Gummadi (actor)

Gummadi Venkateswara Rao (9 July 1928 – 26 January 2010) was an Indian film actor and producer, known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema and a few Tamil films. Known as one of the finest method actors, Gummadi starred in around five hundred feature films. He received critical recognition for his work in Thodu Dongalu (1954) and Mahamantri Timmarusu (1962), for which he has received the erstwhile Rashtrapati Award.[1][2] Gummadi was an official member of the Indian delegation from South India to the Tashkent Film Festival in 1978 and 1982.[3]


Gummadi
Born
Gummadi Venkateswara Rao

(1927-07-09)9 July 1927
Died26 January 2010(2010-01-26) (aged 82)
OccupationCharacter actor
Years active1950–2010
AwardsPadma Shri
Rashtrapati Award
Websitegummadi.com

Gummadi served as a jury member thrice for the 28th, 33rd and 39th National Film Awards.[4][5][6] He served twice on the state Nandi Awards Committee.[7] In 1977, he was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian honor Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian cinema.[8][9] He is widely known for his roles in films such as Maya Bazar (1957), Maa Inti Mahalakshmi (1959), Kula Daivam (1960), Kula Gothralu (1962), Jyothi (1976), Nelavanka (1981), Maro Malupu (1982), Ekalavya (1982), Ee Charitra Ye Siraatho? (1982), Gaaju Bommalu (1983) and Pelli Pustakam (1991). In 2008 he starred in Jagadguru Sree Kasi Nayana Charitra which is his last film.[10]

Early life

He was born in Ravikampadu near Kollur mandal, in the erstwhile Madras Presidency (now Andhra Pradesh), India. According to one of his interviews, he studied in ZP High School, Kollur and Hindu College, Guntur.

Early career

Gummadi's acting career extended from 1950 onwards for almost six decades and he worked with three generations of people in the film industry. Though young, he played dignified older people at the beginning. He was a versatile character actor in sociopolitical and mythological movies. He acted in nearly 500 movies. He played the role of father to many lead actors in old Telugu films.

Gummadi Venkateswara Rao first appeared as an actor in 1942, where he played the role of an old man on the stage. He began his cinema career with Adrushtadeepudu (1950) and continued on for about 500 more films portraying roles ranging from the hero, the villain and the character artiste, to roles with a slight comedic bent, such as his guest appearance in Missamma (1955).

Characters played by him

Personal life

Gummadi was married and had five daughters and two sons. He died of multiple organ failure at Care hospital, Hyderabad on 26 January 2010.[11] His last public appearance was at the screening of Maya Bazar, which had been colourised. Here he expressed his happiness and said that "Watching this great movie in colour probably could have been the only reason for me to have stayed alive for so long."[12]

Written works

  • Gummadi has written his memoirs of Telugu cinema in Teepi Gurthulu and Chedu Gnapakalu.

Awards

Civilian honors
Rashtrapati Awards
Nandi Awards
Other Honors

Selected filmography

Year Film Character Remarks
1950 Adrushta Deepudu Debut film
1953 Pitchi Pullaiah Bhopala Rao
1954 Thodu Dongalu Lokanatham
1955 Kanyasulkam Sowjanya Rao Pantulu
Ardhangi Zameendaar
Jayasimha Ranadhir
Missamma Employer (guest role)
Rani Ratnaprabha
1956 Chiranjeevulu Dr. Krishna
Edi Nijam Munusabu
Ilavelpu Sekhar's father
Pennin Perumai
1957 Suvarna Sundari Tata
Maya Bazaar Balarama
Dampatyam
Dongallo Dora Inspector Ram Murthy
MLA Damodaram
Premada Putri
Preme Daivam
Sarangadhara
Sati Anasuya
Veera Kankanam
Vinayaka Chaviti Satrajit
1958 Aadapettanam
Chenchu Lakshmi Durvasa
Dongalunnaru Jagratha
Ettuku Pai Ettu Govindaiah
Intiguttu
1959 Illarikam Zamindar
Jayabheri Viswanatha Sastri
Krishna Leelalu
Maa Inti Mahalakshmi
Nammina Bantu Zamindar Bhujanga Rao
Pelli Sandadi
Raja Makutam Prachandudu
Sabhash Ramudu
Sati Tulasi
Sipayi Kooturu
1960 Deepavali Nagadattudu
Harishchandra Vishwamitra Maharshi
Pelli Kaanuka
Renukadevi Mahatyam
Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chinthamani
Shantinivasam
Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam Bhrigu Maharshi
1961 Bharya Bharthalu Anand's father
Iddaru Mitrulu Bhanoji Rao
Pandava Vanavasam Dharmaraaju
Rishyashringar
Rushyashrunga
Santa
Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam Viswamitra Maharshi
Tandrulu Kodukulu
Vagdanam Ranganatham
Velugu Needalu
1962 Aradhana Principal
Bhishma Karna
Constable Koothuru
Kalimilemulu
Khaidi Kannayya
Kula Gothralu Bhushaiah
Mahamantri Timmarusu Mahamantri Timmarusu
Siri Sampadalu
1963 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu Venkat Rangayya
Irugu – Porugu
Lakshadhikari Seetayya
Mooga Manasulu Zamindar
Paruvu Prathishta
Punarjanma Zamindar
Savati Koduku
Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham Yudhishthira
Tirupathamma Katha
1964 Aatma Balam Psychiatrist
Dr. Chakravarthy Inspector Sridhar
Manchi Manishi
Murali Krishna
Pooja Phalam Diwan Ramakrishnaiah
Ramadasu Kabir
Varasatwam
1965 Aatma Gowravam Ramaiah
Antastulu Zamindar
Chandrahasa
CID Chalapathi
Keelu Bommalu
Naadi Aada Janme
Preminchi Choodu Subbarayudu
Satya Harishchandra
1966 Aastiparulu Zamindar
Bhakta Potana Pothana
Kanne Manasulu
Navarathri Radha's father
Palnati Yuddham
Shri Krishna Pandaviyam
1967 Kambojaraju Katha
Prana Mithrulu Diwan
Private Master Sundari's father
Rahasyam Sriganda Prabhu
Sudigundalu Defence Lawyer
1968 Bandhipotu Dongalu Doctor
Bangaru Gaajulu Chandra Shekaram
Bangaru Sankellu
Govula Gopanna Chairman Nagaraju
Mana Samsaram
Pala Manasulu
1969 Adrushtavanthalu
Aadarsa Kutumbam
Aatmiyulu Jagannadham
Bhale Rangadu
Buddhimanthudu D.E.O
Manushulu Marali
Shri Rama Katha
Tara Sasankam
1970 Agni Pareeksha
Akka Chellelu Dharmayya
Jai Jawan Madhava Rao
Maro Prapancham
Poola Rangadu Chalapathi
Sridevi
1971 Amayakuralu
Bhagyavanthudu
Bharya Biddalu
Dasara Bullodu Vasu
Mosagallaku Mosagadu Daanala Dharmayya
Nenu Manishine
Prem Nagar Lata's father
Sampoorna Ramayanam Dasharadha
Shri Krishna Satya
Shrimanthudu
Sisindri Chittibabu
Suputhrudu
Vichithra Dampathyam
1972 Bangaru Babu Ranganatham
Bala Mitrula Katha Kotaiah
Iddaru Ammayilu Ramanujam
Kalam Marindi
Koduku Kodalu Srihari Rao
Neethi Nijayathi
Pandanti Kapuram
Tata Manavadu Paramatma Rao
Vichitra Bandham Ahobila Rao
1973 Jeevana Tarangalu Venugopal Rao
Kannavari Kala
Mallamma Katha
Marapurani Manishi Ananda Rao
Minaru Babu
Samsaram Sagaram
Vichitra Vivaham
Vintha Katha
1974 Alluri Seetharama Raju
Ammayi Pelli
Anaganaga Oka Thandri
Bhoomikosam
Devadasu
Dora Babu
Gali Patalu
Intinti Katha
Khaidi Babai
Manushullo Devudu Father
1975 Babu
Samsaram
Saubhagyavati
Soggadu Simhadri
Yashoda Krishna Nanda
Zamindarugari Ammayi
Lakshmana Rekha Lawyer
1976 Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam
Neram Nadi Kadu Akalidi
Manchiki Maro Peru
Oka Deepam Veligindhi
Padavoyi Bharatheeyuda
Secretary
Sita Kalyanam Dasaradh
Sita Swayamvar Dasarath
Yavanam Katesindi
1977 Aalu Magalu Ranga Rao
Chakradhari
Daana Veera Soora Karna Parasu Ramudu
Indradhanusu
Kalpana
Kurukshetram Bhishma
Seeta Rama Vanavasam
1978 Chal Mohana Ranga
Sati Savitri
Akbar Saleem Anarkali
Devadasu Malli Puttadu Sripathi Raja
Sahasavanthudu
1979 Captain Krishna
Ganga Bhavani
Intinti Ramayanam
Karthika Deepam
Khiladi Krishnudu
Mande Gundelu
Muddula Koduku Raobahadoor Ranga Rao
Naa Illu Naa Vaalu
Shri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam Hathiram Bhavaji
1980 Mosagadu
Chandipriya
Buchi Babu Buchi Babu's grandfather
Dharma Chakram
Gajadonga
Gharana Donga
Gopala Krishnudu
Heema Hemeelu
Kaksha
Kotha Jeevithalu
Sardar Papa Rayudu
Shri Vasavi Kannika Parameshwari Mahatyam
Sreevari Muchatlu
1981 Agni Poolu Rajeshwari's father
Alludugaru Zindabad
Asha Jyoti
Bhoga Bhagyalu
Premabhishekam Dr. Venkateswarulu
Prema Mandiram Bhupati Raja
Sandhya Ragam
1982 Mondighatam
Gruha Pravesam
Anuraga Devatha Priest
Bangaru Kanuka
Ee Charitra Ae Siratho
Ekalavya
Jagannatha Rathachakralu
Kaliyuga Ramudu
Maro Malupu Nandi Award for Best Actor
Raga Deepam
Swayamvaram
1983 Sangharshana
Prema Pichollu
Adavallu Aligithe
Ee Pillaku Pellavuthundha
MLA Yedukondalu
Mundadugu Lawyer
Nelavanka Sitarama Raju
Pelli Choopulu
Police Venkataswamy
Rudrakali
1984 Rustum Brahmaiah Naidu
Rojulu Marayi
1985 Raktha Sindhuram Jagannatham
Shri Datta Darshanam Jamadagni
1986 Vikram Commissioner
Kiraathakudu Dharmateja
1987 Pasivadi Pranam
Thene Manasulu
Majnu Alekhya's grandfather
Muddu Bidda
1988 Kanoon Ki Hathkadee
1990 Bobbili Raja Sundaraiyah
1991 Pelli Pustakam Sridhar Rao Nandi Award for Best Feature Film
Talli Tandrulu Venkataramaiah
1992 Brundavanam Jagannadham
1993 Muta Mesthri Chief Minister
Gaayam
Rajendrudu Gajendrudu Elephant's Master
Rajeshwari Kalyanam
Varasudu Principal
1994 Govinda Govinda Doorvasa Maharshi
1995 Maya Bazaar Balarama
Aayanaki Iddaru Krishna Mohan's father
1996 Dharma Chakram
2008 Jagadguru Sri Kasinayana Charitra Kasinayana

See also

References

  1. Ramachandran, T.M. (1973). Film world. 9.
  2. The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Times of India Press. 1984.
  3. "Profile of Gummadi - Telugu film actor".
  4. "28th National Film Awards (PDF)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  5. "33rd National Film Awards (PDF)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  6. "39th National Film Awards (PDF)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  7. "Actor Gummadi passes away". The Hindu.
  8. "Gummadi never forgot his mentor". The New Indian Express.
  9. "Gummadi Awards".
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. Gummadi Venkateswara Rao died Breaking News Views. Retrieved on 26 January 2010.
  12. Gummadi on Mayabazar on YouTube
  13. "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". 1979.
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