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.
Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj, better known by his stage name Dr. Rajkumar, was an Indian actor and singer who worked in Kannada cinema. Regarded as one of the greatest and versatile actors in the history of Indian cinema, he is considered a cultural icon and holds a matinée idol status in the Kannada diaspora, among whom he is popularly called as Nata Saarvabhouma, Bangarada Manushya, Vara Nata, Gaana Gandharva, Rasikara Raja, Kannada Kanteerava and Rajanna/Annavru. He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1983 and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995. He is the only lead actor to win National Award for Playback singing. His 39 movies have been remade 63 times in 9 languages by 34 actors making him the first actor whose movies were remade more than fifty times and the first actor whose movies were remade in nine languages. He was the first actor in India to enact a role which was based on James Bond in a full-fledged manner. The success of his movie Jedara Bale is credited to have widely inspired a Desi bond genre in other Indian film industries. On the occasion of the "Centenary of Indian Cinema" in April 2013, Forbes included his performance in Bangaarada Manushya on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Upon his death, The New York Times had described him as one of India's most popular movie stars.
Mutyala Muggu is a 1975 Indian Telugu-language drama film adaptation of Uttara Ramayana from the writer-director duo of Ramana and Bapu. The film stars Sangeeta, Sreedhar, Kanta Rao, Rao Gopal Rao, Mukkamala, Allu Ramalingaiah and Nutan Prasad. The film has garnered two National Film Awards. The film recorded as blockbuster at the box office. Rao Gopal Rao received widespread acclaim for his role. The film was remade in Hindi as Jeevan Jyoti (1976).
Bedara Kannappa is a 1954 Indian Kannada-language Hindu mythological film directed by H. L. N. Simha and written by G. V. Iyer. The film stars Rajkumar playing the title character along with Pandari Bai, Kushala Kumari, G. V. Iyer, Sandhya and Narasimharaju in other prominent roles. The film is an adaptation of the stage play Kaalahasti Charitre written by T. N. Balakrishna for the Gubbi Veeranna Nataka Company, which was based on the folk tale of the hunter Kannappa who proves his extreme devotion to the Hindu God Shiva by gouging out both his eyes.
Krishnaveni is a 1974 Indian Telugu-language film directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao, starring Krishnam Raju and Vanisri, under the banner of Gopikrishna Movies. The film met with strong critical reception and commercial success upon release. The movie was about a lady suffering from hysteria and the emotional trauma of her family. The film is a remake of the Kannada hit film Sharapanjara (1971).
Jayamalini is an Indian actress who has acted in more than 500 Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi movies.
Sarathi, also called Kadali Jaya Sarathi, was an Indian comedic actor and producer in the Telugu film industry. His most notable roles are in Manavuri Pandavulu, Bobilli Brahmanna, Driver Ramudu, Bakta Kannappa and Jaganmohini. Sarathi died from kidney ailments at a hospital in Hyderabad on 1 August 2022, at the age of 80.
Kannappa is a legendary figure in Telugu folklore, widely celebrated for his devotion to the Hindu god Shiva. His story is closely connected with the Srikalahasteeswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India. Kannappa, originally a hunter, became renowned for offering his eyes to a Siva Lingam as an act of ultimate devotion. Before he could sacrifice both eyes, Shiva appeared and stopped him.
Siri Siri Muvva is a 1976 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by K. Viswanath. It stars Jaya Prada and Chandra Mohan. K. Viswanath later remade the film in Hindi with leading lady Jaya Prada, as Sargam, in 1979. Siri Siri Muvva was screened at the International Film Festival of India, and Moscow International Film Festival, and has received two National Film Awards.
Pillavalu Gajapathy Krishnaveni, more famously known as Jikki, was an Indian playback singer from Andhra Pradesh. She sang around 10,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Sinhalese, and Hindi languages.
Bhakta Kannappa is a 1976 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Bapu and produced by U. Suryanarayana Raju under the Gopikrishna Movies banner. The film is based on the life of the Shaiva devotee, Kannappa. The film stars Krishnam Raju in the title role, along with Vanisree, M. Balaiah, Rao Gopal Rao, Sarathi, and others in supporting roles. The music was composed by Satyam, with lyrics by Arudra, C. Narayana Reddy, and Veturi Sundararama Murthy.
Saptaswaralu or Sapta Swaralu is a 1969 Telugu-language film directed by Vedantam Raghavayya and produced by famous actor Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao under the banner Hema Films.
Chittajallu Rajeevalochana, better known as Rajasulochana, was an Indian classical dancer and actress. She has acted in more than 300 Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi language films.
Saaku Magalu is a 1963 Kannada language romantic drama film directed and produced by B. R. Panthulu and starring Rajkumar and Sowcar Janaki. The film marked the entry of acclaimed actress Kalpana, who went on to become one of the most sought-after actresses in Kannada cinema.
Shiva Mecchida Kannappa is a 1988 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Vijay. The film is a rehashed version of the 1954 film Bedara Kannappa, the debut film of actor Rajkumar. Produced by Raghavendra Rajkumar, the film is about the life of Kannappa, a hunter who becomes a Lord Shiva devotee; Kanappa is played by Puneeth Rajkumar in younger days and Shivarajkumar in adult life. The rest of the cast includes Geetha, Sarala Devi, C. R. Simha and Rajkumar himself playing a brief cameo role in the role of Shiva. The film has musical score by T. G. Lingappa and the dialogues and lyrics written by Chi. Udaya Shankar.
Sri Srinivasa Kalyana, is 1974 Kannada-language Hindu mythological film directed by Vijay. Based on lord Venkateswara, the film stars Rajkumar, B. Saroja Devi and Manjula in key roles. It also featured the first screen appearances of Rajkumar's sons, Shiva Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar as child actors. The movie was dubbed in Tamil as Ezhumalaiyan Dharisanam and in Telugu as Sri Tirupatikshetra Mahatyam (1977).
Valmiki is a 1963 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by C. S. Rao and produced by S. K. Habeebulla. The film stars Rajkumar, Kantha Rao, Narasimharaju and Rajanala Kaleswara Rao. The film has musical score by Ghantasala. The movie is based on the life of Valmiki.
Bhakta Prahlada is a 1942 Indian Kannada-language film directed by K. Subramanyam. The film stars M. V. Rajamma, Chandramma, A. N. Sheshachar and K. V. Achuta Rao. The film also saw Rajkumar's first appearance in a film. He played a school-going child alongside his brother S. P. Varadappa; their father Singanalluru Puttaswamayya played Akhandasura.
Shiv Bhakta also spelt as Shiv-Bhakta is a 1955 Hindu epic film directed by H.L.N. Simha starring Shahu Modak and Padmini in lead roles. It was a mythological film produced by AVM productions and it was directed by H. L. N. Simha with music by Chitrgupta. The songs were penned by Gopal Singh Nepali. Songs were considered evergreen. There are excellent classical dances by Padmini in this film. This was Padmini's second Hindi film followed by Mr. Sampat (1952). The film is a remake of director - producer duo's 1954 Kannada film Bedara Kannappa. This Kannada movie was Kannada superstar Dr Rajkumar's first as a hero.
Halebeedu Ramachandra Shastry, was an Indian actor and dubbing artist known for his work in Kannada cinema. In his career spanning more than 40 years, Shastry played a variety of supporting roles. He is noted for his performances in Bedara Kannappa (1954), Rayara Sose (1957), Bhoodana (1962), Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1974) and Upasane (1974). Shastry's last movie was Pavana Ganga.
