 |
Girija | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dasari Girija 3 March 1938 |
| Died | 5 September 1995 Madras, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, comedian and film producer |
| Years active | 1950 1977 |
| Spouse | C. S. Raju |
| Children | Saleema |
Dasari Girija ( 3 March 1938 – 5 September 1995) was an Indian actress who has worked in Telugu films. She was active in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s in comic roles. [1] She appeared in many films with Relangi, the two of them becoming a famous comedic duo.
She was born on 3 March 1938 in Kankipadu, Andhra Pradesh. Her mother is also staging and film actress Dasari Ramatilakam. [2]
Her first movie was Kasturi Sivarao's Paramanandayya Sishyulu (1950). She acted in many films with Relangi and other leading actors of that period. Her portrayal of titular Pathala Bhairavi in 1951 hit film Patala Bhairavi [3] displayed her talents and resulted in her getting many film offers lasting about two decades. Her role as Usha in Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1959) opposite Relangi is memorable. [4] The ever lasting comedy song Kaseeki Poyanu Ramahari has been pictured on them. [5] The comedy-duo also acted in the award-winning Ramudu Bheemudu (1964) of Suresh Productions. The funny Sarada Sarada Cigarettu song about the habit of Smoking is superhit during that time. [6] She also acted in Tamil films during the fifties.
She along with Relangi acted in small but key roles in the epic film Lava Kusa (1963) by Shankar Reddy and refused to take any extra remuneration for the extratime in shooting the song Ollanori mama nee pillanee…. [7] In addition to the comedy roles, she played as character actress in the key role of Hemalatha opposite Akkineni Nageswara Rao acting as second heroine in Bharya Bhartalu (1961) [8] and as Varalaxmi in Velugu Needalu (1961). [9] She has played key roles in some mythological and Janapada films, like Dharma Devatha (1952). [10]
She started a film company with her husband C. S. Raju as a producer, named Vijaya Giri Dhwaja Productions (named after Girija) and produced few movies including Bhale Mastaru (1969) and Pavitra Hrudayalu (1971), in both films main protagonist is played by N. T. Rama Rao. They met with a heavy financial loss.
She married C. Sanyasi Raju, popularly known as C. S. Raju; their daughter Saleema is also an actress who acts mainly in Malayalam movies. [11] According to her daughter Saleema, Girija died on 5 September 1995. [12] Though she has been suffering from Diabetes, in the last moments she experienced some breathing problem and died suddenly in her Chennai residence.
 |
| Year | Film | Language | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Paramanandayya Sishyulu | Telugu | Hema |
| 1951 | Navvite Navaratnalu | Telugu | |
| 1951 | Patala Bhairavi | Telugu | Pathala Bhairavi |
| 1952 | Dharma Devatha | Telugu | Vasanthi |
| 1952 | Velugu Needalu | Telugu | Varalakshmi |
| 1953 | Ashadeepam | Malayalam | Sarala |
| 1953 | En Veedu | Telugu | |
| 1953 | Naa Illu | Telugu | |
| 1954 | Manohara | Tamil | Princess Vijaya |
| 1955 | Kalyanam Seydhukko | Tamil | |
| 1956 | Bhale Ramudu | Telugu | Taara, daughter of Zamindar |
| 1957 | Sankalpam | Telugu | Suguna |
| 1957 | Bhale Ammayilu | Telugu | |
| 1957 | Dongallo Dora | Telugu | |
| 1957 | M.L. A. | Telugu | |
| 1957 | Suvarna Sundari | Telugu | Princess Parthima Devi |
| 1957 | Veera Kankanam | Telugu | |
| 1957 | Vaddante Pelli | Telugu | Lalitha |
| 1957 | Iru Sagodharigal | Tamil | Lalitha |
| 1958 | Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu | Telugu | Usha |
| 1958 | Dongalunnaru Jagratha | Telugu | |
| 1958 | Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu | Telugu | Rani |
| 1958 | Anna Thammudu | Telugu | Padma |
| 1959 | Illarikam | Telugu | Kanakadurga |
| 1959 | Rechukka Pagatichukka | Telugu | |
| 1960 | Nammina Bantu | Telugu | Sarala |
| 1960 | Bhatti Vikramarka | Telugu | Arakasu, wife of Tirakasu |
| 1960 | Pelli Kanuka | Telugu | Kantham |
| 1960 | Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chinthamani | Telugu | |
| 1960 | Samajam | Telugu | |
| 1960 | Runanubandham | Telugu | |
| 1961 | Bharya Bharthalu | Telugu | Hema |
| 1961 | Jagadeka Veeruni Katha | Telugu | Ekasa |
| 1961 | Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham | Telugu | Haranath's fiancée |
| 1961 | Vagdanam | Telugu | Radha |
| 1961 | Velugu Needalu | Telugu | Varalakshmi |
| 1962 | Aradhana | Telugu | Gopi's Fiancée |
| 1962 | Kula Gothralu | Telugu | Leela |
| 1962 | Tiger Ramudu | Telugu | |
| 1962 | Raktha Sambandham | Telugu | |
| 1962 | Siri Sampadalu | Telugu | Rama |
| 1962 | Aatma Bandhuvu | Telugu | Geetha |
| 1962 | Srikakula Andhra Maha Vishnu Katha | Telugu | Makarika |
| 1963 | Lakshadhikari | Telugu | Leela |
| 1963 | Savati Koduku | Telugu | |
| 1963 | Lava Kusa | Telugu | Chakali vaani Bharya |
| 1963 | Paruvu Prathishta | Telugu | |
| 1964 | Aathma Balam | Telugu | Chitti |
| 1964 | Amara Silpi Jakkanna | Telugu | Fisherwoman Gangu |
| 1964 | Ramudu Bheemudu | Telugu | Kamala |
| 1965 | Preminchi Choodu | Telugu | |
| 1965 | Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima | Telugu | Queen of Women Kingdom |
| 1965 | Prameelarjuneeyam | Telugu | Maha Maya |
| 1965 | Satya Harishchandra | Telugu | Kalahakanthi |
| 1965 | Mangamma Sapatham | Telugu | |
| 1965 | Visala Hrudayalu | Telugu | Shantha |
| 1965 | Sati Sakkubai | Telugu | Daughter of Suryakantham |
| 1966 | Aastiparulu | Telugu | |
| 1966 | Srikakula Andhra Maha Vishnu Katha | Telugu | Makarika |
| 1967 | Navarathri | Telugu | Mental patient |
| 1967 | Rahasyam | Telugu | Sarvani Devi |
| 1967 | Vasantha Sena | Telugu | |
| 1974 | Aadadani Adrustam | Telugu | |
| 1975 | Balipeetam | Telugu | Servant |
| 1976 | Secretary | Telugu | Vanita Vihar Member |
| 1977 | Pantulamma | Telugu | House Head |
| 1977 | Savasagallu[ citation needed ] | Telugu | |
| 1980 | Chandipriya | Telugu | Singamma |
Missamma is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by L. V. Prasad. It was produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani on Vijaya Productions banner. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jamuna. The script was adapted by Chakrapani from Rabindranath Maitra's Bengali play Manmoyee Girls School. It revolves around two unemployed people — M. T. Rao and Mary — who pose as a married couple to obtain employment in a high school founded by Gopalam, a zamindar. As Rao and Mary fall in love, Gopalam's nephew A. K. Raju learns that Mary is Gopalam's missing elder daughter Mahalakshmi; she is unaware of her true identity.
Chakrapani was an Indian film producer, screenwriter, and director known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He won two Filmfare Awards for Telugu films. He was also notable for his association with Vijaya Vauhini Studios, one of the largest studios in Asia at that time. Chakrapani was also a partner of Vijaya Productions along with B. Nagi Reddy and founder of Chandamama children magazine.
Relangi Venkata Ramayya, known mononymously by his surname as Relangi, was an Indian actor, comedian, and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema in 1970. Relangi is particularly known for his comic expressions, and dialogues during the 1950s and 1960s. Together with Ramana Reddy, they were a comedy double act.
Allu Ramalingaiah was an Indian character actor, comedian, and producer known for his works in Telugu cinema. In 1990, He was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema. In 1998, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South, and the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2001. Ramalingaiah appeared in over 1000 films in a variety of roles. The "Allu Ramalingaiah National Award" was instituted in his memory by the "Allu Ramalingaiah Academy of Arts". The award is presented every year to a Telugu film personality for life time achievement.
Pathala Bhairavi is a 1951 Indian fantasy film directed by K. V. Reddy who co-wrote the film with Pingali and Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. Shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil languages, the film was produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under the banner Vijaya Productions. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, S. V. Ranga Rao and K. Malathi. The film focuses on a gardener's son who has to amass wealth equal to that of the king of Ujjain to marry his daughter and a sorcerer who has to sacrifice an intelligent and brave young man to Goddess Pathala Bhairavi to gain access to a statuette which can grant any wish.
Jamuna is an Indian actress, director and politician who appeared mainly in Telugu films. She made her acting debut at the age of 16 in Dr. Garikapati Rajarao's Puttillu (1953), and received her breakthrough with L. V. Prasad'sMissamma (1955). Her filmography also includes Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films. She won a Filmfare Award and an award at Filmfare Awards South. She was a Member of Parliament in the 9th Lok Sabha (1989–1991) representing the Rajahmundry constituency.
Basavaraju Venkata Padmanabha Rao, known mononymously as Padmanabham, was an Indian actor, comedian, producer, and director who predominantly worked in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He is known for his comic expressions and dialogues. In a career spanning over six decades, he acted in more than 400 films.
Ramana Reddy was an Indian character actor, comedian and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. In a career spanning 24 years, he acted in more than 200 movies. Ramana Reddy and Relangi were a comedy double act during the era of early Telugu cinema.
Nirmalamma was an Indian actress in the Telugu cinema. She has acted in more than 800 films. She was well known for her grandmother roles in several films.She won two Nandi Awards.
Marcus Bartley was an Anglo-Indian cinematographer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema along with a few Hindi, Malayalam, and Tamil films. He was the cinematographer of all time classics like Shavukaru (1950), Pathala Bhairavi (1951), Missamma (1955), Maya Bazaar (1957), Gundamma Katha (1962), Chemmeen (1965), Ram Aur Shyam (1967). He won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography in 1970 for Shanti Nilayam. He also won the Gold Medal at the Cannes Film Festival for Best Cinematography, becoming the first Indian to win the award.
Pelli Chesi Choodu is a 1952 Indian satirical comedy film directed by L. V. Prasad and produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under their company Vijaya Productions. The film was made simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil, the latter titled Kalyanam Panni Paar. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, G. Varalakshmi, Yandamuri Joga Rao and Savitri. S. V. Ranga Rao, Sivarama Krishnayya, Doraswamy, and Suryakantham play supporting roles in the Telugu version while C. V. V. Panthulu replaced Krishnayya in Tamil.
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by L. V. Prasad. The film was produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani of Vijaya Productions; the latter co-wrote its script with Prasad and Vempati Sadasivabrahmam. It is the Telugu version of Prasad's Tamil film Kadan Vaangi Kalyaanam (1958). Starring N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri, Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu features Jaggayya, C. S. R. Anjaneyulu, S. V. Ranga Rao, and Jamuna in supporting roles. The conflict between two older men with different mindsets—Ramadasu and Mukundarao —is the film's centrepiece.
E. V. Saroja was an Indian actress and dancer. She was born on 3 November 1935 as Engan V. Saroja. She belonged to Engan village of Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu.
Surabhi Kamalabai (1913–1977) was an Indian actress who worked in Telugu theatre and Telugu cinema. She has the distinction of being the first Telugu actress in a talkie film with Bhakta Prahlada (1932), directed by H. M. Reddy. She played the role of Leelavathi, the wife of Hiranyakasipa. Since then she acted in about 30 films, including Savitri (1933), Pathala Bhairavi (1951), Malliswari (1951), Illarikam (1959) and Velugu Needalu (1961).
Rajanala Nageswara Rao (1928–1959) was an Indian actor known for his works in Telugu cinema, and was one of the lead actors of his time. He is best known for his works in award-winning hits such as Devadasu (1953), Kanna Talli (1953), Paropakaram (1953), Raju Peda (1954), Aggi Ramudu (1954), Ilavelupu (1954), Donga Ramudu (1955), Maya Bazaar (1957), and Pelli Naati Pramanalu (1958).
Kadan Vaangi Kalyaanam is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language satirical comedy film directed by L. V. Prasad. The film stars R. Ganesh, Savithri and Jamuna. It was simultaneously shot in Telugu as Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu, which was released the following year.
Missamma is the soundtrack of the 1955 Indian Telugu-language film of the same name directed by L. V. Prasad. Composed by S. Rajeswara Rao, the soundtrack contains 11 songs with lyrics by Pingali. The film was written by Chakrapani, who co-produced it with B. Nagi Reddi for Vijaya Productions. N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri played the lead roles the Telugu version, with Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jamuna, S. V. Ranga Rao, Rushyendramani, Relangi and Ramana Reddy in supporting roles.
Valluri Balakrishna was an Indian actor who primarily appeared in Telugu films as a comedian. He acted in more than 100 films as a comedian, but the role he played in the movie Patala Bhairavi alongside N. T. Rama Rao as "Anji Gadu" made him popular with the audience. He also played a role Sarathi in the very popular film Mayabazar.
Potti Prasad was an Indian actor who predominantly worked in Telugu cinema. He was introduced to the films by Jandhyala. His notable roles include Chantabbai and Sagara Sangamam. He made his screen debut with Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu in a brief role as one of the two prospective bridegrooms for Girija. He was bowled over by the magnanimity of Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani when he was paid Rs.1116/- for that one scene work. He was a friend of another comedian Raja Babu. They acted in stage plays together. His last film was Brundavanam (1992).
Tappu Chesi Pappu Koodu is a 2002 Indian Telugu-language comedy film directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy and produced by Mohan Babu under Sree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures. The film stars Mohan Babu, Srikanth, Gracy Singh, Sujatha and Radhika Chaudhari. It is a remake of Priyadarshan's 2001 Malayalam film Kakkakuyil, which is in turn based on A Fish Called Wanda