Jaggayya

Kongara Jaggayya (31 December 1926 – 5 March 2004) was an Indian actor, littérateur, journalist, lyricist, dubbing artist and politician known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He was known as ''Kanchu Kantam Jaggayya'' (Telugu) for his booming voice. In a film career spanning forty years as a matinee idol, he starred in eighty films, as a lead actor, and lead antagonist in a variety of genres. In 1967, he was elected as a member of the fourth Lok Sabha, from the constituency of Ongole, becoming the first Indian film actor to be elected as a member of the Parliament.

During his early career he portrayed breakthrough characters in works such as '' Donga Ramudu'' (1955), which was archived by the Film and Television Institute of India, He starred in award-winning works such as ''Bangaru Papa'' (1954), '' Ardhangi'' (1955), '' Edi Nijam'' (1956), ''Todi Kodallu'' (1957), '' Dr. Chakravarti'' (1964), ''Antastulu'' (1965), the Cannes Film Festival featured ''Meghasandesam'' (1982), and Seethakoka Chiluka (1981); all of which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Films in Telugu. In 1962, he co-produced and starred in the political drama film ''Padandi Munduku'' based on Salt March, the film was screened at the International Film Festival of India, the Tashkent Film Festival, and got a special mention at the 5th Moscow International Film Festival.

As a character actor he received critical appreciation for his performance in notable works such as '' Velugu Needalu'' (1961), ''Chitti Tammudu'' (1962), '' Aaradhana'' (1962), '' Aatma Balam'' (1964), '' Sumangali'' (1965), ''Gudi Gantalu'' (1965), '' Nava ratri'' (1966), '' Aame Evaru?'' (1966), ''Aastiparulu'' (1966), ''Jarigina Katha'' (1969), '' Bala Mitrula Katha'' (1972), ''Badi Pantulu'' (1972), '' Bharya Biddalu'' (1972), '' Devudu Chesina Manushulu'' (1973). He portrayed British official Rutherford in the biographical film '' Alluri Sita Rama Raju'' (1974), and essayed Pontius Pilate in the hagiographical film '' Karunamayudu'' (1978). He then appeared in works such as '' Veta'' (1986), ''Chantabbai'' (1986), ''Pasivadi Pranam'' (1987), '' Dharma Kshetram'' (1992) and ''Bobbili Simham'' (1994). He won the Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Award for Best Character Actor for his works in some of these films. A recipient of the Tamil Nadu state's Kalaimamani, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan in 1992 for his contributions towards Indian cinema.

Early life

Jaggayya was born on 31 December 1926 to Seetaramaiah and Rajya Lakshmamma in Morampudi village near Tenali in Guntur district. He quoted on several occasions in his essays the influence his father had on his interest towards arts. He started acting at the age of 11, with the role of Lava in a Hindi play during his high school days in Duggirala. He was trained in painting under the guidance of Adivi Bapiraju, a noted painter, during his college days.

As a student, he joined the Congress Socialist party in Tenali, which was involved in the Indian Independence Movement at that time.

He joined the Andhra-Christian College, in 1942, in Guntur for his higher studies. He used to be a member of Navya Sahitya Parishath in Guntur. Later he joined a periodical named ''Desabhimani'' (meaning "Patriot") as a journalist. Later he worked as an editor for the weekly Andhra Republic. During his B.A. days in A-C College, he along with N. T. Rama Rao, acted in several plays. He also used to be a part of Navajyothi Artists, a cultural organisation run by Mukkamala. After working as a teacher in Duggirala for a brief while, he became a news announcer in Akashavani for three years. Jaggayya won the best actor award in three successive years for ''Chesina Papam'' and ''Telangana''.

Film career

Jaggayya made his cinematic debut in 1952 drama film ''Priyuralu'' directed by Tripuraneni Gopichand. This movie was produced by Donepudi Krishnamurthy, also known popularly as Gokul Krishnamurthy. He quit the job as news announcer as he signed three movies on a trot. His second movie, ''Adarsham'', didn't do well at box office. His planned third movie ''Paleru'' did not even see light of the day.

''Bangaru Papa'', directed by B N Reddy, released in 1955, was the first breakthrough film for Jaggayya. He was distinguished for his booming voice and contributed as a voice artist for more than hundred feature films. He dubbed in Telugu language for veteran Sivaji Ganesan. He was the narrator, and dubbing artist for internationally recognized works such as Maa Bhoomi, and Richard Attenborough's character of John Hammond in the Telugu-dubbed version of the Hollywood film ''Jurassic Park''. He acted in almost 100 films as a lead, 100 more as a co-lead and almost 200 films as a character artist. He was a part of almost every film of VB Rajendra Parasad's ''Jagapathi Pictures'', K B Tilak's ''Anupama Pictures'' and ''Ramavijeta Films'' owned by brothers Prabhakar and Baburao. His last film as an actor was ''Kunthi Putrudu'', which starred Mohan Babu as lead and was directed by Dasari Narayana Rao.

He turned into producer with a film ''Padandi Munduku'', under the banner of ''Jagruthi Chitra''. The film was released in January 1962 and was a regarded as first Telugu social film made on the basis of Indian Independence movement.

He was awarded the 'Kala Vachaspathi' for his sonorous voice.

Political career

Jaggayya was active in politics right from his student days and was allied with the socialist group within the Congress party. When the group was disbanded, he joined Jayaprakash Narayan's Praja Socialist Party, but returned to Congress in 1956, heeding the call of Jawaharlal Nehru. In 1967, he was elected as a member of the fourth Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India from the constituency of Ongole on a Congress Party ticket. He was the first Indian film actor to be elected as a member of parliament.

Literary achievements

He translated Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's '' Geetanjali'' and multiple poems into Telugu under the name ''Ravindra Geetha''. He also translated Tagore's play "Sacrifice" into Telugu under the name ''Balidaanam''. He also co-founded ''Manasvini Charitable Trust'' to honor the film literature of ''Acharya Aatreya''. The lyrics of all the film songs written by Athreya was consolidated into seven volumes.

Death

Due to complications after a hip replacement surgery, Jaggayya died on 5 March 2004 at Chennai, Tamilnadu.

Awards

;Civilian honours
* Padma Bhushan, Government of India in 1992

;Nandi Awards
*Nandi Award for Best Character Actor

;State Awards
*Andhra Pradesh Government cash award for producing ''Padandi Munduku'' in 1962
* Title of ''Kalaimamani'' from Tamil Nadu government

;Other honours
* Title of ''Kala Vachaspathi'' from the ''Sanskrit Viswa Vidyalaya'', Delhi
* Title of ''Kala Prapoorna'' from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam
* Honorary D.Litt. from the Telugu University, Hyderabad

Filmography

Notes

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jaggayya, Kongara
1926 births
2004 deaths
20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
20th-century Indian male actors
20th-century Indian screenwriters
20th-century Indian translators
Dramatists and playwrights from Andhra Pradesh
India MPs 1967–1970
Indian actor-politicians
Indian male dramatists and playwrights
Indian male film actors
Indian male screenwriters
Indian male voice actors
Indian National Congress politicians from Andhra Pradesh
Indian socialists
Lok Sabha members from Andhra Pradesh
Male actors from Andhra Pradesh
Male actors in Telugu cinema
Nandi Award winners
People from Tenali
Actors from Guntur district
Praja Socialist Party politicians
Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts
Telugu male actors