S. V. Ranga Rao

Statue of S. V. Ranga Rao, inaugurated by Chiranjeevi at Tummalapalli Kshetraya School of Arts in Vijayawada

Rao was born in Dowlaiswaram near Rajahmundry in East Godavari District to a Telugu Speaking family. Samarla Lakshmi was his mother and Samarla Gotteswara Rao, an excise inspector at Nuzvidu town in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India, was his father.[8][9] His mother, Lakshmi Narasayamma, a staunch devotee of Lord Venkateswara, named the boy after him. Rao was sent to the erstwhile Madras Presidency where he completed his schooling at Hindu College. At an early age of 12, he showed interest in stage action, he ventured into acting after completing his bachelor's degree in sciences.[8][9]

S.V.R. got an invitation from one of his relatives, B.V. Ramanandam, to play the lead actor in his film Varoodhini. He immediately abandoned the job, and left for Salem to join the celluloid world. In fact, it was a great beginning for the young man when the film was released. However, S.V.R. left the Madras presidency and reached Jamshedpur, where he took up the job as a budget assistant with the Tata Company. However, his love for dramas began to bloom multifold. At this juncture, he married Leelavathi Badeti on 27 December 1947. In the days that followed, S.V.R. was given an opportunity to appear in Palletoori Pilla, produced by B. A. Subba Rao.[8] Rao was offered his first lead antagonist role by Vijaya Pictures.[9]

Ranga Rao married Leelavati, daughter of Badeti Venkata Ramaiah and Koteswaramma on 27 December 1947. They have three children: two daughters, Vijaya and Prameela and a son, Koteswara Rao.[8] Rao had a cardiac arrest at Hyderabad in February 1974. He was admitted to Osmania General Hospital, and then discharged. Another attack on 18 July 1974 at Madras proved fatal and the actor died before any medical treatment could be administered.[8]

International honors

• Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Keechaka in Nartanasala at the Third Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Jakarta - (1963)[5][6][7]

Rashtrapati Award for Best Acting

• Annai (1962)[1]
• Sarada (1962)[1]
• Naanum Oru Penn (1963)[1]
• Karpagam (1963)[1]
• Nartanasala (1963)[1]

Nandi Award for Best Actor

• Bandhavyalu (1968)[10]

Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Director)

• Chadarangam (1967) - Silver Nandi[11]
• Bandhavyalu (1968) - Gold Nandi[10]

Filmfare Awards South

• Filmfare Special Award - South for Naanum Oru Penn (1963)[1]

Other honors

• He was given the distinguished names as Viswa Nata Chakravarti, Nata Sarvabhouma, Nata Sekhara, Nata Simha.[1]