Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao unveiled statues of noted theatre performers P. Suribabu and his wife P. Rajeswari at Thummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada on Friday. Speaking at the event, Mr. Rao highlighted the coalition government’s support for artists and praised the couple’s major contributions to Telugu theatre and performing arts. The programme was arranged by the couple’s grandson, P. Nagahari Prasad, who expressed thanks to all guests and performers present. P. Suribabu, born in Bommaluru, was a renowned singer-actor in Telugu theatre and films, known for his strong voice and nicknamed “Kanchukantham Suribabu”. He established the Balakrishna Nataka Samajam in 1931 and led the Rajarajeswari Natyamandali for over 25 years, staging acclaimed plays including Tarashashankam, Bhukailas and Kurukshetram. He also produced the National Award-winning film Mahakavi Kalidasu. P. Rajeswari, from Nemalikallu in Guntur district, was an early singer-actor celebrated for her skill in both male and female roles. Her performance as Tara in Tarashashankam was among her most praised. She was one of the first Telugu artists to release a gramophone record with HMV in 1933. Through the Rajarajeswari Natyamandali, the couple helped spread Telugu theatre across the area. They later settled in Vijayawada, where they built Rajeswari Mahal, and a road in Satyanarayanapuram was named Rajeswari Veedhi in her honour. Music director Madhavapeddi Suresh, corporator Nellibantla Balasamay, senior writer-journalist Rentala Jayadeva, along with other artists and admirers, attended the event.
