Felicitation to Jamuna and Kaikala Satyanarayana by MAA

“The present (MAA) Movie Artist Association is working effectively than the previous ones. The team is going ahead with the service as their motto and has taken commendable steps to eradicate the difficulties faced by the poor artists. The team has taken the reputation of MAA to the next level by felicitating the senior actors Jamuna and Kaikala Satyanarayana. I wish the unit will felicitate and honour other senior actors also in future,” said Dasari Narayana Rao garu, who graced the felicitation event as chief guest.

Senior actress Jamuna and Navarasa Nata Sarvabhoumudu Kaikala Satyanarayana were felicitated by Dasari Narayana Rao garu at the event arranged by MAA on Sunday i.e. on June 12. He honoured them with mementoes and wrapped shawls around their shoulders.

Dasari Narayana Rao garu added saying, “The association which was started in Madras was established here as MAA. We have wealthiest artists as well as very poor artists. I requested the former MAA president Murli Mohan garu to approve health insurance. It has arranged 14 crores fund for producers council, but was unable to provide the same to all artists and technicians. Now, I am requesting the same to Rajendra Prasad. MAA has organised many useful programs like pension to the aged artists, providing insurance and providing opportunities to the talented artists who were job less. Felicitating senior actors Jamuna and Kaikala Satyanarayana is a good experience. Jamuna is a great professional actress. Jamuna combination with actors like Haranath and Krishnam Raju was highlight. He impressed audience in Satyabhama role. The role is very close to her persona and straightforward nature. Now coming to Kaikala Satyanarayana, he acted in 75 films of my 150 films. He is very dedicated actor. The special thing is that, he didn’t play an antagonist in any of my 75 films. Thanks to MAA for respecting and felicitating senior most actors Jamuna and Kaikala Satyanarayana.”

He criticized the government for not recognising the talent of great artists. He added, “It is really a bad thing that great artists like Anjali Devi, Savitri, SVR, Jamuna and Kaikala Satyanarayana have not received Padmasri Awards.” He opined that by giving Padma Shri Awards to ineligible people and so that degrading the value of the Award.

Addressing the gathering, Jamuna said, “I have seen golden jubilee and silver jubilee in my 5 decades long career. The felicitation has given me immense happiness. Kaikala Satyanarayana still remembers that I have given the opportunity to him through ‘Sipayi Kuthuru’. Since then we are continuing our work in film industry. Even though, I became old, I am still active. Movie Artist Association president Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Shivaji Raja are doing their level best to understand and resolve the issues faced by the artists with the help of the core committee. MAA has organised many useful programs like pension to the aged artists, providing insurance and providing opportunities to the talented artists who were job less. I have already announced Rs 1 Lakh for pension to the aged artists. I will soon handover the amount to the association. NTR and ANR, both the beloved artists have left us. I was very saddened by some young artists’ subsides. We must bring them to mind now. MAA has taken its reputation to the next level by felicitating the senior actors.”

The senior actress suggested MAA to find out other great senior artists and felicitate them too. She reminded MAA about yesteryears Hemalatha who played opposite NTR. She appreciated MAA for following the tradition of respecting senior artists and wished the team.”

Kaikala Satyanarayana said, “In the past, there was a tradition that people used to screen the preview of the film for senior artists. I am very happy that MAA has recognised and felicitated us. Jamuna had given me the opportunity and she is the reason for my wonderful career. I will be indebted to her forever. I played for 772 films so far in my career which includes folk, mythology, social and many more. It’s all because of audience encouragement. I wish MAA should perform many more such events.”

MAA president Rajendra Prasad and Secretary Sivaji Raja thanked the attendees and expressed their happiness and promised that they will de their level best to understand and resolve the issues faced by the artists with the help of the core committee.