Relangi Venkata Ramayya ( 9 August 1910 – 27 November 1975), known mononymously by his

surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

as Relangi, was an Indian actor, comedian, and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He was honoured with the

Padma Shri Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī''), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is confe ...

for his contribution to Indian cinema in 1970. Relangi is particularly known for his comic expressions, and dialogues during the 1950s and 1960s. Together with Ramana Reddy, they were a comedy double act. Notable Relangi performances include films like '' Gunasundari Katha'' (1949), '' Vipra Narayana'' (1954), '' Missamma'' (1955), ''

Donga Ramudu Donga Ramudu may refer to: * Donga Ramudu (1955 film), an Indian Telugu-language drama film * Donga Ramudu (1988 film) ''Donga Ramudu'' is a 1988 Telugu-language action film, produced Chalasani Gopi by under the Gopi Art Pictures banner and dire ...

'' (1955), '' Mayabazar'' (1957), '' Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu'' (1958), '' Velugu Needalu'' (1961), '' Iddaru Mitrulu (''1961), ''

Kula Gothralu ''Kula Gotralu'' () is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by K. Pratyagatma. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. Acharya Aatreya wrote the dialogues for the ...

'' (1962), ''

Lava Kusa ''Lava Kusa'' (also spelled as ''Lava Kusha'') is a 1963 Indian Hindu mythological film directed by C. S. Rao and his father C. Pullayya. The film was scripted by Sadasivabrahmam, Samudrala Sr. along with C. S. Rao and C. Pullayya. The film w ...

''(1963), '' Chaduvukunna Ammayilu'' (1963), '' Nartanasala'' (1963), and ''

Preminchi Choodu Preminchi Choodu may refer to: * Preminchi Choodu (1965 film), an Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film * Preminchi Choodu (1989 film) ''Preminchi Choodu'' ( ''Love someone then See'') is a 1989 Telugu-language comedy film, produced by Si ...

(''1965). The ''Relangi Art Academy Award'' was instituted in his honour for best comic performances.

Early life

Relangi was born in the village of

Ravulapalem Ravulapalem is a village in Ravulapalem Mandal,Konaseema Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh. Ravulapalem is the entry point for the lushy green Konaseema Delta region, often called the Kerala of Andhra. Ravulapalem is well known for its Ba ...

in the East Godavari district in Madras State (now Andhra Pradesh). He was a professional

Harikatha ''Harikatha'' (Kannada: ಹರಿಕಥೆ : ''Harikathe''; Telugu: హరికథ : ''Harikatha;'' Marathi: हरीपाठ '': Haripatha'', ), also known as ''Harikatha Kaalakshepam'' in Telugu and Tamil (), is a form of Hindu traditional ...

performer and also an expert Harmonium player. He grew up in Kakinada; however, he didn't show interest in education due to his passion for acting.

Career

Relangi started his initial career acting in stage and folk theatre and also took female roles in stage theatre. He started his film career by playing a Vidushaka (

Jester A jester, court jester, fool or joker was a member of the household of a nobleman or a monarch employed to entertain guests during the medieval and Renaissance eras. Jesters were also itinerant performers who entertained common folk at fairs and ...

) role in his first

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode S ...

film ''Sri Krishna Thulabaram'' in 1935 under the direction of C. Pullayya. Later on, he assisted Pullayya as a Production Manager until he got a major break with the film '' Gollabhama'' released in 1947. Subsequently, he played a comedic role in '' Vindhyarani'' (1948), which was a big hit. He was a regular face in all the movies made under the Vijaya Films banner from 1950. He grew so popular that he was given a chance to play a comedic hero role in '' Pakka inti Ammayi'' in 1953 under Pullayya opposite

Anjali Devi Anjali Devi (; 24 August 1927 – 13 January 2014) was an Indian actress, model and producer in Telugu and Tamil films. She was well known for her role as the Devi Sita in '' Lava Kusa'' as well as for the titular roles in movies like Chen ...

Filmography

As a comedic actor, he was quite popular when partnered with actress Girija, actress

Suryakantham Suryakantam or Sooryakantam (pronounced sūryakāntam) is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 17th ''melakarta'' rāgam (parent scale) in the 72 ''melakarta'' rāgam system of Carnatic music. I ...

, and another comedian actor, Ramana Reddy. These combinations were repeated for several hit movies in

. Some of the well-known movies in which Relangi acted are shown below.

1930s

* ''Sri Krishna Thulabaram'' in 1935 * ''

Vara Vikrayam ''Vara Vikrayam'' ( te, వర విక్రయం) is a famous novel and play with same name by Kallakoori Narayana Rao. It is based on a reformist social theme about the Dowry system prevalent in India. Main characters * Purushotham Rao, Re ...

'' in 1939

1940s

* ''

Malathi Madhavam ''Malathi Madhavam'' is a 1940 Telugu film directed by C. Pullaiah Chittajallu Pullayya (Telugu language, Telugu: చిత్తజల్లు పుల్లయ్య; 1898 – 6 October 1967) was an Indian film director and screenwrite ...

'' in 1940 * '' Bala Nagamma'' in 1942 * '' Gollabhama'' in 1947 * '' Vindhyarani'' in 1948 * ''

Keelu Gurram ''Keelu Gurram'' () is a 1949 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film produced and directed by Raja Saheb of Mirzapuram under the Sobhanachala Pictures banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi, with music composed by Ghantasala ...

'' in 1949 * '' Gunasundari Katha'' in 1949 * '' Mana Desam'' in 1949

1950s

* '' Samsaram'' in 1950 * ''

Maaya Rambha ''Maaya Rambha'' () is a 1950 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced and directed by T. P. Sundaram under the N. B. Productions banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Anjali Devi, with music composed by Ogirala Ramachandra Rao. T ...

'' in 1950 * ''

Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha ''Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha'' () is a 1966 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film directed by C. Pullayya. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, K. R. Vijaya with music composed by Ghantasala. It is produced by Thota Subba Rao under the Sridevi Produc ...

'' in 1950 * '' Shavukaru'' * '' Navvite Navaratnalu'' in 1951 * ''

Patala Bhairavi ''Pathala Bhairavi'' () is a 1951 Indian fantasy film directed by K. V. Reddy who co-wrote the film with Pingali (writer), Pingali and Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. Shot simultaneously in Telugu language, Telugu and Tamil language, Tamil languages ...

'' in 1951 * '' Perantaalu'' in 1951 * '' Agni Pariksha'' in 1951 * '' Prema'' in 1952 * '' Dharma Devatha'' in 1952 * '' Daasi'' in 1952 * '' Manavati'' in 1952 * '' Priyuralu'' in 1952 * '' Tingu Ranga'' in 1952 * ''

Peda Rythu Peda () or Pera is a sweet dish hailing from the Indian subcontinent. It originated from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India. Usually prepared in thick, semi-soft, its main ingredients are khoa, sugar and traditional flavorings including cardamom se ...

'' in 1952 * '' Paradesi'' in 1953 * '' Velaikari Magal'' in 1953 * '' Pakka Inti Ammayi'' in 1953 * '' Chandirani'' in 1953 * '' Bratuku Theruvu'' in 1953 * '' Peddamanushulu'' in 1954 * '' Chandraharam'' in 1954 * '' Raju Peda'' in 1954 * '' Vipra Narayana'' in 1954 * ''

Rani Ratnaprabha ''Rani Ratnaprabha'' () is a 1960 Telugu-language swashbuckling fantasy film, produced and directed by B. A. Subba Rao under the B. A. S. Productions banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Anjali Devi, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. Plo ...

'' in 1955 * '' Jayasimha'' in 1955 * '' Missamma'' in 1955 * '' Ardhangi'' in 1955 * '' Rojulu Marayi'' in 1955 * '' Santhanam'' in 1955 * ''

'' in 1955 * '' Jayam Manade'' in 1956 * '' Bhale Ramudu'' in 1956 * '' Chintamani'' in 1956 * ''

Charana Daasi ''Charana Daasi'' () is a 1956 Indian Telugu-language drama film written by Vempati Sadasivabrahmam and directed by T. Prakash Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi and Savitri, with music composed by S. Rajeswa ...

'' in 1956 * '' Veera Kankanam'' in 1957 * '' Todi Kodallu'' in 1957 * ''

Sarangadhara ''Sarangadhara'' is an epic story during the reign of Rajaraja Narendra. Gurajada Apparao wrote the story in long poetic form in English and published in "Indian Leisure Hour" in 1883. It was a favourite Telugu drama and made into South India ...

'' in 1957 * ''

Kutumba Gowravam ''Kutumba Gowravam'' () is a 1957 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by B. S. Ranga under the Vikram Studios banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri, with music composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. The film was rema ...

'' in 1957 * '' Dongallo Dora'' in 1957 * '' Bhagya Rekha'' in 1957 * '' Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam'' in 1957 * '' Maya Bazaar'' in 1957 * ''

Suvarna Sundari ''Suvarna Sundari'' () is a 1957 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi with music composed by P. Adinarayana Rao. The film was produced by Adinarayana Rao under ...

'' in 1957 * '' Mangalya Balam'' in 1958 * '' Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu'' in 1958 * '' Chenchu Lakshmi'' in 1958 * '' Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu'' in 1958 * ''Krishna Leelalu 1959 * '' Jayabheri'' in 1959 * '' Illarikam'' in 1959 *" Nammina Bantu"in 1959

1960s

* '' Bhatti Vikramarka'' in 1960 * '' Shanthi Nivasam'' in 1960 * '' Samajam'' in 1960 * '' Pelli Kanuka'' in 1960 * ''

Mamaku Tagga Alludu Mamaku is a small village in the Bay of Plenty Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It lies on the Mamaku Plateau at an elevation of above sea level. Situated at the highest point of the now-mothballed Rotorua Branch railway line, the t ...

'' in 1960 * '' Vagdanam'' in 1960 * '' Usha Parinayam'' in 1961 * ''

Sabhash Raja ''Sabhash Raja'' () is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by Sundarlal Nahatha, Doondy under the Rajasri Productions banner and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Rajasulochana, with music comp ...

'' in 1961 * '' Velugu Needalu'' in 1961 * '' Iddaru Mitrulu'' in 1961 * '' Bharya Bharthalu'' in 1961 * '' Bhakta Jayadeva'' in 1961 * '' Jagadeka Veeruni Katha'' in 1961 * '' Kalasi Vunte Kaladu Sukham'' in 1961 * '' Khaidi Kannaiah'' in 1962 * '' Siri Sampadalu'' in 1962 * '' Raktha Sambandham'' in 1962 * ''

Mohini Rugmangada Mohini ( Sanskrit: मोहिनी, ') is the Hindu goddess of enchantment. She is the only female avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. She is portrayed as a ''femme fatale'', an enchantress, who maddens lovers and demons, sometimes leading the ...

'' in 1962 * ''

'' in 1962 * '' Bhishma'' in 1962 * '' Aradhana'' in 1962 * '' Tiger Ramudu'' in 1962 * ''

Mahamantri Timmarusu Saluva Timmarusu or Saluva Nayaka or simply Timmarasu was the Prime Minister (Mahapradhana) and military commander of Krishna Deva Raya. He is also known as "Appaji". He had also served as Prime Minister under Viranarasimha Raya and Tuluva Nar ...

'' in 1962 * '' Chaduvukunna Ammayilu'' in 1963 * '' Lakshadhikari'' in 1963 * ''

'' in 1963 * '' Paruvu Prathishta'' in 1963 * '' Narthanasala'' in 1963 * '' Ramudu Bheemudu'' in 1964 * ''

Pooja Phalam ''Pooja Phalam'' () is a 1964 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed and co-written by B. N. Reddy. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri and Jamuna, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. The film is based on the novel ''Poojari'', ...

'' in 1964 * '' Aathma Balam'' in 1964 * ''

Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima ''Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima'' is a 1965 Telugu film written and directed by B. V. Prasad in his debut. The film is based on the stories related to Sri Varaha Narasimha Kshetram of Simhachalam in Andhra Pradesh, India. Plot The story begins ...

'' in 1965 * '' Satya Harishchandra'' in 1965 * ''

'' in 1965 * ''

Chitti Chellelu ''Chitti Chellelu'' () is a 1970 Indian Telugu-language drama film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair and produced by AVM Productions. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Vanisri and Rajasree, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. Plot Raghavayya become ...

'' in 1965 * '' Antastulu'' in 1965 * '' Aatma Gowravam'' in 1965 * '' Navaratri'' in 1966 * '' Leta Manasulu'' in 1966 * ''

Aastiparulu ''Aastiparulu'' () is a 1966 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by V. B. Rajendra Prasad and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jayalalithaa, with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film was remade ...

'' in 1966 * '' Srikakula Andhra Maha Vishnu Katha'' in 1966 * '' Pidugu Ramudu'' in 1966 * '' Ummadi Kutumbham'' in 1967 * '' Rahasyam'' in 1967 * '' Private Master'' in 1967 * ''

Goodachari 116 ''Gudachari 116'' () is a 1966 Indian Telugu-language spy film written by Aarudhra, and directed by M. Mallikarjuna Rao. The film stars Krishna, Jayalalitha, Rajanala and Mukkamala in pivotal roles. It is noted to be the first spy film in Telug ...

'' in 1967 * '' Bhakta Prahlada'' in 1967 * '' Aada Paduchu'' in 1967 * '' Thalli Prema'' in 1968 * '' Bhale Tammudu'' in 1969 * ''

Mathru Devata ''Mathru Devata'' () is a 1969 Telugu-language drama film, produced by Atluri Purnachandra Rao, M. Chandra Sekhar under the Poorna Art Pictures banner and directed by Savitri. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri, Shobhan Babu and music composed by ...

'' in 1969 *'' Karpura Harathi'' in 1969 * '' Asthulu Anthastulu'' in 1969

1970s

* '' Talli Tandrulu'' in 1970 * ''

Jeevitha Chakram Jeevitha Chakram () is a 1971 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by C. S. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Vanisri and Sarada, with music composed by Shankar–Jaikishan. It is produced by P. Gangadhar Rao under the Nava Sakthi Produc ...

'' in 1971 * '' Ganga Manga'' in 1973 * '' Doctor Babu'' in 1973 as Jagannatha Rao * '' Nippulanti Manishi'' in 1974 * '' Pooja'' in 1975

Singer

Some of the well-known songs sung by Relangi are in the following movies:

Producer

*Relangi acted and produced the film ''Samajam'' in 1960. *Relangi owned a Theater in Tadepalligudem - Relangi Theater.

Awards

* In 1970, he was awarded the

, a civilian award from the

Government of India The Government of India ( ISO: ; often abbreviated as GoI), known as the Union Government or Central Government but often simply as the Centre, is the national government of the Republic of India, a federal democracy located in South Asia, ...

. * In The 2019 movie N.T.R: Kathanayakudu, Brahmanandam portrayed him.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Venkata Ramaiah, Relangi 1910 births 1975 deaths Telugu film producers Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts Indian male comedians Film producers from Andhra Pradesh Telugu comedians 20th-century Indian male actors People from East Godavari district Telugu male actors Male actors from Andhra Pradesh Indian male film actors 20th-century Indian singers Telugu playback singers Singers from Andhra Pradesh 20th-century comedians