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, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam 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
editJonnalagadda 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
editFor 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
editSomayajulu died of heart attack in Hyderabad in 2004 at a reported age of 76.[2][3]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Jyoti | ||
| 1980 | Sankarabharanam | Shankara Sastry | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu |
| Vamsa Vruksham | |||
| 1982 | Pelleedu Pillalu | P V Rao | |
| 1981 | Tyagayya | Tyagayya | |
| Saptapadi | Yajulu | ||
| 1983 | Nelavanka | Raheem | |
| Sitaara | |||
| 1985 | Swati Mutyam | ||
| Devalayam | |||
| Vijetha | Narasimham | ||
| 1986 | Tandra Paparayudu | ||
| Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam | Nana Chandorkar | ||
| Kalyana Tambulam | |||
| Naa Pilupe Prabhanjanam[7] | Janakiramaiah | ||
| Ugra Narasimham | |||
| Aalaapana | |||
| Magadheerudu | |||
| Kaliyuga Pandavulu | |||
| 1987 | Madana Gopaludu | ||
| Sankeertana | |||
| Majnu | |||
| Chakravarthy | Swamiji | ||
| Swayam Krushi | |||
| Viswanatha Nayakudu | |||
| 1988 | Abhinandana | ||
| Raktabhishekam | |||
| 1991 | Aditya 369 | Mahamantri Thimmarusu | |
| Rowdy Alludu | |||
| 1992 | Appula Appa Rao | Sankara Sastri | |
| Allari Mogudu | |||
| 1993 | Mutha Mestri | MLA Raghavayya | |
| Govinda Govinda | TTD Chief Priest | ||
| 1989 | Swara Kalpana | ||
| 1990 | Jayasimha[8] | Mukunda Rao, DFO | |
| 1994 | Sarigamalu | ||
| 2003 | Kabirdas |
Tamil films
edit| Year | Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Neengal Kettavai | Music teacher |
| 1985 | Sri Raghavendrar | Saint Sudheendra |
| Yaar? | Swamiji | |
| 1988 | Idhu Namma Aalu | Srinivasa Sastry |
| 1989 | Thiruppu Munai | Sathyamoorthy |
| 1990 | Pagalil Pournami | Monk |
| 1997 | Mannava | Astrologer |
Kannada films
edit| Year | Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Gandharvagiri | Narasimha Joshi |
| 1988 | Sri Venkateshwara Mahime | |
| 1995 | Mutthinantha Hendathi | |
| 2003 | Raktha Kanneeru | Chandhra's father |
| Ondagona Baa | Raghavayya (Ajja) |
Kannada films
edit| Year | Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Jaag Utha Insan | Panditji |
| 1986 | Pyaar Ka Sindoor | |
| 1990 | Pratibandh | Chief Minister Satyendra |
| 2005 | Bhagmati |
Malayalam films
edit| Year | Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Sopanam | Raja Raja Varma Thamburan |
| 1997 | Itha Oru Snehagatha | Hema's Grandfather |
| 2001 | Naranathu Thampuran | Guruji |
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.
- ^ "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
- ^ 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.