Kanta Rao

Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao (16 November 1923 – 22 March 2009) was an Indian actor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema.[1] Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rao starred in more than four hundred feature films in a variety of genres including mythological, social and folklore. He has also acted in a few Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam movies. He has produced about five films under the Hyma Films banner.[2] In the 1960s, he was one of the primary actors in Telugu cinema, along with N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Kanta Rao was known for portraying the roles of Narada, Lord Krishna and Arjuna. He played Lakshmana in the blockbuster film Lava Kusa, for which he has won the Rashtrapati Award for best actor in 1963.[3][4][5]

Kanta Rao
Born
Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao

(1923-11-16)16 November 1923
Kodada, Hyderabad State, British India
(present-day Telangana, India)
Died22 March 2009(2009-03-22) (aged 85)
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana), India
Other namesNata Prapoorna
Kattula Kanta Rao
OccupationActor
Years active1950s–1990s
Spouse(s)Suseela, Hymavati

He is very familiar with the name of Kattula Kantarao in grandma stories, because he has carried swords in many films while entering the scene.

Early life

Rao was born to Kesavarao and Seetaramamma at Kodad of Nalgonda district in present-day Telangana on 16 November 1923.[6] According to the Hindu calendar, it corresponds to Rudhirodgari Samvatsara Kartika Sudha Ashtami day. He lost his father the next year. His primary education was done in Gudibanda and Khammam. He was exposed to puranas and Hindu epic stories from his grandmother.

Career

Surabhi Drama troupe has visited their village. Impressed by their professional performances, he established "Balamitra Natya Mandali" and used to play Gayopakhyanam and Madhuseva plays with his friends. He played the character Brahma in Sri Krishna Leelalu in the group "Surabhi" and subsequently in the plays Madhuseva, Kanakatara and Telugu Talli.

Rao was sent to Tenali to deviate from the drama activities. Tenali used to be very active in drama activities with stalwarts like Pulipati Lakshminarayana. He used to stay in same street where Rentachintala Satyanarayana and Banda Kanakalingeswara Rao used to live.

He then shifted to Madras in 1950 and used stay with T. Krishnamachari, who used to work as assistant director for H. M. Reddy's Rohini Pictures.

H. M. Reddy gave him chance to play a small role in Nirdoshi in 1951 and as his hero for Pratigna in 1953. He has acted in 450 films and in about 100 films as hero, whereas in others as different character roles. They include some popular roles in films like Jayasimha (1955), Shri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966), Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu (1963), Lava Kusha (1963), Nartanasala (1963), Pandava Vanavasam (1965) and Muthyala Muggu (1975). His last movie was Pandurangadu, with Balakrishna, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao in 2008.[7]

He made four films in between 1969 and 1974, Saptaswaralu, Gandara Gandadu, Premajeevulu and Gundelu Theesina Monagadu and lost all his previous earnings. The last film he made was Swathi Chinukulu. Subsequently, he shifted to Hyderabad.[8]

Awards
National honours
Nandi Awards
Other honours

Filmography

Actor
YearFilmRoleLanguageDirector
1951 Nirdoshi Telugu Rohith Reddy
1953 Pratigna Pratap Telugu H. M. Reddy
1955 Jayasimha Vijayasimha Telugu D. Yoganand
Kanyadhanam Telugu B. Vittalacharya
1956 Bhakta Markandeya Telugu B. S. Ranga
Ilavelpu Telugu D. Yoganand
Sri Gowri Mahatyam Telugu
1957 Sati Anasuya Telugu K. B. Nagabhushanam
1958 Ganga Gowri Samvadamu Narada Muni Telugu V.N. Reddy
Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham Telugu Sattiraju Lakshmi Narayana
1959 Bhakta Ambarisha Bolla Subba Rao
Jaya Vijaya Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Sabash Ramudu Telugu C. S. Rao
Sati Sukanya Ashwini Devatalu Telugu
1960 Bhakta Ragunatha Telugu Samudrala Sr.
Bhatti Vikramarka Bhatti Telugu Jampana Chandrasekhara Rao
Chivaraku Migiledi Prakasam Telugu Gutha Ramineedu
Deepavali Narada Muni Telugu Rajanikanth Sabnavis
Devantakudu Sri Mahavishnu Telugu C. Pullaiah
Kanaka Durga Pooja Mahima Madhava Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Mangalyam Telugu B.S.Narayana
Rama Sundari Telugu Hunsur Krishnamurthy
Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chinthamani Telugu S. D. Lal
Sanchari Telugu
Santhi Nivasam Raju Telugu C. S. Rao
Sri Krishna Rayabaram Telugu
1961 Bikari Ramudu Telugu Palagummi Padmaraju
Pellikani Pillalu Telugu C. S. Rao
Sabash Raja Telugu P. S. Ramakrishna Rao
Sati Sulochana Narada Muni Telugu Rajanikanth Sabnavis
Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam Narada Muni Telugu N. T. Rama Rao
Tandrulu Kodukulu Telugu K. Hemabharadara Rao
Usha Parinayam Anirudha Telugu K. B. Nagabhushanam
Bhakta Kuchela Krishnan Malayalam P. Subramaniam
Varalakshmi Vratham Telugu B. Vittalacharya
1962 Bhishma Salwa Telugu B. A. Subba Rao
Chitti Tammudu Srihari Telugu K. B. Tilak
Khaidi Kannayya Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Madanakaamaraaju Katha Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Mohini Rukmangada Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao
Nagarjuna Telugu Y. V. Rao
Nuvva Nena Telugu
Padandi Munduku Telugu V. Madhusudhana Rao
Raktha Sambandham Anand Telugu V. Madhusudhana Rao
Swarna Gowri Telugu
Madana Kamaraju Katha Telugu
1963 Aapta Mitrulu Telugu Kadaru Nagabhushanam
Manthiri Kumaran Tamil B. Vittalacharya
Constable Kuturu Telugu Tapi Chanakya
Deva Sundari Telugu Hanumappa Vishwanath Babu
Edureeta Village Doctor Telugu B. S. Narayana Rao
Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu Vijayudu Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Lava Kusha Lakshmana Telugu C. Pullaiah and C. S. Rao
Manchirojulu Vastayi Telugu
Nartanasala Lord Krishna Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao
Somavara Vrata Mahatyam Telugu
Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham Narada Muni Telugu K. V. Reddy
Tobuttuvulu Telugu Ranganath Das
Vishnumaya Telugu Nammalvar
Valmiki Telugu C. S. Rao
1964 Babruvahana Lord Krishna Telugu Samudrala Sr.
Bangaru Timmaraju Telugu
Desa Drohulu Telugu
Mairavana Telugu B. A. Subba Rao
Marmayogi Telugu B. A. Subba Rao
Navagraha Pooja Mahima Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Sri Satyanarayana Mahatyam Telugu Rajanikanth Sabnavis
Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani Telugu G.Viswanath
1965 Aada Bratuku Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Aakaasha Ramanna Telugu G. Viswanath
Chaduvukunna Bharya Telugu K. B. Nagabhushanam
Devata Cameo Telugu
Dorikithe Dongalu Telugu
Jwaladweepa Rahasyam Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Pakkalo Ballem Telugu S.R. Puttana Kanagal
Pandava Vanavasam Lord Krishna Telugu Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Prachanda Bhairavi Telugu C. S. Rao
Prameelaarjuneeyam Lord Krishna Telugu
Pratigyna Palana Telugu C. S. Rao
Sati Sakkubai Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima Pururava Chakravarthi Telugu B. V. Prasad
Veerabhimanyu Arjuna Telugu V. Madhusudan Rao
Vijaya Simha Vijaya Simha Telugu B Vittalacharya, S D Lal
1966 Ata Bommalu Telugu G. Vishwanathan
Bhimanjaneya Yuddham Nala Kuber Telugu S. D. Lal
Bhoolokamlo Yamolokam Telugu G. Viswanath
Mohini Bhasmasura B. A. Subba Rao
Paduka Pattabhishekam Telugu Kadaru Nagabhushanam
Palnati Yudham Nalagamaraju Telugu Gutha Ramineedu
Shri Krishna Pandaviyam Narada Muni Telugu N. T. Rama Rao
Sri Krishna Tulabharam Narada Muni Telugu Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Srimati
1967 Aggi Dora Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Chikkadu Dorakadu Dorakadu Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Devuni Gelichina Maanavudu Telugu Hunsur Krishnamurthy
Iddaru Monagallu Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Kanchu Kota Narendra Telugu C. S. R. Rao
Maa Vadina Telugu Kotayya Pratyagatma
Pinni Telugu
Rahasyam Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Sati Sumati Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Sri Krishna Mahima
Stri Janma Telugu K.S. Prakash Rao
1968 Veera Pooja Telugu A.V. Seshagiri Rao
Aggimeeda Guggilam Veerendra Telugu
Bhale Monagaadu Telugu B. Vittalacharya
Deva Kanya Telugu K. Hemambharadhara Rao
Devudichchina Bharta Telugu
Evaru Monagaadu? Telugu
Jeevita Bhandam Telugu M.S. Gopinath
Kumkuma Bharina Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Pedaraasi Peddamma Katha Vikrama Telugu G. Suryam
Rajayogam Telugu K. S. R. Das
Ranabheri Telugu Giduthuri Satyam
Sati Arundhati Telugu K.V. Nandana Rao
Veeranjaneya Telugu Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Bangaru Gaajulu Telugu C.S.R. Rao
Niluvu Dopidi Guest Telugu C.S.R. Rao
1969 Bommalu Cheppina Katha Telugu G. Viswanath
Pancha Kalyani Dongala Rani Telugu
Raja Simha Telugu K. S. R. Das
Saptaswaralu Saranga Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Vukku Pidugu Telugu K. S. R. Das
Gandara Gandadu Manoharudu Telugu K. S. R. Das
Tarasasankam Telugu M. Appa Rao
Ekaveera Veerbhupati Telugu C.S.R. Rao
1970 Merupu Veerudu Telugu
Maa Manchi Akkayya Telugu V Ramachandra Rao
Janmabhoomi Telugu
Suguna Sundari Katha Prasoona Telugu H.S. Venu
Bhale Ettu Chivaraku Chittu Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah
Raite Raju Telugu B.S. Srinivas
Oke Kutumbham Telugu A. Bhimsingh
Khadga Veera Telugu T. Vishwanathan
1971 Prema Jeevulu Telugu K. S. R. Das
Sri Krishna Vijayamu Telugu
Kattiki Kankanamu Telugu K. S. R. Das
Ananda Nilayam Telugu
Sati Anasooya Telugu Subba Rao B.A.
Jataka Ratna Midatambhotlu Telugu Padmanabham
Andam Kosam Pandem Madhavudu Telugu
Adavi Veerulu Telugu P Subramanyam
Shri Krishna Satya Narada Muni Telugu K. V. Reddy
Chelleli Kapuram Telugu K. Viswanath
Varalakshmi Vratam Telugu B. Vittalacharya
1972 Adrusta Devata Telugu
Shri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham Narada Muni Telugu C. S. R. Rao
Sree Guruvayoorappan Malayalam P. Subramaniam
Bala Bharatam Pandu Raju Telugu Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Illu Illalu Telugu P. Chandrashekar Reddy
Praja Nayakudu Telugu V. Madhusudan Rao
1973 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Suresh Telugu V. Ramachandra Rao
Neramu Siksha Rajasekharam Telugu K. Viswanath
Mayadari Malligadu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao
1974 Gundelu Teesina Monagaadu Telugu N. B. Chakravarthi
Alluri Seetharama Raju Padalu Telugu V. Ramachandra Rao
Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddham Narada Muni Telugu Bapu
Vijaya Ramudu Telugu
Devi Kanyakumari Malayalam P. Subramaniam
Devadasu Telugu Vijaya Nirmala
Bangaru Kalalu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao
O Seeta Katha Madhava Rao Telugu K. Vishwanath
Nippulanti Manishi Telugu S. D. Lal
Tulabharam Gopi Lal Telugu Pendyala Naganjaneyulu
Pooja Pushpaalu Telugu
Nirnayam Telugu
Adambaralu - Anubhandhalu Telugu C. S. Rao
Hare Krishna Hindi
1975 Gajula Kishtayya Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao
Padi Pantalu Telugu
Muthyala Muggu Raja Rao Bahadur Telugu Bapu
Maayaa Maschindra Telugu Babubhai Mistri
Pellade Bomma Telugu
Illu Vakili Telugu
Gunavantudu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao
Pooja Telugu Murugan Kumaran
Eduruleni Manishi Telugu K. Bapayya
Soubhagyavati Telugu P Chandrashekar Reddy
Challani Talli Telugu K. S. Rami Reddy
Rakta Sambhandhaalu Telugu M. Mallikarjuna Rao
Ammayila Sapadham Telugu G. V. R. Seshagiri Rao
Annadammula Anubhandham Telugu S. D. Lal
Bharatamulo oka Ammayi Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao
Alakh Niranjan Hindi Babubhai Mistri
1976 Tu Hi Ram Tu Hi Krishna Narada Muni Hindi K. V. Reddy
Mahatmudu Telugu M.S. Gopinath
Raajaa Telugu K. Raghavendra Rao
Vemulavada Bhimakavi Telugu
America Ammayi Telugu Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
E Kalapu Pillalu Telugu
Magaadu Telugu S. D. Lal
Neram Naadi Kaadu Akalidi Telugu
Monagaadu Telugu T. Krishna
Mahakavi Kshetrayya Telugu C. S. Rao,
Adurthi Subba Rao
Padavoyi Bharateeyudaa Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao
Seeta Kalyanam Telugu Bapu
Sita Swayamvar Hindi Bapu
Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club Telugu Bapu,
Chakrapani
1977 Kurukshetram Drupada Telugu Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Panchayiti Telugu Vijaya Nirmala
Jeevanateeralu Telugu G. C. Shekhar
Yamagola Indrudu Telugu Tatineni Rama Rao
Andame Anandam Telugu Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
Edureeta Telugu V. Madhusudan Rao
Manavadi Kosam Telugu Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Manchini Penchali Telugu
Manassakshi Telugu P. Sambasiva Rao
JanmaJanmala Bhandham Telugu P. Chandrashekar Reddy
Geeta Sangeeta Telugu M.S. Koti Reddy
1978 Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi Telugu Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
Vayasu Pilichindi Telugu C. V. Sridhar
Manavoori Pandavulu Dharmaiah Telugu Bapu
Gorantha Deepam Telugu Bapu
Lawyer Viswanath Telugu
1979 Yugandhar Telugu K. S. R. Das
Maavuri Devatha Telugu G. Giridhara Rao
Dongalaku Saval Dharma Rao Telugu
Mande Gundelu Sathyam Telugu
1980 Chandipriya Telugu V. Madhusudan Rao
Vamsa Vruksham Telugu Bapu
Kaali Telugu I. V. Sasi
Superman Telugu V. Madhusudan Rao
Chukkallo Chandrudu Telugu
Adrushtavanthudu Telugu
Sarada Ramudu Raja Rao Telugu Vasu
Ram Robert Rahim Catholic priest Telugu Vijaya Nirmala
Prema Tarangalu Ranga Rao Telugu S. P. Chitti Babu
1981 Satyabhama Telugu K. Raghavendra Rao
Radha Kalyanam Telugu Bapu
Ooriki Ichina Maata Telugu Mannava Balayya
Sati Savitri Telugu P. Subba Rao
1982 Kaliyuga Ramudu Peter the Trumpet Player Telugu
Ekalavya Telugu Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao
Siripuram Simham Telugu
Swami Vaibhavam Telugu
Golconda Abbulu Telugu
1983 Dharma Poratam Ranga's father Telugu
1985 Vijetha Venkayya (guest) Telugu A. Kodandarami Reddy
Musugu Donga Telugu Boina Subba Rao
Mantra Dandam Telugu
America Alludu Telugu K. Vasu
Nerasthudu Telugu K.S.R. Das
Pachani Kapuram Telugu
1986 Pyaar Ka Sindoor Hindi Bapu
Simhasanam Telugu Krishna
Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam Shyama Telugu K. Vasu
Vikram Telugu V. Madhusudan Rao
Deshoddharakudu Telugu
1988 Jhansi Rani Telugu
1989 Mutyamantha Muddu Telugu Ravi Raja Pinisetty
1992 Soorigaadu Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao
1994 Mugguru Monagallu Telugu K. Raghavendra Rao
Bangaru Kutumbam Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao
1998 Kante Kuthurnekanu Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao
1999 Postman Telugu
2003 Kabirdas Telugu V. V. Raju
Nijam Narayana Rao Telugu Teja
Satyam Telugu R. Surya Kiran
Seetayya Telugu
2005 Dhana 51 Telugu R. Surya Kiran
2007 Shankar Dada Zindabad Telugu Prabhu Deva
2008 Pandurangadu Telugu K. Raghavendra Rao

Producer
  • Saptaswaralu (1969)
  • Gandara Gandadu (1969)
  • Premajeevulu (1971)
  • Gundelu Teesina Monagaadu (1974)
  • Swaati Chinukulu (1989)

Personal

Rao was married to Susheela and had a daughter in 1942. The daughter died of smallpox during infancy. They had a son in 1945 named after his father as Keshav. He married Hymavathi in 1950 and subsequently Susheela died of illness. His son also died of typhoid fever in his childhood. He has four sons and a daughter by Hymavathi, named Pratap, Keshav, Susheela, Raja and Satyam, in that order. [9]

His son Raja (Rajeswara Rao) has acted in Sudigundalu, Prema Jeevulu, Gandara Gandadu, Gundelu Teesina Monagadu, Swati Chinukulu, Ukku Pidugu, Rajasimha, Evaru Monagadu, Maro Prapancham and Manushulu Matti Bommalu.

His son Satyam also has acted in Saptaswaralu, Prema Jeevulu and Gandara Gandadu. His grandson Sai Eshwar also worked as child artist in Television industry.

Death

He died at 9:50 PM IST at Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad on 22 March 2009 due to cancer complications.

See also

References
  1. "Exposure in films decried". The Hindu. 25 February 2007. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013.
  2. Murali Krishna. "T L KANTHA RAO ~ Early Tollywood".
  3. Social Post (25 March 2009). "Kantha Rao becomes a memory | News – Oneindia Entertainment". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  4. Ramachandran, T.M. (1973). Film world. Vol. 9.
  5. The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Times of India Press. 1984.
  6. Tanmayi, Bhawana. "Kantha Rao biopic to go on floors soon". Telangana Today. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  7. Kanta Rao passes away in The Hindu. Archived 7 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  8. A deprived legend: T L Kantha Rao; An exclusive interview at Tripod.com Archived 5 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ".:: Deccan Radio – 24/7 South India's Internet Radio – View topic – Actor Kanta Rao passed away at 85 Years ::".
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