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.
Missamma is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by L. V. Prasad. It was produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani on Vijaya Productions banner. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jamuna. The script was adapted by Chakrapani from Rabindranath Maitra's Bengali play Manmoyee Girls School. It revolves around two unemployed people — M. T. Rao and Mary — who pose as a married couple to obtain employment in a high school founded by Gopalam, a zamindar. As Rao and Mary fall in love, Gopalam's nephew A. K. Raju learns that Mary is Gopalam's missing elder daughter Mahalakshmi; she is unaware of her true identity.
Ramasamy Ganesan, better known by his stage name Gemini Ganesan, was an Indian actor who worked mainly in Tamil cinema. He was referred to as the Kaadhal Mannan for his romantic roles in films. Ganesan was one of the "three biggest names of Tamil cinema", the other two being M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan. While Sivaji Ganesan excelled in dramatic films and M. G. Ramachandran was popular as an action hero, Gemini Ganesan was known for his romantic films. A recipient of the Padma Shri in 1971, he had also won several other awards including the Kalaimamani, the MGR Gold Medal, and the Screen Lifetime Achievement Award. He was one of the few college graduates to enter the film industry then.
Devika Devadoss was an Indian actress who worked in Telugu and Tamil along with a few Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films. She was one of the popular lead actresses in the 1960s.
Vedantam Raghavayya was an Indian film director, dance choreographer, Kuchipudi exponent, actor, producer, and musician known for his works in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre, and Tamil cinema. Raghavayya was an accomplished Kuchipudi dancer, who was awarded "Bharata Kala Prapurna" in dance by the Andhra Pradesh government.
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.
Rushyendramani was an Indian actress, singer, dancer, and playback singer from Andhra Pradesh. She had more than 150 movies to her credit and acted in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi films from 1935 to 1986. Her notable films include Sri Seetarama Jananam (1944), Malliswari (1951), Vipra Narayana (1954), Chintamani (1956). Her last film was Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam (1986).
Bhale Ramudu is a 1956 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by V. L. Narasu and directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri and music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. It is a remake of the Hindi film Kismet (1943). The film was simultaneously made as the Tamil movie Prema Pasam.
Tenkasi Vallinayagam Rathnam hailed from Tenkasi, Madras Presidency, British India. She was a playback singer for Tamil films.
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.
Praptham (transl. Destiny) is a 1971 Indian Tamil-language film, directed and produced by Savitri. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri. It is a remake of the 1964 Telugu film Mooga Manasulu. The film was released on 14 July 1971, and became a box-office bomb, causing a massive impediment in Savitri's career and leading to her downfall.
Bandha Pasam (transl. Relationships) is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by A. Bhimsingh from a story by Valampuri Somanathan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savitri and Devika. It was released on 27 October 1962.
Lakshmanan Vijayalakshmi is an Indian actress and classical dancer whose career was from 1959 to 1969. She appeared in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi films.
Dasavatharam is a 1976 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film, directed and written by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. The film, based on the Dashavatara of Vishnu, features an ensemble cast, including Ravikumar as Vishnu. It was released on 15 January 1976.
Chella Pillai is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film directed by M. V. Raman and produced by A. V. Meiyappan of AVM Productions. The film script was written by Javar Seetharaman. Music was composed by R. Sudarsanam. It stars K. R. Ramasamy and Savitri, with T. S. Balaiah, B. R. Panthulu, P. Kannamba, Pandari Bai, K. A. Thangavelu, Javar Seetharaman and Kaka Radhakrishnan in supporting roles. The film was remade in Telugu as Vadina (1955).
Missiamma is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by L. V. Prasad. Produced by B. Nagi Reddy and Aluri Chakrapani's Vijaya Vauhini Studios, the script was adapted by Chakrapani from the Bengali novel Manmoyee Girls School by Rabindranath Maitra. Missiamma also focused on social issues such as unemployment, corruption, and freedom of worship. Missiamma tells the story of two unemployed people of different religions and mentalities: Balu and Mary. They pose as a married couple to obtain jobs in a high school founded by Gopal, the zamindar of Aandipettai. As Balu and Mary fall in love, Gopal's nephew Raju learns that Mary is Gopal's missing elder daughter Mahalakshmi; she is unaware of her true identity.
Maheswari is a 1955 Indian Tamil language film produced by Modern Theatres and directed by T. R. Raghunath. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Savithri. It was released on 13 November 1955.
Aindhu Laksham is a 1969 Indian Tamil language film directed by G. Ramakrishnan. The film featured Gemini Ganesan, B. Saroja Devi, Cho and Shylashri in the lead roles.
Needhipathi (transl. Judge) is a 1955 Indian Tamil language film directed by A. S. A. Sami. The film featured K. R. Ramasamy, Gemini Ganesan, Rajasulochana and M. N. Rajam in the lead roles.
Circus Ramudu is a 1980 Indian Telugu-language action drama film, produced by Kovai Chezhiyan on K. C. Films banner and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Jaya Prada and music composed by K. V. Mahadevan.
