Basavaraju Venkata Padmanabha Rao (20 August 1931 – 20 February 2010), known mononymously as Padmanabham, was an Indian actor, comedian, producer, and director who predominantly worked in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. ^{[1] [2]} He is known for his comic expressions and dialogues. ^{[3] [4]} In a career spanning over six decades, he acted in more than 400 films. ^[2]

Padmanabham made his film debut as a child actor in 1945 with Mayalokam. Shavukaru (1949) was his first major hit and gave him a footing as a comedian. ^[2] Pathala Bhairavi (1951) helped him find a permanent place in Telugu cinema. ^[3] He acted in small roles alongside Relangi and Ramana Reddy in the golden era of Telugu cinema in the 1950s and 1960s. Later, he became a prominent comedian and remained so till the mid-1970s when Rajababu burst on the scene and replaced him. ^[3]

He also directed eight films including Kathanayika Molla (1969), a biographical film which won him the state Nandi Award. ^{[5] [3]} Padmanabham introduced S. P. Balasubrahmanyam to the film industry through Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna (1967). ^{[3] [6] [7]}

Early life

Padmanabham was born to Basavaraju Venkata Seshayya and Santhamma in Simhadripuram near Pulivendula in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, on 20 August 1931. ^{[2] [3]} He was a regular yoga practitioner and enjoyed good health till his death. ^[2]

Career

He started acting in his teenage when the director Gudavalli Ramabrahmam gave him a chance in Maayalokam (1945). Throughout his acting career he worked with almost 80 directors and acted in more than 400 movies. ^{[1] [2]} Padmanabham cherished his association with Gudavalli Ramabrahmam, Ghantasala Balaramayya, L. V. Prasad, and K. V. Reddy the most. ^[2]

Padmanabham found it hard to mention any particular comic role as his most memorable one, but made a special mention of the role of a rickshaw puller that he played in Desoddhaarakudu (1975). "It had ample measure of 'karuna rasa' in it and I could display the other shade of my talent," he said. ^{[1] [2]} The role became famous for the song "Aakalayyi Annamadigithe Pichchodannaru Naayaallu".

Death

Padmanabham died at his residence at Rangarajapuram, Kodambakkam, in Chennai at 8 am on 20 February 2010 due to a heart attack. ^[3] He was survived by his wife, five daughters, and son. One of his sons died in September 2009. ^[2]

Selected filmography

As actor

As producer

• 1965 Devata
• 1966 Potti Pleader
• 1967 Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna
• 1969 Sri Rama Katha
• 1970 Kathanayika Molla

As director

• 1969 Sri Rama Katha
• 1969 Midatam Bottulu
• 1970 Kathanayika Molla
• 1974 Pellikaani Thandri

References