Vemuri Gaggayya

Vemuri Gaggayya
Born1895
Vemuru, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died30 December 1955 (aged 60)
Hyderabad, India
Occupation(s)Actor
Thespian

Vemuri Gaggayya (1895–1955) was an Indian actor and singer known for his works in Telugu cinema, and Telugu theatre.

Gaggayya was an important member of the "Mylavarama Bala Bharathi Nataka Samajam" in Mylavaram, Krishna district during 1913–28. Through "Mylavaram Theatre", Gaggayya became a household name for mythological roles. His theatrical performances made C. Pullayya to persuade to him to enter the film industry.

In 1933, he acted in the film Sati Savitri, directed by Pullayya, as Yama. The film received an honorary diploma at the 2nd Venice Film Festival.[1][2] His other prominent roles are Kamsa in Sri Krishna Leelalu (1935), Jalandhara in Sati Tulasi (1936), womaniser in Chandika (1940), and Hiranyakasipu in Bhakta Prahlada (1942). He is known for rendering songs such as "Po Bala Pommikan" and "Dhikkaramulu Saituna".[3]

  1. ^ Narasimham, M. L. (7 November 2010). "Sati Savithri (1933)". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  2. ^ Bhagwan Das Garg (1996). So many cinemas: the motion picture in India. Eminence Designs. p. 86. ISBN 81-900602-1-X.
  3. ^ Luminaries of 20th Century, Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, 2005.