When we think of 'Duryodhana' we immediately recollect NTR. Likewise, when we thought of 'Sakuni' we will remember Dhulipala immediately. Though Lingamurthy and CSR played the character earlier, it is Dhulipala who brought glory to the character with his impeccable performance.
Dhulipala was born in a Brahmin family on September 24, 1920 at Dachepalli. He started his life as a clerk with an advocate right at the age of 14 years. He made his debut appearance on the stage in a woman's character as Nalini through 'Srikrishna Rayabaram', a mythological stage-play.
Later, he played the roles of Radha in 'Chintamani' and Mallamamba in 'Bobbili Yuddham'. He portrayed girl roles in stage-plays in his early days of acting career. For the first time, he portrayed the role of 'Duryodhana' in 1940 and played same character in the State-level stage-play competitions in 1957.
Later, he had founded 'Dhulipala Art Theatre' and played several characters. He became famous by portraying the character of 'Sakuni' in 'Srikrishna Pandaveeyam' movie directed by NTR. From then, he has no looking back and played several roles in mythological, social and historical films including 'Kanchukota, Teerpu, Undamma Bottu Pedatha, Kadhanayakudu, Desoddharakulu, Prema Jeevulu, Dorikithe Dongalu, Yugapurushudu and Choodalani Vundi'.
He got several titles like 'Maha Nata Sekhara, Rangasthala Marthanda, Rangasthala Raraju and Rangasthala Ratna'. However, he quit the films and the material life a few years ago and started penance by selling all his assets.
He started leading a spiritual life for the past few years. This great artiste was passed away in Guntur on April 13. The entire Telugu film industry had lost a great artiste.