Any lover of telugu cinema need not have the introduction to a phenomenon which was called S V RANGA RAO aka SVR
and his legacy. If there was any artist ever in Telugu cinema, in fact
for entire Indian cinema of yore, to be called as of international
standards, his name should be reckoned as SVR. He must be the only actor
to have received a title which really suits his talent and aura, "VISWA NATA CHAKRAVARTHY." He gained that title and remained immortal in the heart of every film lover.
When
we look into the early life of SVR, we would find it very similar to
scores of others who made it big in their middle age. SVR was a stage
artist of repute and came to Madras
with a passion for acting in films. He got a chance to play a role in
“Varoodhini” with the help of his relative B V Ramanandam. But the film
was a miserable flop.
SVR
was ridiculed in that movie and lost hope over his acting career. And
being a self-respecting individual, he imposed himself an exile from
film land when he joined as a Budget Assistant in the Tata Company in Jamshedpur.
But his passion for films continued. But the hide and seek game of
films and job continued for a while when Vijaya Productions thought SVR
would be the apt Nepala Mantrika for "Patala Bhairavi." And as they say, rest is history. "Patala Bhairavi"
brought forward exciting talents out from the closet and made them
superstars. Along with SVR, NTR, Relangi and Padmanabham became
household names and the songs in the voices of Ghantasala and Leela
reverbarated on everybody's lips.
Soon
many more movies followed from Vijaya Productions which established SVR
as a character artiste and a villain. "Missamma," "Appu Chesi Pappu
Koodu", "Maaya Bazaar", "Pelli Chesi Choodu," "Gundamma Katha" became
the shining lights of SVR's career. And his career reached the pinnacle
when SVR was chosen as the Best Actor at the Jakarta Film Festival for
his role as Keechaka in the myhtological "Nartanasala."
More
hits followed with "Pandava Vanavasam" 'Sampoorna Ramayanam" "Papam
Pasivadu" "Bandhavyalu" "Chiranjeevulu" "Pandanti Kapuram", "Iddaru
Ammayilu" and many more. The strange part about SVR was that though he
is often the character artiste in these movies, they used to rest on his
able shoulders to bring the liveliness in the proceedings.
SVR
showed a kind of recklessness and arrogance in his dialogue delivery.
He had a flawless diction and a style which was unmatchable. He used to
deliver difficult Sanskrit sentences with ease which is unparalleled.
We can also see a similar dialogue modulation in Tamil legend MGR. The
mimicry artists who try to mimic MGR unintentionally end up mimicking
SVR.
S
V. Ranga Rao was a complete artist. He had all qualities in his
personality that one actor should have. He became extraordinary one
among millions with his magnificent personality and powerful diction. He
didn’t imitate any one but every art student and actor consider him as
their Idol. He expressed all emotions with a blink of his eye. His
performances are considered as lessons for fine arts students. A true
humanitarian lied behind his heart and he was firm supporter of upcoming
artists.
He may have died on 18th July 1974 but his legacy lives.
