Jamuna (actress)

Jamuna was an Indian actress, director, and politician who appeared mainly in Telugu cinema. She made her acting debut at age 16 in Dr. Garikapati Rajarao's Puttillu, and received her breakthrough with L. V. Prasad Missamma. Her filmography also includes Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films. She won a Filmfare Award and an award at Filmfare Awards South. She was a member of parliament in the 9th Lok Sabha representing the Rajahmundry constituency.

Early life

Jamuna was born in Hampi in present-day Karnataka in a Kannadiga family. Her parents were Nippani Srinivasa Rao and Kowsalya Devi. She first was named Jana Bai. Her father was a Madhva Brahmin, while her mother was a Vaisya, resulting in an inter-caste love marriage. Jamuna grew up in Duggirala, in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Her father was involved in the business of turmeric and tobacco and their family moved there when she was seven years old. When Savitri was performing drama in Duggirala, she would stay at Jamuna's house. Later, Savitri invited Jamuna to act in films. She began performing as heroines in movies at the age of 16.

Film career

Jamuna was a stage artist in school. Her mother taught her vocal music and harmonium. In 1952, Dr. Garikipati Raja Rao of the Indian People's Theatre Association saw her stage show Maa Bhoomi and offered her a role in his film Puttillu.
Jamuna acted in 198 films in Telugu and other south Indian languages. She also acted in Hindi films, winning the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Milan, repeating her role from the original Telugu film Mooga Manasulu.
Jamuna also established the Telugu artist association and provided social services through it for 25 years.

Political career

Jamuna joined the Congress party in the 1980s and was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Rajahmundry constituency in 1989. She lost the 1991 election and quit politics, but briefly campaigned for the BJP in the late 1990s during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure.

Personal life and death

In 1965 Jamuna married Juluri Ramana Rao, a zoology professor at Osmania University; he died from cardiac arrest on 10 November 2014 at age 86. They had a son, Vamsee Juluri and a daughter, Sravanthi Juluri, and lived in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Jamuna died at her home in Hyderabad on 27 January 2023, at age 86.

Awards

1968: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Milan
1972: Filmfare Special Award - South - Pandanti Kapuram
1999: Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award - MGR Award
2008: NTR National Award
2010: B. Saroja Devi National Award
2019: Santosham Lifetime Achievement Award at 17th Santosham Film Awards

Filmography

Telugu

Puttilu
Maa Gopi
Nirupedalu
Vaddante Dabbu
Iddaru Pellalu
Anta Manavalle
Donga Ramudu
Bangaru Papa
Santosham
Missamma
Vadina Gari Gajulu
Tenali Ramakrishna
Chiranjeevulu
Ilavelpu as Sarala
Muddu Bidda
Nagula Chaviti
Chintamani
Melukolupu
Nagadevatha
Veera Kankanam as Parvathi
Dongallo Dora
Vinayaka Chaviti
Bhagya Rekha
Sati Anasuya
Sri Krishna Maya
Bhookailas as Mandodari
Pellinaati Pramanalu as Rukmini
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
Koothuru Kapuram
Maa Inti Mahalakshmi
Illarikam
Jalsa Rayudu
Dharmame Jayam
Bhakta Raghunath
Annapurna as Annapurna
Krishna Prema
Usha Parinayam
Pelli Kani Pillalu
Mohini Rugmangada
Padandi Munduku
Gulebakavali Katha
Gundamma Katha
Appagintalu
Pelli Thamboolam
Eedu Jodu as Santha
Thobuttuvulu as Rajani
Pooja Phalam
Bobbili Yuddham
Manchi Manishi
Mooga Manasulu
Muralikrishna
Ramudu Bheemudu
Dorikithe Dongalu
Mangamma Sapatham as Mangamma
Keelu Bommalu
Thodu Needa
C. I. D.
Naadi Aada Janme as Malathi
Sri Krishna Tulabharam as Satyabhama
Leta Manasulu
Srikakula Andhra Maha Vishnu Katha as Sujatha
Navarathri
Adugu Jaadalu as Parvathi
Sangeeta Lakshmi
Palnati Yuddham as Maguva Manchala
Chadarangam
Upayamlo Apayam
Poola Rangadu
Pelliroju
Chinnari Paapalu
Bandipotu Dongalu
Ramu
Undamma Bottu Pedata
Amayakudu
Challani Needa
Palamanasulu
Sati Arundathi
Bangaru Sankellu
Atta O Kodalu
Muhurtha Balam as Radha
Mooga Nomu as Gauri
Ekaveera
Adajanma
Allude Menalludu
Maro Prapancham
Bangaru Thalli
Ramalayam
Sri Krishna Vijayamu
Mattilo Manikyam as Lakshmi
Sati Anasuya
Tahsildar Gari Ammayi as Madhumathi
Srimanthudu as Radha
Manasu Mangalyam as Manjula
Pavitra Hrudayalu
Attanu Diddina Kodalu
Pandanti Kapuram
Collector Janaki
Menakodalu
Dabbuki Lokam Dasoham as Aruna
Dhanama? Daivama? as Janaki
Bangaru Manasulu
Snehabandham
Nindu Kutumbam as Mohini
Mamatha
Pasi Hrudayalu
Bhoomi Kosam as Raji
Gowri
Deerghasumangali
Peddalu Marali
Adambaralu Anubandhalu
Manushulu Mattibommalu
Yasodha Krishna
Cinema Vaibhavam
Bharathi
Samsaram
Moguda Pellama
Parivartana
Ee Kalam Dampatulu
Manushulanta Okkate
Vanaja Girija
Seetha Kalyanam
Kuruskhetram as Draupadi
Chiranjeevi Rambabu as Rathnam
Gadusu Pillodu as Parvathi
Seetha Rama Vanavasam
Rajaputra Rahasyam as Tripurasundari Devi
Sri Rama Pattabhishekam
Akbar Salim Anarkali as Jodha
Rama Banam
Mama Allulla Saval
Kaksha
Naa Desam
Bangaru Koduku
Mandaladeesudu
Tarzan Sundari
''Annapurnamma gari manavadu''

Tamil

Kannada

Aadarsha Sathi
Tenali Ramakrishna
Bhookailasa
Rathnagiri Rahasya
Sakshatkara
Mayeya Musuku
Guru Sarwabhowma Sri Raghavendra Karune
''Police Matthu Dada''

Hindi

Miss Mary
Ramu Dada
Ek Raaz
Hamrahi
Beti Bete
Rishte Naate
Milan
Dulhan
Naukar Biwi Ka
Raaj Tilak
''Yaadgaar''