J. V. Somayajulu
Encyclopedia
J. V. Somayajulu (full name Jonnalagadda Venkata Somayajulu) (1928 - 27 April 2004) was an Indian theatre and film actor
. His most notable role was as Sankar Sastry in the Telugu movie Shankarabharanam he has won Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu).
officer and is believed to be the only officer in that rank to have acted in films.
He hailed from the village of Lukalam Agraharam near Urlam
in Srikakulam district
. His father worked as an Inspector in Prohibition & Excise department in Gudivada
and other towns. He spent his childhood in Vizianagaram
and also learnt playing stage dramas when he was in Vizianagaram
. His entertainment 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 for 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.
He was noted with the character Shankara Sastry in film Shankarabharanam. Some of the other films that earned Somayajulu a good reputation as an actor were Allari Pillalu, Nelavanka, Rowdy Alludu, Swathimuthyam, Thyagayya, Saptapadi, Vijetha, Appula Appa Rao and Vamsha Vruksham. He portrayed the guru character of Sri Raghavendra
(played by Superstar Rajinikanth) in the Tamil movie Sri Raghavendra
.
Recently he made a 13-episode television serial based on the play Kanyasulkam
.
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
.
Somayajulu worked in the Directorate of Cultural Affairs before retiring from government service.
He died of illness at Hyderabad in 2004 at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. His most notable role was as Sankar Sastry in the Telugu movie Shankarabharanam he has won Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu).
Life and Times
He was an IASIndian Administrative Service
The Indian Administrative Service is the administrative civil service of the Government of India. It is one of the three All India Services....
officer and is believed to be the only officer in that rank to have acted in films.
He hailed from the village of Lukalam Agraharam near Urlam
Urlam
Urlam village is located in Narasannapeta mandal in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, India.-Demographics:According to Indian census, 2001, the demographic details of Urlam village is as follows:* Total Population: 3,343 in 793 Households...
in Srikakulam district
Srikakulam district
Srikakulam District , formerly known as Chicacole, is the extreme northeastern District of Andhra Pradesh, situated within the geographic co-ordinates of 18°-20’ and 19°-10’ N and 83°-50’ and 84°-50’ E...
. His father worked as an Inspector in Prohibition & Excise department in Gudivada
Gudivada
Gudivada is a census town in Krishna district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a mandal headquarters with more than 100,000 inhabitants, lying as junction of Vijayawada-Machilipatnam-Bhimavaram-Nuzvid-Eluru in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh of...
and other towns. He spent his childhood in Vizianagaram
Vizianagaram
Vizianagaram is the main city of the Vizianagaram District of north-eastern Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Vizianagaram district was formed on 1 June 1979, with some parts carved from the neighbouring districts of Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam. It is, at present, the largest municipality of...
and also learnt playing stage dramas when he was in Vizianagaram
Vizianagaram
Vizianagaram is the main city of the Vizianagaram District of north-eastern Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Vizianagaram district was formed on 1 June 1979, with some parts carved from the neighbouring districts of Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam. It is, at present, the largest municipality of...
. His entertainment career spanned five decades in stage dramas, films and television. His passion for Gurazada Apparao
Gurazada Apparao
Gurazada Venkata Apparao was a Telugu poet and writer of Andhra Pradesh, India. He wrote the first Telugu play, Kanyasulkam, which is often considered the greatest play in the Telugu language...
's play, Kanyasulkam
Kanyasulkam
Kanyasulkam is a Telugu play written by Gurazada Apparao in 1892. It is one of the earliest modern works in an Indian vernacular language, and it is the first Telugu play to deal with social issues...
, was such that he, along with his actor brother J. V. Ramana Murthy, played it for 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.
He was noted with the character Shankara Sastry in film Shankarabharanam. Some of the other films that earned Somayajulu a good reputation as an actor were Allari Pillalu, Nelavanka, Rowdy Alludu, Swathimuthyam, Thyagayya, Saptapadi, Vijetha, Appula Appa Rao and Vamsha Vruksham. He portrayed the guru character of Sri Raghavendra
Sri Raghavendra
Sri Raghavendra is a 1985 Tamil film is directed by SP. Muthuraman. The film was Rajinikanth's 100th film. He plays the role of the Hindu saint Raghavendra in this movie. It was produced by Kavithalaya Productions.-Plot:...
(played by Superstar Rajinikanth) in the Tamil movie Sri Raghavendra
Sri Raghavendra
Sri Raghavendra is a 1985 Tamil film is directed by SP. Muthuraman. The film was Rajinikanth's 100th film. He plays the role of the Hindu saint Raghavendra in this movie. It was produced by Kavithalaya Productions.-Plot:...
.
Recently he made a 13-episode television serial based on the play Kanyasulkam
Kanyasulkam
Kanyasulkam is a Telugu play written by Gurazada Apparao in 1892. It is one of the earliest modern works in an Indian vernacular language, and it is the first Telugu play to deal with social issues...
.
For the development of Telugu theatre in the twin cities Hyderabad and Secunderabad
Secunderabad
Secunderabad popularly known as the twin city of Hyderabad is located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh north of Hyderabad. Named after Sikandar Jah, the third Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, Secunderabad was founded in 1806 AD as a British cantonment...
, Somayajulu established 'Rasaranjani' along with his contemporaries, Chatla Sriramulu, Garimella Rama Murthy and Rallapalli
Rallapalli (actor)
Rallapalli Narasimha Rao , popularly known by his surname Rallapalli, is an Indian Film actor in Telugu Cinema & Tamil Cinema. He has acted in about 75 films. He played pivotal roles in films like Bombay and Minsara Kanavu in...
.
Somayajulu worked in the Directorate of Cultural Affairs before retiring from government service.
He died of illness at Hyderabad in 2004 at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Bhagmati | Hindi film | |
| 2003 | Ondagona Baa | Raghavayya (Ajja) | Kannada film |
| Kabirdas | |||
| 1994 | Sarigamalu | ||
| 1993 | Govindha Govindha | ||
| Muta Mesthri Muta Mesthri Muta Mesthri is a Telugu film which starred Chiranjeevi, Meena, Roja, and Sharat Saxena. A. Kodandarami Reddy directed this flick.- Plot :... |
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| Sopanam | Raja Raja Varma Thamburan | Malayalam film | |
| 1992 | Allari Mogudu | ||
| 1991 | Rowdy Alludu Rowdy Alludu Rowdy Alludu is a 1991 Tollywood film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. This film stars Chiranjeevi, Sobhana, and Divya Bharati.-Plot:Chiranjeevi plays the dual roles of a Mumbai-based auto driver, Johnny, and an industrialist, Kalyan, who because he was interfering with the plans of the villains,... |
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| Aditya 369 Aditya 369 Aditya 369 is a 1991 historical, science fiction Telugu film directed by Veteran Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and produced by Anita Krishna. The Soundtrack of the Film was composed by Tamil Mastero Illayaraja. This movie was later dubbed in Tamil as "Aboorva Shakti 369".-Plot summary:This movie begins... |
Mahamantri Thimmarusu | ||
| Appula Appa Rao | Sankara Sastri | ||
| 1990 | Pratibandh | Chief Minister Satyendra | Hindi film |
| 1989 | Swara Kalpana | ||
| 1988 | Idu Namma Alu | Srinivasa Sastry | Tamil film |
| Abhinandana Abhinandana Abhinandana is a 1987 Musical Telugu Cinema. It stars Sobhana, Karthik Muthuraman and Sarath Babu. The lyrics are beautifully penned by Acharya Atreya. The soundtrack of the film was composed by maestro Illayaraja which became highly successful... |
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| 1987 | Viswanatha Nayakudu | ||
| Swayam Krushi Swayam Krushi Swayamkrushi is a Telugu movie released on 3 September 1987 . It was made on Poornodaya Movie Creations by Edida Nageshwara Rao and directed by Kasinadhuni Viswanath and had Chiranjeevi act in Kasinadhuni Viswanath's direction for the second time after Subhalekha. It also had Vijayashanti,... |
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| Chakravarthy Chakravarthy Chakravarthy is a surname in India. It means King of Kings or Lord of Kings. It is a family name mostly found amongst Bengali people but also known in other parts of India.-In other states:... |
Swamiji | ||
| Majnu | |||
| Sankeerthana | |||
| 1986 | Kaliyuga Pandavulu Kaliyuga Pandavulu Kaliyuga Pandavulu is a 1986 Tollywood film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao and produced by D. Ramanaidu. This film introduced Venkatesh as an actor. Actress Khushboo co-starred with Venkatesh in this film.... |
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| Magadheerudu Magadheerudu Magadheerudu is a 1986 Telugu film directed by Vijaya Bapineedu. The film stars Chiranjeevi, Jayasudha, Chandra Mohan, and Rao Gopal Rao in important roles.... |
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| Aalaapana | |||
| Kalyana Thamboolam | |||
| Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam is a 1986 Telugu Biographical film directed by K. Vasu. It is based on the life of Bhagwan Shirdi Sai Baba, who has preached and practiced Religious humanism. Vijayachander portrayed the role of Baba.... |
Nana Chandorkar | ||
| Tandra Paparayudu | |||
| Pyaar Ka Sindoor | Hindi film | ||
| 1985 | Vijetha Vijetha Vijetha is a Tollywood film that starred Chiranjeevi, Bhanupriya, and J.V. Somayajulu in the main roles. The film was directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy and produced by Allu Aravind... |
Narasimham | |
| Devalayam | |||
| Swathi Muthyam Swathi Muthyam Swathi Muthyam is a Telugu film directed by K. Viswanath,dubbed and released in tamil as Sippikul Muthu. starring Tamil actor Kamal Haasan and Raadhika. The movie won accolades at the International Asian Film Festival in both "Best Film" and "Best Actor" categories... |
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| Sri Raghavendra Sri Raghavendra Sri Raghavendra is a 1985 Tamil film is directed by SP. Muthuraman. The film was Rajinikanth's 100th film. He plays the role of the Hindu saint Raghavendra in this movie. It was produced by Kavithalaya Productions.-Plot:... |
Saint Sudheendra | Tamil film | |
| 1983 | Sitaara Sitaara Sitaara is a 1983 Telugu film directed by Vamsy. The film introduced Bhanupriya to the Telugu film industry. The movie was adapted from his own novel Mahal lo Kokila .-Plot:... |
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| Nelavanka Nelavanka (film) Nelavanka is a 1983 Telugu film directed by Jandhyala.-Story:Srirama Raju is the zamindar of the village. Raheem , his classmate and a friend, also works as his carriage-driver. The zamindar has two daughters Savitri and Lalitha and a son Ravi . Savitri is a born mute, while Tulasi goes to... |
Raheem | ||
| 1982 | Pelleedu Pillalu Pelleedu pillalu Pelleedu Pillalu is a Telugu Drama film released in 1982 and directed by Bapu. Suresh, Vijayashanti play the lead in this film with Sangeetha, Sarath Babu, Sumalatha and J.V. Somayajulu in the support cast. M.S... |
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| 1981 | Tyagayya Tyagayya (1981 film) Tyagayya is a 1981 Telugu film directed by Bapu. The cast included J.V. Somayajulu in the lead role. The film is based on the life of Tyagaraja.... |
Tyagayya | |
| 1980 | Vamsha Vriksham | ||
| Saptapadhi | Yajulu | ||
| 1979 | Shankarabharanam | Shankara Sastry | winner: Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) |
| 1976 | Jyothi Jyothi (1976 film) Jyothi is a 1976 Telugu film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. It is based on the story of an innocent girl "Jyothi." Jayasudha won the Nandi award as Best Actress for her performance in the title role. She later credited the film's success for making her a famous actress in Telugu films... |
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