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.
Ninne Pelladata is a 1996 Indian Telugu-language romantic family drama film, produced by Nagarjuna under the Annapurna Studios banner and directed by Krishna Vamsi. It stars Nagarjuna and Tabu, and music composed by Sandeep Chowta. The film was remade in Kannada as Preethsod Thappa. The film has received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu for that year. This film recorded as Industry Hit at box office. It is the highest grossing Telugu film of the year 1996.
Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Telugu cinema is based in Film Nagar, Hyderabad. As of 2021, Telugu cinema is the largest film industry in India in terms of box-office. Telugu films sold 23.3 crore tickets in 2022, the highest among various film industries in India.
Raja Vasireddy Ramagopala Krishna Maheswara Prasad, popularly known as Muktyala Raja was the King of Muktyala samasthanam, politician, and patron of Ayurveda. He was instrumental in the construction of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, the tallest masonry dam in the world, located across the Krishna River between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He also represented the Jaggayyapeta Constituency in the Andhra Legislature.
Thapi Dharma Rao Naidu (1887–1973) was a Telugu writer, journalist, rationalist, and social reformer. He is considered as a pioneer of colloquial language in Telugu journalism and a doyen of Telugu prose writers. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award by India's National Academy of Letters in 1971. He authored many books which were the eye openers in the field of social sciences in India, in particular South India. His literary works like Vidhi Vilasam have found a place in the annals of Indian literature. He also wrote dialogues and lyrics for films like Mala Pilla (1938), Raithu Bidda (1939), Drohi (1948), Rojulu Marayi (1955).
Tapi Chanakya (1925–1973) was an Indian film director and writer. He is son of the famous writer Tapi Dharma Rao Naidu. He has worked as Radio Telegraphist for the Indian Army.
Nirmalamma was an Indian actress in the Telugu cinema. She appeared in more than 1000 films and was well known for her grandmother roles in several films. She won two Nandi Awards.
Pelli Chesi Choodu is a 1952 Indian satirical comedy film directed by L. V. Prasad and produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under their company Vijaya Productions. The film was made simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil, the latter titled Kalyanam Panni Paar. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, G. Varalakshmi, Yandamuri Joga Rao and Savitri. S. V. Ranga Rao, Sivarama Krishnayya, Doraswamy, and Suryakantham play supporting roles in the Telugu version while C. V. V. Panthulu replaced Krishnayya in Tamil.
Tammareddy Krishna Murthy was an Indian film producer who worked in Telugu cinema. He received the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 2007.
Rojulu Marayi is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Tapi Chanakya. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Sowcar Janaki with music composed by Master Venu. The film was produced by C. V. R. Prasad on Sarathi Films banner.
Haranath was an Indian actor who worked in Telugu films.
Ravindra Art Pictures is a film production company in Hyderabad, India. It was established by Tammareddy Krishna Murthy. Krishna Murthy started his career in the film industry as a production executive. Later, he started his own production house titled Ravindra Art Pictures and made Lakshadhikari (1963) with N. T. Rama Rao in the lead role as his first production. It was a big success. Other notable films produced by Ravindra Art Pictures include Zamindar (1966), Bangaru Gajulu (1968), Dharma Daata (1970), Doctor Babu (1973).
Bhaaga Pirivinai is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by A. Bhimsingh, starring Sivaji Ganesan, M. R. Radha and B. Saroja Devi. The film was released on 31 October 1959. It was remade in Hindi as Khandan (1965), in Telugu as Kalasi Vunte Kaladu Sukham (1961), in Kannada as Muriyada Mane (1964), and in Malayalam as Nirakudam (1977).
Gudavalli Ramabrahmam was an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who worked in Telugu cinema. He is known for directing critically acclaimed social problem films like Mala Pilla (1938) and Raithu Bidda (1939). At a time when mythological films were ruling the roost, Ramabrahmam ushered in a new era in Telugu cinema by making films on contemporary social issues.
Kalasi Vunte Kaladu Sukham is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by Y. Rama Krishna Prasad and C. V. R. Prasad under Saradhi Studios and directed by Tapi Chanakya. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri, with music composed by Master Venu. The film is a remake of the Tamil film Bhaaga Pirivinai (1959). The film was a box office success.
Geethanjali was an Indian actress who worked in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi films. In a career spanning close to six decades, she featured in over 500 films across multiple languages. Her first film as a dancer is Rani Ratnaprabha in 1960. NTR introduced her to the silver screen as a heroine with his directorial debut film Sita Rama Kalyanam in 1961. She was famous for her roles in Murali Krishna (1964), Doctor Chakravarthy (1964), Illalu (1965), Sambarala Rambabu (1970), Kaalam Marindi (1972), and Abbayigaru Ammayigaru (1973). She was also a member of the Nandi Awards committee.
Prabha is an Indian actress and Kuchipudi dancer from Andhra Pradesh. She has acted about 125 films in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada alongside popular Tollywood actors such as N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao.She won two Nandi Awards.
Raithu Bidda is a 1971 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by B. A. Subba Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Vanisri, and the soundtrack was composed by S. Hanumantha Rao. It was produced by Kotla Venkata Ramayya under the Lakshmi Kala Films banner.
Hemalatha was an Indian actress of Telugu cinema, of Andhra Pradesh, India. She acted in more than 100 films during the 1950s to 1976. The first movie she acted was Palletooru. She retired from movies in 1976, with Seethamma Santhanam being the film she last appeared. After retiring from movies, she was involved in Brahma Kumaris movement in Hyderabad till her death.
Yarlagadda Sivarama Prasad, also known as Challapalli Raja, was an Indian aristocrat, industrialist, politician, film producer, and film studio owner. He was the last hereditary zamindar of the Challapalli Samasthanam (estate). In politics, Sivarama Prasad was affiliated with the Justice Party before Independence and with Indian National Congress afterwards. He served as the Minister of Health for Andhra Pradesh during the 1960s and was elected as an MLA from Krishna District.
