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.
Rajaraja Cholan is a 1973 Indian Tamil-language historical biographical film directed by A. P. Nagarajan and written by Aru Ramanathan. Based on Ramanathan's play of the same name about the life of the Chola king Rajaraja I, the film stars Sivaji Ganesan in the title role and was the first Tamil CinemaScope film. It was released on 31 March 1973, and ran for over 100 days in theatres.
Seelamsetty Venkata Sri Rama Rao (1913–1970) was an art director, motion picture director and producer of Telugu films. He was one of the debutant technicians in the film industry, right from the era of non-talkies to the talkies of the late 1970s. He was the only art director who had designed the art work for the movie on the Lord Venkateswara by the title Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam. He belongs to the Kapu-Telaga Community of Andhra Pradesh. His children are son late Arvind Prakash, Mechanical Engineer and two daughters Devi Chandra and late Sathyavathi. His Grandchildren of Late. Arvind Prakash are Kumar, Kishore and Prasad. And Grandchildren of Devi Chandra are Poonam Kiran and Thrivikram Suman. Whereas since his last daughter late Satyavathi has expired in month of July dated 9the of 2000.
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.
Tenali Ramakrishna is a 1956 Indian Telugu-language political drama film produced and directed by B. S. Ranga based on Ch. Venkataramaiah's stage play of the same name. Produced for the banner Vikram Productions, it stars NTR, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, V. Nagayya, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, and Jamuna in key roles. Ranga handled the cinematography with his brother-in-law B. N. Haridas while P. G. Mohan edited the film. Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy composed the soundtrack and background score.
Swarga Seema is a 1945 Telugu-language drama film produced and directed by B. N. Reddy and starring V. Nagayya, B. Jayamma and Bhanumathi. Ghantasala entered film world as a Playback singer for a song of C. H. Narayana Rao and it is also Ghantasala's first duet with Bhanumathi Ramakrishna for the song Oh Naa Raaja. Marcus Bartley also made a debut as a cinematographer with this film. It is the first Telugu film to be screened at the International Film Festival, Vietnam.
Sarangadhara is an epic story during the reign of Rajaraja Narendra. Gurajada Apparao wrote the story in long poetic form in English and published in "Indian Leisure Hour" in 1883. It is a popular Telugu drama and made into South Indian films.
Bobbili Yuddham is a 1964 Indian Telugu-language war film, based on the Battle of Bobbili between Bobbili and Vizianagaram kingdoms in 1757. The film was produced and directed by C. Seetaram. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, S. V. Ranga Rao with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao.
Mallishwari is a 1951 Indian Telugu-language historical romance film produced and directed by B. N. Reddy under his banner Vauhini Studios. N. T. Rama Rao and P. Bhanumathi star as a couple – Nagaraju and Mallishwari – who are separated by Mallishwari's greedy mother. Mallishwari is sent to the king's palace according to the custom of "Rani Vasam", a tradition during the Vijayanagara Empire wherein young women were fetched to the palace with an offering of gold and jewellery to their parents. The rest of the film focuses on the consequences faced by Nagaraju when he, against all rules, surreptitiously enters the palace to meet Mallishwari.
Ramu is a 1968 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced by AVM Productions and directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao and Jamuna with Master Rajkumar in the title role reprising his role from the Tamil film. The film's music was composed by R. Govardhanam. It is a remake of the Tamil film of the same name (1966), which was based on the Hindi film Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964). The film was a silver jubilee hit.
Antastulu (transl. classes) is a 1965 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced by V. B. Rajendra Prasad and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, Krishna Kumari with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu in 1965. The film won two Nandi Awards.
Raju Peda is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language film, produced and directed by B. A. Subba Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Lakshmirajyam, S. V. Ranga Rao and Master Sudhakar, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. The film is based on Mark Twain’s 1881 novel, The Prince and the Pauper and was later remade into the Hindi film Raja Aur Runk (1968) and dubbed into Tamil as Aandi Petra Selvan (1957).
Missamma is the soundtrack of the 1955 Indian Telugu-language film of the same name directed by L. V. Prasad. Composed by S. Rajeswara Rao, the soundtrack contains 11 songs with lyrics by Pingali. The film was written by Chakrapani, who co-produced it with B. Nagi Reddi for Vijaya Productions. N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri played the lead roles the Telugu version, with Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jamuna, S. V. Ranga Rao, Rushyendramani, Relangi and Ramana Reddy in supporting roles.
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.
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.
Stree Janma is a 1967 Telugu-language drama film, produced by D. Ramanaidu under the Suresh Productions banner and directed by K. S. Prakash Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by Ghantasala.
Bhuvana Sundari Katha is a 1967 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film directed by C. Pullaiah. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by Ghantasala.
Sakunthala is a 1966 Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao and B. Saroja Devi, with music composed by Ghantasala. It is produced by Lakshmi Rajyam and Sridhar Rao under the Rajyam Productions banner.
Aggi Pidugu is a 1964 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film, produced and directed by B. Vittalacharya under the Sri Vital Combines banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna Kumari and Rajasree, with music composed by Rajan–Nagendra. The film is based on the 1844 French novella The Corsican Brothers, written by Alexandre Dumas. The film was dubbed into Tamil with the title Veeraadhi Veeran and released in the same year.
Sati Anasuya is a 1957 Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, based on the life of Anasuya, produced by Sundarlal Nehata under the Rajyasri Productions banner and directed by K. B. Nagabhushanam. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi, and Jamuna, with music composed by Ghantasala.
