |
1959 | Banda Ramudu | Telugu | |
1959 | Jayabheri | Telugu | Viswambhara Sastri |
1959 | Kalaivanan | Tamil | |
1959 | Sahodhari | Tamil | |
1959 | Nalla Theerpu | Tamil | |
1960 | Abhimanam | Telugu | |
1960 | Shantinivasam | Telugu | |
1960 | Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam | Telugu | Balaji |
1961 | Ellam Unnakkaga | Tamil | |
1961 | Intiki Deepam Illalu | Telugu | |
1961 | Nagarjuna | Telugu | |
1961 | Pavamanippu | Tamil | |
1961 | Sabash Raja | Telugu | |
1961 | Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam | Telugu | Dasarathudu |
1961 | Vagdanam | Telugu | Vishwanatham (Vijaya's father) |
1962 | Aalayamani | Tamil | |
1962 | Dakshayagnam | Tamil | Dadhichi |
1962 | Dakshayagnam | Telugu | Dadhichi |
1962 | Siri Sampadalu | Telugu | Nayudu |
1962 | Swarnamanjari | Telugu | |
1962 | Valar Pirai | Tamil | |
1963 | Anuragam | Telugu | |
1963 | Lakshadhikari | Telugu | Lakshadhikari Rangaiah |
1963 | Lava Kusha | Telugu | Valmiki Maharshi |
1963 | Naan Vanangum Daivam | Tamil | |
1963 | Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham | Telugu | Akroora |
1964 | Aatma Balam | Telugu | |
1964 | Aggi Pidugu | Telugu | |
1964 | Amarshilpi Jakkanachari | Kannada | |
1964 | Chandavalliya Tota | Kannada | |
1964 | Amarshilpi Jakanna | Telugu | |
1964 | Annapurna | Kannada | Father of Annapurna |
1964 | Bobbili Yudham | Telugu | |
1964 | Devatha | Telugu | Father of Prasad |
1964 | Gudi Gantalu | Telugu | |
1964 | Pachai Vilakku | Tamil | |
1964 | Ramadasu | Telugu | Ramadasu |
1965 | Preminchi Choodu | Telugu | |
1965 | Satya Harishchandra | Telugu | Vasistha Maharshi |
1965 | Shanti | Tamil | |
1965 | Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima | Telugu | Father of Pururava |
1965 | Veerabhimanyu | Telugu | |
1966 | Aastiparulu | Telugu | Diwan to Zamindar |
1966 | Adugu Jaadalu | Telugu | |
1966 | Bhakta Potana | Telugu | Vyasa Maharshi |
1966 | Navarathri | Telugu | |
1966 | Parakkum Pavai | Tamil | |
1966 | Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha | Telugu | Paramanandaiah |
1966 | Sri Krishna Pandaviyam | Telugu | |
1967 | Bhama Vijayam | Telugu | |
1967 | Iru Malargal | Tamil | |
1967 | Maa Vadina | Telugu | |
1967 | Poola Rangadu | Telugu | Veeraiah |
1967 | Private Master | Telugu | Father of Private Master |
1967 | Rahasyam | Telugu | |
1967 | Marapurani Kadha | Telugu | Madhava Rao |
1967 | Sri Krishnavataram | Telugu | Dhritarashtra |
1967 | Veera Pooja | Telugu | |
1968 | Bandhavyalu | Telugu | |
1968 | Brahmachari | Telugu | |
1968 | Nindu Samsaram | Telugu | |
1968 | Ramu | Telugu | |
1968 | Thillana Mohanambal | Tamil | Shanmugasundaram's guru |
1969 | Aadarsa Kutumbam | Telugu | |
1969 | Mooga Nomu | Telugu | |
1969 | Natakala Rayudu | Telugu | Adiseshayya |
1969 | Saptaswaralu | Telugu | |
1970 | Akka Chellelu | Telugu | Second judge |
1970 | Tapalkaran Thanga | Tamil | |
1970 | Thalli Thandrulu | Telugu | Raobahadur Perumallu |
1971 | C.I.D.Raju | Telugu | |
1971 | Iru Thuruvam | Tamil | |
1971 | Jeevitha Chakram | Telugu | |
1971 | Kulagaurava | Kannada | |
1971 | Ramalayam | Telugu | Temple priest |
1971 | Sampoorna Ramayanam | Telugu | Vasishta Mahamuni |
1971 | Sri Krishna Satya | Telugu | |
1971 | Srimanthudu | Telugu | |
1972 | Bala Bharatam | Telugu | |
1972 | Beedala Patlu | Telugu | |
1972 | Goodu Putani | Telugu | |
1972 | Iddaru Ammayilu | Telugu | Laxman Rao |
1972 | Neethi | Tamil | |
1972 | Papam Pasivadu | Telugu | Doctor |
1972 | Pedda Koduku | Telugu | |
1972 | Sakthi Leela | Tamil | |
1972 | Ganga Gauri | Tamil | |
1972 | Pattikatu Ponnaiah | Tamil | |
1972 | Vishali | Telugu | |
1972 | Inti Kodalu | Telugu | |
1973 | Ennai Pol Oruvan | Tamil |
- Composer and play back singer
Year | Film | 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)
- 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. 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
- ↑ "Nagaiah – noble, humble and kind-hearted". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 8 April 2005.
- ↑ Chittoor V. Nagaiah: A Monograph
- ↑ National Film Awards (1964)