Sthanam Narasimha Rao (Indian Actors)
STHANAM NARASIMHA RAO (1902 - 1971)
*Today is remembered as the birthday of a great actor*
Popularly known as Sthanam, was born in Bapatla and had education in Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam. He is an Indian Actor known for his works in Telugu Theatre and Telugu Cinema. He was known for playing female characters and was a recipient of Padma Sri (1956), Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1961). His depiction of the Sringara rasa as
Satyabhama in Sri Krishna Tulabharam kept audiences spellbound. Equally enchanting performances in Roshanara, Deva Devi in Vipranarayana and the epominous Chintamani made his place permanent. His most memorable acting, however was as Maduravani in Gurujada Appa Rao's comedy Kanyasulkam.
Sthanam had over 1500 performances to his credit. His production of classics on All India Radio include Kanyasulkam and Ganapathi. He acted in Telugu Radhakrishna in 1939 and Satyabhama in 1941 and authored a book about his vast experience entitled 'Natasthanam'. He wrote the song "Meerajalagalada" for movie "Sri Krishna Tulabharam'. Which became a hit with the rendering by P.Suseela and action of Jamuna as Satyabhama.
Sthanam was falicitated in Rangoon and gifted Golden Crown in 1938. His Shashtipoorthi was grandly celebrated in 1962 at Hyderabad.
TRIVIA:
My father used to like the song Meerajalagalada and appreciated Jamuna's performance as well as P.Suseela's singing. This song was one of his favourites.
During my childhood days in Harapanahalli and Hospet (places mostly I spent) I have seen big drama companies putting up their sheds and playing different dramas(in Kannada). Some times there used to be two shows in a day. But I never had the opportunity to see the plays for economic reasons. Parents never used to encourage us.
Imagine those days when there were no cinema Talkies. Mostly Drama companies were working to entertain people. They used to enact plays of 4 - 5 hrs duration and the actors should come on the stage before the audience and enact their roles. They should know their dialogue by heart and sing songs in their own voice. They should wait with their makeup on, for hours together. The scenes were adjusted according to the situation using painted curtains and adjusting lights.The music composers and instrumentalists sit in front of the stage and give the sound effect as per the requirement. Inspite of these hardships the plays were very popular. Unless they are perfect in their art they cannot become popular.
The present day cinema is completely opposite. Short takes and retakes make the work of the actors easy. Actors need not be singers. Out door shooting and studio settings make the picture beautiful. The modern technology like graphics further improve the quality.
With all these improvement, the theater artists have become obscure and uncared for, even though they have talent.
SONG LINKS:
*You may be wondering why I am Posting the same song clip within a short period. It is aptly said that "Music is like a vast pasture land and the more you graze, the sweeter it grows." It is the same case here. The more you listen the more you start liking it. So...ENJOY.*
Sri Krishna Tulabharam Stage Clip - https://youtu.be/b2QSLSHHOPk
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