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S. V. Ranga Rao

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Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (3 July 1918 – 18 July 1974), popularly known as SVR, was an Indian actor and filmmaker who primarily worked in Telugu and Tamil films. He is regarded as one of the finest actors in the history of Indian cinema.[1] He is known by the epithet "Viswa Nata Chakravarthi" (transl. "Universal Emperor of Acting")[2][3] and was the earliest known character actor in South Indian cinema to achieve a star status.[4] In a career spanning nearly three decades, Ranga Rao garnered various national and international honours.[2][5]

S. V. Ranga Rao
Ranga Rao on a 2013 stamp of India
Born
Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao

3 July 1918
Nuziveedu, Madras Presidency, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died18 July 1974 (aged 56)
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Other namesSVR, Viswa Nata Chakravarthi
Occupation(s)Actor, Producer, Director
Spouse
Leelavathi
​
(m. 1947)​
AwardsRashtrapati Award
International Honor
Signature

Ranga Rao was a method actor known for his natural acting style, portraying complex social, biographical, and mythological characters. Some of his most iconic roles include 'Nepala Manthrikudu', a tantric in Pathala Bhairavi (1951), Yama in Sati Savitri (1957), Ghatothkacha in Maya Bazaar (1957), Mayasura in Bhookailas (1958), and Bhoja in Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960).[6] In 1964, he won the Best Actor Award at the third Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Jakarta for his portrayal of Kichaka in Nartanasala (1963),[7] becoming the only Indian actor to have ever received the honour.[8][9] His other notable performances include roles as Duryodhana in Pandava Vanavasam (1965), Hiranyakasipu in Bhakta Prahlada (1967), and Ravana in Sampoorna Ramayanam (1971).[10][11][3]

Ranga Rao's notable films as a character actor include Mana Desam (1949), Palletoori Pilla (1950), Devadasu (1953), Bangaru Papa (1954), Raju Peda (1954), Thodi Kodallu (1957), Chenchu Lakshmi (1958), Pelli Naati Pramanalu (1958), Nammina Bantu (1959), Gundamma Katha (1962), Sarada (1962), Aatma Bandhuvu (1962), Annai (1962), Karpagam (1963), Naanum Oru Penn (1963), Bobbili Yuddham (1964), Bandhavyalu (1968), Prema Nagar (1971), Dasara Bullodu (1971), Pandanti Kapuram (1972), Vasantha Maligai (1972), Thatha-Manavadu (1973), and Andaru Dongale (1974).[4][12]

In his honour, the Government of Andhra Pradesh instituted the S. V. Ranga Rao Award for Best Character Actor, which is presented annually to recognize outstanding performances in character roles.[2]

Early life

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Ranga Rao was born in Nuziveedu in erstwhile Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh in 1918 in a family of Kapu caste.[3][13][14] His father, Samarla Koteswara Rao, was an excise inspector at Nuzvidu, and his mother's name was Smt. Lakshmi Narasayamma.[10][11] His grandfather was working as a doctor in the town. He had relatives scattered in East Godavari district. His grandfather, Kotayya Naidu, lived in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu.[3]

His mother, Lakshmi Narasayamma, a staunch devotee of Lord Venkateswara, named the boy after him. Ranga Rao was sent to Madras, where he completed his schooling at Hindu College. He also studied in Eluru and Visakhapatnam.[3] At an early age of 12, he showed interest in stage acting. He ventured into acting after completing his bachelor's degree in sciences.[10][11][15]

Career

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Ranga Rao in a scene from Punyavathi (1967).

S. V. R. got an invitation from one of his relatives, B. V. Ramanandam, to play the lead actor in his film Varoodhini (1947). He immediately abandoned the job, and left for Salem to join the celluloid world. However, the film didn’t do well at the box office.[3][4]

S. V. R. left Madras Presidency and reached Jamshedpur, where he took up the job as a budget assistant with the Tata company.[4][15] However, his love for theatre began to bloom multifold. At this juncture, he married Badeti Leelavathi on 27 December 1947. In the days that followed, S. V. R. was given an opportunity to appear in Palletoori Pilla (1950), produced by B. A. Subba Rao.[10] Shavukaru (1950) earned him recognition as a fine actor.[3][4]

His role as the antagonist 'Nepala Manthrikudu', a tantric in Pathala Bhairavi (1951) was a turning point in his career.[12][4] The film became a breakthrough for both Ranga Rao and the lead actor N. T. Rama Rao. Pathala Bhairavi was the only south Indian film screened at the first International Film Festival of India.[16][17][18] Ranga Rao also starred in the enduring classics Mayabazar (1957) and Nartanasala (1963), featured in the CNN-IBN's list of "100 greatest Indian films of all time".[19]

In a career spanning nearly three decades, he acted in over 160 films —109 in Telugu and 53 in Tamil.[12] He was one of the earliest stars to feature in commercials and his ad for the popular cigarette brand Berkeley, was extremely popular.[12]

Characters essayed

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Personal life

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Ranga Rao married Leelavati, daughter of Badeti Venkata Ramayya and Koteswaramma on 27 December 1947. They have three children: two daughters, Vijaya and Prameela and a son, Koteswara Rao.[10]

Ranga Rao wanted to launch his son into films and shot a few portions. But the film didn’t take off for unknown reasons.[4] He was a pet-lover, owned two German Shepherds at his residence. Ranga Rao was a poet and also wrote short stories for a few publications and nurtured a love for cricket, painting, hunting.[4]

Death

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Ranga Rao suffered from heart attack at Hyderabad in February 1974. He was admitted to Osmania General Hospital. Doctors suggested him to have "bypass surgery" and advised him to quit drinking & acting for sometime and take rest. But Ranga Rao neglected doctors' words. Unfortunately, he suffered from another heart stroke on 18 July 1974 at Madras. It proved to be fatal and the actor died before any medical treatment could be administered.

Legacy

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Statue of S. V. Ranga Rao, inaugurated by Chiranjeevi at Tummalapalli Kshetraya School of Arts in Vijayawada

Government of Andhra Pradesh instituted an award in his memory, presented every year to the best character acting performance, known as the S. V. Ranga Rao Award for Best Character Actor.[2]

A bust-size bronze statue of Ranga Rao was unveiled by popular actor Chiranjeevi at Tummalapall Kalakshetram in Vijayawada in 2010.[20] In 2018, N. Chandrababu Naidu, then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh unveiled a 12.5 feet bronze statue of Ranga Rao at Kalaparru on the outskirts of Eluru and announced that the state government was planning to establish a museum on Ranga Rao in Eluru.[21][15]

Srivathsan Nadadhur of The Hindu wrote of him during his birth centenary in 2018 as follows, "S V Ranga Rao’s diction, towering on-screen persona, impressive quirks to his character-sketches, the ability to draw inspiration from society and literature have cemented his ‘irreplaceable’ stature over the years."[4]

CV Aravind of The News Minute wrote of him in 2018, "SV Ranga Rao was ranked on par with the superstars of the 1950s, 60s and 70s such as N. T .Rama Rao, Nageswara Rao, M. G. Ramachandran, and Sivaji Ganesan. Ranga Rao was one of the earliest to be hailed as a ‘method’ actor and a substandard performance from him was simply out of the question. Rated as one of the most dignified and cooperative stars, he was held in high regard by the acting fraternity."[12]

Awards

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International honors
Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Director)
Other honors
  • He was given distinguished titles such as Rashtrapati Award, Viswa Nata Chakravarti, Nata Sarvabhouma, Nata Sekhara, Nata Simha.[2]

Selected filmography

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Actor

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Year Film Character Language Notes
1947 Varudhini Telugu Debut Film
1949 Mana Desam Telugu
1950 Bhale Papa Blind person Telugu
1950 Palletoori Pilla Taatha Telugu
1950 Shavukaru Sunnapu Rangadu Telugu
1950 Tirugubatu Telugu
1951 Akasaraju Telugu
1951 Navvite Navaratnalu Telugu
1951 Pathala Bhairavi Nepala Mantrikudu Telugu

Tamil

1952 Daasi Badrinath Telugu
1952 Kalyanam Panni Paar Tamil
1952 Palletooru Ganapati Telugu
1952 Pelli Chesi Choodu Zamindar Veeyanna Telugu
1953 Bratuku Theruvu Zamindar Telugu
1953 Chandirani Prachandudu Telugu
1953 Chandirani Prachandudu Tamil
1953 Devdas Tamil
1953 Devadasu Zamindar Narayana Rao Telugu
1953 Jatakam Telugu
1953 Jatakaphalam Telugu
1953 Pardesi Rangadu Telugu
1953 Pempudu Koduku Telugu
1953 Poongothai Tamil
1953 Rohini Tamil
1953 Sangham Telugu
1954 Annadata Telugu
1954 Anta Manavalle Jagannatham Telugu
1954 Bangaru Papa Kotayya Telugu
1954 Chandraharam Tamil
1954 Chandraharam Dhoomakethu Telugu
1954 Chakrapani Telugu
1954 Rajee Naa Pranam Telugu
1954 Rajee En Kanmani Rich man Tamil
1954 Raju Peda King Telugu
1954 Thuli Visham Naga Nadu King VeeraMarththandan Tamil
1955 Anarkali Akbar Telugu
1955 Guna Sundari Katha King Ugrasena Telugu
1955 Jayasimha Rudrasimha Telugu
1955 Missamma Gopalam Telugu
1955 Missiamma Gopalan Tamil
1955 Santanam Rangayya Telugu
1956 Charana Daasi Raghavaiah Telugu
1956 Chintamani Telugu
1956 Marma Veeran Tamil guest appearance
1956 Kanakatara Telugu
1956 Naan Petra Selvam Tamil
1956 Mathar Kula Manickam Tamil
1957 Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam Jaffer, the magician Telugu
1957 Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum Tamil
1957 Maya Bazaar Ghatotkajudu Telugu
1957 Maya Bazaar Ghadotgajan Tamil
1957 Pathini Deivam Tamil
1957 Repu Neede Telugu
1957 Sarangadhara Raja Raja Narendrudu Telugu
1957 Sati Savitri Yamudu Telugu
1957 Soubhagyavathi Maha Bhairavan, Bad Magician Tamil
1957 Engal Veettu Mahalakshmi Lawyer Ganapathi Tamil
1957 Thodi Kodallu Kutumba Rao Telugu
1957 Vinayaka Chaviti Narakasurudu Telugu
1958 Bhookailas Maayasura Telugu
1958 Bommala Pelli Telugu
1958 Chenchu Lakshmi Hiranyakashipa Tamil
1958 Chenchu Lakshmi Hiranyakashipu Telugu
1958 Kadan Vaangi Kalyanam Tamil
1958 Annaiyin Aanai Tamil
1958 Bommai Kalyanam Veeramuthu Tamil
1958 Kudumba Gouravam Tamil
1958 Pelli Naati Pramanalu Bheemasena Rao Telugu
1958 Sabaash Meena Appadorai Tamil
1958 Anbu Engey Masilamani Mudaliar Tamil
1958 Thirumanam Damodharam Tamil
1958 Sarangadhara King Narendra Tamil
1959 Mangalya Balam Telugu
1959 Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu Diwan Bahadur Mukunda Rao Telugu
1959 Aval Yar Tamil
1959 Bhakta Ambarisha Telugu
1959 Jayabheri Vijayananda Ramagajapati Telugu
1959 Kalaivanan Tamil
1959 Krishna Leelalu[23] Kamsa Telugu
1959 Raja Sevai Tamil
1959 Manjal Mahimai Tamil
1959 Rechukka Pagatichukka Telugu
1959 Vazhkai Oppantham Tamil
1960 Nammina Bantu Telugu
1960 Bhatti Vikramarka Maantrikudu Telugu
1960 Deepavali Narakasurudu Telugu
1960 Devanthakudu Telugu
1960 Harishchandra Harischandra Maharaju Telugu
1960 Irumputhirai Tamil
1960 Mahakavi Kalidasu Bhoja Raju Telugu
1960 Mamaku Tagga Alludu Telugu
1960 Naan Kanda Sorgam Tamil
1960 Padikkadha Medhai Tamil
1960 Pattaliyin Vetri Tamil
1960 Parthiban Kanavu King Narasimhavarman Tamil
1960 Petra Manam Tamil
1960 Vidivelli Tamil
1961 Velugu Needalu Rao Bahadur Venkataramaiah Telugu [24]
1961 Ellam Unnakkaga Tamil
1961 Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham Telugu
1961 Kappalottiya Thamizhan Tamil
1961 Kumudham Public Prosecutor, Shanthi's father Tamil
1961 Krishna Prema Telugu
1961 Pangaaligal One of the 3 Partners Tamil
1961 Pelli Thambulam Telugu
1961 Sati Sulochana Telugu
1961 Usha Parinayam Banasura Telugu
1962 Atma Bandhuvu Father Telugu
1962 Bandha Pasam Tamil
1962 Dakshayagnam Daksha Telugu
1962 Padithal Mattum Podhuma Tamil
1962 Deivathin Deivam Tamil
1962 Muthu Mandapam Tamil
1962 Nichaya Thaamboolam Ranganathan Tamil
1962 Sarada Tamil
1962 Gaali Medalu Paanakaalu Telugu
1962 Gundamma Katha Ramabhadraiah Telugu
1962 Kaathiruntha Kangal Tamil
1962 Manchi Manasulu Telugu
1962 Manithan Maravillai Tamil
1962 Padandi Munduku Telugu
1962 Sri Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha Suchandrasena Maharaju Telugu
1962 Tiger Ramudu Telugu
1962 Annai Tamil
1962 Visha Binduvu Telugu
1962 Kavitha Tamil
1963 Annai Illam Tamil
1963 Iruvar Ullam Tamil
1963 Kalyaniyin Kanavan Kalyani's Father Tamil
1963 Kungumam Punniyakodi / James / Sambasivam Tamil
1963 Needhikkuppin Paasam Tamil
1963 Karpagam Tamil
1963 Narthanasala Keechakudu Telugu Best Actor - 3rd Afro-Asian Film Festival, Jakarta
1963 Naanum Oru Penn Tamil
1963 Thobuttuvulu Garataiah Telugu
1964 Bobbili Yudham Tandra Paparayudu Telugu
1964 Kai Kodutha Deivam Tamil
1964 Main Bhi Ladki Hoon Hindi
1964 Murali Krishna Father of Murali Telugu
1964 Ramudu Bheemudu Telugu
1964 Server Sundaram Tamil
1964 Pachai Vilakku Tamil
1965 Enga Veetu Pillai Father of Saroja Devi Tamil
1965 Kakkum Karangal Tamil
1965 Aadabrathuku Telugu
1965 Naadi Aada Janme Telugu
1965 Pandava Vanavasam Duryodhanudu Telugu
1965 Vaazhkai Padagu Rajan Father Tamil
1965 Paditha Manaivi Tamil
1966 Aata Bommalu Telugu
1965 Sati Sakkubai Telugu
1965 Thodu Needa Telugu
1966 Chilaka Gorinka Telugu
1966 Kumari Penn Grandfather of Shyamala Tamil
1966 Selvam Tamil
1966 Thedi Vandha Thirumagal Tamil
1966 Thattungal Thirakkappadum Church Father Tamil
1966 Mohini Bhasmasura[25] Bhasmasura Telugu
1966 Adugu Jaadalu Dr. Krishna Telugu
1966 Ramu Telugu
1967 Pesum Dheivam Tamil
1967 Bhakta Prahlada Tamil
1967 Bhakta Prahlada Hiraynakashipudu Telugu
1967 Chadarangam Telugu
1967 Rahasyam Telugu
1967 Punyavathi Telugu
1967 Thaikku Thalaimagan Cholaiya Pannaiyar Dharmalingham Tamil
1967 Kan Kanda Deivam The Landlord Tamil
1968 Bandhavyalu Telugu
1968 Bandhipotu Dongalu Bandipotu Malludora Telugu
1968 Lakshmi Nivasam Telugu
1968 Chinnari Papalu Telugu
1968 Poovum Pottum Professor Raja Rathinam Tamil
1969 Nam Naadu Dharmalingham Tamil
1969 Sivandha Mann Tamil
1969 Kula Vilakku Tamil
1969 Kuzhandhai Ullam Tamil
1969 Mooga Nomu Telugu
1970 Sambarala Rambabu Telugu
1970 Jagath Jetteelu[26] Major Raghunath Telugu
1971 Dasara Bullodu Bhushaiah Telugu
1971 Debbaku Tha Dongala Mutha Telugu
1971 Praptham Tamil
1971 Thenum Paalum Tamil
1971 Irulum Oliyum Tamil
1971 Aathi Parasakthi Dhakshan Tamil
1971 Anuradha[27] Bhushaiah Telugu
1971 Prem Nagar Zamindar Telugu
1971 Sampoorna Ramayanam Ravana Telugu
1971 Vidhyarthigale Ithile Ithile Principal Malayalam
1972 Bala Bharatam Bheeshma Telugu
1972 Iddaru Ammayilu Lawyer Narayan Rao Telugu
1972 Kathula Rattayya Telugu
1972 Koduku Kodalu Telugu
1972 Pandanti Kapuram Head of the family Telugu
1972 Papam Pasivaadu Venugopal Telugu
1972 Vasantha Maligai Tamil
1972 Vazhaiyadi Vazhai Tamil
1973 Anbu Sagodharargal Elder Brother Tamil
1973 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Telugu
1973 Bangaru Babu Raghavaiah Telugu
1972 Thatha-Manavadu Grandfather Rangayya Telugu
1973 Minor Babu Telugu
1973 Samsaram Sagaram Telugu
1974 Andaru Dongale Chanti Babu Telugu
1974 Bangaru Kalalu Telugu
1974 Chakravakam Dharma Rayudu Telugu
1974 Galipatalu Ganganna and Manganna Telugu
1974 Inti Kodalu Telugu
1974 Premalu Pellilu Telugu
1974 Pillai Selvam Tamil
1974 Sivakamyin Selvan Tamil Last film in Tamil
1975 Mallela Manasulu[28] Ramachandraiah Telugu
1975 Yashoda Krishna Kamsa Telugu Last film in Telugu
1988 Yamudiki Mogudu Balu's father Telugu Portrait
1990 Athisaya Piravi Balu's father Tamil Portrait (reprised)

Director

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Producer

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  • Bandhavyalu (1968) (producer)
  • Chadarangam (1967) (producer)
  • Naadi Aada Janme (1965) (producer)
  • Sukhadukhalu (1969)

References

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  1. ^ "CM N Chandrababu Naidu unveils 12.5 feet bronze statue of SV Ranga Rao". The New Indian Express. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2022. Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao, popular as SVR, one of the finest actors ever in the history of Indian Cinema ....
  2. ^ a b c d e f Sanmana Satkaralu, Viswa Nata Chakravarti, M. Sanjay Kishore, Sangam Akademy, Hyderabad, 2005, pp: 65.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Srihari, Gudipoodi (19 September 2019). "S.V. Ranga Rao: The adored giant of the silver screen". The Hindu. Ranga Rao was born in Nuziveedu in Krishna District in 1918 in a zamindari family.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Nadadhur, Srivathsan (2 July 2018). "S V Ranga Rao @ 100 : A golden standard for the craft". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  5. ^ Narasimham, M. L. (21 July 2013). "Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952)". The Hindu.
  6. ^ "4th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  7. ^ a b "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF).
  8. ^ a b "SVR's versatility remembered". The Hindu. 19 July 2010.
  9. ^ a b Lindsay, Jennifer (1 January 2012). Heirs to World Culture: Being Indonesian, 1950-1965. BRILL. ISBN 9789004253513 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ a b c d e Mahabhinishkramana, Viswa Nata Chakravarti, M. Sanjay Kishore, Sangam Akademy, Hyderabad, 2005, pp: 69-70.
  11. ^ a b c "S.V. Ranga Rao's bronze statue unveiled". The Hindu. 19 July 2010.
  12. ^ a b c d e CV, Aravind (5 August 2018). "Remembering SV Ranga Rao: A versatile actor loved for his mythological roles". The News Minute. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  13. ^ "Kapu community says no to 'Chandranna' samkshema bhavan". The Times of India. 22 May 2016. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  14. ^ M. L. Kantha Rao (July 1999), A Study of the Socio-Political Mobility of the Kapu Caste in Modern Andhra. University of Hyderabad. Chapter 6. p. 280, 282–283. hdl:10603/25437
  15. ^ a b c "CM N Chandrababu Naidu unveils 12.5 feet bronze statue of SV Ranga Rao". The New Indian Express. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  16. ^ "::Directorate Of Film Festivals". Archived from the original on 28 May 2015.
  17. ^ "4th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  18. ^ Eenadu Daily, Eenadu Sunday – 28 April 2013, 100 years of Indian Cinema, Early Tollywood, Page 9
  19. ^ "News18.com: CNN-News18 Breaking News India, Latest News, Current News Headlines". News18. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013.
  20. ^ "S.V. Ranga Rao's bronze statue unveiled". The Hindu. 19 July 2010. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  21. ^ "Naidu announces museum in honour of S. V. Ranga Rao". The Hindu. 3 July 2018. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  22. ^ a b "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  23. ^ "Krishna Leelalu (1959)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  24. ^ Narasimham, M.L. (13 May 2015). "Velugu Needalu (1961)". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  25. ^ "Mohini Bhasmasura 1966 Telugu Movie Cast Crew, Actors, Director, Mohini Bhasmasura Producer, Banner, Music Director, Singers & Lyricists". MovieGQ. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Jagath Jettelu on Moviebuff.com". Moviebuff.com. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Anuradha 1971 Telugu Movie Cast Crew, Actors, Director, Anuradha Producer, Banner, Music Director, Singers & Lyricists". MovieGQ. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  28. ^ "Mallela Manasulu 1975 Telugu Movie Cast Crew, Actors, Director, Mallela Manasulu Producer, Banner, Music Director, Singers & Lyricists". MovieGQ. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
 
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