Original Lava-Kusa

Artistes can be categorized into born, made, hereditary, forgotten, unnoticed and un-recognized. Vincent Van Gogh, the greatest 19th-century painter from Holland has to wait until his tragic death in 1890 for the world to notice his greatness.

Film Industry being a commercial media is highly competitive in its nature. Obviously 'Darwinism' operates at every stage. Right from getting a role in the film to the stage of demanding the govt. for a land under artistes quota. Contrary to this, there are few highly deserving artistes who keep themselves aloof & remain unnoticed, in spite of their excellent proven talent. Nagaraju and Subrahmanyam, the filmy-twins of the yesteryears represent this category.

This programme had bought in great artiste-duo, Nagaraju and Subrahmanyam in a common platform after a long gap of 43 years of the release of the film 'Lava Kusa'. Important scenes of the film were also screened amidst applause of thousands of audiences. The overwhelming response for this programme reminds the past glory of the film 'Lava Kusa' the first recorded color film of Tollywood. The production of this movie started in the year 1958 and was released in 1963. The tremendous success of the movie had brought in huge financial gains to the producers and also National Awards.

The theme of this film has its origin in 'Uttara Ramayana', the story of post-Sri Rama  Pattabhishekam. The story line moves around the Twins: Lava, Kusa born to Sri Rama and Sita, during her exile. It finally ends with the union of Rama with his twin sons and Sita enters into her mother-earth. Master Nagaraju and Master Subrahmanyam played the roles of Lava & Kusa at that time. The movie was a tremendous success for its melodious songs, music and superb action of these two kids.

Unfortunately, the highly competitive industry did not allow them to convert their talent & fame to establish in this field. Consequently those who created a history through their performances as back as four decades, are now in desperate position and unable to meet both ends. In spite of their immense talent, glamour they had to remain unnoticed.

  

Both Nagaraju & Subramanyam hail from highly talented artiste families with a filmi-background.

While Mr. Nagaraju who played as 'Lava'  still struggling to make his 'existence' in the tollywood at Chennai, Mr.Subramanyam played as 'Kusa' leading his life as a tailor in the remote Amalapuram. The touching part is that 'Nagaraju' himself confirmed his 'physical existence' on the 'Dias' removing apprehensions that he 'is no more'. 

He started his filmy-career at the age of eight with the film 'Bhakta Ramdas': Chittor Nagaih's film. The movie started in the year 1957 and was released in 1965.

His father Sri AV Subba Rao, a senior artiste played important roles in movies like 'Kelu Gurram & Palleturi pilla'.

Nagaraju - 

Nagaraju being the only son, started acting in 'Lava Kusa' at the age of 9 in 1958 and continued with movies like Sepoy kuthuru ,Tiger Ramudu, Annadammulu, LaxmiKataksham, Sampurna Ramayanam,Satynarayanavratha Mahatyam, Bhishma,Sitaramakalyanam, Anthasthulu , Krishnavataram, Chakradhari, Vinayakavijayam,Astalakshmi Vaibhavam.

Besides playing as Lava, his major assets are his roles as Lakshmana in Sampoorna Ramayanam & Narada in other movies. He even excelled in the role of Lord Krishna in the theatre. He still remains unnoticed even after this qualitative profile.

In his own words:

•  "I am 57-years young, still with the same zeal & enthusiasm"
•  "I don't want to go with a begging bowl for a role"
•  "It is really unfortunate that the Industry totally ignored us"
•  "The state of impoverishment, made me dumb in front of media"
•  "With renewed enthusiasm ready to gallop into the second innings"
•  "Need a slight push to exhibit my proven talents"
•  "Not as a charity, but a plea to recollect my excellence and provide an opportunity" 
•  "Ready to take up assignments even in channels, as we have number of Telugu channels"

Subramanyam - 

Mr. Subramanyam, acted as Kusa, son of the artist V.Subba Rao, who contributed his entire life to the theatre.

His father taught him Burakatha at the age of three and then entered to the theatre. He received a thorough training for nearly two years to perform the role in Lava Kusa. Finally he was successful in 1958, with the first performance at Majestic Theater, Kakinada.

Veteran Director C. Pullaih & Producer Shankar Reddy personally attended the play and were very much impressed by the performance and offered a role in the film. He was just 11-years old  at that time. 

That made him to move to Madras along with his father and brother. Since the film took 5 years to complete, he acted in films like Velugu-needalu, Sitarama Kalyanam (as Balaramudu), Venkateswara Mahatyam. He had bitter experiences even when the film was in making.

In his own words:

•  "I had entered into the Industry with full fledged confidence to excel in the silver screen"
•  "I was kept waiting for a period of 6 months in Madras to confirm my role" 
•  "In the meanwhile the one of the production executives used to get other artistes for the same role, probably for his commission" 
•  "It was not at all a safe journey even after confirmation. The irregular payment of salary was not sufficient for a family of three members in Madras"
•  "My survival would have been impossible without Producer Adinarayana rao and his wife Anjali Devi, who are related to us" 
•  "With this unpleasant experience in the film industry I went back to my home town and never returned to the industry"
•  "Of course my family circumstances also made me  remain in my native place"
•  "I was totally unnoticed until MAA TV reporter spotted me".
•  "I really wonder as to why the Industry totally ignored us?
•  "Acting talents are still fresh in me, with this new exposure I would like to act once again" 

These statements need no explanation to reflect the self respect & positive attitude of these filmy-twins.

Let us hope at least now the Industry could take notice of them not just to make them survive, but bring back the glory of the past by successfully tapping their rare talent before it is too late.