On Sunday, February 16, the news of the passing of veteran actress, singer and producer C. Krishnaveni, 100, in Film Nagar, Hyderabad, was met with fond tributes by members of the Telugu film industry. Born on December 24, 1924, in Pangidi, West Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, she was a pioneer in Telugu cinema. As one of the industry’s earliest female actors and producers, she launched actors and composers who carved a niche for themselves in the following decades, the prominent among them being the late actor and former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh N.T. Rama Rao. She also introduced singer Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao as a composer.
The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, the Movie Artistes Association and the Telugu Film Producers’ Council issued statements recalling her contribution to cinema and mourning her passing. Condolences poured in from the Governor of Andhra Pradesh S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna, who termed her demise a personal loss. On Monday, members of the industry continued to pay tributes by visiting her residence in Film Nagar, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.
A theatre artiste, Krishnaveni worked as a child actor in the 1935 film Sati Anasuya. Her filmography includes Kacha Devayani, Dakshayagnam, Bhishma, Brahma Ratham, Bhakta Prahlada, Mana Desam and Perantalu, among others. Spearheading Shobanachala Studios in Chennai, she produced Bhakta Prahlada, Mana Desam, Lakshmamma and Dampatyam. Among these, Mana Desam was significant as it marked the debut of NTR.
Krishnaveni also sung for the films Keelu Gurram and Bala Mitrula Katha. In recognition of her contributions to cinema, Krishnaveni was honoured with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2004.
Published – February 17, 2025 04:34 pm IST
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