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.
Devadasu is a 1953 Indian romance film directed by Vedantam Raghavayya and produced by D. L. Narayana for Vinodha Pictures. Chakrapani wrote the script based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel, Devdas. C. R. Subbaraman composed the film's music. The film was edited by P. V. Narayanan, while B. S. Ranga provided the cinematography.
Kadiri Venkata Reddy was an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who primarily worked in Telugu cinema. He is regarded as an influential director in South Indian cinema. He directed 14 feature films and won three National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award South.
Chandralekha is a 1948 Indian historical adventure film produced and directed by S. S. Vasan of Gemini Studios. Starring T. R. Rajakumari, M. K. Radha and Ranjan, the film follows two brothers who fight over ruling their father's kingdom and marrying a village dancer, Chandralekha.
Arasilankumari (transl. Princess) is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language historical adventure film directed by A. S. A. Sami and A. Kasilingam, and produced by M. Somasundaram under Jupiter Pictures. An adaptation of the 1952 film Scaramouche, itself based on a 1921 novel of the same name, it stars M. G. Ramachandran, Padmini and Rajasulochana. The film was originally directed by Sami, and completed by Kasilingam. It was released on 1 January 1961, and failed commercially.
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.
Thodi Kodallu (transl. Sisters-in-law) is a 1957 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed and edited by Adurthi Subba Rao who co-wrote the script with D. Madhusudhana Rao and Acharya Aatreya. Madhusudhana Rao produced the film under Annapurna Pictures. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Savitri with music composed by Master Venu. The film is based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's Bengali novel Nishkriti, and was simultaneously made as the Tamil film Engal Veettu Mahalakshmi (1957); both films were made simultaneously by the same banner and director, and some of the scenes and artists are the same in both versions. Thodi Kodallu won the Certificate of merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu.
Manamagan Thevai is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Bhanumathi. Based on the American film The Fabulous Senorita (1952), it was simultaneously produced in Telugu as Varudu Kaavaali with Jaggayya replacing Ganesan. Manamagan Thevai was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.
Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp, also known by its Telugu-language title Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam, its Tamil-language title Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum, and its Hindi-language title Alladdin Ka Chirag, is a 1957 Indian fantasy film produced by M. L. Pathy on Jai Sakthi Pictures banner and directed by T. R. Raghunath. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi. It is an adaptation of the story of Aladdin from One Thousand and One Nights and a trilingual, filmed simultaneously in three different languages. Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum was released on 29 March 1957, and Allavuddin Adbhuta Deepam followed on 13 April. Alladin Ka Chirag too, came in the same year.
Anbu (transl. Affection) is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language drama film produced and directed by M. Natesan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, T. R. Rajakumari and Padmini. It was released on 24 July 1953.
Adutha Veettu Penn is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by Vedantam Raghavayya and written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. The film stars Anjali Devi, T. R. Ramachandran and K. A. Thangavelu. It is a remake of the Bengali film Pasher Bari (1952), itself based on the namesake short story by Arun Chowdhury. In Adutha Veettu Penn, a simple man wants to impress a woman he loves by singing, but since he cannot, his friend, a singer, sings in secret while the simple man merely lip syncs, and wins the woman's love. The film was released on 11 February 1960, and became a success.
Paradesi or Poongothai is a 1953 Indian Tamil -Telugu bilingual romance film, produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali pictures banner and directed by L. V. Prasad. It stars Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi, and music also composed by P. Adinarayana Rao. The film is a remake of the Hindi movie Raj Rani (1950). No print of Poongothai is known to survive, making it a lost film.
Kumari Penn is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by T. R. Ramanna and produced by E. V. Rajan. The film stars Ravichandran and Jayalalitha, with S. V. Ranga Rao and Nagesh in supporting roles. It was released on 6 May 1966. The film was remade in Hindi as Man Ka Meet in 1968, in Malayalam as Rathimanmadhan and in Kannada as Hudugatada Hudugi.
Inbavalli is a 1949 Indian Tamil-language film directed by S. Nottani, starring T. R. Mahalingam and B. S. Saroja.
Muthu Mandapam is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language film directed by A. S. A. Sami. The film was produced by S. S. Rajendran who also stars alongside R. Vijayakumari. It was released on 27 October 1962.
Kannin Manigal is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language film produced and directed by T. Janakiraman. The film stars M. K. Radha and Padmini.
Pookkari is a 1973 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Krishnan–Panju and produced by Anjugam Pictures. It stars M. K. Muthu, Manjula, Vennira Aadai Nirmala, Jayachitra, Jayakumari and Ambareesh. The film was released on 25 October 1973, and failed commercially. The film was remade in Kannada as Halli Haida directed by Amirtham, cinematographer of the original with Ambareesh reprising his role.
Panam Panthiyile is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language film produced by MAV Pictures. The film was directed by Krishna Rao and stars S. S. Rajendran, M. R. Radha, C. R. Vijayakumari and Rajasree. It was released on 7 November 1961. The film was remade in Malayalam as Ozhukkinethire.
Naga Nandhini is a 1961 Indian Tamil language film directed by G. R. Nathan. The film stars Anjali Devi, K. Balaji and Devika. It was released on 10 February 1961.
Velaikari Magal is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by C. V. Ranganatha Das and starring N. T. Rama Rao, C. Lakshmi Rajyam, and S. V. Ranga Rao. The film is a remake of the 1952 Telugu film Daasi.
