Jamuna (actress)
Jamuna (born 30 August 1936) is an Indian actress, director and politician who appeared mainly in Telugu films. She made her acting debut at the age of 16 in Dr. Garikapati Rajarao's "Puttillu" (1953), and received her breakthrough with L. V. Prasad "Missamma". Her portfolio also includes Hindi, Kannada and Tamil movies. She won a Filmfare Award and a award at Filmfare Awards South. She was a Member of Parliament in the 9th Lok Sabha (1989–1991) representing the Rajahmundry constituency. Early life. Jamuna was born in Hampi of present-day Karnataka to Nippani Srinivasa Rao and Kowsalyadevi . She was named Jana Bai. She grew up in Duggirala, Guntur District in Andhra Pradesh state, India. When Savitri was performing drama in Duggirala, she stayed in Jamuna's house. Later, Savitri invited Jamuna to act in films. She entered as heroine in movies at the age of 14. Jamuna's mother tongue is Kannada. Film career. Jamuna was a stage artist in school. Her mother taught her vocal music and harmonium. Dr. Garikipati Raja Rao (see Indian People's Theatre Association IPTA) watched her stage show "Maa Bhoomi" and gave her offer to act in his movie "Puttillu" in  1952. She acted in 198 films in Telugu and other south Indian languages. She also acted in Hindi films, winning the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for "Milan" (1967), repeating her role from the original Telugu film "Mooga Manasulu" (1964). She also established Telugu artist association and doing social service through it for the last 25 years. Political career. Jamuna joined the Congress party in 1980s and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Rajahmundry constituency in 1989. She lost the 1991 election and quit politics but briefly campaigned for the BJP in the late 1990s during Atal Bihari Vajpayee 's tenure. Personal life. Jamuna married Professor Juluri Ramana Rao, a zoology professor in Osmania University, in 1965; he died on 10 November 2014 aged 86 due to cardiac arrest. They have a son, Vamsee Juluri and daughter, Sravanthi. They live in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.