Relangi Venkata Ramaiah

Relangi Venkata Ramayya ( 13 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.

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.

Filmography Telugu Year Film Role Notes 1935 Sri Krishna Tulabharam Vidushaka 1939 Vara Vikrayam 1940 Malathi Madhavam 1942 Bala Nagamma Kotwal Rama Singh 1947 Gollabhama Friend of Prince 1948 Vindhyarani 1949 Keelu Gurram Govindudu Gunasundari Katha Kalamati Mana Desam Constable No. 144 1950 Samsaram Tataram Maaya Rambha Paramanandayya Shishyulu Shavukaru 1951 Navvite Navaratnalu Pathala Bhairavi Surasena Perantaalu Agni Pariksha 1952 Prema Dharma Devatha Daasi Manavati Priyuralu Tingu Ranga Peda Rythu 1953 Paradesi Pakka Inti Ammayi Chandirani Bratuku Theruvu 1954 Peddamanushulu Chandraharam Raju Peda Vipra Narayana 1955 Rani Ratnaprabha Cherapakura Chedevu Pitambaram Jayasimha Missamma Ardhangi Rojulu Marayi Santhanam Donga Ramudu 1956 Jayam Manade Bhale Ramudu Chintamani Charana Daasi 1957 Nala Damayanthi Veera Kankanam Todi Kodallu Sarangadhara Kutumba Gowravam Dongallo Dora Bhagya Rekha Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam Maya Bazaar Suvarna Sundari 1958 Mangalya Balam Bhuloka Rambha Vasanthudu Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu Chenchu Lakshmi Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu 1959 Krishna Leelalu Nanda Jayabheri Illarikam Nammina Bantu 1960 Bhatti Vikramarka Shanthi Nivasam Samajam Pelli Kanuka Mamaku Tagga Alludu Vagdanam 1961 Usha Parinayam Sabhash Raja Velugu Needalu Iddaru Mitrulu Padmanabhaiah| Bharya Bharthalu Bhakta Jayadeva Jagadeka Veeruni Katha Kalasi Vunte Kaladu Sukham 1962 Khaidi Kannaiah Siri Sampadalu Raktha Sambandham Mohini Rugmangada Kula Gothralu Bhishma Aradhana Tiger Ramudu Mahamantri Timmarusu Aasa Jeevulu 1963 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu Lakshadhikari Lava Kusa Paruvu Prathishta Narthanasala 1964 Ramudu Bheemudu Pooja Phalam Aathma Balam 1965 Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima Satya Harishchandra Preminchi Choodu Chitti Chellelu Antastulu Aatma Gowravam 1966 Navaratri Leta Manasulu Aastiparulu Srikakula Andhra Maha Vishnu Katha Pidugu Ramudu 1967 Ummadi Kutumbham Rahasyam Private Master Goodachari 116 Bhakta Prahlada Aada Paduchu 1968 Thalli Prema 1969 Sri Rama Katha Pragalbhacharyulu Bhale Tammudu Mathru Devata Karpura Harathi Somasundaram Asthulu Anthastulu Bhale Abbayilu Zamindar 1970 Talli Tandrulu Pettandarulu Vidhi Vilasam Thirupathi 1971 Jeevitha Chakram Bhale Papa 1972 Kalavari Kutumbam Raghava Rao 1973 Ganga Manga Doctor Babu Jagannatha Rao Meena Narasimha Rao 1974 Nippulanti Manishi Uttama Illalu Pittala Dora 1975 Mallela Manasulu Malmal Seth Pooja

Tamil Year Film Role Notes 1951 Pathala Bhairavi Surasena 1952 Kaadhal 1953 Velaikari Magal Chandirani Mukunda

Singer Some of the well-known songs sung by Relangi are in the following movies: Year Film Song 1949 Gunasundari Katha "Adive Eduraivachche Daka Padara Munduku Padipodam" 1951 Patala Bhairavi "Talalene Ne Talalene""Vinave Bala Naa Prema Gola" 1952 Dharma Devata "Virise Vennelalo" 1954 Vipra Narayana "Aadadhi Ante Layam Layam Aa Needantene Bhayam Bhayam" Pedda Manushulu "Siva Siva Moortivi Gananaadhaa" 1955 Missamma "Dharmam Cheyyi Babu Kaani Dharmam""Seetaram Seetaram Seetaram Jai Seetaram" 1966 Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha

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

Awards and legacy 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.