Relangi (actor)
Relangi Venkata Ramayya, known mononymously by his surname as Relangi, was an Indian actor, comedian, and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He was honoured with the Padma 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 with Ramana Reddy, they were a comedy double act.
Notable Relangi performances include films like Gunasundari Katha, Vipra Narayana, Missamma, Donga Ramudu, Mayabazar, Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu, Velugu Needalu, Iddaru Mitrulu, Kula Gothralu, Lava Kusa , Chaduvukunna Ammayilu, Nartanasala, and Preminchi Choodu. The Relangi Art Academy Award was instituted in his honour for best comic performances.
Early life
Relangi was born in the village of Ravulapalem in the East Godavari district in Madras State. He was a professional Harikatha performer and also an expert Harmonium player. He grew up in Kakinada; however, he didn't show interest in education due to his passion for acting.Career
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 role in his first Telugu film Sri Krishna Tulabharam in 1935 under the direction of C. Pullayya. Later on, he assisted Pullayya as a Production Manager until he got a major break with the film Gollabhama released in 1947. Subsequently, he played a comedic role in Vindhyarani, which was a big hit. He was a regular face in all the movies made under the Vijaya Films banner from 1950. He grew so popular that he was given a chance to play a comedic hero role in Pakka inti Ammayi in 1953 under Pullayya opposite Anjali Devi.Filmography
As a comedic actor, he was quite popular when partnered with actress Girija, actress Suryakantham, and another comedian actor, Ramana Reddy. These combinations were repeated for several hit movies in Telugu. Some of the well-known movies in which Relangi acted are shown below.1930s
Sri Krishna Tulabharam- ''Vara Vikrayam''
1940s
Malathi Madhavam Bala Nagamma Gollabhama Vindhyarani Keelu Gurram Gunasundari Katha- ''Mana Desam''
1950s
Samsaram Maaya Rambha Paramanandayya Shishyulu Shavukaru Navvite Navaratnalu Pathala Bhairavi Perantaalu Agni Pariksha Prema Dharma Devatha Daasi Manavati Priyuralu Tingu Ranga Peda Rythu Paradesi Velaikari Magal Pakka Inti Ammayi Chandirani Bratuku Theruvu Peddamanushulu Chandraharam Raju Peda Vipra Narayana Rani Ratnaprabha Cherapakura Chedevu as PitambaramJayasimha Missamma Ardhangi Rojulu Marayi Santhanam Donga Ramudu Jayam Manade Bhale Ramudu Chintamani Charana Daasi Nala Damayanthi Veera Kankanam Todi Kodallu Sarangadhara Kutumba Gowravam Dongallo Dora Bhagya Rekha Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam Maya Bazaar Suvarna Sundari Mangalya Balam Bhuloka Rambha as VasanthuduManchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu Chenchu Lakshmi Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu Krishna Leelalu as NandaJayabheri Illarikam- ''Nammina Bantu''
1960s
Bhatti Vikramarka Shanthi Nivasam Samajam Pelli Kanuka Mamaku Tagga Alludu Vagdanam Usha Parinayam Sabhash Raja Velugu Needalu Iddaru Mitrulu Bharya Bharthalu Bhakta Jayadeva Jagadeka Veeruni Katha Kalasi Vunte Kaladu Sukham Khaidi Kannaiah Siri Sampadalu Raktha Sambandham Mohini Rugmangada Kula Gothralu Bhishma Aradhana Tiger Ramudu Mahamantri Timmarusu Aasa Jeevulu Chaduvukunna Ammayilu Lakshadhikari Lava Kusa Paruvu Prathishta Narthanasala Ramudu Bheemudu Pooja Phalam Aathma Balam Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima Satya Harishchandra Preminchi Choodu Chitti Chellelu Antastulu Aatma Gowravam Navaratri Leta Manasulu Aastiparulu Srikakula Andhra Maha Vishnu Katha Pidugu Ramudu Ummadi Kutumbham Rahasyam Private Master Goodachari 116 Bhakta Prahlada Aada Paduchu Thalli Prema Sri Rama Katha as PragalbhacharyuluBhale Tammudu Mathru Devata- Karpura Harathi Asthulu Anthastulu Bhale Abbayilu as Zamindar, foster father of RaviKarpura Harathi as Somasundaram
1970s
Talli Tandrulu Pettandarulu Vidhi Vilasam as ThirupathiJeevitha Chakram Bhale Papa Kalavari Kutumbam as Raghava RaoGanga Manga Doctor Babu as Jagannatha RaoMeena as Narasimha Rao, Horse races enthusiastNippulanti Manishi Uttama Illalu as Pittala DoraMallela Manasulu as Malmal Seth- ''Pooja''
Singer
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" |
| 1954 | Pedda Manushulu | "Siva Siva Moortivi Gananaadhaa" |
| 1955 | Missamma | "Dharmam Cheyyi Babu Kaani Dharmam" "Seetaram Seetaram Seetaram Jai Seetaram" |
| 1966 | Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha |
Producer
- Relangi acted and produced the film Samajam in 1960.
- Relangi owned a Theater in Tadepalligudem - Relangi Theater.
Awards
- In 1970, he was awarded the Padma Shri, a civilian award from the Government of India.
- In The 2019 movie N.T.R: Kathanayakudu, Brahmanandam portrayed him.