Srinatha was a well-known 15th-century Telugu poet who popularised the Prabandha style of composition.
Bammera Pothana (1450–1510) was a Telugu poet best known for his translation of the Srimad Bhaagavatam from Sanskrit to Telugu. He was a Telugu and Sanskrit Scholar. His work, Srimad Bhagavatamu, is popularly called as Pothana Bhagavatam in Telugu.
Kancharla Gopanna, popularly known as Bhakta Ramadasu or Bhadrachala Ramadasu, was a 17th-century devotee of the Hindu god Rama, a saint-poet and a composer of Carnatic music. He is a famous Vaggeyakara from the Telugu classical era. He was born in the village of Nelakondapalli in Khammam district, and orphaned as a teenager. He spent his later years in Bhadrachalam and 12 years in solitary confinement at the Golconda prison during the Qutb Shahi rule. Different mythical stories about his life circulate in the Telugu tradition. He is renowned for constructing the famous Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple and pilgrimage center on the banks of river Godavari at Bhadrachalam. His devotional kirtana lyrics to Rama illustrate the classical Pallavi, Anupallavi and Charanam genre composed mostly in Telugu, some in Sanskrit and with occasional use of Tamil language. These are famous in South Indian classical music as Ramadaasu Keertanalu.
Kadiri Venkata Reddy, commonly known as K. V. Reddy, was an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, primarily known for his work in Telugu cinema. Renowned as one of the most influential filmmakers in South Indian cinema, he directed 14 feature films during his career. His contributions earned him several prestigious accolades, including three National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award South.
Lava Kusa is a 1963 Indian Hindu mythological film directed by C. Pullayya and C. S. Rao. Produced by Lalita Sivajyothi Films, the film is a remake of the 1934 production of the same name, which was also directed by C. Pullayya. The story is based on the Uttara Kanda of the Ramayana, focusing on Lava and Kusa, the twin sons of Rama and Sita. The cast includes N. T. Rama Rao as Rama, Anjali Devi as Sita, with Chittoor Nagayya, Kantha Rao, Sobhan Babu, S. Varalakshmi, and Kaikala Satyanarayana in supporting roles. The soundtrack features 27 songs, with the musical score primarily composed by Ghantasala.
Samudrala Raghavacharya, also known as Samudrala Sr., was an Indian screenwriter, lyricist, playback singer, director, and producer known for his works in Telugu cinema. Samudrala Senior made his screen debut in 1937, and known for his collaborations with Ghantasala.
Vuppaladadiyam Nagayya Sarma, popularly known as Chittoor Nagayya, was an Indian actor, singer, music composer, and director known for his works in Telugu cinema, Tamil cinema, and Telugu theatre. Nagayya was one of the first multilingual filmmakers in India. Indian film journalist Baburao Patel described Nagayya as "The Paul Muni of India". Nagayya was considered the best character actor in South Indian cinema during 1940s and 1950s. In 1965, he became the first South Indian actor to receive the Padma Shri in Arts from the Government of India for his contributions to Indian cinema.
Tenali Ramakrishna is a 1956 Indian Telugu-language political drama film produced and directed by B. S. Ranga based on Ch. Venkataramaiah's stage play of the same name. Produced for the banner Vikram Productions, it stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, N. T. Rama Rao, V. Nagayya, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, and Jamuna in key roles. Ranga handled the cinematography with his brother-in-law B. N. Haridas while P. G. Mohan edited the film. Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy composed the soundtrack and background score.
Pedda Manushulu is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced and directed by K. V. Reddy. It stars Jandhyala Gaurinatha Sastry, Mudigonda Lingamurthy, Relangi, Vangara, Sriranjani Jr. in prominent roles. The film portrays corruption among so called respectable persons of the society. It was loosely based on The Pillars of Society, a 1877 play by famous Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen.
Gruhalakshmi is a 1938 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced and directed by H. M. Reddy. Starring Ramanujacharyulu, Kanchanamala, Kannamba, and Chittoor Nagayya, it was the debut production of Rohini Pictures and marked the cinematic debut of Chittoor Nagayya. The film was an adaptation of the 1929 stage play Rangoon Rowdy by Somaraju Ramanuja Rao and was a commercial success. Gruhalakshmi is notable for introducing Kanchanamala as Telugu cinema's first "oomph" girl, gaining widespread attention for its daring portrayal of sensuality. The film also marked an early career role for K. V. Reddy, who worked as a cashier for Rohini Pictures before becoming a renowned filmmaker.
Bhakta Jayadeva is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of 12th Century Sanskrit Poet Jayadeva, produced by Komaravolu Narayana Rao, G. Paramdhama Reddy under the Lalitha Kala Nikethan banner and directed by P. V. Rama Rao, while Ramakrishna took care of direction supervision. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi and music composed by Saluri Rajeshwara Rao.
Tyagayya is a 1946 Telugu-language film produced and directed by V. Nagayya It is based on the life of the saint Tyagaraja.
Yogi Vemana is a 1947 Telugu-language biographical film produced and directed by K. V. Reddy. The story is based on the life of saint poet Vemana. V. Nagayya played the role of Vemana and also composed music and sang many poems and songs in this film exposing his multifaceted talents.
Sumangali is a 1940 Telugu-language film written, directed and produced by B. N. Reddy. The film stars V. Nagayya, A. S. Giri, Kumari and Malathi. The main concept of the film widow remarriage is inspired by Kandukuri Veeresalingam.
Devata is a 1941 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by B. N. Reddy. The huge success of this film led to the making of more films with the same title in 1964 by B. Padmanabham and in 1982 by D. Ramanaidu. The film was remade in Malayalam as Pavappettaval (1967).
Sita Rama Kalyanam is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by N. T. Rama Rao in his directorial debut. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Haranath, Geetanjali, B. Saroja Devi, Kanta Rao, Sobhan Babu. The film was produced by N. Trivikrama Rao on 'National Art Theatres' banner. The music composed by Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao.
Srinatha Kavi Sarvabhoumudu is a 1993 Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of 15th century poet Srinatha, produced by Nandamuri Rama Krishna under Ramakrishna Horticultural Studios & Srimathi Movie Combines banner and directed by Bapu. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Jayasudha, Rajendra Prasad and music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. This is the final movie of legendary actor NTR and the debut of famous Telugu comedians A.V.S. and Gundu Sudarshan.
Swarna Manjari is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film, produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under Anjali Pictures, and directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. It stars N. T. Rama Rao an Anjali Devi, with music composed by P. Adinarayana Rao. The film was simultaneously made in Tamil as Mangaiyar Ullam Mangatha Selvam.
Bhakta Raghunath is a 1960 Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of Raghunatha dasa Goswami, produced by G. Sadasivudu under the G.V.S. Productions banner and directed by Samudrala Sr. It stars Kanta Rao, Jamuna and N. T. Rama Rao in a special appearance, with music composed by Ghantasala.
Molla Ramayanam is a Telugu epic poem composed by the 16th-century poetess Molla, based on the Sanskrit Ramayana by Valmiki. Written in accessible Telugu, this version is notable for its extensive use of kandam-style verse, which led to it also being called "Kanda Ramayanam." Molla's Ramayanam is considered the first condensed Ramayanam in Telugu.
