Relangi (actor)

Relangi Venkata Ramayya ( 9 August 1910 – 27 November 1975), known mononymously by his surname as Relangi, was an Indian actor, comedian, and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He was honoured with the Padma Shri 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'' (1955), ''Mayabazar'' (1957), ''Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu'' (1958), ''Velugu Needalu'' (1961), '' Iddaru Mitrulu (''1961), ''Kula Gothralu'' (1962), ''Lava Kusa ''(1963), '' Chaduvukunna Ammayilu'' (1963), ''Nartanasala'' (1963), and '' Preminchi Choodu (''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 in the East Godavari district in Madras State (now Andhra Pradesh). He was a professional Harikatha 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) role in his first Telugu 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.

Filmography

As a comedic actor, he was quite popular when partnered with actress Girija, actress Suryakantham, and another comedian actor, Ramana Reddy. These combinations were repeated for several hit movies in Telugu. Some of the well-known movies in which Relangi acted are shown below.

1930s

* ''Sri Krishna Thulabaram'' in 1935
* ''Vara Vikrayam'' in 1939

1940s

* '' Malathi Madhavam'' in 1940
* '' Bala Nagamma'' in 1942
* '' Gollabhama'' in 1947
* ''Vindhyarani'' in 1948
* '' Keelu Gurram'' in 1949
* ''Gunasundari Katha'' in 1949
* ''Mana Desam'' in 1949

1950s

* '' Samsaram'' in 1950
* '' Maaya Rambha'' in 1950
* ''Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha'' in 1950
* ''Shavukaru''
* '' Navvite Navaratnalu'' in 1951
* ''Patala Bhairavi'' 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'' 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'' in 1955
* '' Jayasimha'' in 1955
* ''Missamma'' in 1955
* ''Ardhangi'' in 1955
* ''Rojulu Marayi'' in 1955
* ''Santhanam'' in 1955
* '' Donga Ramudu'' in 1955
* ''Jayam Manade'' in 1956
* ''Bhale Ramudu'' in 1956
* '' Chintamani'' in 1956
* ''Charana Daasi'' in 1956
* ''Veera Kankanam'' in 1957
* ''Todi Kodallu'' in 1957
* ''Sarangadhara'' in 1957
* '' Kutumba Gowravam'' in 1957
* '' Dongallo Dora'' in 1957
* ''Bhagya Rekha'' in 1957
* ''Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam'' in 1957
* ''Maya Bazaar'' in 1957
* ''Suvarna Sundari'' 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'' in 1960
* ''Vagdanam'' in 1960
* ''Usha Parinayam'' in 1961
* '' Sabhash Raja'' 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'' in 1962
* ''Kula Gothralu'' in 1962
* ''Bhishma'' in 1962
* '' Aradhana'' in 1962
* ''Tiger Ramudu'' in 1962
* '' Mahamantri Timmarusu'' in 1962
* '' Chaduvukunna Ammayilu'' in 1963
* ''Lakshadhikari'' in 1963
* ''Lava Kusa'' in 1963
* ''Paruvu Prathishta'' in 1963
* '' Narthanasala'' in 1963
* ''Ramudu Bheemudu'' in 1964
* '' Pooja Phalam '' in 1964
* ''Aathma Balam'' in 1964
* ''Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima'' in 1965
* '' Satya Harishchandra'' in 1965
* '' Preminchi Choodu'' in 1965
* '' Chitti Chellelu'' in 1965
* ''Antastulu'' in 1965
* '' Aatma Gowravam'' in 1965
* ''Navaratri'' in 1966
* '' Leta Manasulu'' in 1966
* '' Aastiparulu'' 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'' in 1967
* '' Bhakta Prahlada'' in 1967
* ''Aada Paduchu'' in 1967
* '' Thalli Prema'' in 1968
* '' Bhale Tammudu'' in 1969
* '' Mathru Devata'' in 1969
*'' Karpura Harathi'' in 1969
* '' Asthulu Anthastulu'' in 1969

1970s

* ''Talli Tandrulu'' in 1970
* ''Jeevitha Chakram'' 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 Padma Shri, a civilian award from the Government of India.
* 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