C. S. R. Anjaneyulu

Chilakalapudi Seeta Rama Anjaneyulu (11 July 1907 – 8 October 1963[1]), popularly known as C. S. R., was an Indian film method actor, and thespian best known for his works in Telugu cinema, and Telugu theater. He acted in many stage dramas and portrayed lead characters and mythological roles in over 175 movies. He was one of the lead actors of his time.[2][3] Anjaneyulu was an established lead actor by the late 1930s, preceding the entrance of actors such as NTR and ANR. His performance in the super-hit Bhaktha Ramadasu in 1937 won him many accolades. In the 1950s, starting with Pathala Bhairavi screened at the first International Film Festival of India, he began acting in character roles. In Pathala Bhairavi, he plays a king worried about his daughter, a princess kidnapped by a wicked magician played by Ranga Rao.[3]

C. S. R. Anjaneyulu
Born
Chilakalapudi Seeta Rama Anjaneyulu

(1907-07-11)11 July 1907
Chilakalapudi, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Died8 October 1963(1963-10-08) (aged 56)
OccupationActor
thespian
Years active1932–1962

He was noted for portraying mythological and historical roles such as Krishna, Ramadasu, Sarangadhara, Bhavani Sankar, Tukaram and Satyavantha.[4] He also acted as Lord Venkateswara in Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam, one of director P. Pulliah's first successful films.[5] In the 1953 film Devadasu, he portrayed an aged widower zamindar, alongside Savitri, who acts as his wife. His other acclaimed character roles include Sakuni (a character from Mahabharatha) in Mayabazar. His other acclaimed acting credits include Rojulu Marayi, Gruhapravesam,[6] Illarikam, Kanyasulkam and Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu. His directorial credits include the 1939 allegorical melodrama, Jayapradha.[7]

Early life

He was born on 11 July 1907 in a Telugu family at Chilakalapudi near Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh. His father, Lakshmi Narasimha Murthy, used to work in Revenue department. He later moved to Ponnur in Guntur district. After school final studies, he worked as a co-operative supervisor for some time. Instead of pursuing further studies, he choose to enter the field of drama. In a short time, he reached a position comparable to Sthanam Narasimha Rao, D. V. Subba Rao, Parupalli, Addanki and others.[2]

He played Sri Krishna in Sri Krishna Tulabaram and Radhakrishna, Ramadas in Bhakta Ramadasu and Tukaram in Bhakta Tukaram, which got him wide recognition. He was also a natural singer, particularly in poems. He was a national activist. He directed and produced Patita Pavana, a drama on Untouchability. He contributed Rs. 10,000 to the Indian National Army of Subhas Chandra Bose collected through donations by playing his Tukaram drama.[2]

Personal life

He had two younger sisters and two younger brothers. One brother, C. S. Nageswara Rao, was the assistant director for movies including Suvarna Sundari, Gunasundari Katha and Mayabazar. Another brother, C. Venkata Rathnam (better known as C. V. Rathnam), was with Bharani Pictures & Studios and was the production manager for all the films produced by actress Bhanumathi Ramakrishna.[2]

Filmography
YearTitleRoleNotes
1932 Rama Paduka Pattabhishekam
1936 Draupadi Vastrapaharanam Krishna
1938 Thukkaram Tukaram (Thukkaram)
1939 Jayaprada Actor and Director of the film
Balaji Venkateswara
1941 Talliprema Krishna Rao
Choodamani Madhusudhan
1942 Sumati
1945 Mayalokam
Paduka Pattabhishekam Sri Rama
1947 Ratnamala
1949 Jeevitham
1950 Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha Paramanandayya
1951 Pathala Bhairavi Malathi's Father; King of Ujjaini
1952 Pelli Chesi Choodu
Prema
1953 Chandirani
Devadasu
1954 Kanyadanam
Chakrapani Chakrapani
1955 Kanyasulkam Ramappa Pantulu
Rojulu Marayi Zamindar Sagarayya
1956 Bhale Ramudu Gumasta at the Zamindar
Chiranjeevulu
Sonta Ooru
1957 Bhagya Rekha
Mayabazar Sakuni
Suvarna Sundari
1958 Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu Rao Bahadur Ramadasu
1959 Illarikam Govindayya
1960 Annapoorna
Mahakavi Kalidasu
1961 Jagadeka Veeruni Katha Badarayani Praggada
Bhakta Kuchela Kuchelan Malayalam Cinema
1962 Chitti Tammudu Ansari
1964 Bobbili Yudham Lakshmanna

References
  1. C.S.R. Anjaneyulu at Nataratnalu by Mikkilineni Radhakrishna Murthy, 2nd ed. 2002, pp:50–53.
  2. "CSR centenary celebrations – HYDB – The Hindu". Hinduonnet.com. 7 July 2006. Archived from the original on 24 February 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  3. "Draupadi Vasthrapaharanam (1936) – Vijayawada". The Hindu. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  4. "CSR's centenary celebrations from July 11 – ANDHRA PRADESH". The Hindu. 14 June 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  5. "P Pulliah's Evergreen Magnum Opus (Venkateswara Mahathyam)". Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  6. Webster, Andy. "Movie Reviews". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  7. Webster, Andy. "Movie Reviews". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
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