S. Rajeswara Rao

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S. Rajeswara Rao
S.RajeswaraRaoImg.jpg
Background information
Also known asSaluri Rajeswara Rao
Born11 October 1922
Sivaramapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India
OriginSivaramapuram, Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died25 October 1999(1999-10-25) (aged 77)
GenresIndian film scores
Occupation(s)Composer
InstrumentsHarmonium
Tabla
Dholak
Mrudangam
Flute
Electric Guitar
Piano
Violin
Years active1934–1986

Saluri Rajeswara Rao (11 October 1922 – 25 October 1999) was an Indian composer, multi instrumentalist, conductor singer-songwriter, actor, music producer, and musician known for his works predominantly in South Indian cinema.[1] Regarded as one of the finest music composers, Rao's works are noted for integrating Indian classical music in Telugu cinema for over half a century.[2]

In his recordings, Rao pioneered the use of light music in Telugu cinema; "Thummeda Oka saari", "Kopamela Radha", "Podarintilona", "Rave Rave Koyila", "Challa Gaalilo" and "Paata Paduma Krishna" were all written by his father. Rao's most rewarding assignments came from Gemini Studios, which he joined in 1940 and with which he remained for a decade.[3]

After leaving Gemini, he received an offer to provide music for B. N. Reddy's "Malleeswari" in 1950; the song was a hit. "Vipranarayana", "Missamma" and a host of other musical hits – more than a hundred in Telugu most of which won the National Film Awards for best film(s), and Tamil and a few in Kannada – followed. When Vijaya's Missamma (originally a Telugu film) was remade as Miss Mary in Bollywood, the film's soundtrack retained one of Rao's compositions.[1]

Early career[]

Rao's introduction to cinema came unexpectedly, in the form of Mr. Huchins' (of the Huchins Recording Company) visit to Rao's home district of Vizianagaram in 1934. A child prodigy, Rao could identify the Carnatic music ragams at age four; by the time he was seven, he was giving stage performances. Huchins spotted young Rajeswara Rao's talent, and took him to Bangalore with his father; there, young Rao recorded "Bhagawat Gita". Film producers P. V. Das and Gudavalli Ramabramham visited Bangalore and, impressed by Rao's singing ability, brought him to Madras. They cast him as Lord Krishna in their production of Sri Krishna Leelalu in 1934. The film was released the next year (1935) and Rajeshwara Rao became a household name all over Andhra Pradesh.

Rao went to Calcutta (now Kolkata) to act in Keechaka Vadha, and met such stalwarts as Kundan Lal Saigal and Pankaj Mullick.[3] He became a disciple of Saigal and studied Hindustani music for a year, learning to play the sitar and surbahar. Rao had already mastered playing the tabla, dholak, and miridangam; later instruments were piano, harmonium, mandolin and electric guitar. He learned orchestration, and how to mix the sounds of different instruments.

Music director[]

Returning to Madras in 1938, Rao formed his own music troupe. He worked as assistant to Jayaramayyar for a Tamil film, Vishnuleela, in which he also played the role of Balarama and sang his own songs. He became a full-fledged music director on the film Jayaprada. He continued acting in Bala Nagamma and Illalu (in which he played opposite his singing partner, Raavu Balasaraswathi).[citation needed]

When Rao entered the industry, there was no playback system. The actors sang and acted at the same time as the orchestra played in the background, unseen by the camera. While he was making Illalu, the playback system became popular.[1]

Among the classical ragas, Rao liked "Bhimplas (Abheri)", "Sindhu Bhairavi", "Kafi", "Kalyani", "Pahad" and "Malkauns (Hindolam)", which he used most frequently in his songs. His two assistants (for over four decades), Rajagopal and Krishnan – both well-versed in classical music – were an asset to him.[citation needed]

Personal life[]

Rao was born in the village of Sivaramapuram, near Salur in Vizianagaram district (formerly Srikakulam district), Andhra Pradesh, India. His father, Sanyasi Raju, was a famous mridangam player at concerts performed by Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu and also a lyricist.[citation needed]

Rao was married to Rajeswari Devi; the couple had five sons and four daughters. His eldest son, Saluri Ramalingeswara Rao, was a piano and electric-organ player in South India. His second son, Saluri Poornachandra Rao, was a guitarist. His third and fourth sons, Saluri Vasu Rao and Saluri Koteswara Rao (Koti), are also music directors in the Telugu film industry. Rao's youngest son, Saluri Koti Durga Prasad, is not associated with the film industry. His daughters are Ramadevi, Mangamma, Kousalya, and Vijayalakshmi. Saluri Rajeswara Rao's elder brother, Saluri Hanumantha Rao, was a music director in the Kannada and Telugu film industry.

Awards and honors[]

  • Honorary doctorate Kalaprapoorna in 1979 by Andhra University
  • Asthana Vidwan of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, during which time he composed music for Annamacharya Keerthanas.
  • Kalaimamani award from Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram
  • Raghupathi Venkaiah Award from the Andhra Pradesh for his outstanding contribution to Telugu cinema in 1992
  • Nandi Award for Best Music Direction in 1980 for Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Mahathmyam
  • On 10 October 2018, Indian Post issued a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Saluri Rajeswara Rao.[4]

Travel[]

Rao visited the United States of America in 1981, performing at the Telugu Association of North America conference and the Telugu Literary and Cultural Association (TLCA).

Filmography[]

Year Film Language Director Banner Notes
1935 Sri Krishna Leelalu Telugu Ch. Narasimha Rao Actor
1936 Maya Bazar Telugu P. V. Das Vel Pictures Actor
1939 Jayaprada Telugu Ch. Narasimha Rao Sree Sarada Rayalaseema Films Ltd Actor and Music director
1940 Illalu Telugu Gudavalli Ramabrahmam Indira Devi Films Actor and Music director
1940 Jeevanmukti Telugu T. V. Neelakantan Gemini Studios
1941 Apavadu Telugu Gudavalli Ramabrahmam Kasturi Films
1941 Kamadhenu Tamil Nandalal Jaswantalal The Madras United Artists Corporation with Kalyanaraman
1941 Madana Kama Rajan Tamil B. N. Rao Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy
1942 Bala Nagamma Telugu C. Pullaiah Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy
1942 Bhaktha Naradar Tamil S. Soundararajan Tamil Nadu Talkies Background Score
1942 Nandanar Tamil Murugadasa Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy
1943 Chenchu Lakshmi Telugu S. Saundara Rajan Tamil Nadu Talkies
1943 Dhaasippen Tamil Ellis R. Dungan Devi Films with Lalitha Venkatraman
1943 Mangamma Sabatham Tamil Acharya Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy
1944 Dasi Aparanji Tamil B. N. Rao Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy
1944 Bhishma Telugu Ch. Narayana Murthy Bhavani Pictures
1945 Paduka Pattabhishekam Telugu K. B. Nagabhushanam Gemini Studios
1947 Miss Malini Tamil Kothamangalam Subbu Gemini Studios with
1948 Chandralekha Hindi S. S. Vasan Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy
1948 Chandralekha Tamil S. S. Vasan Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy
1948 Vindya Rani Telugu C. Pullaiah Vyjayanthi Pictures with Emani Sankara Sastry
1949 Apoorva Sagodharargal Tamil Acharya Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy & R. Vaidyanathan
1949 Apoorva Sahodarulu Telugu Acharya Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy & R. Vaidyanathan
1949 Nishaan Hindi Acharya Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy & R. Vaidyanathan
1950 Aahuti Telugu R. S. Junnarkar Naveena Films
1951 Malliswari Telugu B. N. Reddy Vauhini Studios
1951 Mantra Dandam Telugu K. S. Ramachandra Rao Sri Gnanambika Pictures Background Score
1952 Priyuralu Telugu T. Gopichand Bharathalakshmi Productions with Addepalli Rama Rao
1953 Manam Pola Mangalyam Tamil P. Pullaiah Narayanan and Company
1953 Pempudu Koduku Telugu L. V. Prasad Prasad Art Pictures
1953 Vayyari Bhama Telugu P. Subba Rao Ajantha Pictures
1953 Vazha Pirandhaval Tamil T. R. Ramanna with G. Ramanathan
1954 Raju Peda Telugu B. A. Subba Rao B. A. S. Productions
1954 Vipra Narayana Telugu P. S. Ramakrishna Rao Bharani Studios
1955 Missamma Telugu L. V. Prasad Vijaya Vauhini Studios
1955 Missiamma Tamil L. V. Prasad Vijaya Vauhini Studios
1954 Vipra Narayana Tamil P. S. Ramakrishna Rao Bharani Studios
1956 Balasanyasamma Katha Telugu P. Subbarao
1956 Bhale Ramudu Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah Narasu Studios
1956 Prema Pasam Tamil Vedantam Raghavaiah Narasu Studios
1956 Charana Daasi Telugu T. Prakash Rao Lalitha Films
1956 Mathar Kula Manickam Tamil T. Prakash Rao Lalitha Films
1957 Aandi Petra Selvan Tamil B. A. Subba Rao B. A. S. Productions
1957 Alladin Ka Chirag Hindi T. R. Raghunath Jai Sakthi Pictures with S. Hanumantha Rao
1957 Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam Telugu T. R. Raghunath Jai Sakthi Pictures with S. Hanumantha Rao
1957 Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum Tamil T. R. Raghunath Jai Sakthi Pictures with S. Hanumantha Rao
1957 Bhale Ammayilu Telugu Vedantam Raghavaiah Narasu Studios
1957 Iru Sagodharigal Tamil Vedantam Raghavaiah Narasu Studios
1957 Sathiyavan Savithri Tamil K. B. Nagabhushanam Varalakshmi Pictures with Babu Rao
1958 Aada Pettanam Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao Prabha Productions with Master Venu
1958 Chenchu Lakshmi Tamil B. A. Subba Rao Navayuga Films
1958 Chenchu Lakshmi Telugu B. A. Subba Rao Navayuga Films
1958 Kadan Vaangi Kalyaanam Tamil L. V. Prasad Vijaya Vauhini Studios
1958 Paanai Pidithaval Bhaagyasaali Tamil T. S. Durairaj Marakatha Pictures with S. V. Venkatraman
1959 Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu Telugu L. V. Prasad Vijaya Vauhini Studios
1959 Aval Yaar Tamil K. J. Mahadevan Sudarsanam Pictures
1960 Nammina Bantu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao Navayuga Films with Master Venu
1960 Pattaliyin Vetri Tamil Adurthi Subba Rao Navayuga Films with Master Venu
1960 Petra Manam Tamil A. Bhimsingh National Pictures
1960 Rani Ratnaprabha Telugu B. A. Subba Rao B. A. S. Productions
1961 Bhakta Jayadeva Telugu P. V. Rama Rao Lalitha Kala Nikethan
1961 Iddaru Mitrulu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao Annapurna Pictures
1961 Bharya Bharthalu Telugu K. Pratyagatma Prasad Art Pictures
1962 Aradhana Telugu V. Madhusudhan Rao Jagapathi Art Productions
1962 Vikramaadhithan Tamil T. R. Raghunath & N. S. Ramadas Jaya Bharat Productions
1962 Bhishma Telugu B. A. Subba Rao B. A. S. Productions
1962 Kula Gothralu Telugu K. Pratyagatma Prasad Art Pictures
1963 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao Annapurna Pictures
1964 Amara Shilpi Jakkanna Telugu B. S. Ranga Vikram Studios
1964 Amarashilpi Jakanachari Kannada B. S. Ranga Vikram Studios
1964 Bobbili Yuddham Telugu C. Seetaram Republic Productions
1964 Desa Drohulu Telugu Bolla Subba Rao Sri Rama Pictures
1964 Doctor Chakravarti Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao Annapurna Pictures
1964 Mahiravana Telugu B. A. Subba Rao
1964 Manchi Manishi Telugu K. Pratyagatma Chaya Chitra with T. Chalapathi Rao
1964 Pooja Phalam Telugu B. N. Reddy Sri Sambu Pictures
1964 Sirpiyin Selvan Tamil B. S. Ranga Vikram Studios
1965 Aatma Gowravam Telugu K. Viswanath Annapurna Pictures
1965 Dorikithe Dongalu Telugu P. Subrahmanyam Chandamama Films
1966 Aatma Gowravam Telugu K. Viswanath Annapurna Pictures
1966 Bala Nagamma Kannada P. R. Kaundinya Sanathana Kalamandira
1966 Chilaka Gorinka Telugu K. Pratyagatma
1966 Palnati Yudham Telugu Gutha Ramineedu Sri Anurupa Films
1966 Rangula Ratnam Telugu B. N. Reddy with B. Gopalam
1966 Sangeeta Lakshmi Telugu Giduturi Suryam Seetaramanjaneya Pictures
1967 Bhakta Prahlada Tamil Chitrapu Narayana Rao AVM Productions
1967 Bhakta Prahlada Telugu Chitrapu Narayana Rao AVM Productions
1967 Gruhalakshmi Telugu P. S. Ramakrishna Rao Bharani Studios
1967 Pula Rangadu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao Annapurna Pictures
1967 Vasantha Sena Telugu B. S. Ranga Vikram Studios
1968 Bangaru Panjaram Telugu B. N. Reddy Vijaya Vauhini Studios with B. Gopalam
1968 Veeranjaneya Telugu K. Kameshwara Rao
1969 Aatmiyulu Telugu V. Madhusudhan Rao Saradhi Studios
1969 Aadarsa Kutumbam Telugu K. Pratyagatma Prasad Art Pictures
1969 Bhale Basava Kannada B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions
1970 Chitti Chellelu Telugu M. Krishnan Nair AVM Productions
1970 Desamante Manushuloyi Telugu C. S. Rao
1970 Jai Jawan Telugu D. Yoganand Navayuga Films
1971 Telugu V. Madhusudhan Rao Annapurna Pictures
1971 Pavitra Bandham Telugu V. Madhusudhan Rao Venus Pictures & Ashok Movies
1971 Ramalayam Telugu K. Babu Rao with Ghantasala
1972 Neeti-Nijayiti Telugu Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
1972 Bala Baratham Tamil K. Kameshwara Rao
1972 Bala Bharatha Kannada K. Kameshwara Rao
1972 Bala Bharatam Telugu K. Kameshwara Rao
1972 Bal Mahabharat Hindi K. Kameshwara Rao
1972 Kalam Marindi Telugu K. Viswanath Venus Pictures
1973 Mannina Magalu Kannada B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions
1973 Neramu Siksha Telugu K. Viswanath
1974 Bangaaru Kalalu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao Annapurna Pictures
1974 Ram Raheem Telugu B. A. Subba Rao Raja Lakshmi Combines
1974 Tatamma Kala Telugu N. T. Rama Rao Ramakrishna Cine Studios
1975 Manushulanta Okkate Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao Aditya Chitra
1975 Yashoda Krishna' ' Telugu C. S. Rao Premier Studios
1976 Dasavatharam Tamil K. S. Gopalakrishnan Karpagam Studios
1976 Manchiki Maro Peru Telugu C. S. Rao Sree Ramakrishna Films
1976 Manushulanta Okkate Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao Aditya Chitra
1977 Kurukshetram Telugu K. Kameshwara Rao Madhavi Padmalaya Combines
1977 Radhakrishna Telugu
1978 Devadasu Malli Puttadu Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao Devi Art Productions
1978 Sneha Sedu Kannada V. Madhusudhan Rao Maheeja Films
1980 Shri Vinayaka Vijayamu Telugu K. Kameshwara Rao Jaganmatha Arts
1980 Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu Kannada V. Madhusudhan Rao Maheeja Films
1983 Muddula Mogudu Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao Maheeja Films
1984 Adarshavanthudu Telugu Kodi Ramakrishna Maheeja Films
1986 Tandra Paparayudu Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao Annapurna Studios & Padmalaya Studios

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c M. L. Narasimham, "Trend-setter in Light Music" The Hindu, 12 March 1993.
  2. ^ "In a different league". The Hindu. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "A Tribute to (Ra)Saluri Rajeshwara Rao". TeluguCinema.com. 27 October 2007. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  4. ^ "Vadophil Issue". Quarterly Bulletin of the Baroda Philatelic Society (157–158): 20. January 2019.
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