Death of Telugu filmmaker, Bapu, on 31st August, 2014
One of the most noteworthy names in the industry of Telugu movies of South India, Sattiraju Lakshmi Narayana, who is most popularly known within the industry and its followers are Bapu, has passed away on the 31st of August, 2014, thus leaving the industry in shock and sadness. The versatile and multi- talented man, who was mainly famous as a film- maker was in his residence on Sunday, when his soul departed, following a cardiac arrest. At the age of 80 years, Bapu had been suffering from illness for several months prior to the cardiac arrest, according to the information given by his brother, Sattiraju Shankar Narayana. His last rites have been performed by his family, which includes his two sons and a daughter among others, on Monday in his residence.
Bapu’s like and career
Bapu was born on the 15th of December, 1933, and he was music artiste, painter and illustrator, designer and cartoonist, besides being one of the most npted directors and screenwriters of the Indian film industry. He began his career as a cartoonist in a Telugu newspaper known as Andhra Patrika. Then, in 1960, he started his film- making career with the film Sakshi, a Telugu movie for which the story, as well as the dialogues, was penned by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, his best friend. They worked together in many films which, till date, are considered quite memorable. Seetha Kalyanam, Pelli Pusthakam, Mister Pellam and Mutyala Muggu are some of the most memorable movies created by this collaboration. His works were often inspired from the stories of the Ramayana, of which some of the best were Ramanjeneya Yuddham, Sampoorna Ramayanam, etc. Even his last directorial venture was a mythological drama named Sri Rama Rajyam in the year 2011, after which, Ramana passed away, ending the 60 year old friendship and creative partnership in the industry. Bapu also worked in Bollywood, and some of his works in the Hindi entertainment industry are, Mera Dharam, Who Saat Din, Seeta Swayamwar, Anokhi Bhakt, Pyari Behna, Prem Pratiga, Mohabbat and Hum Paanch. He was the one who introduced Bollywood actor, Anil Kapoor, to the Telugu film industry. He also directed a Tamil movie called Neeti Devan Mayagugiran.
Honours and awards
During his career of more tthan four decades, Bapu was honoured with two National Awards, Filmfare Awards for Best Director for the movies, Vramsa Vruksham and Seeta Kalyanama, five Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Awards and also a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in the year 2012 for his huge contribution to the industry. He has also been bestowed upon by the Padma Shri honour from the Government of India in the year 2013. The Indian Institute of Cartoonists presented him with the Life Time Achievement Award in the year 2001, and he was also given the President of India Rashtrapati Award by the Academy of Fine Arts of Tirupati. Several of his films brought him great awards and honours. His works will remain a treasure for the industry, and he will be missed by the film industry of India.