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.
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.
Swapna Sundari is a 1950 Telugu-language fantasy swashbuckler film, produced and directed by Ghantasala Balaramayya under the Pratibha Productions banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi and 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.
Karthika Deepam is a 1979 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Laxmi Deepak and starring Sobhan Babu, Sridevi and Sharada. The music score by Satyam are memorable. Sobhan Babu won Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu). The film was declared a blockbuster at the box office.
Keelu Bommalu is a 1965 Indian Telugu-language film directed by C. S. Rao and produced by P. Gangadhara Rao of Hyderabad Films.
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.
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.
Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima is a 1965 Telugu film written and directed by B. V. Prasad in his debut.
School Master is a 1958 Indian Kannada-language film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars Panthulu himself in the lead role along with Dikki Madhava Rao, M. V. Rajamma, Udaykumar, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi in important roles. This was the first Kannada film to complete a silver jubilee. The film had its children's dance drama in Gevacolor, taken by cinematographer W. R. Subba Rao. It was later remade in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi in spite of it being dubbed in Tamil and Telugu as Engal Kudumbam Perisu and Badi Pantulu respectively.
Kalahasti Mahatyam is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language film directed by H. L. N. Simha starring Dr. Rajkumar. This is the only non-Kannada film starring Dr. Rajkumar.
Veeranjaneya is a 1968 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It is a musical film released in 1968, starring Arja Janardhana Rao, Kanta Rao, Anjali Devi and S.V. Ranga Rao.
Chakravakam (చక్రవాకం)
Nammina Bantu is a 1960 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, S. V. Ranga Rao, and Savitri, with music jointly composed by S. Rajeswara Rao and Master Venu. The film was simultaneously made in Tamil as Pattaliyin Vetri, under the same banner and director, and some of the scenes and artists are the same in both versions. Upon release Nammina Bantu received critical acclaim. The film was featured at the 8th San Sebastián International Film Festival. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.
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.
Usha Parinayam was a film adaptation of the play Usha Parinayam. It was made by Kadaru Nagabhushanam under Rajarajeswari films. It starred Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao as Anirudha, S. V. Ranga Rao as Banasura and Jamuna as Lady Usha. Rajanala Kaleswara Rao, Kannamba, Mukkamala, Relangi and Peketi Sivaram played the other main roles.
Jai Jawan is a 1970 Telugu-language drama film produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under the Annapurna Pictures banner and directed by D. Yoganand. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Bharati, Krishnam Raju and music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao.
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.
Manasu Mangalyam is a 1971 Telugu-language drama film, produced by Koganti Kutumba Rao under the Uttama Chitra banner and directed by K. Pratyagatma. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jamuna and music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao.
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.
Bala Nagamma is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language fantasy swashbuckler film directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi, and S. V. Ranga Rao with music composed by T. V. Raju. It is a remake of the 1942 Telugu film of the same name.
