Ghantasala Venkateswararao, known mononymously by his surname as Ghantasala, was an Indian playback singer and film composer known for his works predominantly in Telugu and Kannada cinema and also in Tamil, Malayalam, Tulu and Hindi language films. He is considered one of the greatest singers of Telugu cinema. In 1970, he received the Padma Shri award, India's fourth highest civilian award for his contribution to Indian cinema. According to The Hindu and The Indian Express, Ghantasala was 'such a divine talent and with his songs he could move the hearts of the people'. 'Ghantasala's blending of classical improvisations to the art of light music combined with his virtuosity and sensitivity puts him a class apart, above all others in the field of playback singing'. Gifted with what Indian film historian V. A. K. Ranga Rao called 'the most majestic voice', Ghantasala helped Telugu film music develop its own distinct character which remains unparalleled. He is referred to as the 'Gaana Gandharva' for his mesmerising voice and musical skills.
Nartanasala is a 1963 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and written by Samudrala Sr. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri, S. V. Ranga Rao, and Relangi while Mukkamala, Mikkilineni and Dandamudi Rajagopal play supporting roles among others. Susarla Dakshinamurthi composed the film's soundtrack and background score. M. A. Rahman and S. P. S. Veerappa served as the cinematographer and editor respectively. T. V. S. Sarma was the film's art director. The film was produced by actress C. Lakshmi Rajyam and her husband C. Sridhar Rao under the Rajyam Pictures banner.
Rechukka is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film directed by P. Pullaiah. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi with music composed by Aswatthama. The story was inspired by The Prince Who Was a Thief (1951), starring Tony Curtis.
Donga Ramudu is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language drama film co-written and directed by K. V. Reddy. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, Jamuna, and Jaggayya with music composed by Pendyala. The film was produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under the Annapurna Pictures banner.
P. Pullayya was an Indian film director and producer known for his work in Telugu films. He was the recipient of Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for his contributions to Telugu cinema.
Ummadi Kutumbam is a 1967 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film, produced by N. Trivikrama Rao under the NAT & Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner and directed by D. Yoganand. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by T. V. Raju.
Thodu Dongalu is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by N. Trivikrama Rao under the National Art Theaters banner and directed by D. Yoganand. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Gummadi, T. G. Kamala Devi and music composed by T. V. Raju.
Bhale Ramudu is a 1956 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by V. L. Narasu and directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri and music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. It is a remake of the Hindi film Kismet (1943). The film was simultaneously made as the Tamil movie Prema Pasam.
Sri Madvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra is a 1984 Indian Telugu-language biographical film, based on life of Pothuluri Veerabrahmam, produced and directed by N. T. Rama Rao under his Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner. N. T. Rama Rao portrayed the characters of Gautama Buddha, Vemana, Ramanuja, Adi Shankara along with the title role. It stars Nandamuri Balakrishna, Rati Agnihotri and Kanchana with music composed by Susarla Dakshinamurthi. Actually, shooting of the film was completed by 1981, but the release got delayed due to objection from the censor board asking to delete a few scenes from the movie, to which NTR did not agree and immediately took the matter to court and finally got it released in November 1984.
Driver Ramudu is a 1979 Indian Telugu-language action-drama film, produced by Nandamuri Harikrishna under the Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner and directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Jayasudha, with music by Chakravarthy. The film was released in 35 centres across Andhra Pradesh on 2 February 1979. It was remade in Tamil as Lorry Driver Rajakannu (1981) and in Hindi as Tarkeeb (1984).
Rowdy Ramudu Konte Krishnudu is a 1980 Indian Telugu-language action film produced by N. T. Rama Rao under his Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner and directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Nandamuri Balakrishna and Sridevi. The music composed by Chakravarthy.
Veera Kankanam is a 1957 Telugu-language swashbuckler film, produced by T. R. Sundaram under the Modern Theatres banner and directed by G. R. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna Kumari, Jamuna and music composed by Susarla Dakshinamurthi. The film is a remake of the 1950 Tamil Historical fiction film Manthiri Kumari.
Santhanam (transl. Children) is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced & directed by C. V. Ranganatha Das under the Sadhana Films banner while L. V. Prasad has taken care of direction supervision. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri and music composed by Susarla Dakshina Murthy. The film is the debut of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar in the Telugu film industry. The song Nidura Pora Thammuda was a trend setter in being a theme song that unites lost siblings. The film was remade in Tamil as Marakka Mudiyuma?.
Paramanandayya Sishyulu is a 1950 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckling comedy film, produced and directed by Kasturi Siva Rao under the Allied Productions banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Lakshmi Rajyam, C.S.R. and music jointly composed by Ogirala Ramachandra Rao and Susarla Dakshinamurthi. The film was remade again in Telugu in 1966 as Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha starring N. T. Rama Rao, K. R. Vijaya in pivotal roles, which went on to be remade in Kannada in 1981 as Guru Shishyaru.
Sabash Ramudu is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by C. S. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Devika, with music composed by Ghantasala. The film was produced by Sundarlal Nahata and T. Aswathanarayana under the Rajshree Productions banner. The film is a remake of the Hindi film Bada Bhai (1957). It was dubbed in Tamil language with the title Sabash Ramu.
Circus Ramudu is a 1980 Indian Telugu-language action drama film, produced by Kovai Chezhiyan on K. C. Films banner and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Jaya Prada and music composed by K. V. Mahadevan.
Tiger Ramudu is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language action drama film, produced by Patnam Chinna Rao and Vaddi Sriramulu and directed by C. S. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Rajasulochana with music composed by Ghantasala.
Iddaru Pellalu is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by F. Nagur. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Jamuna, with music composed by T. R. Papa, T. K. Kumara Swamy & T. A. Kalyan Raman.
Sri Gauri Mahatyam is a 1956 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film, directed by D. Yoganand. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Sriranjani Jr., with music jointly composed by Ogirala Ramachandra Rao and T. V. Raju.
Thandri Kodukula Challenge is an Indian Telugu film released on 14 January 1987 starring Krishna, Radha, Sumalatha and Kaikala Satyanarayana in the main roles with a musical score by K. Chakravarthy. The film directed by M. Mallikarjuna Rao was produced by M. V. Rama Rao and A. Ramdas for Vijaya Padmalaya Pictures.
