Man of many shades
Profile Patronage for theatre arts and artistes must improve, opines Maddali Janakinath. B. V. S Bhaskar
Leading life as a stage artiste for 50 years isn’t easy. Nor is getting Nandi Awards from the state government and recognition from Potti Sriramulu Telugu University for theatre. Only one artist, Maddali Janakinath, could achieve this.
Janakinath proved that people can remember even character artistes, not only hero, heroine, villain and comedians. Such is his personality that people of Rajahmundry call him “SP garu” for his performance as Superintendent of Police (SP) character in the play Sanchalanam. The role not only brought him the third Nandi Award from the State government in 2013 but the play also won 21 awards from different cultural organisations, including USA-based Abho-Vibho.
“His articulation, modulation, bass voice and exemplary expressions are his strengths. No character actor could display such talent with good timing and synchronisation with other characters in a play,” said his mentor late Prasadamurthy, who founded the cultural organisation Kalavani.
Some of Janakinath’s roles in plays are unforgettable — Barmen, the character of a British officer inVeerapandya Katta Bramhanna, the touching old man in Alarasa Puttillu and of Bulusu Sambamurthy in Amarajeevi a play for which he also gave a background voice.
His first Nandi award for Best Character Actor in 2008 was given for his portrayal of ‘Share Khan’ character in Santhi Yatra, a play staged during the Vizianagaram Nandi Natakotsavams. He got his second Nandi Award in 2010 for his great performance as Phule in Mahatma Jyothi Rao Phule play in Khammam. The third Nandi in 2013 was for his SP character in Sanchalanam .
Janakinath was born on 23 April 1950 in Mangalagiri, a pilgrim centre in Guntur district and spent his childhood in Munnagi village near Tenali. His stage debut happened at the age of 12 when he was asked to act in lead role in Nirudyogi ; he won the best actor award for it. He went on to act in many plays in Guntur Hindu College while pursuing B.A. Degree. He was also a member of Tenali’s famous cultural organisation Abhudaya Kalasamiti and Guntur’s Vasanthavani Theaters.
Then his family moved to the cultural capital of the state — Rajahmundry. This was a major turning point in his life and he was invited by Railway Institute Nataka Samajam, where he was given an important character in Devudoo nidra le play. Here he also had an opportunity to meet the legendary playwright-director Tammareddi Janaki Ramanatham. Naagulu Thirige Konalo was their first play.
Janaki Ramanatham penned and directed Nannayya Maha Bharatham , in which Janakinath was given Dronacharya character. He was also asked to give commentary for the Nannayya Maha Bharatham . Once, when the troupe staged the play in Madras N.T. Ramarao was particularly impressed by Janakinath’s commentary and portrayal of the character of Dronacharya; he even lauded and felicitated Janakinath. The play was also staged at Sri Venkateswara University and Sriharikota.
Janakinath was an ‘A’ grade artiste at All India Radio, Vijayawada, and a regular artiste in Doordarshan and other TV channels. “Stage plays are getting support in other states, particularly in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The AP government’s support is very meagre, particularly the pension for aged stage artistes is a negligible amount. The government should see that it should be increased immediately; at the same time youth should be given training in theatre arts,” opines Janakinath who wants to continue his journey till his last breath
