Kongara Jaggaiah

Jaggaiah was born on December 31, 1928 in Morampudi village near Tenali in Guntur District. He started acting at the age of 11 with the Hindi play 'Lava'. He joined Congress Party while he was a student before Independence. After completing his studies, he joined a periodical named 'Deshabhimani' as a journalist and later he worked as an editor for 'Andhra Republic'. He later studied in the Andhra-Christian College in Guntur, where N. T. Rama Rao also studied at the same time. Both of them acted together in several plays. Jaggaiah won the best actor award in three successive years. He got trained in the art of painting under the guidance of Adivi Bapiraju, a famous painter. He worked as a teacher for sometime and later worked as a news reader in Telugu at the All India Radio for three years.

He debut film was 'Priyuralu' as a hero. Later he acted as hero, second lead, comedian, character artist and villain in several movies. He was famous for his strong voice. He also worked as a dubbing artist for many films. He was popularly known as 'Kanchu Kantam' Jaggaiah.

Jaggayya was allied with the socialist group within the Congress party. When the group was disbanded, he joined Jayaprakash Narayan's Praja Socialist Party, but returned to Congress in 1956. In 1967, he was elected as a member Lok Sabha from the constituency of Ongole. He was the first Indian film actor to be elected as a member of parliament.

He translated Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's Geetanjali into telugu under the name Ravindra Geetha. He also translated Tagore's play "Sacrifice" into Telugu under the name Balidaanam. He received Padma Bhushan Award from the Government of India. He got the title of Kala Vachaspathi from the Sanskrit Viswa Vidyalaya, Delhi . He got the honorary doctorate in literature from the Telugu University, Hyderabad. He received the title of Kalaimamani from Tamil Nadu government and Kalaprapurna from Andhra University. He also procuded a movie 'Padandi Munduku' which won Rs. 50,000/- cash award from the government of Andhra Pradesh. He passed away due to heart failure on March 5, 2004

Filmography

1. Detective Naarada (1993)
2. Joker (1993)
3. Alludugaru (1990)
4. Jeevana Ganga (1988)
5. Pasivadi Pranam (1987)
6. Aradhana (1987)
7. Presidentgari Abbayi (1987)
8. Ramu (1987)
9. Chantabbai (1986)
10. Veta (1986)
11. Kiraathakudu (1986)
12. Vijetha (1985)
13. Adavi Donga (1985)
14. Swathi (1985)
15. Anubandham (1984)
16. Disco King (1984)
17. Meghasandesam (1983)
18. YamaKinkarudu (1982)
19. Bobbili Puli (1982)
20. Nyayam Kavali (1981)
21. Seethakoka Chilaka (1981)
22. Ram Robert Rahim (1980)
23. Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam (1976)
24. Paadipantalu (1976)
25. Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club (1976)
26. Alluri Seetharama Raju (1974)
27. Deeksha (1974)
28. Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973)
29. Badi Panthulu (1972)
30. Chinnanaati Snehithulu (1971)
31. Shrimanthudu (1971)
32. Thalli Thandrulu (1970)
33. Adrushtavanthalu (1969)
34. Prana Mithrulu (1967)
35. Manase Mandiram (1966)
36. Navarathri (1966)
37. Antastulu (1965)
38. Gudi Gantalu (1965)
39. Manashulu Mamatalu (1965)
40. Preminchi Choodu (1965)
41. Sumangali (1965)
42. Uyyala Jampala (1965)
43. Aatma Balam (1964)
44. Dr. Chakravarthy (1964)
45. Manchi Manishi (1964)
46. Poojaphalam (1964)
47. Velugu Needalu (1964)
48. Aradhana (1962)
49. Constable Koothuru (1962)
50. Intiki Deepam Illalu (1961)
51. Pelli Kaanuka (1960)
52. Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1958)
53. Mundadugu (1958)
54. Aalu Magalu (1957)
55. Bhale Bava (1957)
56. M.L.A. (1957)
57. Todi Kodallu (1957)
58. Varudu Kavali (1957)
59. Veera Kankanam (1957)
60. Edi Nijam (1956)
61. Muddu Bidda (1956)
62. Donga Ramudu (1955)
63. Ardhangi (1955)
64. Bangaru Papa (1954)
65. Adarsham (1952)
66. Priyuralu (1952)