Master Viswam

Master Viswam, born Vuppala Viswanadham on 7th January 1932 in Jaggayyapeta, Andhra Pradesh, was an actor, Harmonium player, Painter, Lecturer, cum Radio Singer. His parents are Vuppala Pullayya and Kanakaratnam. When he was a kid, his family moved from Jaggayyapeta to Nalgonda. Viswam’s father was a music enthusiast, so he sent him to Pandit Mandapati Venkatraju to learn Carnatic and Hindustani music. In 1940, he was cast in a small role as a child artist in the film Chandika, where Pasupuleti Kannamba Pasupuleti Kannamba was an adaptable actress, play >> Read More... played the titular role. The same year, he played in Bhookailas, produced by “ A V Meiyappan A.V.Meiyappan is a Tamil director, producer, and p >> Read More... .” This is the first blockbuster hit of AVM Productions.

In 1942, he performed in Bala Nagamma and Jeevan Mukhti. In 1944, he was supposed to do the lead role in Sitaramajananam. As he looked young to portray the role, Akkineni Nageswara Rao Akkineni Nageswara Rao is undoubtedly the ‘Bhisma >> Read More... was selected to do the role, which Viswam was supposed to do.

In 1949, during his schooling, he drew a sketch of the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, when he attended the Nalgonda Health, Agricultural & Industrial Exhibition as a chief guest. Impressed by his instant sketching, Nizam presented him with a gold medal on 26^th March 1949.

When he was 15, he lost his father. So, he quit films. He sketched oil paintings and started selling them. Later, he completed his graduation and started working as a lecturer in the English department. However, he didn’t quit his music. He was offered to sing on All India radio. As he sang before Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, he turned popular. Viswam was married and was the father of 3 daughters and a son. His son worked in BSNL.

Viswam died on 8^th April 2004 in Hyderabad due to age-related health issues.