Kantha Rao
Born
Tadepalli Lakshmi Kantha Rao

(1923-11-16)16 November 1923
Kodada, Hyderabad State, British India
Died22 March 2009(2009-03-22) (aged 85)
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
Other names
  • Nata Prapoorna
  • Kattula Kanta Rao
OccupationActor
Years active1950s–1990s
Spouses
  • Suseela
  • Hymavathi
    ​
    (m. 1950)​

Tadepalli Lakshmi Kantha Rao (16 November 1923 – 22 March 2009) was an Indian actor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema.[1] Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rao appeared in more than 400 feature films, starring in many, 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. Kantha 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 received Vishehsa Puraskaram in 1963.[3][4][5]

Early life

Rao was born into a Telugu Brahmin family 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.

Rao was sent to Tenali to distract 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 to stay with T. Krishnamachari, who used to work as assistant director for H. M. Reddy's Rohini Pictures.

H. M. Reddy gave him a 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 produced four films 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 moved to Hyderabad.[8]

Awards

National honours
Nandi Awards

Filmography

Actor

List of Kantha Rao film credits
Year Title Role Language
1951 Nirdoshi Telugu
1955 Jayasimha Vijayasimha Telugu
1956 Ilavelpu Telugu
1957 Sati Anasuya Telugu
1959 Jaya Vijaya Telugu
Sabash Ramudu Telugu
Sati Sukanya Ashwini Devatalu Telugu
1960 Bhatti Vikramarka Bhatti Telugu
Chivaraku Migiledi Prakasam Telugu
Deepavali Narada Muni Telugu
Sanchari Telugu
Kanakadurga Pooja Mahima[9] Madhava Telugu
Santhi Nivasam Raju Telugu
Sri Krishna Rayabaram Telugu
1961 Sabash Raja Telugu
Sati Sulochana Narada Muni Telugu
Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam Narada Muni Telugu
Usha Parinayam Anirudha Telugu
Varalakshmi Vratham Telugu
1962 Bhishma Salwa Telugu
Chitti Tammudu Srihari Telugu
Khaidi Kannayya Telugu
Nagarjuna Kannada
Nuvva Nena Telugu
Padandi Munduku Telugu
Raktha Sambandham Anand Telugu
Swarna Gowri Telugu
1963 Aapta Mitrulu Telugu
Manthiri Kumaran Tamil
Deva Sundari Telugu
Edureeta Village Doctor Telugu
Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu Vijayudu Telugu
Lava Kusa Lakshmana Telugu
Nartanasala Lord Krishna Telugu
Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham Narada Muni Telugu
Vishnumaya Telugu
Valmiki Telugu
1964 Babruvahana Lord Krishna Telugu
Desa Drohulu Telugu
Marmayogi Telugu
Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani[10] Vijaya Telugu
Sri Satyanarayana Mahatyam Telugu
1965 Aada Bratuku Telugu
Devata Cameo Telugu
Dorikithe Dongalu Telugu
Pratigna Palana[11] Rajasekharudu Telugu
Jwaladweepa Rahasyam Telugu
Pandava Vanavasam Lord Krishna Telugu
Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima Pururava Chakravarthi Telugu
Veerabhimanyu Arjuna Telugu
1966 Bhimanjaneya Yuddham Nala Kuber Telugu
Mohini Bhasmasura Telugu
Paduka Pattabhishekam[12] Rama Telugu
Palnati Yuddham Nalagamaraju Telugu
Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam Narada Muni Telugu
Sri Krishna Tulabharam Narada Muni Telugu
Srimathi[13] Ravi Telugu
1967 Chikkadu Dorakadu Dorakadu Telugu
Kanchu Kota Narendra Telugu
Iddaru Monagallu[14] Telugu
Pinni Telugu
Rahasyam Telugu
1968 Rajayogam Telugu
Veeranjaneya Telugu
Bangaru Gaajulu Telugu
Niluvu Dopidi Guest Telugu
1969 Devudichina Bharta[15] Sridatta Telugu
Saptaswaralu Saranga Telugu
Ukku Pidugu[16] Vasantha Rayalu Telugu
Tarasasankam Telugu
Ekaveera Veerbhupati Telugu
Gandara Gandadu[17] Manoharudu Telugu
1970 Oke Kutumbham Telugu
Merupu Veerudu[18] Telugu
1971 Sri Krishna Vijayamu Telugu
Kathiki Kankanam[19] Telugu
Ananda Nilayam Telugu
Sri Krishna Satya Narada Muni Telugu
Chelleli Kapuram Telugu
Andam Kosam Pandem[20] Madhavudu Telugu
1972 Sri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham Narada Muni Telugu
Sree Guruvayoorappan Malayalam
Bala Bharatam Pandu Raju Telugu
1973 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Suresh Telugu
Neramu Siksha Rajasekharam Telugu
1974 Alluri Seetharama Raju Padalu Telugu
Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham Narada Muni Telugu
Devi Kanyakumari Malayalam
Devadasu Telugu
O Seeta Katha Madhava Rao Telugu
Nippulanti Manishi Telugu
Nirnayam Telugu
1975 Muthyala Muggu Raja Rao Bahadur Telugu
Pooja Telugu
Maya Machhindra Telugu
Eduruleni Manishi Telugu
Alakh Niranjan Hindi
1976 Mahatmudu Telugu
Raaja[21] Gajapathi Varma Telugu
America Ammayi Telugu
Magaadu Telugu
Mahakavi Kshetrayya Telugu
Seeta Kalyanam Telugu
Sita Swayamvar Hindi
1977 Kurukshetram Drupada Telugu
Yamagola Indrudu Telugu
Edureeta Telugu
1978 Vayasu Pilichindi Telugu
Manavoori Pandavulu Dharmayya Telugu
Patnavasam[22] Ramaiah Telugu
Gorantha Deepam Telugu
Lawyer Viswanath Telugu
1979 Yugandhar Telugu
Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi Telugu
1980 Chandipriya Telugu
Mahalakshmi[23] Kalidasu Telugu
Vamsa Vruksham Telugu
Kaali Telugu
Superman Telugu
Chukkallo Chandrudu Telugu
Sarada Ramudu Raja Rao Telugu
Ram Robert Rahim Catholic priest Telugu
Prema Tarangalu Ranga Rao Telugu
1981 Satyabhama Telugu
Radha Kalyanam Telugu
Kondaveeti Simham Telugu
Oorukichina Maata Pratapa Rao Telugu
Sati Savitri Telugu
1982 Kaliyuga Ramudu Peter the Trumpet Player Telugu
Shamsher Shankar[24] Hanumantha Rao Telugu
Ekalavya Telugu
Pratigna[25] Bhushayya Telugu
Golconda Abbulu Telugu
1983 Moodu Mullu Dharmaiah Telugu
Amarajeevi Telugu
Chattaniki Veyyi Kallu[26] Raghunath, Commissioner of Police Telugu
Moogavani Paga[27] Ramaiah Telugu
Puli Debba[28] Srimannarayana Telugu
Poratam Ranganayakulu Telugu
Lanke Bindelu[29] Kanthaiah Telugu
1984 Sardar[30] Gangadharam Telugu
1985 Vijetha Venkayya (guest) Telugu
Mantra Dandam[31] Vishnu Dutta Telugu
Nyayam Meere Cheppali Telugu
Pachani Kapuram Ananda Rao Telugu
1986 Simhasanam Telugu
Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam Shyama Telugu
Vikram Telugu
Desoddharakudu Telugu
Santhi Nivasam Dr. Rao Telugu
1987 Viswanatha Nayakudu Telugu
1988 Jhansi Rani Telugu
Ramudu Bheemudu Telugu
1991 Alludu Diddina Kapuram Telugu
1994 Mugguru Monagallu Telugu
Bangaru Kutumbam Telugu
Alludu Poru Ammayi Joru[32] Headmaster Telugu
1998Naga Shakthi[33]Telugu
1999 Postman Telugu
2003 Kabirdas Telugu
Nijam Narayana Rao Telugu
Satyam Telugu
Simhachalam Somayajulu Telugu
Seetayya Telugu
2005 Dhana 51 Telugu
2007 Shankar Dada Zindabad Telugu
2008 Pandurangadu Telugu

Producer

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

Personal life

Rao was married to Suseela 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. He married Hymavathi in 1950 and subsequently Suseela died of illness. His son also died of typhoid fever in his childhood. He has four sons and a daughter by Hymavathi, named Pratap, Keshav, Suseela, Raja and Satyam, in that order. [34]

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

Rao died at Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad on 22 March 2009 due to cancer complications.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Exposure in films decried". The Hindu. 25 February 2007. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Murali Krishna. "T L KANTHA RAO ~ Early Tollywood". Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  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. Vol. 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". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "Planet-Bollywood - Photo Album". ntippi.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012.
  9. ↑ "Kanakadurga Pooja Mahima (1960)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  10. ↑ "Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani 1964 Full Movie Online - Watch HD Movies on Airtel Xstream Play". Airtel Xstream (Airtel TV). Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  11. ↑ "Pratigna Palana (1965) | V CINEMA - Movie, Review, Cast, Songs & Release Date". www.vcinema.com. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  12. ↑ "Paduka Pattabhishekamu 1966 Telugu Movie Cast Crew,Actors,Director, Paduka Pattabhishekamu Producer,Banner,Music Director,Singers & Lyricists". MovieGQ. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  13. ↑ "Srimathi (1966)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  14. ↑ "Iddaru Monagallu (1967)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  15. ↑ "Devudichina Bharta on Moviebuff.com". Moviebuff.com. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  16. ↑ "Ukku Pidugu (1969) CINEMA". www.moviebuff.com. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  17. ↑ "Gandara Gandadu 1969 Telugu Movie Info".
  18. ↑ "Merupu Veerudu (1970)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  19. ↑ "Kathiki Kankanam (1971)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  20. ↑ "Andam Kosam Pandem (1971)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  21. ↑ "Raaja (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  22. ↑ "Patnavasam (1978)". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  23. ↑ "Mahalakshmi (1980)". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  24. ↑ "Shamsher Shankar (1982)". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  25. ↑ "Prathignya (1982)". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  26. ↑ "Chattaniki Veyi Kallu". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  27. ↑ "Moogavani Paga (1983)". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  28. ↑ "Puli Debba". MovieBuff. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  29. ↑ "Lanke Bindelu (1983)". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 27 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  30. ↑ "Sardar (1984)". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  31. ↑ "Mantradandam (1985) | V CINEMA - Movie, Review, Cast, Songs & Release Date". www.vcinema.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  32. ↑ ALLUDI PORU AMMAI JORU | TELUGU FULL MOVIE | SUMAN | VENITHA | CHANDRA MOHAN | TELUGU CINEMA ZONE, archived from the original on 18 May 2023, retrieved 18 May 2023
  33. ↑ "Naga Shakthi (1998)". Indiancine.ma.
  34. ↑ "Actor Kanta Rao passed away at 85 Years". Deccan Radio. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.