Mallemala Sundararami Reddy (M. S. Reddy), affectionately known as “Sahaja Kavi” (The Natural Poet), was a towering figure in Telugu cinema, leaving an indelible mark as a prolific producer, celebrated lyricist, and astute screenwriter. Born on August 15, 1924, in Alimili village near Nellore, British India, his journey from a modest background to a cinematic legend is an inspiring tale for all Nelloreans. He passed away on December 11, 2011, in Hyderabad, at the age of 87, but his contributions continue to resonate within the industry and beyond [1, 2, 4].
Reddy’s cinematic career, spanning from 1962 to 2011, saw him produce over 25 films under his banners Kaumudi Pictures and M. S. Arts. Many of these productions garnered critical acclaim and received prestigious accolades, including Nandi and National Awards. His filmography boasts several memorable titles such as Sri Krishna Vijayam (1971), Kode Nagu (1974), Muthyala Pallaki (1977), Palnati Simham (1985), Aahuthi (1987), Ankusam (1989), Ammoru (1995), Baala Ramayanam (1997), and Arundhati (2009). Notably, Baala Ramayanam, which featured an astounding 3,000 child artists, earned the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film [1, 2].
Beyond production, M. S. Reddy was a gifted lyricist, penning over 5,000 songs and poems under his pen name “Mallemala.” His writing style was characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, earning him the moniker “Sahaja Kavi” [1, 2, 4]. He also demonstrated his versatility as a screenwriter and even took on the role of a chief minister in his own production, Ankusam [2, 4].
A true visionary, Reddy played a pivotal role in the significant relocation of the Telugu film industry from Madras (now Chennai) to Hyderabad. His foresight and efforts were instrumental in establishing Hyderabad as a thriving hub for filmmaking. He founded Sabdalaya Studios, a prominent recording studio in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, further solidifying the industry’s infrastructure in the region [1, 2, 4].
His leadership extended to various prominent positions within the film fraternity. He served as the President of the Telugu Film Producers Council, the South Indian Film Writers Association, the Film Nagar Cooperative Housing Society, and as the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Film Development Corporation [1, 2, 3, 4]. In recognition of his immense and lasting contributions to cinema, M. S. Reddy was honored with the prestigious Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2005 [1, 2]. He also received Nandi Awards for Best Lyricist (Ankusam) and Best Children’s Film (Baala Ramayanam) [2].
M. S. Reddy’s autobiography, “Idhi Naa Kadha” (This is My Story), offered a candid and at times controversial account of his journey and observations within the film industry [1, 3, 4]. His legacy is continued by his son, Shyam Prasad Reddy, who is also a successful film and television producer [1, 4]. Born near Nellore, M. S. Reddy remained a source of pride for his native region, embodying the spirit and talent of Nelloreans on a grand stage.
Citations:
- M. S. Reddy – Wikipedia
- M. S. Reddy – Wikiwand
- About: M. S. Reddy – DBpedia
- Sahaja Kavi Mallemala Sundara Rami Reddy – Nellorean
- Idi Naa Katha – Mallemala M.S.Reddy Autobiography | PDF – Scribd
- Veteran Film Producer MS Reddy died at his residence | Top Stories – Andhrawishesh
Disclosure: This article has been written and edited with help from Google Gemini.
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