J. V. Somayajulu

J.V. Somayajulu (1928 - April 27, 2004) was an Indian film actor. His full name was Jonnalagadda Venkata Somayajulu. His most notable role was Sankar Sastry, in "Shankarabharanam", also being his debut role.

Life and Times

He hailed from village Lukalam Agraharam near Urlam in Srikakulam district. His father worked as inspector in Prohibition & Excise department in Gudivada and other towns. He also spent his childhood days in Vizianagaram and he also learnt playing stage dramas when he was in Vizianagaram. His entertainment career spanned five decades in drama stage, film industry and television. His passion for Gurazada Apparao's play, Kanyasulkam, was such that he along with his actor brother, J.V. Ramana Murthy played it for about 500 times in 45 years. His exposition of the delightfully notorious character, `Ramappanthulu' in the play, has become legendary. The woman behind the success of JV Somayajulu is his mother Saradamma.

Some of the other films that earned Somayajulu a good reputation as an actor were Allari Pillalu, Nelavanka, Rowdy Alludu, Swathimutyam, Thyagayya, Saptapadi, Vijetha and Vamsha Vruksham.

Recently he made a 13-episode television serial on the play Kanyasulkam.

For the development of Telugu theatre in the twin cities, Somayajulu established `Rasaranjani' along with his contemporaries like Chatla Sriramulu, Garimella Rama Murthy and Rallapalli.

Somayajulu worked in the Directorate of Cultural Affairs before retiring from government service.

He died of illness at Hyderabad in 2004. [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/04/28/stories/2004042806930600.htm An actor in the classical mould.The Hindu] ] He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

Filmography

* "Ondagona Baa (2003)
* "Kabirdas (2003)
* "Sarigamalu (1994)
* "Govinda Govinda (1993)
* "Muta Mesthri" (1993)
* "Allari Mogudu" (1992)
* "Rowdy Alludu" (1991)
* "Aditya 369" (1991)
* "Appula Appa Rao" (1991)
* "Pratibandh" (1990)
* "Swara Kalpana" (1989)
* "Idu Namma Alu" (1988)
* "Swayam Krushi" (1987)
* "Chakravarthy" (1987)
* "Magadheerudu" (1986)
* "Pyaar Ka Sindoor" (1986)
* "Aalaapana" (1986)
* "Kalyana Thamboolam" (1986)
* "Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam" (1986)
* "Tandra Paparayudu" (1986)
* "Vijetha" (1985)
* "Devalayam" (1985)
* "Swathi Muthyam" (1985)
* "Sitaara" (1983)
* "Pelleedu Pillalu" (1982)
* "Vamsa Vriksham" (1980)
* "Saptapadhi" (1980)
* "Shankarabharanam" (1979)

References

External links

*http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004468/
* [http://just-tollywood.blogspot.com/2007/04/jv-somayajulu.html Just Tollywood]