There were eminent mridangam artists like "Mrudanga Kesari" Mullapudi Lakshmana Rao and his son Mullapudi Sri Rama Murty. And his disciple " Mrudanga Shiromani" Dharmala Rama Murty and his son Dharmala Venkateshwara Rao. There were other legends like ML Lakshminarayana Raju and Kamalakara Rao.
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.
Balaraju is a 1948 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler fantasy film produced and directed by Ghantasala Balaramayya under the Pratibha Productions banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, S. Varalakshmi, and Anjali Devi with music jointly composed by Ghantasala, Galipenchala Narasimha Rao and C. R. Subbaraman. The film was recorded as an Industry Hit at the box office and was the first Telugu Silver Jubilee film.
Swapna Sundari is a 1950 Indian Telugu-language fantasy swashbuckler film, produced and directed by Ghantasala Balaramayya under the Pratibha Productions banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi, with music jointly composed by C. R. Subburaman and Ghantasala. The film is based on Kasi Majilee Kathalu and it was simultaneously dubbed in Tamil with the same name.
Keelu Gurram is a 1949 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film produced and directed by Raja Saheb of Mirzapuram under the Sobhanachala Pictures banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi, with music composed by Ghantasala. The film marks the debut of Ghantasala as a composer who would later become a noted composer and playback singer.
Sri Seeta Rama Jananam is a 1944 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced and directed by Ghantasala Balaramayya under the Pratibha Productions banner. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Tripurasundari, Vemuri Gaggayya, Rushyendramani. Music was jointly composed by Prabhala Satyanarayana and Ogirala Ramachandra Rao. The film marks the debut of Akkineni Nageswara Rao as a lead actor. It is also the debut of Ghantasala as a chorus singer and in a character role. The film was a commercial failure.
Palnati Yuddham is a 1947 Indian Telugu-language historical war film jointly directed by L. V. Prasad and Gudavalli Ramabrahmam. Based on the Battle of Palnadu, the film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Govindarajula Subba Rao and Kannamba, with music composed by Galipenchala Narasimha Rao. It is produced by Koganti Venkata Subba Rao under the Sri Sarada Productions banner.
C. H. Narayana Rao was an Indian actor and producer known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He starred in more than fifty films in a variety of roles. His notable works include classics such as Chenchu Lakshmi (1943), Mugguru Maratilu (1946), Mana Desam (1949), Jeevitham (1950), Veelunama (1965) to name a few.
Raavu Balasaraswathi Devi is an Indian singer and actress who performed from 1930 to the 1960s in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She was the first light music singer on All India Radio and the first playback singer in the Telugu cinema.
Mayalokam is a 1945 Telugu-language film produced and directed by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam under the Sarathi Films banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and S. Varalakshmi, with music composed by Galipenchala Narasimha Rao. The film is the debut of veteran actor and producer Padmanabham. The film was successful at the box office.
Ghantasala Balaramayya was an Indian film director, producer, and actor in Telugu cinema. His notable films include Sri Seetarama Jananam (1944), Balaraju (1948), Swapna Sundari (1950), and Sri Lakshmamma Katha (1950). Balaramayya is known for providing Akkineni Nageswara Rao his first lead role in the 1944 mythological film Sri Seetarama Jananam.
Govula Gopanna is a 1968 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film, produced by Lakshmi Rajyam and Sridhar Rao and directed by C. S. Rao. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Rajasree and Bharathi, with music composed by Ghantasala. It is a remake of the 1966 Kannada film Emme Thammanna.
Abhimanam is a 1960 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced by Sundarlal Nahatha and T. Ashwadanarayana under the Sri Productions banner and directed by C. S. Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, Krishna Kumari, with music composed by Ghantasala.
Aadi Dampatulu is a 1986 Telugu-language drama film, produced by Nitin D. Kapoor under the JSK Combines banner and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jayasudha with music composed by Satyam. The film is a remake of the Hindi movie Ghar Dwaar (1985).
Aada Pettanam is a 1958 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by M. Narayana Swamy and M. Venkata Ramadasu and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi and music jointly composed by S. Rajeswara Rao & Master Venu. Anisetty was announced as the director initially, but Adurthi Subba Rao took over later.
Nirupedalu (transl. Destitute) is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by Donepudi Krushna Murthy under the Gokul Pictures banner and directed by T. Prakash Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jamuna, with music composed by T. V. Raju.
Sri Lakshmamma Katha is a 1950 Telugu-language film, produced and directed by Ghantasala Balaramayya under the Pratibha Productions banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi, with music composed by C. R. Subburaman.
Paramanandayya Sishyulu is a 1950 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckling comedy film, produced and directed by Kasturi Siva Rao under the Allied Productions banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Lakshmi Rajyam, C.S.R. and music jointly composed by Ogirala Ramachandra Rao and Susarla Dakshinamurthi. The film was remade again in Telugu in 1966 as Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha starring N. T. Rama Rao, K. R. Vijaya in pivotal roles, which went on to be remade in Kannada in 1981 as Guru Shishyaru.
