Actress who brought NTR and P Leela to cinema; Telugu producer and playback singer Chittajallu Krishnaveni passes away at 102

HYDERABAD: Chittajallu Krishnaveni, renowned Telugu actress, producer and playback singer, passed away. She was 102 years old.
Krishnaveni passed away at her home today due to age-related ailments. She played a crucial role in shaping the Telugu film industry. She acted in many hit films including Malli Pelli (1939), Bhakta Prahlada (1942), Bhishma (1944), Brahma Ratham (1947) and Gollabhama (1947).
Chittajallu Krishnaveni was born in Pankiti, West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Her father Krishna Rao was a doctor. She acted in many plays.

Krishnaveni made her film debut as a child artist with 'Anasuya'. She moved to Chennai in 1939. Later, she became active in Telugu films. She also acted in Tamil. In 1939, she married Mirzapuram Raja, the Zamindar of Mirzapuram. She got active in the production field through the company owned by her husband. She started the production company MRA Productions named after her daughter Meka Rajyalakshmi Anuradha.

It was Chittajallu Krishnaveni who introduced NT Rama Rao to the world of cinema through the film 'Mana Desam', based on the Bengali novel 'Vipradas'. Krishnaveni also introduced music director Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao and singer P. Leela in Telugu cinema. She produced many films. In 2004, Krishnaveni was honored with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by the Andhra Pradesh government for her comprehensive contributions to cinema. Her daughter is producer MR Anuradha.