The passing away of veteran writer Mullapudi Venkata Ramana (79) in Chennai on Wednesday was mourned by glitterati of the film and literary worlds apart from major political figures like chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu.
While most paid tribute to Mullapudi as one half of the legendary writer-director duo of Bapu-Ramana, many also remembered his prolific solo oeuvre, spanning humour, irony and satire who leaves behind a plethora of unforgettable characters. He was the P G Wodehouse of Telugu literature, who captured in his characters the essence of Teluguness which too was the special talent of Bapu, the film maker. Together they made an inseparable duality that lit up Telugu art for well over half a century.
Born on June 28, 1931 as Mullapudi Venkata Rao, Ramana was a bosom friend of Bapu since the time they met in class VI at school in 1942.
It was a lifelong partnership that yielded some of the most memorable films and collaborations seen in Telugu cinema and literature, with Bapu the providing the vision and Ramana the words. Possibly the highest point of their partnership in film was reached with Muthyala Muggu, an endearing tale of love and villainy which brings warmth to heart of every Telugu.
While they were in perfect tandem, Bapu liked to tell his stories in terms of visuals and mood. Ramana’s natural style was more talkative, and he revelled in soft irony. Ramana’s first short story Amma Maata Vinakapothe was published in 1945 and Bapu illustrated the story.
They collaborated in all of Bapu’s films starting with Saakshi (1967). Their latest collaboration, Sree Rama Rajyam, is currently being filmed.