Remembering a comedy maestro
P. SURYA RAO
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Fans and friends raise a toast to Veerabhadra Rao’s genius, both on stage and off it.
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Veerabhadra Rao’s talent was brought to fore by Jandhyala.
‘Sutti’ Veerabhadra Rao, as he was popularly known in the film and stage world, was a refined comedian and a veteran actor who died an untimely death in his fifties. Before entering films, he worked in All India Radio, Vijayawada. A scene stealer in movies, stage plays and radio plays, Veerabhadra Rao’s talent was mainly discovered by late movie director and writer Jandhyala. His hilarious comedy characters in many of the Jandhyala movies were all-time hits.
The Abhiruchi Samskritika Samithi of Vijayawada, though belatedly, has taken up the task of conducting Veerabhadra Rao’s annual anniversary celebrations. This year, the Jayanthi function was held at Sri Sivaramakrishna Kshetram, with a large number of the actor’s former associates and his innumerable fans attending. The function was chaired by P. Krishnaji, president of Abhiruchi.
Speaking on the occasion, P. Panduranga Rao, retired AIR director and founder-president of Abhiruchi, and M.C. Das, veteran stage actor and educationalist, fondly recalled Veerabhadra Rao’s acting talent, his friendliness and lively personality. Veteran artistes Maddali Suseela and Y. Rajakumari also paid tribute to the actor.
Well-known singer, former staffer of AIR and a close associate of Veerabhadra Rao, Malladi Suribabu, was fittingly honoured on the occasion by Abhiruchi. The programme was compered in a lively manner by Madugula Ramakrishna of AIR.
The Hasya Kavi sammelanam that followed was hilarious. With participants including G. Sambasiva Rao, Koka Vimala Kumari and U. Jagadeeswara Rao, it was conducted efficiently by G.V. Poornachand, secretary of Krishna District Writers’ Association.
The programme closed with the vote of thanks proposed by D. Anjaneyaraju, joint secretary of Abhiruchi.
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