# V. Nagayya

Vuppaladadiyam Nagayya Sarma (28 March 1904 – 30 December 1973), popularly known as Chittoor Nagayya, was an Indian actor, singer, music composer, and director known for his works in Telugu cinema, Tamil cinema, and Telugu theatre. Nagayya was one of the first multilingual filmmakers in India. Indian film journalist Baburao Patel described Nagayya as "The Paul Muni of India". Nagayya was considered the best character actor in South Indian cinema during 1940s and 1950s. In 1965, he became the first South Indian actor to receive the Padma Shri in Arts from the Government of India for his contributions to Indian cinema.
Brought up in Chittoor, Nagayya was closely connected to Rama Vilasa Sabha, a Telugu theatre association in the city. He made his film debut in Gruhalakshmi (1938). He worked in several films of Vauhini Pictures such as Vande Mataram (1939), Sumangali (1940), Devata (1941), Swarga Seema (1945), and Beedhalapatlu (1947). Nagayya was also the protagonist in Viswa Mohini (1940), the first film on the Indian motion picture world.
Nagayya made significant contributions to Telugu cinema, and starred in about two hundred Telugu films. He was a method actor, and his forte was usually playing intense characters, often immersing himself in the study of the real character's traits and mannerisms. His other prominent film roles include the 14th-century poet Pothana in Bhakta Potana (1942), 17th-century saint Tyagaraja in Thyagayya (1946), 12th-century saint Gora Kumbhar in Chakradhari (1948), and Sivaram in the social problem film Naa Illu (1953).
In 1964, Nagayya essayed the 17th-century saint Bhadrachala Ramadasu in the film Ramadasu which he had also co-written, directed and produced. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. Nagayya also starred in about one hundred and sixty films in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. In his honour, the Chittoor Nagayya Kalakshetram of Arts was established in Chittoor of Andhra Pradesh.

## Early life

Nagayya was born on 28 March 1904 in a Telugu family in a tiny hamlet near Repalle, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. His parents were Ramalinga Sarma and Venkata Lakshmamba. His maternal grandmother adopted him and took him to her native village, Gonugur, near Kuppam and later to Chittoor. He took up studies with a scholarship provided by the Tirupati Devasthanam and took his degree in Chittoor.
After working as a clerk in a government office, Nagayya became a journalist with Andhra Patrika. Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru influenced him and he participated in the freedom struggle (Dandi Satyagraha) in 1930, later going on to work for some gramophone companies including Hutchins as well as attending the Gowhati Congress conclave with S. Srinivasa Iyyengar. He was married to Jaya Lakshmi, but she died giving birth to a daughter a year after. He then married Girija, and she too died due to miscarriage in the eighth month. His first daughter died of an undiagnosed illness. He then participated in long stays at Ramana Maharshi Ashram. He had family in Tirupati who are his brother's (Vuppaladadiyam Subrahmanya Sarma) son, Vuppaladadiyam S. Haragopal and daughters (Late Amruthavalli and Late Kusuma), Lakshmi Narasimha and their children, Vuppaladadiyam Shyam Sundar and Vuppaladadiyam Pavan Kumar.

## Accolades
### Civilian Awards

* Padmashri, Government of India in 1965

### National honors

* Abinava Thyagaraju by the Maharaja of Travancore

### National Film Awards

* National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu (director) – 1964 for Ramadasu

### State Awards

* Best Actor Award by the Andhra Film Journalists Association
* Felicitated by a life size statue in Panagal Park, Chennai at his demise.

## Selected filmography
### Actor

| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
| 1938 | Gruhalakshmi | Gopinath | Telugu | |
| 1939 | Vande Mataram | Raghu | Telugu | |
| 1940 | Viswa Mohini | A Film Director | Telugu | |
| 1940 | Sumangali | Panthulu | Telugu | |
| 1941 | Devatha | Venu | Telugu | |
| 1941 | Ashok Kumar | King Ashoka | Tamil | |
| 1943 | Bhakta Potana | Pothana | Telugu | |
| 1943 | Bhagyalakshmi | Srinivasa Rao | Telugu | |
| 1944 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Chenchu Lakshmi's Father | Telugu | |
| 1945 | Swargaseema | Murthy | Telugu | |
| 1945 | Meera | King of Mewar | Hindi / Tamil | |
| 1946 | Tyagayya | Tyagayya | Telugu | |
| 1947 | Yogi Vemana | Vemana | Telugu | |
| 1948 | Chakradhari | Korakumbar | Tamil | |
| 1948 | Bhaktha Jana | Namadeva | Tamil | |
| 1949 | Mana Desam | | Telugu | |
| 1949 | Navajeevanam | Mahadevan | Tamil | |
| 1950 | Ezhai Padum Padu | Kandan | Tamil | |
| 1950 | Beedala Patlu | | Telugu | |
| 1951 | Sarvadhikari | | Tamil | |
| 1952 | Thai Ullam | | Tamil | |
| 1953 | Ulagam | | Tamil | |
| 1953 | Prapancham | | Telugu | |
| 1953 | Penn | | Tamil | |
| 1953 | Panakkari | | Tamil | |
| 1953 | Naa Illu | Sivaram | Telugu | |
| 1953 | Ladki | Kamini's father | Hindi | |
| 1953 | Gumastha | Ranganatham | Tamil | |
| 1953 | Gumasta | Ranganatham | Telugu | |
| 1953 | En Veedu | Shivram | Tamil | |
| 1954 | Viduthalai | Periaswamy | Tamil | |
| 1954 | Thuli Visham | | Tamil | |
| 1954 | Maa Gopi | | Telugu | |
| 1954 | Edhir Paradhathu | Dayaparar | Tamil | |
| 1954 | Prapancham | | Telugu | |
| 1954 | Sangham | | Telugu | |
| 1955 | Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam | | Tamil | |
| 1955 | Anarkali | Raja Mansingh | Telugu | |
| 1955 | Nam Kuzhandai | | Tamil | |
| 1956 | Tenali Ramakrishna | Mahamantri Thimmarusu | Telugu | |
| 1956 | Uma Sundari | | Telugu | |
| 1956 | Pennin Perumai | Zamindar, father of Ragunathan / Nagendran | Tamil | |
| 1956 | Naga Panchami | | Telugu | |
| 1956 | Muddu Bidda | | Telugu | |
| 1956 | Marmaveeran | | Tamil | |
| 1956 | Asai | | Tamil | |
| 1956 | Bhaktha Markandeya | | Tamil, Kannada | |
| 1956 | Amara Deepam | | Tamil | |
| 1956 | Tenali Raman | Appaji | Tamil | |
| 1957 | Yaar Paiyyan | | Tamil | |
| 1957 | Vanangamudi | | Tamil | |
| 1957 | Sati Savitri | | Telugu | |
| 1957 | Panduranga Mahatyam | Jahnavi | Telugu | |
| 1957 | Nala Damayanti | | Tamil | |
| 1957 | Nala Damayanti | | Telugu | |
| 1957 | Ambikapathy | Raja Kulothunga Chola I, the father of Amaravathi | Tamil | |
| 1958 | Piya Milan | | Hindi | |
| 1958 | Sampoorna Ramayanam | | Telugu | |
| 1958 | Pathi Bhakti | Butha Bhikshu | Tamil | guest appearance |
| 1958 | Parvati Kalyanam | | Telugu | |
| 1958 | Ettuku Pai Ettu | | Telugu | |
| 1958 | Bommala Pelli | Perayya | Telugu | |
| 1958 | Bommai Kalyanam | Varadarajan | Tamil | |
| 1958 | Illarame Nallaram | | Tamil | |
| 1959 | Jayabheri | Viswambhara Sastri | Telugu | |
| 1959 | Sahodhari | Pazhani, father of Chandiran and Meena | Tamil | |
| 1959 | Nalla Theerpu | | Tamil | |
| 1959 | Mahishasura Mardini | Shukracharya | Kannada | |
| 1959 | Kalaivanan | | Tamil | |
| 1959 | Banda Ramudu | | Telugu | |
| 1960 | Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam | Bhavaji | Telugu | |
| 1960 | Abhimanam | | Telugu | |
| 1961 | Seetha Rama Kalyanam | Dasarathudu | Telugu | |
| 1961 | Intiki Deepam Illale | | Telugu | |
| 1961 | Vagdanam | Vishwanatham (Vijaya's father) | Telugu | |
| 1961 | Sabash Raja | | Telugu | |
| 1961 | Paava Mannippu | | Tamil | |
| 1961 | Nichaya Thamboolam | Ramanna, a teacher who is the father of Seetha (Jamuna) | Tamil | |
| 1961 | Nagarjuna | | Telugu | |
| 1961 | Kappalottiya Thamizhan | Ulaganatha Pillai | Tamil | |
| 1961 | Ellam Unakkaga | | Tamil | |
| 1961 | Thirudathe | | Tamil | |
| 1961 | Palum Pazhamum | | Tamil | |
| 1961 | Manapanthal | | Tamil | |
| 1962 | Gaali Medalu | Ranganatham the father of Krishna (NTR) | Telugu | |
| 1962 | Dakshayagnam | Dadhichi | Tamil | |
| 1962 | Dakshayagnam | Dadhichi | Telugu | |
| 1962 | Swarnamanjari | | Telugu | |
| 1962 | Aalayamani | | Tamil | |
| 1962 | Valar Pirai | | Tamil | |
| 1962 | Thendral Veesum | | Tamil | |
| 1962 | Siri Sampadalu | Nayudu | Telugu | |
| 1962 | Shantinivasam | Ramadasu the father of four children | Telugu | |
| 1962 | Padandi Munduku | | Telugu | |
| 1963 | Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham | Akroora | Telugu | |
| 1963 | Lava Kusa | Valmiki Maharshi | Telugu | |
| 1963 | Amarshilpi Jakanachari | | | |
| 1963 | Naan Vanangum Dheivam | | Tamil | |
| 1963 | Naanum Oru Penn | | Tamil | |
| 1963 | Mani Osai | | | |
| 1963 | Lava Kusa | Valmiki | Hindu | |
| 1963 | Karpagam | The father of Amudha (Savitri) | Tamil | |
| 1963 | Bandipotu | Saluva Dharmanayaka | Telugu | |
| 1963 | Anuragam | | Telugu | |
| 1963 | Lakshadhikari | Lakshadhikari Rangaiah | Telugu | |
| 1964 | Bobbili Yudham | | Telugu | |
| 1964 | Ramadasu | Ramadasu | Telugu | |
| 1964 | Pachai Vilakku | Gopalayya | Tamil | |
| 1964 | Kai Koduttha Dheivam | Father of Latha | Tamil | |
| 1964 | Amarsilpi Jakanna | | Telugu | |
| 1964 | Aggi Pidugu | | Telugu | |
| 1964 | Aatma Balam | | Telugu | |
| 1964 | Amarashilpi Jakanachari | | Kannada | |
| 1964 | Chandavalliya Tota | | Kannada | |
| 1964 | Annapurna | Father of Annapurna | Kannada | |
| 1964 | Devatha | Father of Prasad | Telugu | |
| 1964 | Gudi Gantalu | | Telugu | |
| 1964 | Aandavan Kattalai | Doctor | Tamil | |
| 1965 | Sumangali | Venkata Chalam | Telugu | |
| 1965 | Satya Harishchandra | Vasistha Maharshi | Telugu | |
| 1965 | Devatha | | Telugu | |
| 1965 | Santhi | | Tamil | |
| 1965 | Preminchi Choodu | | Telugu | |
| 1965 | Enga Veetu Penn | | Tamil | |
| 1965 | Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima | Father of Pururava | Telugu | |
| 1965 | Veerabhimanyu | | Telugu | |
| 1965 | Dorikithe Dongalu | | Telugu | |
| 1966 | Sri Krishna Pandaviyam | | Telugu | |
| 1966 | Selvam | | Tamil | |
| 1966 | Shakuntala | | Telugu | |
| 1966 | Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha | Paramanandaiah | Telugu | |
| 1966 | Parakkum Paavai | | Tamil | |
| 1966 | Navarathri | | Telugu | |
| 1966 | Motor Sundaram Pillai | | Tamil | |
| 1966 | Bhakta Potana | Vyasa Maharshi | Telugu | |
| 1966 | Adugu Jaadalu | | Telugu | |
| 1966 | Aastiparulu | Diwan to Zamindar | Telugu | |
| 1966 | Sadhu Mirandal | Priest Micheal | Tamil | (Special Appearance) |
| 1966 | Saraswati Sabatham | Vidhyapathy father | Tamil | |
| 1966 | Srimathi | Himself | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Kanchukota | Raja Rajendra Bhupathi | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Sri Krishnavataram | Dhritarashtra | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Punyavathi | | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Veera Pooja | | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Rahasyam | | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Poola Rangadu | Veeraiya | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Pattukunte Padivelu | | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Iru Malargal | Sivasamy | Tamil | |
| 1967 | Bhama Vijayam | | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Maa Vadina | | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Private Master | Father of Private Master | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Marapurani Kadha | Madhava Rao | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Brahmachari | | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Ramu | | Tamil / Telugu | |
| 1968 | Deva kanya (1968 film) | | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Thillana Mohanambal | Shanmugasundaram's Nadaswara Guru | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Nindu Samsaram | | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Niluvu Dopidi | Swamiji the director of an orphanage | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Bandhavyalu | | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Veeranjaneya | Valmiki | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Uyarndha Manithan | Manickam | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Sri Rama Katha | Dasaratha | Telugu | |
| 1969 | Saptaswaralu | | Telugu | |
| 1969 | Nam Naadu | The school master Kandhaya | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Mooga Nomu | | Telugu | |
| 1969 | Deiva Magan | | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Jarigina Katha | Jagannatham | Telugu | |
| 1969 | Muhurtha Balam | Dharmaiah | Telugu | |
| 1969 | Annaiyum Pithavum | | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Aadarsa Kutumbam | | Telugu | |
| 1969 | Natakala Rayudu | Adiseshayya | Telugu | |
| 1970 | Akka Chellelu | Second judge | Telugu | |
| 1970 | Kaalam Vellum | | Tamil | (Guest Appearance) |
| 1970 | Amma Kosam | Zamindar Dharma Rao | Telugu | |
| 1970 | Vidhi Vilasam | Retd. Engineer, Nirmala's father | Telugu | |
| 1970 | Thaali Bottu | | Telugu | |
| 1970 | Engirundho Vandhaal | Dharmalingam | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Thalli Thandrulu | Raobahadur Perumallu | Telugu | |
| 1970 | Thabalkaran Thangai | | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Raman Ethanai Ramanadi | Director Nagaiya | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Kanmalar | | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Sorgam | Judge | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Srimanthudu | | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Prema Nagar | Doctor | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Vichithra Dampathyam | | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Pavitra Bandham | | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Anuradha | Judge | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Rowdilaku Rowdilu | Kailasam | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Vintha Samsaram | Church Father and mentor to 'Prestige' Padmanabham | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Sri Krishna Satya | | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Raitu Kutumbam | | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Kula Gourava | | Kannada | |
| 1971 | Jeevitha Chakram | Father of Raja (NTR) | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Iru Thuruvam | Teacher | Tamil | |
| 1971 | C.I.D.Raju | | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Thangaikkaaga | | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Ramalayam | Temple priest | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Pavitra Hrudayalu | Zamindar Bhujanga Rao | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Sampoorna Ramayanam | Vasishta Mahamuni | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Papam Pasivadu | Doctor | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Shakti Leelai | | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Pedda Koduku | | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Muhammad bin Tughluq | | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Neethi | Judge | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Nijam Nirupistha | Zamindar Jaggayya | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Iddaru Ammayilu | Laxman Rao | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Goodu Putani | | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Beedala Patlu | | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Bala Bharatam | | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Raja | Haridass | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Shakthi Leelai | Guruji | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Ganga Gauri | | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Inti Kodalu | | Telugu | |
| 1973 | Vishali | | Telugu | |
| 1973 | Sampoorna Ramayan | Vashisht Muni | | |
| 1973 | Desoddharakulu | | Telugu | |
| 1973 | Pattikaattu Ponnaiya | | Tamil | |
| 1973 | Panjaramlo Pasipapa | | Telugu | |
| 1973 | Puttinillu Mettinillu | | Telugu | |
| 1974 | Lav Kush | Valmiki | Hindi | |
| 1974 | Uttama Illalu | Narayana Rao | Telugu | |
| 1974 | Sivagamiyin Selvan | Church Father | Tamil | |
| 1974 | Inti Kodalu | | Telugu | |
| 1975 | Mallela Manasulu | Do-gooder who helps Annapurna and her children | Telugu | |
| 1976 | Tu Hi Ram Tu Hi Krishna | | Hindi | |
| 1976 | Kula Gowravam | | Tamil | |
| 1978 | Ennai Pol Oruvan | Sundaramoorthy's Father | Tamil | (final film role) |

#### Composer and play back singer

| Year | Title | Song |
| 1938 | Gruhalakshmi | Lendu Bharata Veerulara |
| 1953 | Gumasta | Oyi Parugekkadikoyi |
| 1953 | Prapancham | Anta Kooleelam Manamanta Kooleelam, Premasudha Sarasilo Hamsalamai |
| 1953 | Sangham | Jati Bhedam Samasipoda |
| 1954 | Maa Gopi | Sanubhoothiye Leda Jagatini, Amma Krishnamma Apacharamemitamma |
| 1956 | Bhakta Markandeya | Om Namasivaya, Jaya Jaya Sankara Sambasadasiva |
| 1956 | Naga Panchami | Sambho Mahadeva |
| 1956 | Muddu Bidda | Itulela Chesavaya O Devadeva |
| 1956 | Tenali Ramakrishna | Gandupilli Menu Marichi |
| 1956 | Tenali Ramakrishna | "Putrile Pambirukkum...Kottaiyile Oru Kaalatthile" |
| 1957 | Nala Damayanti | Ghorambaina Daavagni Keelakerayai |
| 1957 | Panduranga Mahatyam | Jaya Jaya Gokula Bala, Sannuti Seyave Manasa |
| 1962 | Swarnamanjari | Madhuramaina Guru Deevena |
| 1967 | Maa Vadina | Suthudilu Peeda Mandiramu (poem) |
| 1967 | Poola Rangadu | Chillara Rallaku Mokkutu Unte Chedipoduvura |

#### Playback singer

* Ramadasu (1964)
* Tenali Raman
* Gumasta (1953/II) (playback singer and composer)
* Naa Illu (1953) (playback singer and composer)
* Yogi Vemana (1947) (playback singer and composer)
* Thyagayya (1946) (playback singer and composer)
* Swargaseema (1945) (playback singer and composer)
* Bhakta Potana (1942) (playback singer and composer)
* Devatha (1941) (playback singer and composer)
* Sumangali (1940) (playback singer and composer)
* Viswa Mohini (1940) (playback singer)
* Vande Mataram (1939) (playback singer and composer)
* Gruhalakshmi (1938) (playback singer)

#### Director (partial filmography)

* Ramadasu (Telugu, 1964)
* En Veedu (Tamil, 1953)
* Naa Illu (Telugu, 1953)
* Thyagayya (Telugu, 1946)

#### Producer (partial filmography)

* Naa Illu (1953)

#### Writer (partial filmography)

* Thyagayya (1946)