Vemuri Gaggaiah

Vemuri Gaggaiah (1895–1955) was a Telugu theater and film actor. He was well known for the horrifying cruel roles.

Life sketch

Gaggaiah was born in 1895 at Vemuru in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. He lost his father in early childhood. His elder brother tried to educate him but failed in his efforts. He married Ramalaxmi in 1913.

During those days, Surabhi Drama company used to be played throughout the Andhra Pradesh and attracts huge crowds. Influenced by this, he learned music and singing songs. He joined the same troupe and acted in many plays touring with them.

He was an important member of the Bala Bharathi Nataka Samajam in Mylavaram, Krishna district during 1913-28. This was popularly called "Mylavaram Theatre". Gaggaiah became a household name. He won recognition as Yama, god of death, in Sati Savitri, as the demon Hiranyakasipu in Bhakta Prahlada. Some other prominent roles were as the eponymous Mymvana, and as Jalandhara in Sati Tulasi.

His theatrical performances made C. Pullayya to persuade to him to enter Telugu filmdom. His debut in Telugu film industry with Savitri in 1933 as Yamadharma raja. It was followed by the evil Kamsa in Sri Krishna Leelalu (1935) and the womanizer in Chandika (1940).