WARANGAL: Legendary mimicry artiste and ventriloquist Nerella Venu Madhav, the first impressionist in the world to perform at the headquarters of the United Nations Organisation (UNO), is no more.
The 85-year-old mimicry maestro, passed away at 11.30 a.m. on Tuesday at his residence in Mattewada here after suffering a multiple organ failure. He had been reportedly suffering from Parkinson’s disease for the past few months.
He is survived by wife, two sons, and two daughters. According to his younger son Radha Krishna, Venu Madhav had not been keeping well for a few months and was hospitalised last month. “After his discharge from hospital, he developed several complication and died of multiple organ failure today,” Radha Krishna said.
He is known for mimicking the voices of all famous personalities including film actors and politicians and Hollywood singers of 1960s and 70s.
Venu Madhav, who is regarded as ‘Father of Indian Mimicry,’ was born on December 28, 1932 in Mattewada of Warangal.
Achievements
Venu Madhav’s birthday Dec 28 is celebrated as World Mimicry Day.
He had introduced the syllabus for a diploma course in mimicry for the Potti Sriramulu Telugu University.
He was nominated to the then AP Legislative Council from 1972 to 1978
He received Padma Shri for performing arts in 2001
A special postal cover was released on him on completion of 70 yrs in mimicry
Everyone knows Nerella Venu Madhav as a great entertainer for his extraordinary mimicry skills. He had marvellous sense of humour. When he was with his close friends especially with Jnanapeet awardee and noted Telugu poet C Narayan Reddy and legendary Telugu film actor Gummadi, he was unstoppable. He used to crack such jokes that it becomes very difficult to control oneself. His imitation of conversation between former president Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy and KV Ranga Reddy, the maternal uncle of former chief minister Marri Chenna Reddy, was the best joke I had ever heard in my life. I had heard the joke several times in last 40 years and laughed every time as if I was hearing it for the first time.
Since his childhood, Venu Madhav was a movie buff. Being a great disciplinarian, Venu’s father never allowed him to go to theatres to see films. Venu used to steal money to see films. When his school principal BV Ramanarsu, who knew about his talent, wanted to encourage him to continue with his mimicry. He sanctioned Bursury (scholarship) of `60. Many teachers objected to it as scholarships were given to meritorious students, but the principal silenced them by saying that Venu was provided scholarship for good conduct and behaviour. Venu saw 28 movies with the money and after seeing the last movie he went to principal’s house and presented mimicry of selected scenes from all the 28 movies. The principal was so moved by the extraordinary talent of Venu that he told him that one day he will become a great mimic.
Whenever eminent persons visited school, the principal used to ask Venu to imitate their speech and mannerisms. This experience gave the budding artiste the much needed practice and encouragement. Venu Madhav was not only a great artiste par excellence, but also a great human being. Success had never gone into his head. He always remained down to earth. He will always remain in the heart of the people.
