Legendary mimicry artiste Venumadhav passes away

Renowned mimicry and ventriloquism artiste Nerella Venumadhav died today at his residence in Warangal following a brief illness. Venumadhav (85) was suffering from illness for some time and breathed his last at around 11.30 am, his son N Radhakrishna told PTI.

He is survived by wife, two sons and two daughters. Hailed as the pioneer and maestro of mimicry, Venumadhav was the first Indian mimicry and ventriloquism artiste to have performed at the UN headquarters. Born on December 28, 1932 in Mattewada of Warangal, he was honoured with the Padma Shri award in 2001.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed deep condolences on the demise of the artiste. In his condolence message, Rao described Venumadhav as a person who brought name and fame to the art of mimicry as well as universal recognition to it. "In his death, the artist world has lost a great personality, Rao said conveying his condolences to the members of the bereaved family.

Rao said he had issued instructions to the Chief Secretary to arrange for state honours during the funeral of the veteran artiste. Venumadhav had served as a nominated Member of Legislative Council of Andhra Pradesh from 1972 to 1978. Also, a recipient of honorary doctorate, he had introduced the syllabus for a diploma course in mimicry for the Potti Sriramulu Telugu University and had even taught the subject. He had also received Kalaprapoorna award from the Andhra University and honour of Gajarohanam', by the TTD.

Venumadhav was honoured by the Telangana government recently during the state formation day. In December last year, a special postal cover was released as a tribute to Venumadhav for his contribution to the art of mimicry. Telangana Deputy Chief Minister K Srihari and Speaker S Madhusudan Chary, YSR Congress President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy were among those who condoled Venumadhavs death.