Suryakantham Ponnada (28 October 1924 - 18 December 1994) was an India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

n actress in Tollywood.

Early life

Suryakantham was born in Kakinada

Kakinada

Kakinada is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad. It is also the headquarters of East Godavari district. It is nicknamed "Fertilizer City" , "Pensioner's Paradise" and "Second Madras"...

 of East Godavari

East Godavari

East Godavari District is a district situated on the northeast of the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Its district headquarters is Kakinada. It is the second richest district in the whole country...

 district in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...

 to a telugu Niyogi

Niyogi

Niyogis are a sect of Hindu Brahmins who gave up priestly occupations and are predominantly Telugu language speakers, from Andhra Pradesh, India.-Theories of origin:...

 family. She was the 14th child to her parents, while ten children had died. She learnt dance and singing at a tender age of six. She was married to Peddibhotla Chalapathi Rao, a High Court Judge, in 1950.

Career

Suryakantham started as a dancer in Chandralekha

Chandralekha

-Films:*Chandralekha , a Tamil film directed and produced by S. S. Vasan starring M. K. Radha*Chandralekha , a Tamil film directed by Nambirajan starring Vijay...

, produced by the Gemini Studios

Gemini Studios

Gemini Studios was launched when Thiruthuraipoondi Subramanian Srinivasan bought a film distribution concern at an auction and renamed it as Gemini Pictures also known as Gemini Studios. Gemini Studios served as a breeding ground for innumerable artists and technicians for the south Indian Film...

. She got her first role as character artist in the 1946 film Narada Naradhi.

Later, she got a character artist role in the movie Grihapravesam

Grihapravesam

Grihapravesam is a Tamil film is directed by D. Yoganand....

. Later, she consolidated her position by playing the role of a cruel mother-in-law in Samsaram.
1953 film, Kodarikam boosted her career to new heights. Ace directors of the era, B. Nagi Reddy

B. Nagi Reddy

Bommireddy Nagi Reddy was a Telugu movie producer from Pottipadu Village in the Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh. He set up Vijaya Vauhini Studios in Chennai, which was then Asia's biggest film studio. As his elder brother had the same initials and was known as B. N. Reddy, Nagi Reddy was...

 and Chakrapani

Chakrapani

Aluri Chakrapani or Aluri Venkata Subbarao was a multilingual genius and a popular writer and director of South Indian films.-Early life:...

 would not do a movie without Suryakantham. They had even produced a movie Gundamma Katha

Gundamma Katha

Gundamma Katha is a 1962 Telugu film produced by famous producer duo B. Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani starring mainly S. V. Ranga Rao, N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Suryakantham, Jamuna Ramanarao, Savitri, Ramana Reddy, Rajanala Kaleswara Rao, Chaya Devi, L. Vijayalakshmi and Haranath...

, starring N.T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao

Akkineni Nageswara Rao

Akkineni Nageswara Rao , also known as ANR, is a Telugu cinema actor from Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh. Nageswara Rao has worked in several genres of films in his 70-year acting career, including mythological, social, and drama films...

 and S.V. Ranga Rao

S. V. Ranga Rao

Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao Popularly Known as S.V.R. was an Indian Theater actor, Tollywood actor, director and producer...

. The entire story would revolve around Suryakantham's role of Gundamma.

Titles

• Gayyali atta
• Sahaja Nata Kala Shiromani
• Haasya Nata Siromani
• Bahumukha Natanaa Praveena
• Rangasthala Siromani
• Arungalai Maamani (Tamil)

Filmography

This is partial list of her films. Please help expand the list.

Year	Film	Language	Character
1946	Narada Naradi	Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
1949	Dharmangada	Telugu
1950	Samsaram	Telugu	Venkamma
1952	Daasi	Telugu
1952	Kalyanam Panni Paar	Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
1952	Pelli Chesi Choodu Pelli Chesi Choodu Pelli Chesi Choodu is a 1952 Telugu Drama film directed by L. V. Prasad and produced by Nagireddy and Chakrapani of Vijaya Pictures. This Silver Jubilee Comedy film is based on the social problem Dowry. It was simultaneous made in Tamil as Kalyanam Panni Paar. L. V...	Telugu
1952	Prema Prema (film) Prema is a 1952 Telugu drama film produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao of Bharani Pictures and starring A. Nageswara Rao and P. Bhanumathi. Bhanumathi wrote the story for the first time. It is simultaneously made into Tamil language entitled Kadhal.-The plot:Mothi is a poor Lambadi...	Telugu
1953	Ammalakkalu	Telugu
1953	Bratuku Theruvu Bratuku Theruvu Bratuku Theruvu is a 1953 Telugu Drama film directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao. The film is remade as Jeene Ki Raah in Hindi by L. V. Prasad in 1969. Andame Anandam Anandame Jeevita Makarandam - one of the very informative songs on happiness in life by Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao is in the...	Telugu	Kotamma
1954	Chakrapani Chakrapani Aluri Chakrapani or Aluri Venkata Subbarao was a multilingual genius and a popular writer and director of South Indian films.-Early life:...	Telugu	Manorama
1954	Chandraharam Chandraharam Chandraharam is a 1954 Telugu film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and produced by Vijaya Pictures.-The Plot:The life of Chandana Raju is in the Chandraharam worn by him in the neck. He paints the image of a beautiful lady and wants to marry her. His adviser Dhoomaketu wanted to dethrone him...	Telugu
1955	Donga Ramudu Donga Ramudu Donga Ramudu is a 1955 Telugu Drama film directed by Kadiri Venkata Reddy and produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao of Annapoorna Pictures. Lyrics are penned by Samudrala Raghavacharya including the Bhale Tatha Mana Bapuji song on Mahatma Gandhi.-The plot:Ramu and Lakshmi are siblings. Ramu used to...	Telugu
1955	Kanyasulkam Kanyasulkam (film) Kanyasulkam is a 1955 Telugu film directed by P. Pullaiah. It is based on the famous Telugu play Kanyasulkam written by Gurazada Appa Rao.-The Cast:*Savitri ... Madhuravani*Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao ... Gireesam...	Telugu	Meenakshi
1956	Chiranjeevulu Chiranjeevulu Chiranjeevulu is a 1956 Telugu film directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah and produced by D. L. Narayana of Vinoda Pictures.-Cast:* Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao ... Mohan* Jamuna Ramanarao ... Radha* Gummadi Venkateswara Rao ... Dr. Krishna...	Telugu
1956	Charana Daasi	Telugu	Seshamma
1956	Ilavelpu Ilavelpu Ilavelpu or Ilavelupu is a 1956 Telugu Drama film produced by L. V. Prasad and directed by D. Yoganand. The story is based on the successful Tamil film, Ethirpaaraathathu...	Telugu
1957	Bhagya Rekha Bhagya Rekha Bhagya Rekha or Bhagyarekha is a 1957 Telugu film directed by B. N. Reddi and produced by Ponnaluri brothers.The popular Devotional song Neevundeda Kondapai Naasaami Nenundedee Nelapai by P. Susheela is in this film...	Telugu
1957	Dongallo Dora	Telugu
1957	Maya Bazaar	Telugu	Hidimbi Hidimbi Hidimbi or Hidimbā, in the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, is a Rakshasi. She met Bhima while he was travelling in the forest with his Pandava brothers and mother Kunti. After fleeing a burning palace at Varanavat, which was set up by their cousin Duryodhana to burn them alive; the Pandavas were wandering...
1957	Todi Kodallu	Telugu	Anasuya
1958	Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu -2008 film:Appuchesi Pappukudu was remade in 2008 directed by Relangi Narasimha Rao and starring Rajendra Prasad and Madhumitha in lead roles.-External links:* * * *...	Telugu	Rajaratnam
1958	Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu is a 1958 Telugu Drama and Musical film directed by C. S. Rao.The songs in the film particularly Dharaniki Giri Bharama Giriki Taruvu Bharama by Raavu Balasaraswathi are memorable. Music score is provided by Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao.-Cast:* Nandamuri Taraka Rama...	Telugu
1958	Mangalya Balam	Telugu
1959	Jayabheri Jayabheri Jayabheri is a 1959 Telugu musical hit film directed by P. Pullaiah and starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi in lead roles. The film is based on the 1947 production by V. Shantaram, titled Lokshahir Ram Joshi in Marathi and Matwala Shayar Ram Joshi in Hindi.-The plot:The story setting...	Telugu	Ratnalu
1959	Krishna Leelalu	Telugu
1960	Shantinivasam	Telugu
1961	Bharya Bharthalu	Telugu
1961	Iddaru Mitrulu	Telugu
1961	Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham	Telugu
1961	Sabash Raja	Telugu
1961	Vagdanam Vagdanam Vagdanam is a 1961 Telugu Drama film written, produced and directed by famous writer Acharya Atreya. The story is loosely based on the Novel Datta by Bengali writer Saratchandra Chatterjee....	Telugu	Baalamani
1962	Atma Bandhuvu	Telugu	Widowed daughter
1962	Bhishma Bhishma (film) Bhishma or Bheeshma is a 1962 Telugu film based on the life of the great Mahabharata character Bhishma. It is produced and directed by B. A. Subba Rao. The title role is played by N. T. Rama Rao.-The plot:...	Telugu
1962	Chitti Tammudu Chitti Tammudu Chitti Tammudu is a 1962 Telugu Drama film directed by K. B. Tilak.The film is based on the English novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.-The plot:...	Telugu	Tayaramma, Hostel warden
1962	Gundamma Katha Gundamma Katha Gundamma Katha is a 1962 Telugu film produced by famous producer duo B. Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani starring mainly S. V. Ranga Rao, N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Suryakantham, Jamuna Ramanarao, Savitri, Ramana Reddy, Rajanala Kaleswara Rao, Chaya Devi, L. Vijayalakshmi and Haranath...	Telugu	Gundamma
1962	Kula Gothralu Kula Gothralu Kula Gothralu or Kulagothralu is a 1962 Telugu Drama film directed by Kotayya Pratyagatma and produced by Anumolu Venkata Subba Rao under Prasad Art Pictures.It is a musical hit with music score composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao...	Telugu
1962	Manchi Manasulu	Telugu
1962	Mohini Rugmangada	Telugu
1962	Raktha Sambandham Raktha Sambandham Raktha Sambandham is a 1962 Telugu Drama film directed by V. Madhusudan Rao.It is remake of 1961 Tamil hit film Pasamalar. The movie was directed by A. Bhimsingh. It was film version of the Malayalam writer Kottakara's story Paasa Malar, featuring Shivaji Ganesan...	Telugu
1962	Siri Sampadalu	Telugu
1963	Chaduvukunna Ammayilu Chaduvukunna Ammayilu Chaduvukunna Ammayilu is a 1963 Telugu film produced by Dukkipati Madhusudhana Rao from Annapurna Pictures and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. The film is based on the Telugu novel Kaalaatheetha Vyakthulu written by Dr. Sridevi.-The plot:Sujatha is a rich girl and her best friend Vasantha is a...	Telugu	Vardhanam
1963	Lava Kusha Lava Kusha Lava Kusha is a classical Telugu cinema directed by C. S. Rao and Chittajallu Pullayya and the story of the movie is written by Samudrala Raghavacharya. It is produced by A Shankara Reddy under Lalitha Siva Jyoti Pictures. The movie was released on 29 March 1963 and instantly became one of the...	Telugu
1963	Mooga Manasulu Mooga Manasulu Mooga Manasulu or Moogamanasulu is a 1963 Telugu Drama film directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. The film based on the concept of reincarnation. It is ever lasting musical hit film; all the songs are heard even today. They are combined effort of Atreya, K. V. Mahadevan, Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, P....	Telugu
1963	Narthanasala	Telugu
1963	Paruvu Prathishta	Telugu
1963	Punarjanma	Telugu
1963	Tirupathamma Katha	Telugu
1964	Dr. Chakravarthy	Telugu
1964	Murali Krishna Murali Krishna Murali Krishna is a 1964 Telugu Drama film directed by P. Pullayya and produced by Padmasree pictures.It is a Musical hit film with some memorable songs popular even today. The music is scored by Master Venu and lyrics written by Acharya Atreya and Dr. C. Narayana Reddy in the voices of Ghantasala...	Telugu
1964	Velugu Needalu Velugu Needalu Velugu Needalu is a 1961 Telugu film directed by Adurthi Subba Rao and produced by Dukkipati Madhusudhana Rao of Annapurna Pictures. Tamil version of the film was called Tuya Ulam.-The plot:...	Telugu	Kanaka Durgamma
1965	Aatma Gowravam Aatma Gowravam Aatma Gowravam is a 1965 Telugu Drama film produced by Dukkipati Madhusudhana Rao and directed by K. Viswanath. The film is based on the Novel and Story by Yaddanapoodi Sulochana Rani.-The Plot:...	Telugu	Santhana Lakshmi
1966	Aastiparulu Aastiparulu Aastiparulu is a 1966 Telugu Drama film directed by V. Madhusudhan Rao and starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jaggaiah, Gummadi Venkateswara Rao and Jayalalitha.-Cast:-Soundtrack:There are about 10 songs and poems in the film....	Telugu	Wife of Zamindar
1966	Kanne Manasulu	Telugu
1966	Navarathri Navarathri Navratri, Navaratri, or Navarathri is a Hindu festival of worship of Shakti and dance & festivities. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit, nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped...	Telugu
1966	Zamindar	Telugu
1967	Grihalakshmi Grihalakshmi Gruhalakshmi was a 1938 Telugu film produced and directed by H. M. Reddy. It was the maiden film for Rohini Pictures and Chittor V. Nagaiah. The film was adaptation of the popular stage play Rangoon Rowdy written by Somaraju Ramanuja Rao.-The plot:The social film is about a decadent dancer,...	Telugu
1967	Poola Rangadu	Telugu
1968	Bandipotu Dongalu Bandipotu Dongalu Bandipotu Dongalu is a 1968 Telugu Drama film written and directed by K. S. Prakash Rao. The film is starring S. V. Ranga Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Kongara Jaggayya in key roles. It is also a Musical film with some Melodious songs rendered by Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao...	Telugu	Sundaramma
1968	Ninne Pelladita	Telugu
1969	Aatmiyulu	Telugu	Mahankali
1969	Buddhimanthudu	Telugu
1970	Balaraju Katha Balaraju Katha Balaraju Katha is a 1970 Telugu Drama film written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana and directed by Bapu.-The Plot:This is the story of a young boy Balaraju in a historical town Mahabalipuram. He becomes a tourist guide to support his entire family. An elderly childless couple takes a liking to him...	Telugu
1971	Dasara Bullodu	Telugu	"ANR Adopted Mother"
1971	Ramalayam Ramalayam -External Links:*...	Telugu	Kantham
1971	Shrimanthudu	Telugu
1972	Illu Illalu	Telugu	RajaBabu Mother in law - Surammatta
1972	Iddaru Ammayilu Iddaru Ammayilu Iddaru Ammayilu is a 1972 Telugu Drama film written and directed by S. R. Puttanna Kanagal.It is the remake of 1969 Kannada film Kappu Bilupu starring Kalpana....	Telugu	Sundaramma
1972	Kalam Marindi Kalam Marindi Kaalam Marindi is a 1972 Telugu film directed by K. Viswanath and produced by Vasireddy Prakasam...	Telugu
1972	Koduku Kodalu	Telugu
1972	Vichitra Bandham	Telugu	Kantham
1973	Andala Ramudu Andala Ramudu (1973 film) Andala Ramudu is a 1973 film directed by Bapu. The story is based on the "Janata Express" story of Mullapudi Venkata Ramana. The film won Nandi Award for Best Feature Film in 1973. Recent film Godavari by Sekhar Kammula enthusiastically made on this classic family entertainment film...	Telugu	Samalamma
1973	Ganga Manga	Telugu
1975	Muthyala Muggu Muthyala Muggu Muthyala Muggu is a 1975 film adaption of Uttara Ramayana from the writer-director duo of Ramana and Bapu. The film stars Sreedhar, Sangeetha, Rao Gopal Rao, Mukkamala, Allu Ramalingaiah and Nutan Prasad. The movie introduced Sangeetha and Rao to the Telugu screen...	Telugu
1975	Pooja	Telugu
1976	Secretary	Telugu
1976	Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club	Telugu
1977	Andame Anandam	Telugu
1977	Yamagola Yamagola Yamagola or Yama Gola is a 1977 Silver Jubilee Telugu film directed by Tatineni Rama Rao and produced by cinematographer S. Venkataratnam. It is a Fantasy and Comedy film starring N.T. Rama Rao and Jayaprada in lead roles...	Telugu	Seetamma
1978	Gorantha Deepam	Telugu
1979	Karthika Deepam Karthika Deepam (film) Karthika Deepam is a 1979 Telugu film directed by Laxmi Deepak and starring Shobhan Babu, Sridevi and Sharada. The songs are highly popular particularly Aaraneekuma Ee Deepam Karteeka Deepam penned by Devulapalli Krishnasastri...	Telugu
1981	Prema Mandiram	Telugu
1980	BUCHI BABU	Telugu
1982	Pelleedu Pillalu	Telugu
1983	Pelli Choopulu	Telugu
1983	Shri Ranganeethulu	Telugu
1987	Gundammagari Krishnulu	Telugu
1988	Yamudiki Mogudu	Telugu	Kali's grandmother
1989	Bandhuvulostunnaru Jagratha	Telugu
1989	Hai Hai Nayaka gadugai	Telugu	Suryakanthamma
1993	One by Two	Telugu	Srikanth's Grand ma
1993	Govindha Govindha	Telugu
1994	S.P.Parasuram	Telugu