Jaggayya

Kongara Jaggayya (31 December 1928 – 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.[1] 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.

Jaggayya
Portrait of Jaggayya
Born
Kongara Jaggayya

(1928-12-31)31 December 1928
Died5 March 2004(2004-03-05) (aged 75)
Other namesKalavachaspati
Kanchu Kantam
Alma materAndhra Christian College
Occupation(s)Actor, dubbing artist, littérateur, journalist, poet, politician
Years active1952-1994
Political partyIndian National Congress
AwardsPadma Bhushan 1992
Member of the Lok Sabha
In office
1967–1970
ConstituencyOngole

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.[2]

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.[3]

Early life

Jaggayya was born on 31 December 1928 to Seetaramaih and Rajya Lakshmamma in Morampudi village near Tenali in Guntur district.[1] 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.[4]

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.[5] 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.[6] Jaggayya won the best actor award in three successive years for Chesina Papam and Telangana.

Film career

He made his cinematic debut in 1952 drama film Priyuralu directed by Tripuraneni Gopichand.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9] He was the first Indian film actor to be elected as a member of parliament.[10][11]

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 passed away on 5 March 2004 at Chennai, Tamilnadu.[1]

Awards

Civilian honours
Nandi Awards
State Awards
Other honours

Filmography

YearFilm RoleNotes
1952Priyuralu
Adarsam
1954Bangaru Papa Manohar National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1955Ardhangi Chinna Babu National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Donga Ramudu Dr. MohanArchived at the Film and Television Institute of India
1956Muddu Bidda
Edi Nijam National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1957Veera Kankanam
Varudu Kavali
Thodi Kodallu VaikuntamNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
MLA
Bhale Bava
Aalu Magalu
1958Mundhadugu
Anna Thammudu
Dongalunnaru Jagratha
Atha Okinti Kodale
Sri Krishna Garadi
1959Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
Bhagya Devata
1960Pelli Kanuka
1961Velugu Needalu
Pellikani Pillalu
Kalasi unte Kaladu Sukham
Intiki Deepam Illalu
1962Chitti Tammudu
Aradhana
Padandi Munduku Producer
1963Constable Koothuru
Anubandhalu
Eedu Jodu
Manchi rojulu vasthayi
1964Pooja Phalam
Manchi Manishi
Dr. Chakravarthi National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Aathma Balam
1965 Naadi Aada Janme
Uyyala Jampala
Sumangali
Preminchi Choodu
Manushulu Mamathalu
Gudi Gantalu
Antastulu National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1966Navarathri
Manase Mandiram
Aame Evaru?
Aastiparulu
1967Prana Mithrulu
1968Bandipotu Dongalu
1969Adrushtavanthulu
Ardha Rathri
Jarigina Katha[12] Prasad
Sipayi Chinnayya Kodandam
1970Thalli Thandrulu
1971Ramalayam
Naa Thammudu
Chinnanati Snehitulu
1972Badi Panthulu
Bharya Biddalu
1973Devudu Chesina Manushulu
Nindu Kutumbam[13] Mohan Rao
1974Bhoomi Kosam
Deeksha
Alluri Sita Rama Raju
Mangalya Bhagyam[14] Chandram
Manchi Manushulu Dr. Ramesh
1976Sri Rajeswari Vilas Coffee Club
Raaja[15] Justice Raghupathi Rao
Paadipantalu
Muthyala Pallaki Srinivasa Rao
Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam
1977Adavi Ramudu Forest Officer
Chanakya Chandragupta Voice double for Sivaji Ganesan
Bangaru Bommalu
Manassakshi
1978Karunamayudu Pontius Pilate
KD No:1
1979Vetagadu Boopathi
Maavari Manchitanam
1980Ram Robert Rahim
1981Nyayam Kavali
Jeevitha Ratham Gopal Rao
Seethakoka Chilaka National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1982Bobbili Puli
Yamakinkarudu
1983Meghasandesam National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Dharma Poratam Raghurama Rao
1984Disco King
Jagan Dharmamurthy
Kanchu Kagada
Raraju
Anubandham
Palnati Puli Lawyer Mukunda Rao
1985Swathi
Palnati Simham[16] Sadananda Swamy
Tirugubatu
Adavi Donga
Ooriki Soggadu Dr. Dayanand
Agni Parvatam Jagannadha Rao
Vijetha
Pachani Kapuram Lakshmi Varaprasada Rao
1986 Brahmastram Parthasarathi
Kirathakudu
Ugra Narasimham Chakravarthy
Veta
Chantabbai
1987Ramu
President Gari Abbayi President Chandraiah
Thene Manasulu Rao Bahadur Ratnagiri Ranga Rao
Aradhana
Pasivadi Pranam
Viswanatha Nayakudu Voice double for Sivaji Ganesan
Prema Samrat[17] Lawyer Raghava Rao
1988Manchi Donga
Aswaddhama Public Prosecutor Shankaram
Aakhari Poratam
Prema Kireetam
Dharma Teja D.S.P. Chakrapani
Jeevana Ganga
1989Ajatha Satruvu Raghavaiah Naidu
Mamathala Kovela
State Rowdy Vice-Chancellor Mukunda Rao
1990Alludugaru
Yama Dharmaraju
1991Assembly Rowdy
Ramudu Kadhu Rakshasudu
1992Dharma Kshetram
Brahma[18]
Rowdy Inspector
Detective Narada
1993 Repati Rowdy[19] Raghuramaiah
Joker
1994Bobbili Simham

References

  1. "Jaggayya passes away". The Hindu. 6 March 2004. Archived from the original on 13 April 2004.
  2. "Profile of Gummadi - Telugu film actor".
  3. Correspondent, Our Special (3 May 2004). "Jaggayya passes away". The Hindu. p. 06. Archived from the original on 13 April 2004 via The Hindu (old).
  4. krshychait (12 December 2011). ""Kalaa Vachaspati", "Kanchu Kantham": Kongara Jaggayya".
  5. "Movie Review". Archived from the original on 26 December 2005. Retrieved 23 April 2006.
  6. telugucinema.com/c/stars/KJaggayya.shtml
  7. "Rutherford of Telugu cinema".
  8. earlytollywood.blogspot.in/2008/02/kongara-jaggaiah.html
  9. "ప్రచారం చేయకుండానే జగ్గయ్య గెలుపు". Sakshi (in Telugu). 21 March 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  10. "Everything you wanted to know about filmstars in Lok Sabha, but didn't know whom to ask - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  11. "Star power in south India: Reel life actors don't always make for real life statesmen". The News Minute. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  12. "Jarigina Katha (1969)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  13. "Nindu Kutumbam on Moviebuff.com". Moviebuff.com. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  14. "Mangalya Bhagyam (1974)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  15. "Raaja (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  16. "Palnati Simham (1985)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  17. PREMA SAMRAT Telugu Movie SUMAN,BHANU PRIYA, TIGER PRABHAKAR, retrieved 16 April 2023
  18. "Brahma (1992)". IMDb. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  19. "Repati Rowdy (1993)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
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