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.
Gurunath is a commonly used term when praising what is considered by devotees the ultimate source of compassion, love and truth - irrespective of sectarian divides whether they may be devotees of Shiva, the Lord of Transformation in the Hindu pantheon (Shaivaite) or of Vishnu, the Lord of Preservation and Sustenance in the Hindu pantheon (Vaishnav) or any other devotee (bhakta) of a Hindu God or Goddess.
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.
M. S. Rama Rao was an Indian singer and composer. He was the very first playback singer in the Telugu filmdom and popular for his devotional songs.
Maganti Murali Mohan is an Indian actor, producer, politician, and business executive from Telugu cinema. In 1973, Murali Mohan debuted in Jagame Maya, produced by Atluri Poornachandra Rao. He gained recognition with the 1974 film Tirupati, directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. He has acted in over 350 feature films. He has served in various positions in the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Andhra Pradesh Film Development Corporation. He was the Honorary President of the Telugu Movie Artists Association until the elections in 2015.
Tadepalli Lakshmi Kantha Rao was an Indian actor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rao appeared in more than 400 feature films, starring in many, in a variety of genres including mythological, social and folklore. After a success string in folklore and swashbuckling films, he became popularly referred to as Kattula Kantha Rao. He has also acted in a few Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam movies. He has produced about five films under the Hyma Films banner.
Kanukuntla Subhash Chandrabose is an Indian lyricist and singer who works in Telugu cinema. Chandrabose debuted as a lyricist with the 1995 film Taj Mahal. In a career spanning over 25 years, he has written lyrics for about 3600 songs in over 850 films. Chandrabose won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the song "Naatu Naatu" from RRR (2022). He has received one National Award, two Nandi Awards, two Filmfare Awards, and three SIIMA Awards as a lyricist.
Rajanala Kaleswara Rao, known mononymously by his surname as Rajanala, was an Indian actor known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre, and a few Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films. In a film career spanning more than four decades, Rajanala acted in more than 1400 feature films in a variety of characters. Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rajanala was known for his gruesome portrayals of lead antagonist roles during the Golden age of Telugu cinema. The Government of Andhra Pradesh and the film industry felicitated him for his achievements and contribution to Indian Film Industry. He won several Filmfare Awards South and Nandi Award.
Peela Mallikarjuna Rao was an Indian actor and comedian who worked in Telugu films. Rao, popularly known as Battala Satti for his role in the movie Ladies Tailor. He has acted in many movies in Telugu. Over his career, he acted in at least 375 Telugu movies.
Ramana Reddy was an Indian character actor, comedian and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. In a career spanning 24 years, he acted in more than 200 movies. Ramana Reddy and Relangi were a comedy double act during the era of early Telugu cinema.
Chaganti Koteswara Rao is an Indian speaker known for his discourses on Sanatana Dharma. An exponent in puranams, his discourses are widely followed and are telecast over television channels such as Bhakti TV and TTD and is quite popular among Telugu-speaking people all over the world. He was also appointed as cultural adviser for the government of Andhra Pradesh in 2016. He was also one of the 10 ambassadors Swacch Andhra Corporation. He is also hired for state government activities. He was bestowed with titles like Pravachana Chakravarti, and Sarada Jnana Putra.
Chittajallu Srinivasa Rao was an Indian actor, writer and director. He was the son of film director Chittajallu Pullayya. He directed around 65 films in the Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Oriya languages. He garnered two National Film Awards for directing the films Lava Kusa (1963) and Desamante Manushuloyi (1970). Directors including Muktha V. Srinivasan and K. S. Sethu Madhavan worked as his assistants.
Kalyanam Raghuramaiah (1901–1975), popularly known as Eelapata Raghuramaiah, was an Indian actor, and thespian known for his works in Telugu cinema, and Telugu theatre. A recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and the Padmashri, He was known for the roles of Krishna or Dushyantha, Bhavanisankar, Narada etc. He performed those roles for about 60 years. He indulged in elaborate raga alapana, based on different ragas while rendering padyams.
Chadalavada Kutumba Rao, popularly known as Chadalavada, was a Tollywood actor well known for his comedian roles. He appeared in many Telugu films. The prominent among them are: Aada Paduchu, Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu, Bharya Bharthalu, Jayabheri, Krishna Leelalu (1959), Maya Bazaar, Palletooru, Parivartana, Pelli Naati Pramanalu, Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham (1963), Thirupathamma Katha (1963) and Thodi Kodallu.
Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham is a {1975} Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced by Potluri Venkata Narayana and SBK Uma Maheswara Rao under the Lakshmi Narayana Pictures banner and directed by Bapu. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, B. Saroja Devi, Ramakrishna and music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The movie is a remake of 1963 Kannada movie Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha.
Jetti Veera Raghavulu, better known as J. V. Raghavulu, was an eminent Indian music director and playback singer. He started as playback singer and became a music director after the sudden death of Ghantasala. He made his screen debut in Drohi (1970), a film by Suresh Productions. He scored music to about 172 films.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj was an Indian spiritual guru and the fifth Jagadguru. He was the founder of Prem Mandir in Vrindavan, one of the ten largest Hindu temples in the world. He was also the founder of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), a worldwide Hindu non-profit organization with five main ashrams, four in India and one in the United States.
Pelli Sandadi is a 1996 Indian Telugu-language musical romance film co-written and directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The film stars Srikanth, Ravali and Deepti Bhatnagar. It was the second-highest grossing Telugu film of 1996 after Ninne Pelladata.
Mallela Rajitha is an Indian actress who works in Telugu films. She has been active since the late 1980s.
Roshan Meka is an Indian actor who works in Telugu films. He is the son of actors Srikanth and Ooha. He made his debut in a lead role with Nirmala Convent (2016) and went on to win SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut – Telugu. He later played the lead in Pelli SandaD (2021).
