Relangi (actor)

Relangi Venkata Ramayya ( 9 August 1910 – 27 November 1975), 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.

Notable Relangi performances include films like Gunasundari Katha (1949), Vipra Narayana (1954), Missamma (1955), Donga Ramudu (1955), Mayabazar (1957), Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1958), Velugu Needalu (1961), Iddaru Mitrulu (1961), Kula Gothralu (1962), Lava Kusa (1963), Chaduvukunna Ammayilu (1963), Nartanasala (1963), and Preminchi Choodu (1965). The Relangi Art Academy Award was instituted in his honour for best comic performances.

Early life
Relangi was born in the village of Ravulapalem in the East Godavari district in Madras State (now Andhra Pradesh). He was a professional Harikatha performer and also an expert Harmonium player. He grew up in Kakinada; however, he didn't show interest in education due to his passion for acting.

Career
Relangi started his initial career acting in stage and folk theatre and also took female roles in stage theatre. He started his film career by playing a Vidushaka (Jester) role in his first Telugu film Sri Krishna Thulabaram in 1935 under the direction of C. Pullayya. Later on, he assisted Pullayya as a Production Manager until he got a major break with the film Gollabhama released in 1947. Subsequently, he played a comedic role in Vindhyarani (1948), which was a big hit. He was a regular face in all the movies made under the Vijaya Films banner from 1950. He grew so popular that he was given a chance to play a comedic hero role in Pakka inti Ammayi in 1953 under Pullayya opposite Anjali Devi.

Filmography
As a comedic actor, he was quite popular when partnered with actress Girija, actress Suryakantham, and another comedian actor, Ramana Reddy. These combinations were repeated for several hit movies in Telugu. Some of the well-known movies in which Relangi acted are shown below.

1930s

 * Sri Krishna Thulabaram in 1935
 * Vara Vikrayam in 1939

1940s

 * Malathi Madhavam in 1940
 * Bala Nagamma in 1942
 * Gollabhama in 1947
 * Vindhyarani in 1948
 * Keelu Gurram in 1949
 * Gunasundari Katha in 1949
 * Mana Desam in 1949

1950s

 * Samsaram in 1950
 * Maaya Rambha in 1950
 * Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha in 1950
 * Shavukaru
 * Navvite Navaratnalu in 1951
 * Patala Bhairavi in 1951
 * Perantaalu in 1951
 * Agni Pariksha in 1951
 * Prema in 1952
 * Dharma Devatha in 1952
 * Daasi in 1952
 * Manavati in 1952
 * Priyuralu in 1952
 * Tingu Ranga in 1952
 * Peda Rythu in 1952
 * Paradesi in 1953
 * Velaikari Magal in 1953
 * Pakka Inti Ammayi in 1953
 * Chandirani in 1953
 * Bratuku Theruvu in 1953
 * Peddamanushulu in 1954
 * Chandraharam in 1954
 * Raju Peda in 1954
 * Vipra Narayana in 1954
 * Rani Ratnaprabha in 1955
 * Cherapakura Chedevu in 1955 as Pitambaram
 * Jayasimha in 1955
 * Missamma in 1955
 * Ardhangi in 1955
 * Rojulu Marayi in 1955
 * Santhanam in 1955
 * Donga Ramudu in 1955
 * Jayam Manade in 1956
 * Bhale Ramudu in 1956
 * Chintamani in 1956
 * Charana Daasi in 1956
 * Veera Kankanam in 1957
 * Todi Kodallu in 1957
 * Sarangadhara in 1957
 * Kutumba Gowravam in 1957
 * Dongallo Dora in 1957
 * Bhagya Rekha in 1957
 * Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam in 1957
 * Maya Bazaar in 1957
 * Suvarna Sundari in 1957
 * Mangalya Balam in 1958
 * Bhuloka Rambha in 1958 as Vasanthudu
 * Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu in 1958
 * Chenchu Lakshmi in 1958
 * Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu in 1958
 * Krishna Leelalu in 1959 as Nanda
 * Jayabheri in 1959
 * Illarikam in 1959
 * Nammina Bantu in 1959

1960s

 * Bhatti Vikramarka in 1960
 * Shanthi Nivasam in 1960
 * Samajam in 1960
 * Pelli Kanuka in 1960
 * Mamaku Tagga Alludu in 1960
 * Vagdanam in 1960
 * Usha Parinayam in 1961
 * Sabhash Raja in 1961
 * Velugu Needalu in 1961
 * Iddaru Mitrulu in 1961
 * Bharya Bharthalu in 1961
 * Bhakta Jayadeva in 1961
 * Jagadeka Veeruni Katha in 1961
 * Kalasi Vunte Kaladu Sukham in 1961
 * Khaidi Kannaiah in 1962
 * Siri Sampadalu in 1962
 * Raktha Sambandham in 1962
 * Mohini Rugmangada in 1962
 * Kula Gothralu in 1962
 * Bhishma in 1962
 * Aradhana in 1962
 * Tiger Ramudu in 1962
 * Mahamantri Timmarusu in 1962
 * Chaduvukunna Ammayilu in 1963
 * Lakshadhikari in 1963
 * Lava Kusa in 1963
 * Paruvu Prathishta in 1963
 * Narthanasala in 1963
 * Ramudu Bheemudu in 1964
 * Pooja Phalam  in 1964
 * Aathma Balam in 1964
 * Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima in 1965
 * Satya Harishchandra in 1965
 * Preminchi Choodu in 1965
 * Chitti Chellelu in 1965
 * Antastulu in 1965
 * Aatma Gowravam in 1965
 * Navaratri in 1966
 * Leta Manasulu in 1966
 * Aastiparulu in 1966
 * Srikakula Andhra Maha Vishnu Katha in 1966
 * Pidugu Ramudu in 1966
 * Ummadi Kutumbham in 1967
 * Rahasyam in 1967
 * Private Master in 1967
 * Goodachari 116 in 1967
 * Bhakta Prahlada in 1967
 * Aada Paduchu in 1967
 * Thalli Prema in 1968
 * Sri Rama Katha in 1969 as Pragalbhacharyulu
 * Bhale Tammudu in 1969
 * Mathru Devata in 1969
 * Karpura Harathi in 1969
 * Asthulu Anthastulu in 1969
 * Bhale Abbayilu in 1969 as Zamindar, foster father of Ravi
 * Karpura Harathi (1969) as Somasundaram

1970s

 * Talli Tandrulu in 1970
 * Pettandarulu in 1970
 * Vidhi Vilasam in 1970 as Thirupathi
 * Jeevitha Chakram in 1971
 * Bhale Papa in 1971
 * Kalavari Kutumbam in 1972 as Raghava Rao
 * Ganga Manga in 1973
 * Doctor Babu in 1973 as Jagannatha Rao
 * Meena in 1973 as Narasimha Rao, Horse races enthusiast
 * Nippulanti Manishi in 1974
 * Uttama Illalu in 1974 as Pittala Dora
 * Mallela Manasulu (1975) as Malmal Seth
 * Pooja in 1975

Singer
Some of the well-known songs sung by Relangi are in the following movies:

Producer

 * Relangi acted and produced the film Samajam in 1960.
 * Relangi owned a Theater in Tadepalligudem - Relangi Theater.

Awards

 * In 1970, he was awarded the Padma Shri, a civilian award from the Government of India.
 * In The 2019 movie N.T.R: Kathanayakudu, Brahmanandam portrayed him.