Chitrapu Narayanamurthy(1913-85)

Telugu director born in Masulipatnam, AP. Early work on Telugu stage in National Theatres troupe which staged mythologicals, including Bhakta Markandeya, the subject of his first film. Introduced to films by Pinapala Venkatadasu, founder of Vel Pics Studio. Worked as assistant and later as film editor in brother Chitrapu Narasimha Rao’s films. First break with G. Balaramaiah’s Kubera Studio (1938), but made best-known films at Shobhanachala Studio until mid-40s as the studio’s top director of Burrakatha-inspired folklore movies. Attempted independent production with Venkatramana Pics (1944). By early 50s had moved largely into the more lucrative Tamil industry where, in addition to freelancing for smaller producers, he worked at AVM which produced his last film, a Telugu- Tamil remake of his 1942 hit Bhakta Prahlada.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1938: Markandeya; 1940: Mahiravana; 1941: Dakshayagnam; 1942: Bhakta Prahlada; 1944: Bhakta Kabir; Bhishma; Samsara Naradi; 1947: Brahma Ratham; 1948: Madalasa; 1949: Brahma Ratham; 1952: En Thangai; 1953: Naa Chellelu; 1954: Ethirparadathu; 1956: Nagula Chaviti/Adarshasati?; Naga Panchami; 1957: Pathni Daivam; 1958: Manamalai; Annaiyin Aanai; Naan Valartha Thangai; 1959: Daivame Thunai; 1960: Bhakta Shabari; 1961: Krishna Kuchela; Tallichina Ajna; 1963: Chittor Rani Padmini; 1964: Pativrata; 1967: Bhakta Prahlada