Happy Birthday – N. T. Rama Rao [ 28 May ]

28 May ::Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao  was born Nimmakuru, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh  on 28 May 1923  & died on 18 January 1996. He was  popularly known by his initials NTR, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and a politician. He is also called as “Anna Garu”(Elder Brother) by Telugu People.

Rama Rao made his debut as an actor in Mana Desam, a Telugu social film directed by L. V. Prasad in 1949. He first gained popularity in the 1950s when he became well-known for his portrayals of Hindu deities, especially Lord Krishna and Lord Rama, roles which have made him a “messiah of the masses” in Andhra Pradesh.

He later became known for portraying antagonistic characters and cementing leading roles in films. In total he starred in over 320 Telugu films and has become one of the most prominent figures in the history of Telugu cinema.  Besides Telugu, he has also acted in a few Tamil and Kannada films. Widely recognised for his mythological characters, of the time, N.T. Rama Rao was one of the leading mythological, method actors of Indian cinema.  He was referred to in the media as “Viswa Vikhyatha Nata Sarvabhouma”.

After his career in movies, Rama Rao became a political activist and a political party leader. Rao founded the Telugu Desam Party in 1982 and served three tumultuous terms as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh between 1983 and 1994. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1968, recognizing his contribution to Telugu cinema. He is known as an advocate of Andhra Pradesh’s distinct cultural identity, distinguishing it from Madras State with which it was often associated.

Born             :        28 May 1923

Birth Place :         Nimmakuru, Andhra Pradesh, India

Died               :       18 January 1996 (aged 72)

Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

Political party :      Telugu Desam Party

Spouse(s)   :         Basava Tarakam (deceased)

Lakshmi Parvathi

Children       :        11