Remembering Vankayala’s affinity towards the city

 Vijayawada: Veteran theatre personality and character artist Vankayala Satyanarayana (78) Vankayala had close intimacy with Vijayawada and the artistes here. He staged a number of plays at Hanumantharaya Grandhalayam and also Tummalapallivari Kshetrayya Kala Kshetram.                                
He died in Visakhapatnam on Monday. Vankayala was a gold medalist in graduation and a sports all-rounder. He was the No 1 in ‘L Roberts International Shooting Competition’ in India and stood second in the world. His professional career started as a clerk in Hindusthan Shipyard and left the same organization as the company secretary.  

Vankayala Satyanarayana had his theatre study in Andhra University under the guidance of eminent theatre personality K Venkateswara Rao. He acted in a number of plays and playlets on stage like Triveni, Kodukuputtala, Asura Sandhya, Otunna Prajalaku Koti Dandalu, Manasunna Manishi and Asaya Vardhate. He was supposed to stage a play and playlet on March 17 and 23 in the Nandi drama festival at Kakinada.

SK Misro, a Vizag-based theatre and movie artist and director shared his memories. He said that Vankayala used to mesmerise the audience with his voice and expressions.  He also said that both Misro and Vankayala acted in many plays like Triveni, Asura Sandhya and Kodukuputtala. Misro said that after coming back from cine field, Vankayala rededicated his life to theatre.

After gaining ample experience in theatre, Vankayala Satyanarayana had entered cine field and started his film career with “Needaleni Aadadhi” and rose to fame in the role of Station Master in “Seethamaalaxmi”. Vankayala acted in 182 films like “Suthradarulu”, “Srinivasa Kalyanam”, “Subhalekha”, “Donga Kollu”, “Ooriki Ichina Maata” and “Vijetha.

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Vankayala was honoured by Sumadhura Kala Niketan, Vijayawada during comedy drama festival in 2017. The local organisations-- Telugu Artistes’ Federation, Sumadhura Kala Niketen, Artistes Association, Vijayawada Cultural Organisation, Geetanjali Arts-- expressed their deep condolence for the sudden demise of Vankayala
Satyanarayana.