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.
Drohi is a 1948 Telugu-language drama film directed by L. V. Prasad. This was the debut film for Pendyala Nageswara Rao as music director.
Padandi Munduku: The Dandi March is a 1962 Telugu-language political thriller film directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao, and produced by Jaggayya. The film is touted to be the first Indian film based on the Salt March and India's independence movement as its core theme.
Gorintaku is a 1979 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It is a family sentiment film starring Sobhan Babu and Sujatha. The initial scenes of the film were shot in black and white. The title song "Gorinta Poochindi Komma Lekunda", written by Devulapalli Krishnasastri, casting Savitri is remembered even today. The film was remade in Hindi as Mehndi Rang Layegi.
Thodi Kodallu (transl. Sisters-in-law) is a 1957 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed and edited by Adurthi Subba Rao who co-wrote the script with D. Madhusudhana Rao and Acharya Aatreya. Madhusudhana Rao produced the film under Annapurna Pictures. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Savitri with music composed by Master Venu. The film is based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's Bengali novel Nishkriti, and was simultaneously made as the Tamil film Engal Veettu Mahalakshmi (1957); both films were made simultaneously by the same banner and director, and some of the scenes and artists are the same in both versions. Thodi Kodallu won the Certificate of merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu.
Gudi Gantalu is a 1964 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by Ghantasala. The film was produced by Sunderlal Nehata and Doondy. It is a remake of the Tamil film Aalayamani (1962).
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.
Kanna Talli is a 1953 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by K. S. Prakash Rao under the Prakash Studios banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, G. Varalakshmi with music composed by Pendyala Nageshwara Rao. The film is the debut of Telugu popular singer P. Suseela and actress Rajasulochana into the film industry. Kanna Talli bears some resemblance to Mehboob Khan's Aurat (1940) but is a different story than the former. The film was simultaneously shot in Tamil as Petra Thai. Dialogues were penned by S. A. Subbaraman.
Jeevana Tarangalu is a 1973 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by T. Rama Rao. The film stars Sobhan Babu, Krishnam Raju, Vanisri, Chandramohan, and Lakshmi. It is based on a novel by Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani, and won three Filmfare Awards South. It was remade in Tamil as Thirumangalyam (1974), in Hindi in as Dil Aur Deewaar (1978), and in Kannada as Mangalya (1991).
Tara Sasankam is a play written by Kopparapu Subba Rao. It has been performed about 1,500 times under his own direction.
Sarada is a 1973 Telugu drama film starring Sarada and directed by K. Viswanath. The film is a remake of the 1972 Kannada movie Yaava Janmada Maitri which was also remade in Tamil as Radha (1973) and in Hindi as Dulhan (1975).
Ramalayam is a 1971 Indian Telugu-language drama film. The film stars Jaggayya and Shobhan Babu in key roles.
Sampoorna Ramayanam is a 1972 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by Bapu. It is based on Valmiki's Ramayana. The film was a commercial success.
Santhi Nivasam is a 1960 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by C. S. Rao. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Rajasulochana, Kantha Rao, Krishna Kumari and Devika. It is an adaptation of Palagummi Padmaraju's Telugu play of the same name, which itself was based on B. S. Ramiah's Tamil play Malliyam Mangalam.
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.
Rama Krishnulu is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language action drama film, produced and directed by V. B. Rajendra Prasad under his Jagapathi Art Pictures banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jayasudha and Jaya Prada, with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film borrows shades of the Hindi film Hera Pheri (1976).
Vichitra Bandham is a 1972 Telugu-language drama film, produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under the Annapurna Pictures banner and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Vanisri, with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film was based on the Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani novel Vijetha.
Melu Kolupu is a 1978 Telugu-language drama film, produced by A. Pundarikakshaiah under the Sri Bhaskara Chitra and directed by B. V. Prasad. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Jaya Prada, K. R. Vijaya and music composed by Master Venu. The film is a remake of the Hindi movie Jagriti (1977).
Nindu Manasulu is a 1967 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by M. Jaganatha Rao under the banner S.V.S. Films and directed by S. D. Lal. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao and Devika, with music composed by T. V. Raju. It is a remake of the 1966 Hindi film Phool Aur Patthar.
Taxi Ramudu is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by D. V. K. Raju, K. N. Raju, K. Ramachandra Raju and C. S. Raju under the Sri Ramakrishna Productions banner and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Devika, Jaggayya and music composed by T. V. Raju.
