Kasturi Siva Rao (6 March 1913 - 24 February 1966) was an Indian actor, comedian, playback singer, producer and director known for his works in Telugu cinema. He was one of the first star comedians of Telugu cinema.[1][2][3]
Kasturi Siva Rao | |
|---|---|
 Screenshot of Rao | |
| Born | March 6, 1913 |
| Died | February 24, 1966 (aged 52) Tenali, Andhra Pradesh |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Spouse | Shakuntala Kasturi |
| Children | Three Sons and Four Daughters |
| Parents |
|
Career
editKasturi Siva Rao started his career in the film industry as a movie narrator for the silent films produced at that time. Besides providing commentary, he was also a projector operator and had a unique humor to his fame. Theaters would advertise films as having "commentary by Siva Rao".[2][3] He became an actor with the film Vara Vikrayam in 1939 and shot into the limelight with Chudamani in 1941. B N Reddy's Swarga Seema in 1945 and Balaraju in 1948 catapulted him to stardom.[4]
He became a lead actor with the film Gunasundari Katha in 1949, in which he played the role of a cursed prince. The film became a huge hit and his mannerisms and dialogue were so popular that people started conversing in the same tone. He owned a Buick, which was a rare possession, and whenever people saw the car on roads they used to swarm the car and run along with it. Kasturi Siva Rao later on became a producer and director with the film Paramanandayya Sishyulu in the year 1950.[4]
Selected filmography
edit- Swarga Seema (స్వర్గసీమ)
- Balaraju (బాలరాజు) 28 February 1948 Supporting Actor & playback singer
- Laila Majnu (లైలా మజ్ను) 1 October 1949 Supporting Actor
- Raksha Rekha (రక్షరేఖ) 1949 Supporting Actor
- Gunasundari Katha (గుణసుందరి కథ) 1 October 1949 Hero and playback singer
- Paramanandayya Sishyulu (పరమానందయ్య శిష్యులు) 1950 Supporting Actor, Producer, Director
- Swapna Sundari (స్వప్న సుందరి) 1950 Supporting Actor
- Sri Lakshmamma Katha (శ్రీ లక్ష్మమ్మ కథ) 1950 Supporting Actor & playback singer
- Mantra Dandam 1951
- Stree Sahasam (స్త్రీ సాహసం) 1951 Supporting Actor
- Prema (ప్రేమ) 1952 Supporting Actor
- Iddaru Pellalu 1954
- Panduranga Mahatyam (పాండురంగ మహత్యం) 28 November 1957 Supporting Actor
- Dongalunnaru Jagratha 1958
- Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (అప్పు చేసి పప్పు కూడు) 14 January 1959 Supporting Actor ( Takku )
- Raja Makutam (రాజమకుటం) 24 February 1960 Supporting Actor
- Seetharama Kalyanam (సీతారామ కళ్యాణం) 6 January 1961 Supporting Actor
- Mugguru Maratilu
- Mayalamaari
References
edit- ^ "Siva Rao Kasturi". IMDb.
- ^ a b 26lettersto24frames.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/kasturi-siva-rao-the-first-star-comedian/
- ^ a b tollywood.info/actor/k/kasturi_siva_rao.htm
- ^ a b M. L., Narasimham (30 September 2012). "Gunasundari Katha (1949)". The Hindu.