Basavaraju Venkata Padmanabha Rao

Basavaraju Venkata Padmanabha Rao (20 August 1931 – 20 February 2010), popularly known as Padmanabham, was a Tollywood actor known for his comedian roles. He was also a film producer and director.

Early life and career

He was born to Santham and Basavaraju Venkata Seshaiah in Simhadripuram, Pulivendula, Kadapa.^[1]

Padmanabham was essentially a theatre artist, although he also found success in films. He co-founded a theatre group with his friend Vallam Narasimha Rao, Rekha and Murali Arts with S. P. Kodandapani as their music director. He most recently acted in Telugu movies Chakram and Tata Birla Madhyalo Laila.

Basavaraju Venkata Padmanabha Rao, better known as Padmanabham to generations of countless fans in Telugu cinema began his tryst with the tinsel world in 1943 when he was just 12, when the legendary director Gudavalli Ramabrahmam gave him a break in Maayalokam. Since then, Padmanabham traversed a long distance by acting in more than 400 movies.

"If Ramabrahmam gave me a break in films, K. V. Reddy gave me some major hits. Shavukaru in 1949 was my first major hit, and it also gave me a footing as a comedian. The very next year, Patala Bhairavi came along and it helped me find a permanent place in the world of Telugu cinema," Padmanabham recalled .

Like many others of his era who had no godfathers to give them a straight lift in films, Padmanabham too landed in Madras with only fire in his belly and a talent to sing and imitate any actor of those days. Though he worked with almost 80 directors in his long career, Padmanabham cherishes most his association with Gudavalli Ramabrahmam, Ghantasala Balaramayya, L. V. Prasad and K. V. Reddy. "They were really great directors," he says.

Padmanabham is proud that he never aspired for any role but directors sometimes designed certain roles exclusively for him. "A comedian in those days was always one of the four main characters in a film, standing on the same level as a hero, heroine and villain. I don't think comedians of the present era are getting the same importance," he remarks.

The veteran finds it hard to mention any particular comic role as his most memorable one, but makes a special mention of the role of a rickshaw puller that he played in Desoddhaarakudu (1975). "It had ample measure of 'karuna rasa' in it and I could display the other shade of my talent," he says. The role became famous for the song 'Aakalayyi Annamadigithe Pichchodannaru Naayaallu'. Padmanabham, who directed eightfilms in all, introduced S.P. Balasubrahmanyam to the film industry through Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna. Kathanayika Molla, which he directed in 1969 fetched him the A.P. Government's award. Padmanabham fondly recalls the healthy professional relationship he had with comedians of his era – Relangi, Balakrishna and Siva Rao. He says every comedian of the present generation is immensely talented but handicapped by the inept handling of comedy in general. Presently acting in a TV serial Paatala Bhairavi, "not a remake of that old classic," he hastens to add, Padmanabham continues to be in the best of his health, thanks to his regular yoga sessions for the last 50 years.

Padmanabham died in Chennai on 20 February 2010 from a heart attack, aged 78.^[2]

Filmography

Actor

1. Bhadra (2005)
2. Chakram (2005)
3. Subhamasthu (1995)
4. Bhairava Dweepam (1994)
5. Mayalodu (1993) .... Padmanabham
6. Allulu Vasthunnaru (1984)
7. Indradhanusu (1977)
8. Bu (1976) .... Chillara Donga
9. Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam (1976)
10. Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club (1976)
11. Vichitra Bandham (1972) .... Chittibabu
12. Dasara Bullodu (1971)
13. Jeevitha Chakram (1971)
14. Kathanayika Molla (1970) .... Tenali Ramakrishna
15. Dharma Daata (1970)
16. Nirdoshi (1970)
17. Akka Chellelu (1970)
18. Adrushtavanthalu (1969)
19. Aatmiyulu (1969)
20. Jatakaratna midatham botlu (1969)
21. Natakala Rayudu (1969) .... Rajasekhar
22. Buddhimanthudu (1969)
23. Kathanayakudu (1969)
24. Brahmachari (1968)
25. Bagdad Gajadonga (1968) .... Hero's friend
26. Aada Paduchu (1967)
27. Ave Kallu (1967)
28. Bhakta Prahlada (1967/I) .... Markudu
29. Goodachari 116 (1967)
30. Grihalakshmi (1967)
31. Poola Rangadu (1967)
32. Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna (1967) .... Maryada Ramanna
33. Letha Manasulu (1966)
34. Chilaka Gorinka (1966)
35. Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha (1966) .... Nandhi
36. Potti Pleader (1966)
37. Pandava Vanavasam (1965) .... Lakshmana Kumarudu
38. Tene Manasulu (1965)
39. Bobbili Yudham (1964)
40. Devatha (1964)
41. Dr. Chakravarthy (1964)
42. Velugu Needalu (1964)
43. Chaduvukunna Ammayilu (1963) .... Anand
44. Mooga Manasulu (1963) .... Radha's Husband
45. Atma Bandhuvu (1962) .... 3rd son
46. Gulebakavali Katha (1962)
47. Dakshayagnam (1962/I) .... Daksha's Younger son
48. Kula Gothralu (1962)
49. Bharya Bharthalu (1961) .... Anjaneyulu
50. Iddaru Mitrulu (1961)
51. Vagdanam (1961) .... Padmanabham
52. Krishna Leelalu (1959)
53. Raja Makutam (1959/I)
54. Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1958) .... Panakala Rao
55. Bhagya Rekha (1957)
56. Kutumba Gauravam (1957) .... Relangi's son
57. Panduranga Mahatyam (1957) .... Pundarika's brother
58. Jayasimha (1955) ... Subuddhi
59. Santanam (1955) .... Sekhar
60. Sri Kalahastiswara Mahatyam (1954) .... Kaasi
61. Patala Bhairavi (1951) .... Dingiri
62. Shavukaru (1950)
63. Vindhyarani (1948)
64. Bhakta Siriyala (1948)
65. Yogi Vemana (1947)
66. Narada Naradi (1946)
67. Tyagayya (1946)
68. Mayalokam (1945)

Producer

1. Kathanayika Molla (1970)
2. Shri Rama Katha (1969)
3. Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna (1967)
4. Potti Pleader (1966)
5. Devatha (1964)

Director

1. Pellikaani thandri (1974)
2. Kathanayika Molla (1970)
3. Shri Rama Katha (1969)

References