Jonnalagadda Venkata Somayajulu (30 July 1920[1] or c. 1928[2][3] – 24 April 2004) was an Indian actor known for his works in Telugu cinema and a few Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films.[4] In 1981, he received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his work in the classic Sankarabharanam. On the centenary of Indian cinema, Forbes included his performance in the film among the 25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema.[5]
J. V. Somayajulu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jonnalagadda Venkata Somayajulu 30 July 1920 or c. 1928 |
| Died | 24 April 2004 Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Notable work | |
| Relatives | J. V. Ramana Murthy (brother) |
Some of the other films that earned Somayajulu a good reputation as an actor were Allari Pillalu, Nelavanka, Rowdy Alludu, Swathi Muthyam, Tyagayya, Saptapadi, Vijeta, Appula Appa Rao, Vamsa Vruksham and the Hindi film Jaag Utha Insan. He portrayed the guru character of Sri Raghavendra in the Tamil film Sri Raghavendrar.[6] He made a 13-episode television serial based on the play Kanyasulkam.[2] He also portrayed A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in the biographical series Abhay Charan.
Personal life and career edit
Jonnalagadda Venkata Somayajulu was born in Lukalam Agraharam in Srikakulam district of present-day Andhra Pradesh.[1] His father worked as an Inspector in the Prohibition and Excise department in Gudivada and other towns. He spent his childhood in Vizianagaram and also participated in stage dramas there. He was a government official and worked as a Deputy collector for Mahabub Nagar district.[1][2]
His career spanned five decades in stage dramas, films and television. His passion for Gurazada Apparao's play, Kanyasulkam, was such that he, along with his actor brother J V Ramana Murthy, played it about 500 times in 45 years. His exposition of the delightfully notorious character, "Ramappanthulu" in the play, has become legendary. The woman behind the success of Somayajulu was his mother Saradamma. Somayajulu had two sons and a daughter.[2]
Other works edit
For the development of Telugu theatre in the twin cities Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Somayajulu established 'Rasaranjani' along with his contemporaries, Chatla Sriramulu, Garimella Rama Murthy and Rallapalli.[2] Somayajulu worked in the Directorate of Cultural Affairs before retiring from government service.
Death edit
Somayajulu died of heart attack in Hyderabad in 2004 at a reported age of 76.[2][3]
Filmography edit
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Bhagmati | Hindi film | |
| 2003 | Ondagona Baa | Raghavayya (Ajja) | Kannada film |
| Raktha Kanneeru | Chandhra's father | ||
| Kabirdas | |||
| 2001 | Naranathu Thampuran | Guruji | Malayalam film |
| 1997 | Mannava | Astrologer | Tamil film |
| 1997 | Itha Oru Snehagatha | Hema's Grandfather | Malayalam film |
| 1995 | Mutthinantha Hendathi | Kannada film | |
| 1994 | Sarigamalu | ||
| 1993 | Govinda Govinda | TTD Chief Priest | |
| Mutha Mestri | MLA Raghavayya | ||
| Sopanam | Raja Raja Varma Thamburan | Malayalam film | |
| 1992 | Allari Mogudu | ||
| Appula Appa Rao | Sankara Sastri | ||
| 1991 | Rowdy Alludu | ||
| Aditya 369 | Mahamantri Thimmarusu | ||
| 1990 | Pagalil Pournami | A Monk | Tamil film |
| Pratibandh | Chief Minister Satyendra | Hindi film | |
| Jayasimha[7] | Mukunda Rao, DFO | Telugu film | |
| 1989 | Swara Kalpana | ||
| Thiruppu Munai | Sathyamoorthy | Tamil film | |
| 1988 | Idhu Namma Aalu | Srinivasa Sastry | Tamil film |
| Raktabhishekam | |||
| Sri Venkateshwara Mahime | Kannada film | ||
| Abhinandana | |||
| 1987 | Viswanatha Nayakudu | ||
| Swayam Krushi | |||
| Chakravarthy | Swamiji | ||
| Majnu | |||
| Sankeertana | |||
| Madana Gopaludu | |||
| 1986 | Kaliyuga Pandavulu | ||
| Magadheerudu | |||
| Aalaapana | |||
| Ugra Narasimham | |||
| Naa Pilupe Prabhanjanam[8] | Janakiramaiah | ||
| Kalyana Tambulam | |||
| Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam | Nana Chandorkar | ||
| Tandra Paparayudu | |||
| Pyaar Ka Sindoor | Hindi film | ||
| 1985 | Vijetha | Narasimham | |
| Devalayam | |||
| Yaar? | Swamiji | Tamil film | |
| Swati Mutyam | |||
| Sri Raghavendrar | Saint Sudheendra | Debut Tamil film with Rajinikanth | |
| 1984 | Jaag Utha Insan | Panditji | Debut Hindi film with Mithun Chakraborty |
| 1983 | Sitaara | ||
| Nelavanka | Raheem | ||
| Gandharvagiri | Heroine's father | Debut Kannada film with Vishnu Vardhan and Aarathi | |
| 1982 | Pelleedu Pillalu | P V Rao | |
| 1981 | Tyagayya | Tyagayya | |
| 1980 | Vamsa Vruksham | ||
| Saptapadi | Yajulu | ||
| Sankarabharanam | Shankara Sastry | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu | |
| 1976 | Jyoti |
References edit
- ^ a b c P., Jyosthna Kumari (7 May 2011). "శంకరాభరణం శంకరశాస్త్రిగా పేరుగాంచిన జె.వి.సోమయాజులు". Visalaandhra. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Somayajulu passes away". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2007.
- ^ a b "Actor Somayajulu passes away". The Times of India. 24 April 2004. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "An embodiment of Uttarandhra culture". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 June 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
- ^ Prasad, Shishir; Ramnath, N. S.; Mitter, Sohini (27 April 2013). "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Forbes. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
- ^ "Metro cultural round-up". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 June 2006. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
- ^ JAI SIMHA | FULL MOVIE | SUMAN | BHANUPRIYA. Telugu Cinema Club. 6 November 2018. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Naa Pilupe Prabhanjanam Full Length Movie || Super Star Krishna, Keerthi", Shalimar Telugu & Hindi Movies, 9 December 2014, archived from the original on 2 October 2023, retrieved 18 September 2023 – via YouTube