Kota Sankara Rao honoured with SVR Memorial Award

Rich tributes were paid to actor SV Ranga Rao at a programme organised by the Vijayawada Cultural Academy at Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao Government Music and Dance College on Monday to mark his 42nd death anniversary.

Participating in the programme, Deputy Speaker of Assembly Mandali Buddha Prasad said SV Ranga Rao popularly known as SVR would remain forever in the hearts of Telugu and Tamil people for his marvellous acting skills. “He is one of the very few artistes of Telugu film industry who got universal fame, “the Deputy Speaker said.

Later, the SV Ranga Rao Memorial Award was presented to noted stage and film actor Kota Sankara Rao. Responding to the felicitation, Sankara Rao said it was a great honour for him to receive the award instituted in memory of the legendary actor.

Cultural programmes were staged to mark the occasion. Lekhya Bharani who presented Ashtapadi of Jayadeva and Tarana in Kathak style, won the applause of audience for her good ‘Padavinyasam’. Rupa Lakshmi, Anuhya and other disciples of Ghantasala Pavan Kumar performed dance items. A scene from ‘Pandava Udyoga Vijayalu’ of Tirupati Venkata Kavulu was also staged. Achanta Balaji Naidu as Duryodhana, Babu Rao as Sri Krishna and Venkateswarlu as Arjuna excelled in their respective roles.

MC Das, Potluri Hari Krishna, Koganti Satyanarayana, Pilla Lakshmi Prasad, AV Ramana, Manepalli Lakshmi Kumari, SV Ranga Rao’s grandson S Lakshmi Ranga Rao and others were present. Ambati Madhu Mohana Krishna presided. Cultural Academy founder secretary Seeram Subrahmanyam conducted the programme.