Renowned mimicry artist Nerella Venumadhav passes away

Famous mimicry artist, Nerella Venumadhav passed away in Hyderabad today. It is learned that he had been unwell for some time and was on a ventilator in a private hospital where he was undergoing treatment.

Venumadhav garnered fame for his unique style of mimicry and singing. The Government recently issued a postal stamp under his name for recognition of his services to art. He was also honoured with the Padma Shri Award in 2001 and also the Sri Raja Laxmi Foundation Award.

Born at Mettawada in Warangal on December 28, 1932, he began his career at the age of 16. He distinguished himself by mimicking the voices of the artists in the English cinema, including important sequences and background music notes. His first mimicry was performed in 1947. He later worked as a teacher in GCS school in Hanamkonda in 1953. That same year, he performed at the Theaters Federation Conference in Rajahmundry. Venu Madhav was married to Shobhavati in 1975. Venu Madhav has two sons and two daughters.

Many prominent politicians including Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and YSR Congress president and AP opposition leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed their condolences on the death of Venu Madhav.