Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, a prominent figure in Indian cinema and politics, left an indelible mark on Telugu cinema and Andhra Pradesh. His life was a fascinating blend of acting prowess, political acumen, and personal drama.
Biography/Wiki
N. T. Rama Rao was born on May 28, 1923, in Nimmakuru, Madras Presidency, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India). His early education took place in a village shed due to the lack of a formal school. His family later moved to Vijayawada, where he attended Municipal School and then SRR & CVR College for intermediate studies, eventually graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Andhra-Christian College, Guntur in 1947.
He briefly worked as a sub-registrar before his acting career took off.
Family, Wife & Caste
NTR hailed from a Hindu Rajput family. He married his maternal uncle’s daughter, Basavatarakam Nandamuri, in May 1942. They had eight sons and four daughters. His wife passed away in 1985, and he remarried Lakshmi Parvathi in 1993.
- Sons: Nandamuri Ramakrishna Sr., Nandamuri Jayakrishna, Nandamuri Saikrishna, Nandamuri Harikrishna, Nandamuri Mohanakrishna, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Nandamuri Ramakrishna Jr., and Nandamuri Jayashankar.
- Daughters: Daggubati Purandeswari, Nara Bhuvaneswari, Garapati Lokeswari, and Kantamaneni Uma Maheswari.
Career
NTR’s acting debut was in 1949 with the Telugu film Mana Desam. He went on to star in over 300 films, showcasing his versatility as an actor, producer, and director. He was renowned for his portrayals of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama, often choosing roles that championed social justice.
Beyond his acting career, NTR founded the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982. He served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, implementing various social reforms and advocating for women’s rights.
Assets/Properties
NTR’s assets included properties in Madras and Hyderabad, farmland, jewelry, shares, and other investments. Specific details on the exact value are not readily available.
Signature
NTR’s signature is a distinctive part of his legacy.
Awards/Honours
NTR received numerous accolades throughout his career, including:
| Award | Year | Film/Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu (Producer) | 1954 | Thodu Dongalu |
| Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu (Producer) | 1960 | Seetharama Kalyanam |
| National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu (Director) | 1968 | Varakatnam |
| Padma Shri | 1968 | Government of India Award |
| And more… |
Controversy
The later years of NTR’s life were marked by political turmoil, notably a power struggle within his own party that led to his ouster in 1995. This involved his second wife and his son-in-law, Chandrababu Naidu.
Death
NTR passed away on January 18, 1996, due to a cardiac arrest in Hyderabad.
Facts
Here are some interesting facts about NTR’s life:
- He earned ?190 per month as a sub-registrar.
- He married Basavatarakam at the age of 20.
- His remuneration for his first film was ?1000.
- He learned Kuchipudi dance at age 40.
- He played Lord Krishna in around 17 films.
- He established Ramakrishna Studios.
- A biopic on his life, N.T.R. Kathanayakudu, was released in 2019.
- A commemorative ?100 coin was released in 2023 to mark his birth centenary.
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