Suryakantham (28 October 1924 – 18 December 1994) was an Indian actress in Telugu cinema. She was popular for her portrayal of cruel and cunning women with a comedic touch.
Early life
Suryakantham was born and brought up in a Telugu family residing at Venkata Krishnaraya Puram near Kakinada of East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. She was the 14th child to her parents, ten of whose children had died. She learnt dance and singing at the age of six.
She married Peddibhotla Chalapati Rao, a High Court Judge, in 1950.
Career
Suryakantham started as a dancer in Chandralekha, produced by the Gemini Studios, for which she had been paid Rs 75 in remuneration. She got her first role as character artiste in Narada Naradi, but eventually quit her job at Gemini Studios.
Later, she got a character artist role in the movie Gruhapravesam. She was offered the heroine's role in Soudamini, but did not accept it. She later was in a car accident, in which she received injuries to her face. She later played the role of a cruel mother-in-law in Samsaram.
Another "heroine" role was offered to her from a Bollywood film producer. Knowing that the producer had dropped a heroine from his movie on personal grounds, and that the same was given to her, Suryakantham rejected the offer, saying "I can't live on the unhappiness of other artists." She subsequently appeared in the Telugu film Kodarikam, which brought her a new level of success. The directors B. Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani would not do a movie without Suryakantham. They produced the movie Gundamma Katha, starring N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and S.V. Ranga Rao, with Suryakantham playing the lead role of Gundamma. The film was commercially successful.
Awards and titles
Awards Mahanati Savitri Memorial Award Honorary Doctorate Padmavati Mahila University
Titles Gayyali Athayya Sahaja Nata Kala Siromani Haasya Nata Siromani Bahumukha Natanaa Praveena Rangasthala Siromani Arungalai Maamani (Tamil)
Filmography
Year Film Role 1946 Narada Naradi 1949 Dharmangada 1950 Samsaram Venkamma 1952 Daasi Dr. Sarala Pelli Chesi Choodu Chukkalamma Prema Chimlli 1953 Ammalakkalu SeshammaParedesi Bratuku Teruvu Kotamma 1954 Chakrapani Manorama Chandraharam 1955 Donga Ramudu Kanyasulkam Meenakshi 1956 Chiranjeevulu Akhilandamma Charana Daasi Seshamma Ilavelpu Penki Pellam 1957 Bhagya Rekha Dongallo Dora Mayabazar Hidimbi Todi Kodallu Anasuya 1958 Bommala Pelli Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu Rajaratnam Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu Mangalya Balam 1959 Jayabheri Ratnalu Krishna Leelalu 1960 Santinivasam 1961 Velugu Needalu Kanaka Durgamma Bharya Bhartalu Pelli Kani Pillalu Iddaru Mitrulu Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham Sabash Raja Vagdanam Baalamani 1962 Atma Bandhuvu Widowed daughter Bhishma Gundamma Katha Gundamma Kula Gotralu Manchi Manasulu Mohini Rugmangada Rakhta Sambandham Siri Sampadalu 1963 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu Vardhanam Lava Kusa Mooga Manasulu Nartanasala Paruvu Pratishta Eedu Jodu Rangamma Punarjanma Tirupatamma Katha 1964 Doctor Chakravarthy Murali Krishna Ramudu Bhimudu 1965 Aatma Gowravam Santhana Lakshmi 1966 Kanne Manasulu Navaratri ZamindarPaduka PattabhishekamManthara Aastiparulu Kaasulamma 1967 Ummadi kutumbam Gruhalakshmi Poola Rangadu 1968 Ninne PelladitaGovula GopannaMahalakshmiVintha KapuramRambanamma Tikka Sankarayya Kanthamma1969Sri Rama KathaCharusheela, wife of Pragalbhacharyulu Aatmiyulu MahankaliMuhurtha BalamShantamma BuddhimantuduBhale Rangadu 1970 Balaraju KathaVidhi VilasamThirupathi's wife ParapathiThaali Bottu 1971 Dasara Bullodu ANR's Adopted Mother Srimantudu Atthalu Kodallu SundarammaManasu Mangalyam 1972 Illu Illalu Raja Babu's Mother in law – SurammattaAnta Mana ManchikeLeela Rao Iddaru Ammayilu Sundaramma Kalam Marindi Koduku Kodalu Vichitra Bandham Kantam 1973 Andala Ramudu Samalamma Ganga MangaDurgammaMeenaMeena's caretaker and Krishnaveni's aunt 1975 Mutyala Muggu Contractor's wife Pooja1976Padi PantaluKanthamma, wife of Seshayya Secretary Sri Rajeswari Vilas Coffee Club 1977 Ardhangi Andame Anandam Yamagola Seetamma 1978 Goranta DeepamChilipi Krishnudu1979Oka Challani RathriKamakshi Karthika Deepam 1980 Buchchi BabuKonte Mogudu Penki PellamBhadramma Gayyali Gangamma Gangamma 1981 Prema Mandiram 1982 Pelleedu Pillalu Kalavari SamsaramBangaru BhoomiSuramma1983 Pelli ChoopuluMundaduguMaro MayabazaarOorantha SankaranthiSangharshanaPrema Pichollu Konte Kodallu VaralammaLanke Bindelu1984Dandayatra1985 America AlluduSurya ChandraPattabhishekamKanchu KavachamRakta SindhuramBulletPalnati SimhamParvathamma1986Ravana BrahmaAnnapoornammaTandra PaparayuduManchi ManasuluUgra NarasimhamChanakya SapadhamDurgamma 1987 Gundamma Gari KrishnuluUmmadi MoguduAatma Bandhuvulu 1988 Yamudiki Mogudu Kali's grandmotherGarjinchina GangaO Bharya KathaKanthamma1989 Bandhuvulostunnaru JagrataSundarammaGaduggaiRudranetraSahasame Naa Oopiri Hai Hai Nayaka Suryakanthamma1990Idem Pellam Baboi1993Ratha Sarathi Gundamma One by Two Balaji's grandmother1994 Govinda Govinda Anna S. P. ParasuramLakshmikantham
Tamil films Year Film Role 1952 Kalyanam Panni Paar1953 Velaikari Magal Poongothai
References
External links