Relangi | |
|---|---|
 Relangi in a scene from the Telugu filmAada Pettanam (1958) | |
| Born | Relangi Venkata Ramayya |
| Died | 27 November 1975(1975-11-27) (aged 65) |
| Occupations | Actor and playback singer |
| Spouse | Sridevamma |
| Awards | Padma Shri (1970) |
Relangi Venkata Ramayya ( 13 August 1910 – 27 November 1975), knownmononymously by hissurname asRelangi, was an Indian actor, comedian, and producer known for his works predominantly inTelugu cinema.[1][2] He was honoured with thePadma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema in 1970. Relangi is particularly known for his comic expressions, and dialogues during the 1950s and 1960s. Together withRamana Reddy, they were a comedydouble act.
Notable Relangi performances include films likeGunasundari Katha (1949),Vipra Narayana (1954),Missamma (1955),Donga Ramudu (1955),Mayabazar (1957),Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1958),Velugu Needalu (1961),Iddaru Mitrulu (1961),Kula Gothralu (1962),Lava Kusa(1963),Chaduvukunna Ammayilu (1963),Nartanasala (1963), andPreminchi Choodu (1965).[3][4] The Relangi Art Academy Award was instituted in his honour for best comic performances.[5]
Relangi was born in the village ofRavulapalem in theEast Godavari district inMadras State (now Andhra Pradesh). He was a professionalHarikatha performer and also an expertHarmonium player.[4] He grew up inKakinada; however, he didn't show interest in education due to his passion for acting.
Relangi started his initial career acting in stage and folk theatre and also took female roles in stage theatre. He started his film career by playing a Vidushaka (Jester) role in his firstTelugu filmSri Krishna Tulabharam in 1935 under the direction ofC. Pullayya. Later on, he assisted Pullayya as a Production Manager until he got a major break with the filmGollabhama released in 1947. Subsequently, he played a comedic role inVindhyarani (1948), which was a big hit. He was a regular face in all the movies made under theVijaya Films banner from 1950. He grew so popular that he was given a chance to play a comedic hero role inPakka inti Ammayi in 1953 under Pullayya oppositeAnjali Devi.[6]
As a comedic actor, he was quite popular when partnered with actressGirija, actressSuryakantham, and another comedian actor,Ramana Reddy. These combinations were repeated for several hit movies inTelugu. Some of the well-known movies in which Relangi acted are shown below.
Some of the well-known songs sung by Relangi are in the following movies:
| Year | Film | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Gunasundari Katha | "Adive Eduraivachche Daka Padara Munduku Padipodam" |
| 1951 | Patala Bhairavi | "Talalene Ne Talalene" "Vinave Bala Naa Prema Gola" |
| 1952 | Dharma Devata | "Virise Vennelalo" |
| 1954 | Vipra Narayana | "Aadadhi Ante Layam Layam Aa Needantene Bhayam Bhayam" |
| Pedda Manushulu | "Siva Siva Moortivi Gananaadhaa" | |
| 1955 | Missamma | "Dharmam Cheyyi Babu Kaani Dharmam" "Seetaram Seetaram Seetaram Jai Seetaram" |
| 1966 | Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha |
| International | |
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| National | |
