Suryakantham

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Suryakantham (28 October 1924 - 17 December 1996)

“Suryakantham”… the very mention of the name is a nightmare to the daughters-in-law of Andhra Pradesh. No father or mother in the state would dare to put the name to their daughter since forty years. When a woman argues in public, immediately she would be branded as “Suryakantham”. The audience used to heap curses on her and showed aversion toward her. This is the greatness of Suryakantham as an actress.

She was born at Venkata Krishnaraya Puram near Kakinada in East Godavari district. She was the 14th child to their parents, while ten children had died. She learnt dance and singing at a tender age of six. As she grew up, the Hindi film posters had fascinated her very much. The same urge to act in films brought her to Chennai. She got an opportunity as dancer in “Chandralekha” produced by the Gemini Studio. When offered a monthly remuneration of Rs 65/-, she fought with the producer and other unit members, who were forced to hike the figure to Rs 75/-. Thanks to the efforts of Leela Kumari, she got her first role as character artiste in “Narada Naradhi”. But little roles did not satisfy the artiste in her. She dreamt of going to Bombay (Mumbai) for better opportunities. When Gemini Studio makers failed to provide her roles other than a dancer, she had quit her job. But her financial position would not permit her chase after her dream

Later, she got a role a good character artiste role in the movie “Grihapravesam”. Though, she got an opportunity to do the heroine role in “Soudhamini”, God had decided something really worthwhile for her. The heroine chance slipped away from her, when she was met with a car accident (in which Suryakantham was hurt in the face). But she consolidated her position by playing the role of a cruel mother-in-law in “Samsaram”.There was no looking back thereafter. The audience began to abuse her Suryakantham (of course her character).

Once again, the most-wanted “heroine” role tapped her door through Mumbai tinsel world. Knowing that the producer had dropped a heroine from his movie on personal grounds; and the same was given to her; Suryakantham rejected the offer, saying “I can’t live on the unhappiness of other artistes.” Such was the integrity of Suryakantham, as an artiste. “Kodarikam” lifted her to lofty heights. Ace directors or the era, B Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani would not dare to do a movie without Suryakantham. They had even produced a movie “Gundammakatha”, starring NTR, ANR and SV Ranga Rao. The entire story would revolve round Suryakantham. Audience all over state wondered at the title. But when the movie was released, Suryakantham had a message to the audience. “You can’t escape from my spell. Her co-artistes Relangi, Ramana Reddy, Nagabushanam, Jaggaiah, Kantha Rao used to give her utmost respect. Dialogue or scene, there would be no second take. Suryakantham meant only one take. That’s it.

Suryakantham was very sensitive a woman outside the shooting sets. She would prepare delicious food stuff for the entire unit. She would prepare mouthwatering sweets at her house and bring the same for distribution to her co-artistes. A delicate-hearted lady, Suryakantham once had to chide ace artiste Nagaiah in one of the scenes. After the scene was over, she virtually fell at his feet, seeking his forgiveness. She used to contribute huge amounts to the artistes welfare associations. The dominance of Surykantham on the screen could be felt so strongly that she had acted in more than 700 movies.

Reputed advocate Peddibotla Chalapati Rao married Suryakantham in 1950. Sri Padmavati Mahila University had conferred the D. Litt honor on Suryakantham in 1994. The month of December always has a special significance in her life. She came to Madras in the month of December. Her first movie started in the month of December. And finally, she breathed her last on December 18th, 1994, after a prolonged illness. She commanded the honest tears from her audience in real life. Template:Categories: Telugu people