Saturday, May 26, 2012

Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao

Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao, better known as Kanta Rao a.k.a. Katthi Kanta Rao (Telugu: తాడేపల్లి లక్ష్మీ కాంతారావు) (16 November 1923 – March 22, 2009), was an Indian film actor and film producer from Andhra Pradesh, India. He acted in more than 400 Telugu mythological, social and folklore movies. He also acted in a few Hindi, Kannada and Tamil movies. He produced about five films under the banner Hema/Hyma Films. In the 1960s he was one of the primary actors in Telugu cinema, along with N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageshwara Rao.
Kanta Rao was very famous for portraying the role of Narada in mythological Telugu cinema. He played other roles, notably those of Lord Krishna, Arjuna, Panduraj and Lakshmana.
Kanta Rao acted in many folklore movies and was famous for his fencing and sword fighting. Therefore he was also famous as Kattula Kanta Rao. Most of these movies were directed by "Janapada Brahma" B. Vittalacharya.

Early life

Kanta Rao was born to Keshavarao and Seetaramamma at Gudibanda village on November 16, 1923. According to Hindu calendar, it corresponds to Rudhirodgari Samvatsara Kartika Sudha Ashtami day. Their ancestors belongs to Tadepalli village, hence it became their family name. He lost his father next year. His primary education was done in Gudibanda and Khammam. He was exposed to puranas and Hindu epic stories from his grandmother.
Surabhi Drama troup has visited their village. Impressed by their professional performances, he established "Balamitra Natya Mandali" and used to play Gayopakhyanam and Madhuseva plays with his friends. He played the character Brahma in Sri Krishna Leelalu in Surabhi group and subsequently in Madhuseva, Kanakatara, Telugu Talli plays.
He was sent to Tenali to deviate from the drama activities. Tenali used to be very active in drama activities with stalwarts like Pulipati Lakshminarayana. He used to stay in same street wherein Rentachintala Satyanarayana, Banda Kanakalingeswara Rao used to live in.
He then shifted to Madras in 1950 and used stay with T. Krishnamachari, who used to work as assistant director for H. M. Reddy's Rohini Pictures.
H. M. Reddy gave him chance to play a small role in Nirdoshi in 1951 and as his hero for Pratigna in 1953. He has acted in 450 films and in about 100 films as hero, whereas in others as different character roles. They include some popular roles in films like Jayasimha (1955), Shri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966), Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu (1963), Lava Kusha (1963), Nartanasala (1963), Pandava Vanavasam (1965) and Muthyala Muggu (1975). His last movie was ‘Pandurangadu’ with Balakrishna and directed by K. Raghavendra Rao in 2008.
Though he was never as rich as his contemporaries, he was comfortable. He made four films in between 1969 and 1974, Saptaswaralu, Gandara Gandadu, Premajeevulu and Gundelu Theesina Monagadu and lost all his previous earnings. The last film he made was Swathi Chinukulu. Subsequently he shifted to Hyderabad.

Filmography

Actor

This is the complete list of his films according to his autobiographical work, Anaganaga Oka Rakumarudu.
Year Film Language Character Director
1951 Nirdoshi Telugu
H. M. Reddy
1953 Pratigna Telugu Pratap H. M. Reddy
1955 Jayasimha Telugu Vijayasimha D. Yoganand
Kanyadanam Telugu
B. Vittalacharya
1956 Bhakta Markandeya Telugu
B. S. Ranga
Ilavelpu Telugu
D. Yoganand
Sri Gowri Mahatyam Telugu

1957 Sati Anasuya Telugu
K. B. Nagabhushanam
1958 Ganga Gowri Samvadamu Telugu Narada Muni V.N. Reddy
Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham Telugu
Sattiraju Lakshmi Narayana
1959 Bhakta Ambarisha

Bolla Subba Rao
Jaya Vijaya Telugu
B. Vittalacharya
Sabash Ramudu Telugu
C. S. Rao
Sati Sukanya Telugu Ashwini Devatalu
1960 Bhakta Ragunatha Telugu
Samudrala Raghavacharya
Bhatti Vikramarka Telugu Bhatti Jampana Chandrasekhara Rao
Chivaraku Migiledi Telugu Prakasam Gutha Ramineedu
Deepavali Telugu Narada Muni Rajanikanth Sabnavis
Devantakudu Telugu Sri Mahavishnu C. Pullaiah
Kanaka Durga Pooja Mahima Telugu Madhava B. Vittalacharya
Mangalyam Telugu
B.S.Narayana
Rama Sundari Telugu
Hunsur Krishnamurthy
Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chinthamani Telugu
S. D. Lal
Sanchari Telugu

Shantinivasam Telugu
C. S. Rao
Sri Krishna Rayabaram Telugu

1961 Bikari Ramudu Telugu
Palagummi Padmaraju
Pellikani Pillalu Telugu
C. S. Rao
Sabash Raja Telugu
P. S. Ramakrishna Rao
Sati Sulochana Telugu Narada Muni Rajanikanth Sabnavis
Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam Telugu Narada Muni N. T. Rama Rao
Tandrulu Kodukulu Telugu
K. Hemabharadara Rao
Usha Parinayam Telugu Anirudha K. B. Nagabhushanam
Varalakshmi Vratham Telugu
B. Vittalacharya
1962 Bhishma Telugu Salwa B. A. Subba Rao
Chitti Tammudu Telugu Srihari K. B. Tilak
Khaidi Kannayya Telugu
B. Vittalacharya
Madanakaamaraaju Katha Telugu
B. Vittalacharya
Mohini Rukmangada Telugu
K. S. Prakash Rao
Nagarjuna Telugu
Y. V. Rao
Nuvva Nena Telugu

Padandi Munduku Telugu
V. Madhusudhana Rao
Raktha Sambandham Telugu Anand V. Madhusudhana Rao
Swarna Gowri Telugu

1963 Apta Mitrulu Telugu
Kadaru Nagabhushanam
Constable Kuturu Telugu
Tapi Chanakya
Deva Sundari Telugu
Hanumappa Vishwanath Babu
Edureeta Telugu Village Doctor B. S. Narayana Rao
Guruvuni Minchina Sishyudu Telugu Vijayudu B. Vittalacharya
Lava Kusha Telugu Lakshmana C. Pullaiah and C. S. Rao
Manchirojulu Vastayi Telugu

Nartanasala Telugu Lord Krishna Kamalakara Kameswara Rao
Somavara Vrata Mahatyam Telugu

Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham Telugu Narada Muni Kadiri Venkata Reddy
Tobuttuvulu Telugu
Ranganath Das
Vishnumaya Telugu
Nammalvar
1964 Babruvahana Telugu Lord Krishna Samudrala Raghavacharya
Bangaru Timmaraju Telugu

Desa Drohulu Telugu

Mairavana Telugu
B. A. Subba Rao
Marmayogi

B. A. Subba Rao
Navagraha Pooja Mahima Telugu
B. Vittalacharya
Sri Satyanarayana Mahatyam Telugu
Rajanikanth Sabnavis
Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani Telugu

1965 Aada Bratuku Telugu
Vedantam Raghavaiah
Aakaasha Ramanna Telugu
G. Viswanath
Chaduvukunna Bharya Telugu
K. B. Nagabhushanam
Deveta Telugu Guest
Dorikite Dongalu Telugu

Jwaladweepa Rahasyam Telugu
B. Vittalacharya
Pakkalo Ballem Telugu
S.R. Puttana Kanagal
Pandava Vanavasam Telugu Lord Krishna Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Prachanda Bhairavi Telugu
C. S. Rao
Prameelaarjuneeyam Telugu Lord Krishna
Pratigyna Palana Telugu
C. S. Rao
Sati Sakkubai Telugu
Vedantam Raghavaiah
Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima Telugu Pururava Chakravarthi B. V. Prasad
Veerabhimanyu Telugu Arjuna V. Madhusudan Rao
Vijaya Simha Telugu
B Vittalacharya, S D Lal
1966 Ata Bommalu Telugu
G. Vishwanathan
Bheemaanjaneya Yuddham Telugu Nala Kuber S. D. Lal
Bhoolokamlo Yamolokam Telugu
G. Viswanath
Mohini Bhasmasura

B. A. Subba Rao
Paduka Pattabhishekam Telugu
Kadaru Nagabhushanam
Palnati Yudham Telugu Nalagamaraju Gutha Ramineedu
Shri Krishna Pandaviyam Telugu Narada Muni N. T. Rama Rao
Shri Krishna Tulabharam Telugu Narada Muni Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Srimati


1967 Aggi Dora Telugu
B. Vittalacharya
Chikkadu Dorakadu Telugu Dorakadu B. Vittalacharya
Devuni Gelichina Maanavudu Telugu
Hunsur Krishnamurthy
Iddaru Monagaallu Telugu
B. Vittalacharya
Kanchu Kota Telugu
C. S. R. Rao
Maa Vadina Telugu
Kotayya Pratyagatma
Pinni Telugu

Rahasyam Telugu
Vedantam Raghavaiah
Sati Sumati Telugu
Vedantam Raghavaiah
Sri Krishna Mahima


Stri Janma Telugu
K.S. Prakash Rao
1968 Veera Pooja Telugu
A.V. Seshagiri Rao
Aggimeeda Guggilam Telugu

Bhale Monagaadu Telugu
B. Vittalacharya
Devakanya Telugu
K. Hemambharadhara Rao
Devudichchina Bharta Telugu

Evaru Monagaadu? Telugu

Jeevita Bhandam Telugu
M.S. Gopinath
Kumkuma Bharina Telugu
Vedantam Raghavaiah
Pedaraasi Peddamma Katha Telugu
G. Suryam
Rajayogam Telugu
K. S. R. Das
Ranabheri Telugu
Giduthuri Satyam
Sati Arundhati Telugu
K.V. Nandana Rao
Veeranjaneya Telugu
Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Bangaru Gaajulu Telugu
C.S.R. Rao
Niluvu Dopidi Telugu Guest C.S.R. Rao
1969 Bommalu Cheppina Katha Telugu
G. Viswanath
Pancha Kalyani Dongala Rani Telugu

Rajasimha Telugu
K. S. R. Das
Saptaswaralu Telugu
Vedantam Raghavaiah
Vukku Pidugu Telugu
K. S. R. Das
Gandara Gandadu Telugu Manoharudu K. S. R. Das
Tarasasankam Telugu
M. Appa Rao
Ekaveera Telugu Veerbhupati C.S.R. Rao
1970 Merupu Veerudu Telugu

Maa Manchi Akkayya Telugu
V Ramachandra Rao
Janmabhoomi Telugu

Suguna Sundari Katha Telugu Prasoona H.S. Venu
Bhale Ettu Chivaraku Chittu Telugu
Vedantam Raghavaiah
Raite Raju Telugu
B.S. Srinivas
Oke Kutumbham Telugu
A. Bhimsingh
Khadga Veera Telugu
T. Vishwanathan
1971 Prema Jeevulu Telugu
K. S. R. Das
Sri Krishna Vijayamu Telugu

Kattiki Kankanamu Telugu
K. S. R. Das
Ananda Nilayam Telugu

Sati Anasooya Telugu
Subba Rao B.A.
Jataka Ratna Midatambhotlu Telugu
Padmanabham
Andam Kosan Pandem Telugu

Adavi Veerulu Telugu
P Subramanyam
Shri Krishna Satya Telugu Narada Muni Kadri Venkata Reddy
Chelleli Kapuram Telugu
K. Viswanath
1972 Adrusta Devata Telugu

Shri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham Telugu Narada Muni C. S. R. Rao
Bala Bharatam Telugu Pandu Raju Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Illu Illalu Telugu
P. Chandrashekar Reddy
Praja Nayakudu Telugu
V. Madhusudan Rao
1973 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Telugu
V. Ramachandra Rao
Neramu Siksha Telugu Rajasekharam K. Viswanath
Mayadari Malligadu Telugu
Adurthi Subba Rao
1974 Gundelu Teesina Monagaadu Telugu
N. B. Chakravarthi
Alluri Seetharama Raju Telugu Padalu V. Ramachandra Rao
Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddham Telugu Narada Muni Bapu
Vijaya Ramudu Telugu

Devadasu Telugu
Vijaya Nirmala
Bangaru Kalalu Telugu
Adurthi Subba Rao
O Seeta Katha Telugu Madhava Rao K. Vishwanath
Nippulanti Manishi Telugu
S. D. Lal
Tulabharam Telugu
Pendyala Naganjaneyulu
Pooja Pushpaalu Telugu

Nirnayam Telugu

Adambaralu - Anubhandhalu Telugu
C. S. Rao
1975 Gajula Kishtayya Telugu
Adurthi Subba Rao
Padi Pantalu Telugu

Muthyala Muggu Telugu Raja Rao Bahadur Bapu
Maayaa Maschindra Telugu
Babubhai Mistri
Pellade Bomma Telugu

Illu Vakili Telugu

Gunavantudu Telugu
Adurthi Subba Rao
Pooja Telugu
Murugan Kumaran
Eduruleni Manishi Telugu
K. Bapayya
Soubhagyavati Telugu
P Chandrashekar Reddy
Challani Talli Telugu
K. S. Rami Reddy
Rakta Sambhandhaalu Telugu
M. Mallikarjuna Rao
Ammayila Sapadham Telugu
G. V. R. Seshagiri Rao
Annadammula Anubhandham Telugu
S. D. Lal
Bharatamulo oka Ammayi Telugu
Dasari Narayana Rao
1976 Mahatmudu Telugu
M.S. Gopinath
Raajaa Telugu
K. Raghavendra Rao
Vemulavada Bhimakavi Telugu

America Ammayi Telugu
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
E Kalapu Pillalu Telugu

Magaadu Telugu
S. D. Lal
Neram Naadi Kaadu Akalidi Telugu

Monagaadu Telugu
T. Krishna
Mahakavi Kshetrayya Telugu
C. S. Rao,
Adurthi Subba Rao
Padavoyi Bharateeyudaa Telugu
Dasari Narayana Rao
Seeta Kalyanam Telugu
Bapu
Sita Swayamvar Hindi
Bapu
Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club Telugu
Bapu,
Chakrapani
1977 Kurukshetram Telugu
Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Panchayiti Telugu
Vijaya Nirmala
Jeevanateeralu Telugu
G. C. Shekhar
Yamagola Telugu Indrudu Tatineni Rama Rao
Andame Anandam Telugu
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
Edureeta Telugu
V. Madhusudan Rao
Manavadi Kosam Telugu
Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Manchini Penchali Telugu

Manassakshi Telugu
P. Sambasiva Rao
JanmaJanmala Bhandham Telugu
P. Chandrashekar Reddy
Geeta Sangeeta Telugu
M.S. Koti Reddy
1978 Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi Telugu
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
Vayasu Pilichindi Telugu
C. V. Sridhar
Manavoori Pandavulu Telugu Dharmaiah Bapu
1980 Chandipriya Telugu
V. Madhusudan Rao
Vamsa Vriksham Telugu
Bapu
Kaali Telugu
I. V. Sasi
Superman Telugu
V. Madhusudan Rao
Chukkallo Chandrudu Telugu

Sarada Ramudu Telugu Raja Rao Vasu
1981 Satyabhama Telugu
K. Raghavendra Rao
Radha Kalyanam Telugu
Bapu
Ooriki Ichina Maata Telugu
Mannava Balayya
1982 Ekalavya Telugu
Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Siripuram Simham Telugu

Swami Vaibhavam Telugu

1985 Vijetha Telugu Venkayya (guest) A. Kodandarami Reddy
Mantra Dandam Telugu

America Alludu Telugu
K. Vasu
Nerastudu Telugu
K. S. R. Das
1986 Pyaar Ka Sindoor Hindi
Bapu
Simhasanam Telugu
Krishna Ghattamaneni
Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam Telugu Shyama K. Vasu
1988 Jhansi Rani Telugu

1989 Mutyamantha Muddu Telugu
Ravi Raja Pinisetty
1992 Soorigaadu Telugu
Dasari Narayana Rao
1994 Mugguru Monagallu Telugu
K. Raghavendra Rao
1998 Kante Kuthurnekanu Telugu
Dasari Narayana Rao
2003 Kabirdas Telugu
V. V. Raju
Nijam Telugu Narayana Rao Teja
2007 Shankar Dada Zindabad Telugu
Prabhu Deva
2008 Pandurangadu Telugu
K. Raghavendra Rao
Other movies as actor.
Year Film Character Director Notes
2005 Dhana 51
R. Surya Kiran
2003 Satyam
R. Surya Kiran
1999 Postman
Muppalaneni Siva
1994 Bangaru Kutumbam
Dasari Narayana Rao
1986 Vikram
V. Madhusudan Rao
1981 Sati Savitri
P. Subba Rao
1980 Ram Robert Rahim Catholic priest Vijaya Nirmala
Prema Tarangalu Ranga Rao S. P. Chitti Babu
1979 Yugandhar
K. S. R. Das
Maavuri Devatha
G. Giridhara Rao
1978 Gorantha Deepam
Bapu
1976 Tu Hi Ram Tu Hi Krishna Narada Muni Kadri Venkata Reddy Hindi film
1975 Alakh Niranjan
Babubhai Mistri Hindi film
1974 Hare Krishna

Hindi film
1963 Valmiki
C. S. Rao

Producer

  • Saptaswaralu (1969)
  • Gandara Gandadu (1969)
  • Premajeevulu (1971)
  • Gundelu Teesina Monagaadu (1974)
  • Swaati Chinukulu (1989)

Personal

He was married to Susheela and had a daughter in 1942. The daughter died of smallpox during infancy. They had a son in 1945 named after his father as Keshav. Susheela became sick. He married Hymavathi in 1950 and subsequently Susheela died of illness. His son also died of typhoid fever in childhood. He has four sons and a daughter by Hymavathi, named Pratap, Keshav, Susheela, Raja and Satyam, in that order.
His son Raja (Rajeswara Rao) has acted in Sudigundalu, Prema Jeevulu, Gandara Gandadu, Gundelu Teesina Monagadu, Swati Chinukulu, Ukku Pidugu, Rajasimha, Evaru Monagadu, Maro Prapancham and Manushulu Matti Bommalu.
His son Satyam also has acted in Saptaswaralu, Prema Jeevulu and Gandara Gandadu.

Death

He died at 9:50 PM IST at Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad on March 22, 2009 due to cancer complications.

Awards

  • He won the National Rashtrapati Award for the role of Lakshmana in Lava Kusha.
  • He has been awarded the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by the government of Andhra Pradesh for his acting achievements in the year 2000.
  • He was awarded the Visesha Puraskaram in Ramineni Foundation Awards in 2004.
  • His book Anaganaga Oka Raakumaarudu (Autobiography of Kanta Rao) won the Nandi Award for Best Book for the year 2007.
  • Mahanati Savitri Award
  • C.H. Narayana Rao Award


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