27 January 2022
Hyderabad
Senior actress Jamuna, who had a glorious career acting in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi industries, featuring in close to 200 films, passed away at her residence in Hyderabad early today. She has been battling ill health for the past many years. She was 86.
Born in Hampi of present-day Karnataka, Jamuna was a stage artist in school who was trained by her mother in vocal music and harmonium. Dr. Garikipati Raja Rao was mesmerized by her performance in the stage show Maa Bhoomi, later offering her a debut in his film Puttillu in 1952. However, it was LV Prasad’s Missamma (1955) that turned her career. It was her 9th film.
When Savitri was performing drama in Duggirala, she stayed at Jamuna's residence. Jamuna was seen alongside Savitri in popular flicks like Missamma, Gundamma Katha, Donga Ramudu, Appu Chesi Pappu Kudu, and Mooga Mansulu, forging a great bond. She was fondly called as Cinema Satyabhama after her famous turn in Sri Krishna Tulabharam, directed by mythological legend Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. Some of her popular films include Tenali Ramakrishna, Muddubidda, Ramudu Bheemudu, Chadarangam, Poolarangadu, Ramu and Undamma Bottu Pedata.
In addition to multiple Filmfare awards in the supporting actress category in 1964 and 1968, Jamuna was awarded the prestigious NTR National award in 2008.
Jamuna had a brief brush with politics when she contested from Rajahmundry constituency for Lok Sabha in 1989. She was invited by Indira Gandhi to counter the charisma of NTR back then.
She is survived by her children Vamsee Juluri and Sravanthi Juluri.
