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Jaggayya
Portrait of Jaggayya
Born	Kongara Jaggayya (1928-12-31)31 December 1928 Tenali, Madras Presidency, British India
Died	5 March 2004(2004-03-05) (aged 75) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Other names	Kalavachaspati Kanchu Kantam
Alma mater	Andhra Christian College
Occupations	Actor littérateur journalist lyricist dubbing artist politician
Years active	1952-1994
Political party	Indian National Congress
Awards	Padma Bhushan (1992)
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office 1967–1970
Preceded by	Madala Narayanaswamy
Succeeded by	Puli Venkata Reddy
Constituency	Ongole

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. 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 1928 to Seetaramaih 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

1. ^ Idlebrain.com cites his date of birth as "09-07-1927".

References

1. ^ "Jaggayya passes away". The Hindu. 6 March 2004. Archived from the original on 13 April 2004.
2. ^ Atluri, Sri (5 March 2004). "Kongara Jaggayya - A Tribute". Telugu Cinema. Archived from the original on 21 December 2005. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
3. ^ "Profile of Gummadi - Telugu film actor". Idlebrain.com. 9 July 2006 . Archived from the original on 18 July 2006.
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. ^ Raja, Cheruku (29 August 2012). "Rutherford of Telugu cinema".
7. "ప్రచారం చేయకుండానే జగ్గయ్య గెలుపు". Sakshi (in Telugu). 21 March 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
8. "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.
9. "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.
10. "Veeranjaneya (1968)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
11. "Jarigina Katha (1969)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
12. "Vintha Samsaram (1971)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
13. Pattindalla Bangaram (1971), retrieved 3 February 2024
14. "Nindu Kutumbam on Moviebuff.com". Moviebuff.com. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
15. "Meena (1973)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
16. "Mangalya Bhagyam (1974)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
17. "Padi Pantalu (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
18. "Raaja (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
19. "Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
20. "Jeevithamlo Vasantham (1977)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
21. "Sahasavantudu (1978)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
22. "Yugandhar (1979)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
23. "Thiruguleni Manishi (1981)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
24. "Jagannatha Radhachakralu 1982 Telugu Movie Cast Crew,Actors,Director, Jagannatha Radhachakralu Producer,Banner,Music Director,Singers & Lyricists". MovieGQ. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
25. "Palnati Simham (1985)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
26. "Maa Inti Mahalakshmi (1985)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
27. Prema Samrat | Telugu Full Movie | Suman | Bhanu Priya | Tiger Prabhakar. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2023 – via Telugu Movie Zone on YouTube.
28. "Jhansi Rani (1988)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
29. "Vinta Dongalu". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
30. RAMUDU KADHU RAKSHASUDU | TELUGU FULL MOVIE |SUMAN |BHANUPRIYA | RADHA|JAGGAYYA | TELUGU CINEMA ZONE, retrieved 26 March 2024
31. "Repati Rowdy (1993)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 21 April 2023.

External links

• Jaggayya at IMDb

• 1928 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
• Praja Socialist Party politicians
• Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts
• Telugu male actors