Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao is India’s most popular Actor, Producer, Editor, Director and Politician. He is known for his work in Telugu Film Industry. He is the founder of ‘Telugu Desam Party.’ He also served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Let’s find out some more interesting details about NT Rama Rao’s life, family, death, biography and other facts.
Biography/Wiki
NT Rama Rao was born on 28 May 1923 (age 72; at death) in Nimmakuru, Madras Presidency, British India (Now in Andhra Pradesh, India). He was educated in the village barn by a teacher named, Valluru Subba Rao; because there was no particular school in his village at that time. In 1933, his family moved to Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh and he was admitted to Municipal School, Vijayawada. He enrolled for intermediate studies at SRR & CVR College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. While in college, NTR played a female character in a stage play titled, Rachamalluni Dautyam, which was organized during the college’s anniversary celebrations. NTR cleared his intermediate exam in his third attempt. Gradually, he completed his Bachelor of Arts from Andhra-Christian College, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh in 1947. He qualified the Madras Service Commission Examination in the Madras Presidency under British India and was appointed as a sub-registrar in Mangalagiri, Guntur District. However, he quit his job within three weeks to pursue a career in acting.
NTR In His Early Days
NTR made his debut in the film industry in 1949, with the Telugu film Mana Desam; where he plays the role of a policeman. He appeared in the lead role in the 1950 film, Palletoori Pilla, starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi. From then on, he never looked back. Apart from acting, NTR is also a producer and director.
NTRs Debut Film – Mana Desam
Family, Wife & Caste
NT Rama Rao was born into a Hindu Rajput Family to Nandamuri Lakshmaih (father) and Venkata Ramamma (mother). His parents were farmers in Nimmakuru, Madras Presidency, British India (Now in Andhra Pradesh, India). NTR was adopted by his uncle, Nandamuri Ramaiah. He has a younger brother, Trivikrama Rao, who is a producer and director in the Telugu film industry (died of a heart attack on 3 December 2008).
NTR With His Mother
Brother NTR
In May 1942, NTR married the daughter of his maternal uncle, Basavatarakam Nandamuri. The couple had eight sons and four daughters. His sons are Nandamuri Ramakrishna Sr., died in an accident this year in 1962, Nandamuri Jayakrishna – cinematographer, Nandamuri Saikrishna – theater owner, died of a prolonged illness in 2004, Nandamuri Harikrishna – Actor, died in an accident in 2018, Nandamuri Saikrishna – puppeteer A. krishna Jr. – Film Producer, and Nandamuri Jayashankar. His daughters are Daggubati Purandeswari – Politician, Nara Bhuvaneswari, Garapati Lokeswari, and Kantamaneni Uma Maheswari.
NTR, With His First Wife, Basavatarakam Nandamuri
NTR With His Children
NTR With His Children
NTR’s daughter Nara Bhuvaneshwari with her husband Chandrababu Naidu
In 1985, NTR’s wife, Basavatarakam Nandamuri, died of cancer. In 1986, in memory of his late wife, NTR founded the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad.
Basavatarakam Indo American Hospital
Statue of NTR And His Wife At Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital
In 1993, he remarried a Telugu writer, Lakshmi Parvathi, who was more than 30 years his junior.
NTR With Second Wife
Career
As an actor, NTR starred in more than 300 films. Despite having no formal training in screenwriting, NTR composed various screenplays. His directions include films like Thodu Dongalu (1954), Seetharama Kalyanam (1960), Varakatnam (1970) among others. He became famous for portraying the roles of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. Often, he likes to play roles that fight against the exploitation and discrimination of our society. His films include ‘Devudu Chesina Manushulu,’ ‘Justice Chowdhary,’ ‘Driver Ramudu,’ ‘Bobbili Puli,’ ‘Kondaveeti Simham,’ ‘Sardar Papa Rayudu,’ ‘Adavi Ramudu,’ and ‘Vetagadu.’
NTR In Film, Justice Chowdhary
In 1942, NTR founded the Telugu Desam Party which gave a major setback to the Indian National Congress. He became the first non-Congress member to be elected Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He served in office as the 10th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and was re-elected three times between 1983 and 1994.
Desam Telugu Party Logo
As the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, NTR stopped the state from corrupt and inappropriate Congress rule. He was the first person to use Rath Yatra during election campaign. During the campaign, he gave the slogan, “Telugu Vari Atma Gauravam,” (self-esteem of the Telugu people). He also implemented various socialist views in his policies. She was a supporter of women’s rights in inheritance law and fought for equal rights for women in inheritance.
NTR Election Campaign
NTR During Campaign For Elections
In 1984, when Indira Gandhi was assassinated, her son, Rajiv Gandhi, took over as Prime Minister of India. Subsequently, in the 1984 elections, the Congress Party won a landslide victory in the entire country except in the state of Andhra Pradesh, where the TDP secured victory. NTR’s party became the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha. As a result, NTR was re-elected as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. However, he was removed from the office due to being hospitalized for coronary bypass surgery. Governor Ram Lal appointed Nadendla Bhaskara Rao as Chief Minister. After his release, NTR started campaigning again along with other non-Congress parties like Janata Party and BJP to retain his power. In September 1984, he successfully achieved power and obtained the position.
NTR Chaitanya Yatra
In 1989, NTR lost the election as he was unable to campaign due to a mild stroke. However, he returned to power in 1994 but was later overthrown by an internal revolution led by his son-in-law Nara Chandrababu Naidu. Later, Naidu became the TDP President and also became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
NTR With His Son-in-law, Chandrababu Naidu
Assets/Property
NTR owns two houses in Madras and two houses along with a plot of 2.62 acres in Hyderabad, and 20 acres of farmland in Rangareddy district. He has 1,836 grams of jewelery and silver worth ₹1 lakh. He also has some shares, National Savings Certificates and also Compulsory deposits.
Signature
NTR’s signature
Awards/Honors
- Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu: Producer — National Arts Theater for Thodu Dongalu – 1954
- Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu: Producer — National Arts Theater for Seetharama Kalyanam – 1960
- National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu Director- National Arts Theater for Varakatnam – 1968
- Government of India – Padma Shri – 1968
- Rashtrapati Award – Best Actor for Raju Peda – 1954
- Rashtrapati Award – Best Actor for Lava Kusa – 1963
- Nandi Award – Best Actor for Kodalu Diddina Kapuram – 1970
- Filmfare Award (South) – Best Actor – Telugu for Badi Panthulu – 1972
- Honorary Doctorate from Andhra University – 1978
Controversy
- In 1995, NTR was expelled from his own party, the TDP, for his decision to make his second wife, Lakshmi Parvathi, the party leader. According to sources, Parvati assumed the reins of power, appointed her own loyalists to top posts and planned to replace her as Chief Minister. This became the cause of a sudden coup led by Chandrababu Naidu along with NTR’s two sons. Almost all the MLAs opposed NTR, and he, eventually, lost the party and public support.
NTR And Chandrababu Naidu
NTR During Elections
Death
On 18 January 1996, NTR died of a Cardiac Arrest in Hyderabad. According to reports, his second wife, Lakshmi Parvathi, buried his ashes only after Nara Chandrababu Naidu lost the Assembly Elections in 2004, which was eight years after NTR’s death.
Facts
- As a sub-registrar, NTR’s salary is ₹190 per month.
- NTR was 20 years old when he married Basavatarakam Nandamuri.
NTR With His First Wife
- NTR’s remuneration for his first film was ₹1000.
- He stood seventh out of 1100 candidates who had appeared for the Madras Service Commission Examination.
- At the age of 40, she learned dance from Kuchipudi dancer, ‘Vempati Chinna Satyam,’ for her role in the 1963 film Narthanasala.
- NTR established Ramakrishna Studios in memory of his son, Late Nandamuri Ramakrishna Sr. in 1962.
- He is famous for playing the role of Lord Krishna in around 17 films.
- His first mythological film with the role of Lord Krishna was ‘Maya Bazaar’ in 1957.
NTR As Lord Krishna
- He also played the role of Lord Rama in the films, ‘Lava Kusha’ and ‘Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddham.’
NTR as Lord Rama
- He portrayed the character of Ravana in the films, ‘Bhookailas’ and ‘Seetharama Kalyanam.’
NTR As Ravana
- He appeared as Lord Shiva in the movie ‘Dakshayagnam.’
NTR As Lord Shiva
- His second wife, Lakshmi, authored two biographies of him namely, “Eduruleni Manishi” and “Telugu Tejam.”
NTR’s Second Wife Lakshmi Parvathi
- He won a prize for one of his paintings at a state level competition during 1941-1942.
- NTR presented the picture to Subhash Chandra Bose when the latter visited Vijayawada.
- His production houses include National Art Theater Private Limited in Madras and Ramakrishna Studios in Hyderabad.
- In 1984, NTR campaigned for the state elections for the Tamil Nadu Party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), because his friend, MG Ramachandran (MGR), who was then the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, was unwell.
NT Rama Rao (surrounded) With MGR
- In an interview, NTR claimed the 1995 coup was planned as treason and called his son and Naidu power-hungry and untrustworthy.
- In 2019, a Tollywood biopic titled, NTR Kathanayakudu, was released. The role of NTR was played by his sixth son, Nandamuri Balakrishna and the role of NTR’s first wife was played by Bollywood actress Vidya Balan.
NTR movie Kathanayakudu
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
