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.
Filmi music soundtracks are music produced for India's mainstream motion picture industry and written and performed for Indian cinema. In cinema, music directors make up the main body of composers; the songs are performed by playback singers and the genre represents 72% of the music sales market in India.
P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna was an Indian actress, singer, film producer, director, music composer, and novelist. She is regarded as the first female super star of Telugu cinema. She is also considered the first female director of Telugu cinema with her debut directorial Chandirani (1953). Bhanumathi appeared in over 100 films predominantly in Telugu and Tamil languages. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2001 for her contribution to the Indian cinema. She was honored among "women in cinema" at the 30th International Film Festival of India.
Koduri Marakathamani Keeravaani, professionally known as M. M. Keeravani, is an Indian music composer, singer and lyricist, primarily associated with Telugu cinema. In a career spanning over three decades, Keeravani has earned numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, two National Film Awards, eleven Nandi Awards, eight Filmfare Awards, and a LAFCA Award. In 2023, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri for his contributions towards Indian cinema.
Pulapaka Suseela is an Indian playback singer from Andhra Pradesh associated with the South Indian cinema for over six decades and is referred to as the "Evergreen Nightingale of Indian cinema". She is one of the greatest and best-known playback singers in India. She has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as well as by the Asia Book of Records for performing a record number of songs in different Indian languages. She is also the recipient of five National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer and numerous state awards. Susheela is widely acclaimed as a singer who defined feminism in South Indian cinema and is well known for her mellifluous vocal performances for over 50,000 film and devotional songs across South Indian languages.
Vani Jairam was an Indian playback singer in Indian cinema. She is fondly referred to as the "Meera of modern India" Vani's career started in 1971 and has spanned over five decades. She did playback for over one thousand Indian movies recording over 20,000 songs. In addition, she recorded thousands of devotionals and private albums and also participated in numerous solo concerts in India and abroad.
Sujatha Mohan is an Indian playback singer who is popular for singing in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu movies. She has also sung for Kannada, Badaga, Hindi and Marathi and more languages movies. As of 2021, she had recorded more than 18,000 songs. She is celebrated as the Melody Queen of South India, she is known by various affectionate titles: Bhava Gayika in Kerala, and Innisai Kuyil in Tamil Nadu. She is also known for her extensive history of collaboration with music composers like A. R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraja, M. M. Keeravani, Koti, Vidyasagar, Mani Sharma, and with the playback singers K. J. Yesudas and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, over the years. Her husky voice and versatile singing style have garnered her a massive fan base.
Student No: 1 is a 2001 Indian Telugu-language coming-of-age romantic action film directed by S. S. Rajamouli. K. Raghavendra Rao produced and wrote the screenplay for the film from a story written by Pruthvi Teja and dialogues written by Pruthvi Teja—Viswanth. Student No: 1 marks the directorial debut of Rajamouli in a feature film. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Gajala and Rajeev Kanakala. The film was made on a budget of ₹1.85 crore (US$392,000) and earned a distributors' share of ₹12 crore. It was one of the most successful Telugu films of 2001.
Santha Kumari was an Indian musical artist and actress. She was married to the Telugu film director and producer P. Pullayya.
Srilekha Parthasarathy is an Indian singer in Tamil cinema. She is commonly referred to by her first name Srilekha. She began her professional career in 2000, when she recorded the jingle for the "Idhayam Oil" advertisement. She describes the jingle as her ticket into the Tamil film industry.
Lourde-Mary Rajeswari, better known as L. R. Eswari, is an Indian playback singer who has sung many songs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, Tulu and English. She was awarded with the Kalaimamani, an award for arts and culture in Tamil Nadu, for her contributions to the film industry.
Suchitra Ramadurai, known by the mononymSuchitra, is an Indian radio jockey, popular playback singer, songwriter, composer, voice artist, dubbing artist and film actress. She has sung in multiple languages including Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu.
Thaman S is an Indian composer and playback singer known for his works majorly in Telugu and Tamil cinema. He is the recipient of the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for his work in the 2020 musical hit Ala Vaikuntapuramulo.
Shakthisree Gopalan is an Indian vocalist, composer, songwriter and performer, famous for her collaborations with the top south-Indian music composers like A.R. Rahman. Aside from the film music, she is a regular in the independent music scene, performing with various bands over the years dabbling in Pop, R'n'B, trip-hop and jazz.
Kousalya is a playback singer and Music Composer from South Indian Cinema. Started playback singing career in the year 1999 with Telugu movie Nee Kosam, music scored by R.P.Patnaik. She rendered more than 400 songs for Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films. She did her Post Graduation in Carnatic music from Sri Padmavathi Mahila University, Tirupathi. Presently pursuing doctoral research in Music
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.
Kalpana Raghavendar is an Indian playback singer, winner of Idea Star Singer Malayalam and participant in Bigg Boss Telugu Season 1, songwriter and actor. She started her career as a playback singer at the age of five and, by 2013, had recorded 1,500 tracks and performed in 3,000 shows in India and abroad.
M. M. Manasi is an Indian playback singer trained in Hindustani vocals and also dubbing artist. She has sung more than 170 songs in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and English. Her hits in Tamil are "Stylish Thamizachi" in Aarambam, "Kattikeda" in Kaaki Sattai, "Semma Mass" in Massu, "Robo Romeo" in Tamizhuku En Ondrai Azhuthavum, "Sottavaala" in Puli, "Aatakari Maman Ponnu" in Ilayaraja's 1000th film Tharai Thappattai and "Ranjithame" in Varisu.
Gopika Poornima is an Indian singer who mostly sings for Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada language films. She became popular with the singing competition Padutha Theeyaga. Her husband Mallikarjun is also a singer and composer in Telugu Film Industry.
Santhi Nivasam is an Indian Telugu-language television drama series that aired on ETV from 2000 to 2001, spanning 273 episodes. Directed by S. S. Rajamouli in his directorial debut, the series follows Raghavayya, the patriarch of a large family living in a house named Santhi Nivasam, as they navigate familial conflicts, relationships, and societal challenges. Produced by K. Raghavendra Rao under his banner RK Teleshow, the series played a key role in shaping Rajamouli's career, laying the foundation for his transition to feature films.
