S.R.Seshu
One of the popular actors of yesteryears Jonnalagadda Venkata Ramana Murthy (83), the younger brother of the Shankarabharanam-fame JV Somayajulu, passed away in a private hospital in Banjara Hills in Hyderabad on Wednesday. He was born in Vizianagaram on May 20, 1933.
Along with his brother, Ramana Murthy staged their favourite play “Kanyasulkam” for more than 500 times all over the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. He performed Gireesam role for about 1000 times in 23 years. NGO, Yevaru Donga?, Kappalu, Naatakam, Keerthiseshulu, Kalaraatri and Phani are some of the plays he performed.
Ramana Murthy entered into the film industry with a film, MLA, in 1954 and acted in about 150 films including Maangalya Balam, Baatasari, Maro Charitra, Siri Siri Muvva, Gorintaku, Guppedu Manasu, Idhi Kadha Kadu, Subhodayam, Aakali Rajyam, Subhalekha and Shankar Dada Zindabad are some of his popular films. He appeared in Tummeda in 2013 for the last time.
JV Somayajulu passed away in April 2004 at the age of 76.