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.
Kadiri Venkata Reddy was an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who primarily worked in Telugu cinema. He is regarded as an influential director in South Indian cinema. He directed 14 feature films and won three National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award South.
Lava Kusa is a 1963 Indian Hindu mythological film directed by C. S. Rao and his father C. Pullayya. The film was scripted by Sadasivabrahmam, Samudrala Sr. along with C. S. Rao and C. Pullayya. The film was produced by Sankara Reddy under Lalita Sivajyothi Films. Lava Kusa is the first full-length colour film of Telugu cinema.
Pandava Vanavasam is a 1965 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and written by Samudrala Sr. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri, with music composed by Ghantasala. It was produced by A. S. R. Anjaneyulu under the Madhavi Productions banner. The film was a major box office success, running for 175 days in theatres.
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. grand son samudrala srinivaas
Bhakta Potana is a 1943 Telugu-language biographical film directed by K. V. Reddy in his directorial debut. Based on the life of poet-saint Potana who translated Bhagavatham into Telugu language, the film was scripted by Samudrala Sr. The film had celebrated Jubilee runs all over the South India including Mysore state and Kerala. It was remade in 1966, starring Gummadi as Potana.
Vinayaka Chaviti is a 1957 Telugu-language Hindu mythological film written and directed by Samudrala Sr. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Jamuna and music composed by Ghantasala. It was produced by K. Gopala Rao under the Aswaraja Pictures banner. The story is of Syamantakopakhyanam, annually read during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival day celebrations of Lord Vinayaka. The film was dubbed into Tamil as Vinayaga Chathurthi and was released in 1959 and later into Hindi in 1973 as Ganesh Chaturti.
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.
Panduranga Mahatyam is a 1957 Indian Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of Pundarika, produced by N. Trivikrama Rao under the National Art Theatres banner and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi and B. Saroja Devi with music composed by T. V. Raju. The film was dubbed into Tamil as Annaiyum Pithavum Munnari Dheivam (1959) and it was again remade as the Telugu film Pandurangadu (2008).
Chaduvukunna Ammayilu is a 1963 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, Krishna Kumari with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. It was produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under the Annapurna Pictures banner. The film is based on the Telugu novel Kaalaatheetha Vyakthulu, written by Dr. Sridevi. The film was recorded as a Super Hit at the box office.
Bangaru Papa is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language film produced and directed by B. N. Reddy on Vauhini Productions banner. The film stars S. V. Ranga Rao, Jaggayya, Krishna Kumari, Jamuna. It is based on the 1861 English novel Silas Marner by George Eliot.
Chiranjeevulu (transl. Immortals) is a 1956 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film, produced by D. L. Narayana under Vinoda Productions banner and directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. It is a partial remake of the Hindi film Mela (1948). The film stars N. T. Rama Rao and Jamuna, with music composed by Ghantasala. It was released on 15 August 1956 and became a commercial success.
Suputhrudu (transl. Son) is a 1971 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by Jagarlamudi Subba Rao, Gorantla Rajendra Prasad on Madhavi Combines banner and directed by T. Rama Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Lakshmi and music composed by K. V. Mahadevan.
Sati Sumathi is a 1967 Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced by Chinna Rao under the Chinni Brothers banner, presented by Anjali Devi and directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. It stars Kanta Rao, Anjali Devi and music composed by P. Adinarayana Rao.
Pelli Sandadi is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language comedy film, produced by Sitaram under the Republic Productions banner and directed by D. Yoganand. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi and B. Saroja Devi, with music composed by Ghantasala.
Superman is a 1980 Indian Telugu-language superhero film directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Jaya Prada, Rao playing the role of Superman, with music composed by Chakravarthy. The film is produced by R. Gopal under the Lakshmi Vishnu Productions banner. It is an unofficial Indian adaptation of 1978 American film of the same name. The film was met with universally negative reviews.
Sri Satyanarayana Mahathyam is a 1964 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by S. Rajinikanth. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by Ghantasala.
Aapta Mitrulu is a 1963 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Kadaru Nagabhushanam under the Sri Raja Rajeswari Film Company banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna Kumari, Kanta Rao and music composed by Ghantasala.
Deepavali (transl. Diwali) is a 1960 Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced by K. Gopala Rao under the Aswaraja Pictures banner and directed by S. Rajinikanth. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri, with music composed by Ghantasala. This is third film of N. T. Rama Rao as Lord Krishna. The film is a box hit and celebrated 100 days, despite releasing only 6 days after Bhatti vikramarka. It was dubbed in 1974 in Kannada as Narakasura Vadhe,
Sati Anasuya is a 1957 Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, based on the life of Anasuya, produced by Sundarlal Nehata under the Rajyasri Productions banner and directed by K. B. Nagabhushanam. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi, and Jamuna, with music composed by Ghantasala.
