S. V. Ranga Rao

S. V. Ranga Rao
Ranga Rao on a 2013 stamp of India
Born
Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao

3 July 1918
Nuziveedu, Madras Presidency, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died18 July 1974 (aged 56)
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Other namesSVR, Viswa Nata Chakravarthi
Occupation(s)Actor, Producer, Director
Spouse
Leelavathi
​
(m. 1947)​
AwardsRashtrapati Award
International Honor
Signature

Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (3 July 1918 – 18 July 1974), popularly known as S. V. Ranga Rao and SVR, was an Indian actor and filmmaker who primarily worked in Telugu and Tamil films. He is regarded as one of the finest actors in the history of Indian cinema.[1] He is known by the epithet "Viswa Nata Chakravarthi" (transl. "Universal Emperor of Acting")[2][3] and was the earliest known character actor in South Indian cinema to achieve a star status.[4] In a career spanning nearly three decades, Ranga Rao garnered various national and international honours.[2][5]

Ranga Rao was a method actor known for his natural acting style, portraying complex social, biographical, and mythological characters. Some of his most iconic roles include 'Nepala Manthrikudu', a tantric in Pathala Bhairavi (1951), Yama in Sati Savitri (1957), Ghatothkacha in Maya Bazaar (1957), Mayasura in Bhookailas (1958), and Bhoja in Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960).[6] In 1964, he won the Best Actor Award at the third Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Jakarta for his portrayal of Kichaka in Nartanasala (1963),[7] becoming the only Indian actor to have ever received the honour.[8][9] His other notable performances include roles as Duryodhana in Pandava Vanavasam (1965), Hiranyakasipu in Bhakta Prahlada (1967), and Ravana in Sampoorna Ramayanam (1971).[10][11][3]

Ranga Rao's notable films as a character actor include Mana Desam (1949), Palletoori Pilla (1950), Devadasu (1953), Bangaru Papa (1954), Raju Peda (1954), Thodi Kodallu (1957), Chenchu Lakshmi (1958), Pelli Naati Pramanalu (1958), Nammina Bantu (1959), Gundamma Katha (1962), Sarada (1962), Aatma Bandhuvu (1962), Annai (1962), Karpagam (1963), Naanum Oru Penn (1963), Bobbili Yuddham (1964), Bandhavyalu (1968), Prema Nagar (1971), Dasara Bullodu (1971), Pandanti Kapuram (1972), Vasantha Maligai (1972), Thatha-Manavadu (1973), and Andaru Dongale (1974).[4][12]

In his honour, the Government of Andhra Pradesh instituted the S. V. Ranga Rao Award for Best Character Actor, which is presented annually to recognize outstanding performances in character roles.[2]

  1. ^ "CM N Chandrababu Naidu unveils 12.5 feet bronze statue of SV Ranga Rao". The New Indian Express. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2022. Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao, popular as SVR, one of the finest actors ever in the history of Indian Cinema ....
  2. ^ a b c Sanmana Satkaralu, Viswa Nata Chakravarti, M. Sanjay Kishore, Sangam Akademy, Hyderabad, 2005, pp: 65.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Nadadhur, Srivathsan (2 July 2018). "S V Ranga Rao @ 100 : A golden standard for the craft". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  5. ^ Narasimham, M. L. (21 July 2013). "Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952)". The Hindu.
  6. ^ "4th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  7. ^ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF).
  8. ^ "SVR's versatility remembered". The Hindu. 19 July 2010.
  9. ^ Lindsay, Jennifer (1 January 2012). Heirs to World Culture: Being Indonesian, 1950-1965. BRILL. ISBN 9789004253513 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ Mahabhinishkramana, Viswa Nata Chakravarti, M. Sanjay Kishore, Sangam Akademy, Hyderabad, 2005, pp: 69-70.
  11. ^ "S.V. Ranga Rao's bronze statue unveiled". The Hindu. 19 July 2010.
  12. ^ CV, Aravind (5 August 2018). "Remembering SV Ranga Rao: A versatile actor loved for his mythological roles". The News Minute. Retrieved 2 October 2022.