Mannava balayya

Mannava Balaiah was born at Amaravathi mandalam, Guntur district to Mannava Guravaiah Chowdary and Annapurnamma. He studied up to Engineering BE (mechanical) in Guindi Engineering College, Chennai (Madras). Inspired by the drama during his college days, Balaiah ventured into movies with guidance from Thapi Chanakya.

He made his debut as an actor with ‘Ethuku Pai Ethu’- a social film directed by Thapi Chanakya and made by Sarathi Studios. Films such as ‘Parvati Kalyanam’, ‘Bhagyadevata’, ‘Kumkuma Rekha’ established him as an actor. BHOO KAILAS was regarded as remarkable film, Balaiah performed Lord Shiva's renowned role and NTR performed Ravana. None matched him in that get-up of Lord Shiva. ANR was Narada muni role in the film. There was yet another film they acted together, after a while, CHENCHU LAKSHMI film with ANR and Anjali in lead roles and directed by B.A.Subba Rao for his own banner, PARVATI KALYANAM with Balaiah and Krishnakumari were interesting mythological films. He acted in nearly three hundred films and established Amrutha films in 1970.A play penned by him ‘Nalupu Telupu’(Black-white) later made into Chelleli Kapuram and received Gold Nandhi award from Andhra Pradesh Government. Even films like Neramu-Siksha, Annadammula Katha were penned by him. Well-known for his histrionics, Balaiah became a name to reckon with character oriented roles.

Data from www.teluguone.com [http://teluguone.com]

Actor:

1. Annamayya (1997)
2. Pelli Sandadi (1997)
3. Pacha Thoranam (1994)
4. Yamaleela (1994).... Brahma
5. Ankuram (1993)
6. Gaayam (1993).... Chari gaaru
7. Tandra Paparayudu (1986)
8. Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam (1976)
9. Bhakta Kannappa (1976).... Lord Shiva ... aka Worshipper Kannappa
10. Alluri Seetharama Raju (1974).... Ghantam Dora
11. Neramu Siksha (1973)
12. Babruvahana (1964).... Balarama
13. Bobbili Yudham (1964).... Dharmarayudu
14. Mohini Rugmangada (1962)
15. Sri Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha (1962)
16. Pandava Vanavasam (1961/I).... Arjundu
17. Chivaraku Migiledi (1960).... Bhaskar
18. Ettuku Pai Ettu (1958)

Producer:

1. Ooriki Itchina Maata (1981) (producer).....with mega star chiranjeevi
2. Neramu Siksha (1973) (producer)....with superstar krishna
3. Chelleli Kapuram (1971) (producer)....with natabhushana shoban babu
4. Chuttalu Vunnaru Jagratha (producer)....with superstar krishna
5. Allari Paandavulu (producer)...debut film for his son tulasiram
Director:

1. Police Alludu (1994)
2. Ooriki Ichina Maata (1981)
Writer:

1. Wafadaar (1985) (story) (as M. Balayya)
2. Chelleli Kapuram (1971) (story)