19th January 2004

"Krushi vunte manushulu rushulavutaaru...Maha purushulavutaaru". In the recorded Telugu history of the last century, there are a few blessed ones that are living examples of the quote mentioned above. Navarasa Natana Sarwabhowma Sri. Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao is one of the chosen few with a phenomenal charisma that rules the hearts of millions of people. He is the epitome of achievement, discipline and sincerity. It is hard to believe that eight years have passed since he left his mortal body on18th January 1996 . This date will be permanently etched in the mind of every telugu speaking person for on this fateful day, we lost our beloved Annagaru and "Telugutalli" lost her beloved son. NTR may not be amidst us today but his legacy is immortal. He will be remembered as one of the greatest telugu men to have walked on the holy soil of Andhra Pradesh.

NTR was born on 28th May, 1923 at Nimmakur (in Krishna district) in a lower middle class family. Lord Srikrishna was born to Devaki but was brought up by Yasoda. It is noteworthy that NTR - who went on to later attain the image of a Kaliyuga Sri Krishna image in the heart of andhrites, was brought up by his Pedamma and Pedananna. The couple rechristened him Taraka Rama Rao. Discipline was his virtue since his childhood, a quality that he preserved and respected unto his death. When the Nandamuri household was in economic difficulties NTR being the eldest son, supported his family by selling milk and helping his father in agriculture. He joined in Andhra Christian College, Guntur and was a classmate of Kalavachaspati Kongaru Jaggaya. He took part in many plays during his tenure there. Ironically, it was Jaggayya who won laurels as a better actor. In future year, they were to act together in some plays under the National Art Theatres (NAT) banner that was initiated by NTR himself.

He was a student of Sri Viswanatha Satyanarayana, a revered personality in the field of telugu literature and as the story goes NTR first made his stage debut in the play "Rachamallu Dowtyam". He played the role of Nayakuralu Nagamma upon the order of his teacher - Sri. Viswanatha Satyanarayana. Interestingly, he refused to shave his moustache for this play and hence became "Meesala" Nagamma. In the later years, NTR as Brahmanaidu (Gurajala) and Dr.Bhanumati as Nayakaralu Nagamma (Macherla) squared of as the leads in Palanati Yuddham (Karampudi). Padamshri Bhanumati Ramakrisna received a national award for her immortal performance.NTR improved his diction and knowledge of telugu literature from his teacher whom he respected very much.

After clearing his BA exams, he obtained job as a Sub-registrar. After a week's work, he realized an insatiable thirst for films and he left to Madras to meet B.A.Subba Rao. Eventually, he met his mentor Sri. L.V.Prasad, whose guidance helped NTR to blossom as an actor. NTR's debut movie was "Mana Desam" where he acted as a police officer. Although it was a short role, NTR gave a convincing performance in his debut movie. He was so engrossed in his role that he literally hitting the supporting artists during a lathicharge scene. Such was his fervor and passion towards his profession. The biggest break came when he was signed by Nagireddy - Chakrapani of Vijaya Studios for 4 movies. Malleswari, Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu, Chandraharam and Paatala Bhairavi for a yearly salary much less than his seniors like Chitturi Nagayya(who made about a lakh a film in his heyday) He never looked back, despite of few hurdles until his last Sangikha chitram before his political advent interestingly named "Naa Desam ".

With is his brother Trivikrama Rao he founded a production company called National Art Theatre and produced many plays and made some memorable social movies like "Picchi Pullaya", "Jayasimha", historical/mythological movies like "Panduranga mahtyam,Sitarama Kalyanam and socio-fantasies like Gulebakavali Katha. Later he founded Ramakrishna Cine Studios (later Horticultural studies) under which he made the blockbusters Dana Veera Soora Karna and Srimadvirat Pothuluri Veerabrahmam gari Charitra.

NTR obtained a living god image with eight years after his debut in Mayabazar (1957). When NTR was picked for the Lord Krishna role, critics wrote him off as unfit for that role. Infact the story goes that KV Reddy told NTR that he would be thrown out if he ever moved his hand (NTR was an actor who used his "hand" very excessively, but effectively in his histrionics) After the movie release NTR became the modern day Lord Krishna for the people of Andhra Pradesh. Three years later Sri Venkateshwara Mahatyam (1960) under the direction of P.Pullaiah took his image to the zenith. It became customary for many people to visit Tirupathi and then NTR's residence at Madras. They felt their darshan of Lord Venkateshwara was not complete until they visited NTR. Lava Kusa one of the greatest hits made him the modern day Rama. He was astounding in Bhookailas and Sitaramakalyanam as Ravanabhrama an ardent devotee of Siva, but quit acted the role of Siva after the death of his son as a sentiment, as it was a very emotional loss for him. His son passed away on 27th May 1963, one day before NTR's 40th birthday.

Even more appealing was his portrayal of negative characters like Duryodhana, Karna and Ravana. The impact they created on common man was positive. You will fall in love with Karna character of DVS Karna and cannot resist applauding a great devotee in Bhookailas. Interestingly all those lengthy dialogs uttered by NTR were all in ONE take. No prizes for guessing who is the greatest actor when it comes to dialog delivery.

In the later part of his career, NTR did mass blockbusters like Vetagaadu, Adavi ramudu, Justice Chowdary, Kondaveeti Simham and message oriented social movies like Sardar Paparayudu, Bobbilipuli, Naa Desam. These got him closer to the common man and gave him a launch pad to go into politics. He ended up becoming the CM of AP in 1983. His triumph not only gave him the CM post but also gave a unique recognition to the word "telugu" to the rest of the world and the north could for the first time ever differentiate "andhrites" from "madrasis".

He continued to act in movies and infact made his dream project "Bhramarishi Viswamitra (1991) while in office, and used to sign files in his hermitage while in shooting. It was followed by Samrat Asoka (1992) on his 70th birthday in which he danced along with Vani Viswanadh. Though they were not very successful, he starred in the social movie Major Chandrakanth (1993) along with is protégé Dr.Mohan Babu, which was a runaway hit. He used the proceeds to better the Basvatarakam Memorial Cancer Trust, named after his dear wife whom he lost to cancer. His last movie was Srinatha Kavisarwabhowma (1993) and produces by his own banner Srimati Combines in the direction of Bapu, This was his last movie that ended and golden era in telugucinema and spanned forty-five years.

NTR is the pride of every telugu speaking person and his legacy is not restricted to a particular region, caste or race. He has taught to the industry the rudiments of acting. Present day actors should take a leaf out of his book and learn more about discipline, dedication for profession and respect for elders.

A sad end to a true legend. May his soul rest in peace.

Sreekanth

Tailpiece: I may not measure up to many die hard fans of NTR in the DB and away from it. But I respect NTR for rising from humble beginings to the highest office of AP and most importantly in the hearts of andhra people. I would like to thank a friend of mine who helped me to compile information on NTR

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