Kamalakara Kameswara Rao (14 October 1911 – 29 June 1998) was an

Indian film The Cinema of India consists of motion pictures produced in India, which had a large effect on world cinema since the late 20th century. Major centers of film production across the country include Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Ko ...

director known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, and a few

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia ** Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nati ...

and

Hindi film Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, refers to the film industry based in Mumbai, engaged in production of motion pictures in Hindi language. The popular term Bollywood, is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (fo ...

s. Widely known as ''Pauranika Chitra Brahma'' (), Kameswara Rao directed fifty

feature films A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...

in a variety of genres. In 1960 he directed the

biographical film A biographical film or biopic () is a film that dramatizes the life of a non-fictional or historically-based person or people. Such films show the life of a historical person and the central character's real name is used. They differ from docudra ...

, '' Mahakavi Kalidasu'' which won the President's silver medal for Best Feature Film in Telugu. In 1962 he directed '' Gundamma Katha'' which was commercially successful and received the Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu. In the same year, he directed another

, ''

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 ...

'' which won the President's silver medal for Best Feature Film in Telugu at the

10th National Film Awards The 10th National Film Awards, then known as State Awards for Films, presented by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India to felicitate the best of Indian Cinema released in 1962. Ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 21 A ...

. In 1963, Rao directed the

blockbuster Blockbuster or Block Buster may refer to: *Blockbuster (entertainment) a term coined for an extremely successful movie, from which most other uses are derived. Corporations * Blockbuster (retailer), a defunct video and game rental chain ** Blo ...

, epic mythological film '' Nartanasala''. The film is cited among '' CNN-IBNs list of the hundred greatest Indian films of all time. The film has received wide critical acclaim and has garnered the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film at the

11th National Film Awards The 11th National Film Awards, then known as State Awards for Films, presented by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India to felicitate the best of Indian Cinema released in 1963. Ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 25 A ...

, and has secured the

Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Film ''Filmfare'' is an Indian English-language fortnightly magazine published by Worldwide Media. Acknowledged as one of Indian most popular entertainment magazines, it publishes pieces involving news, interviews, photos, videos, reviews, events, an ...

Life sketch

He was born in 1911 in Machilipatnam. He has completed Bachelor of Arts from the

Noble College, Machilipatnam Noble College in Machilipatnam was founded by late Robert Turlington Noble, an English missionary, in 1843. Rev. Noble came to then Masulipatnam (now Machilipatnam also known as Bandar) as a Christian Missionary in 1841 and stayed until his dea ...

. He has worked as a Film journalist for

Krishna Patrika Krishna Patrika is a Telugu-language newspaper founded by Indian freedom fighter Konda Venkatappayya. History Krishna patrika was started in machileepatnam in 1902 Krishna Patrika started publishing on 2 February 1902 by founders Konda Venkat ...

between 1934 and 1937. His unbiased reviews about the released films are highly appreciated by the audiences. On invitation from

H. M. Reddy Hanumappa Muniappa Reddy (12 June 1892 – 14 January 1960), known as H. M. Reddy, was an Indian film director and producer, known for his works in Telugu cinema. He directed the first Indian multilingual sound film ''Kalidas'' (1931), shot in ...

, he has reached

Madras Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

. He has joined as assistant director and worked with K. V. Reddy and

Moola Narayana Swamy Moola Narayana Swamy ( 20 August 1950) was an Indian businessman and film producer known for his works in Telugu cinema. He owned several businesses such as Rayalaseema Bank, Rayalaseema Textiles, Cuddapah Ceramics, Cuddapah Electric Company, o ...

for the film ''

Gruhalakshmi Gruhalakshmi or Grihalaxmi may refer to: * Grihalaxmi (1934 film), a Hindi social family melodrama film * Gruhalakshmi (1938 film), an Indian Telugu-language drama film * Gruhalakshmi (1955 film), an Indian Tamil-language film * Gruhalakshmi (1967 ...

'' in 1938. He has worked as assistant director for the films ''Vande Mataram'', '' Sumangali'', ''Devatha'' and ''Swarga Seema'' under Bomireddi Narasimha Reddy and for ''Bhakta Potana'' and ''Yogi Vemana'' under

K. V. Reddy Kadiri Venkata Reddy (1 July 1912 – 15 September 1972) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who primarily worked in Telugu cinema. He is considered as one of the greatest directors in the history of Telugu cinema. He d ...

. After observing him closely, Vijaya Productions has given the responsibility of independently direct ''

Chandraharam ''Chandraharam'' is a 1954 Telugu-Tamil bilingual swashbuckler film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao in his debut. It was produced by Nagi Reddy-Chakrapani under the Vijaya Productions banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri and Sriran ...

'' in 1954 which was not commercially successful. He has left Vijaya Productions in 1955. He has directed about 30 films of National Art Theatres, Rajyam Pictures, Ponnaloori Brothers, Padmalaya Pictures, Mahija pictures and

Suresh Productions Suresh Productions (also known as Suresh Movies, Vijaya Suresh Combines) is an Indian film production and distribution company known for its works in Telugu cinema. It is established in 1964 by D. Ramanaidu. It is one of India's largest film p ...

over the period of three decades. He used to describe the film '' Nartanasala'' (1963) as his best directoral work, which won many National and International awards.

Death

Rao died at the age of 88 years on 29 June 1998 due to cardiac arrest.

Filmography

Director

* ''

'' (Telugu & Tamil) (1954) * ''

Guna Sundari ''Guna Sundari'' or ''Gunasundari'' is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language film starring Gemini Ganesan and Savitri. The film was remake of the 1949 Telugu film ''Gunasundari Katha''. It was not successful at the box office. Plot Ugra Senan is the k ...

'' (Tamil) (1955) * ''

Penki Pellam ''Penki Pellam'' ( stubborn wife) is a 1956 Telugu-language drama film, produced by D. B. Narayana and S. Bhavanarayana under the Sahini Art Productions banner and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Rajasulochana, Sr ...

'' (1956) * ''

Panduranga Mahatyam ''Panduranga Mahatyam'' () is a 1957 Indian Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of Pundarika, produced by N. Trivikrama Rao under the National Art Theatres banner and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Ra ...

'' (1957) * '' Sobha'' (1958) * ''

Raja Sevai ''Rechukka Pagatichukka'' () is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film, produced by N. Trivikrama Rao and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Sowcar Janaki and S. V. Ranga Rao, with music composed by T. V. Ra ...

'' (1959) * ''

Rechukka Pagatichukka ''Rechukka Pagatichukka'' () is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film, produced by N. Trivikrama Rao and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Sowcar Janaki and S. V. Ranga Rao, with music composed by T. V. Ra ...

'' (1959) * '' Mahakavi Kalidasu'' (Telugu & Tamil) (1960) * ''

'' (1962) * '' Gundamma Katha'' (1962) * '' Narthanasala'' (1963) * ''

Pandava Vanavasamu ''Pandava Vanavasam'' () is a 1965 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and written by Samudrala Sr. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri, with music composed by Ghantasala. It was produced by A. ...

'' (1965) * ''

Shakuntala Shakuntala (Sanskrit: ''Śakuntalā'') is the wife of Dushyanta and the mother of Emperor Bharata. Her story is told in the '' Adi Parva'' of the ancient Indian epic ''Mahabharata'' and dramatized by many writers, the most famous adaption bein ...

'' (1966) * ''

Sri Krishna Tulabharam ''Sri Krishna Tulabharam'' () is a 1966 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced by D. Ramanaidu under the Suresh Productions banner and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi and Jamuna wit ...

'' (Telugu & Tamil) (1966) * ''Kambojaraju Katha'' (1967) * ''

Sri Krishnavataram ''Sri Krishnavataram'' is a 1967 Telugu language, Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Devika and Kanchana (actress), Kanchana, with music composed by T. V. Raju. The film was pro ...

'' (Telugu & Tamil) (1967) * ''Kalasina Manushulu'' (1968) * ''

Veeranjaneya ''Veeranjaneya'' is a 1968 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It is a musical film released in 1968, starring Arja Janardhana Rao, Kanta Rao, Anjali Devi and S.V. Ranga Rao. Plot The story is based on the Ramaya ...

'' (1968) * '' Mayani Mamata'' (1970) * '' Sri Krishna Vijayamu'' (1970) * ''

Bala Bharatam ''Bala Bharatam'' is a 1972 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film wherein most of the characters are played by children. The child actors include Baby Sridevi and Master Prabhakar. Story The plot is the famous ''Mahabharata'' story of ...

'' (1972) * ''Jeevitaashayam'' (1974) * '' Kurukshetram'' (1977) * ''

Seetha Rama Vanavasam ''Seetha Rama Vanavasam'' is a 1977 Bollywood drama film directed by Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao. Cast *Ravi... Ram *Jayapradha... Sita *Satyanarayan... Ravan *Gummadi... Dasharath * Saroja Devi... Mandodari * Anjali... Kaushalya * Vijaylalit ...

'' (1977) * ''

Gnana Kuzhandhai ''Gnana Kuzhandhai'' () is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film, directed by K. Kameshwara Rao and written by Era. Pazhanisamy. Music was by K. V. Mahadevan. The film stars Baby Sudha and Master Sridhar, with Gemini Ganesan Venn ...

'' (1979) * '' Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu'' (1980) * ''Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Mahatyam'' (1980) * '' Deiva Thirumanangal'' (1981) (Valli Thirumanam part only) * ''Ekalavya'' (1982) * ''Santoshi Mata Vrata Mahatmyamu'' (1983) * ''Badarinatha Darshanam'' (1985) * ''

Sri Datta Darsanam ''Sri Datta Darsanam'' is a 1985 Telugu-language biographical film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. The story is based on the life of Hindu deity Dattatreya. The story of Dattatreya was shown earlier in Sati Anasuya as a part of the Anasuy ...

'' (1985) * ''Ashtalakshmi Vaibhavamu'' (1986) * ''Devi Navagraha Nayaki'' (1986) * ''Edu Kondalaswami'' (1991)

Assistant director

* ''

'' (1938) * ''Vande Mataram'' (1939) * '' Sumangali'' (1940) * ''

Devatha ''Devata'' (pl: ''devatas'', meaning 'the gods') (Devanagari: देवता; Khmer: ទេវតា (''tevoda''); Thai: เทวดา (''tevada''); Javanese, Balinese, Sundanese, Malay: ''dewata''; Batak languages: ''debata'' (Toba), ' ...

'' (1941) * '' Bhakta Potana'' (1942) * ''

Swargaseema ''Swarga Seema'' is a 1945 Telugu-language drama film produced and directed by B. N. Reddy and starring V. Nagayya, B. Jayamma and Bhanumathi. Ghantasala entered film world as a Playback singer for a song of C. H. Narayana Rao and it is also G ...

'' (1945) * ''

Yogi Vemana Vemana, popularly known as Yogi Vemana, was an Indian philosopher and poet in the Telugu language. His poems are known for their use of simple language and native idioms. They discuss the subjects of yoga, wisdom and morality. Early life and ...

'' (1947) * ''

Gunasundari Katha ''Gunasundari Katha'' is a 1949 Indian Telugu language fantasy film produced and directed by K. V. Reddy, starring Sriranjani, Kasturi Siva Rao, Santha Kumari. The script was written by Pingali Nagendra Rao, K. V. Reddy, and Kamalakara Kameswa ...

'' (1949) * ''

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 ...

'' (1951) * ''

'' (1955)

Awards

;

National Film Awards The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorat ...

* National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film in 1964 - Nartanasala. *

1962 Events January * January 1 – Western Samoa becomes independent from New Zealand. * January 3 – Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro for preaching communism. * January 8 – Harmelen train disaster: 93 die in the wors ...

: President's silver medal for Best Feature Film in Telugu - ''

'' *

1960 It is also known as the "Year of Africa" because of major events—particularly the independence of seventeen African nations—that focused global attention on the continent and intensified feelings of Pan-Africanism. Events January * Ja ...

: President's silver medal for Best Feature Film in Telugu - '' Mahakavi Kalidasu''

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rao, Kamalakara Kameswara Telugu film directors 1911 births 1998 deaths 20th-century Indian film directors People from Krishna district Film directors from Andhra Pradesh People from Machilipatnam