S. Rajeswara Rao

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S. Rajeswara Rao
Composer
Instrument(s)Harmonium
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, and music producer known for his works predominantly in South Indian cinema.[1] Regarded as one of the finest music composers, Rajeswara Rao's works are noted for integrating Indian classical music in Telugu cinema for over half a century.[2]

In his recordings, Rajeswara Rao pioneered the use of light music in Telugu cinema. Rajeswara Rao's most rewarding assignments came from Gemini Studios, which he joined in 1940 and with which he remained for a decade.[3] During this period he scored block buster music for film Chandralekha (1948 film). After leaving Gemini, he received an offer to provide music for

Bollywood, the film's soundtrack retained one of Rajeswara Rao's compositions.[1]

Early career

Rajeswara Rao's introduction to cinema came unexpectedly, in the form of Mr. Huchins' (of the Huchins Recording Company) visit to Rajeswara Rao's home district of

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 Rajeswara Rao became a household name all over Andhra Pradesh
.

Rajeswara Rao went to Calcutta (now

Hindustani music
for a year, learning to play the sitar and surbahar. Rajeswara Rao had already mastered playing the tabla, dholak, and mridangam; 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, Rajeswara 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, R. Balasaraswathi Devi).[citation needed]

When Rajeswara 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, Rajeswara Rao liked "Mohanam" "Bhimpalasi / (Abheri)", "Sindhu Bhairavi", "Kafi", "Kalyani"/ "Yaman", "Pahad" , "Malkauns" , "Hindolam", which he used most frequently in his songs.

He not only integrated Indian Classical Music but also experimented with foreign music styles (Western,Persian, Arabic, Spanish) in his Chandralekha (1948 film) & Malliswari (1951 film).

People with love called him 'RA"SALURU"' (Juicy) Rajeswara Rao, as it was his compositions, which seems to have made people to feel like eating/drinking sweet juices while listening to them.In other words he is capable of illustrating NAVARASA's (Nine Moods/Emotional states) with his compositions. His songs "Narayana Nee Leela NAVARASA Bharitam" and "Manavude Mahaneeyudu" from 1972 film Bala Bharatam stands testimony for this.

Whether it was "Mrogindi Kalyana Veena" from Kurukshetram (1977 film) or "Abhinandana Mandara Maala" from Tandra Paparayudu (film) he always has shown authenticity in his mark compositions. His two assistants (for over four decades), Rajagopal and Krishnan – both well-versed in classical music – were an asset to him.[citation needed]

Never compromised with self respect, known for his sensitive nature, he walked away from many projects, similar to Daana Veera Soora Karna film.

At times, he only whispered saying " Vaari ki Vaare Kaavali, Memu Avasaramu Ledu". So much of depth in those words from this Bengali Ras Malai.It is Sour Curry time!. He was one of the music directors to make use of Persian music in Indian film compositions.

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]

Rajeswara 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 (

Saluri Hanumantha Rao
, was a music director in the Kannada and Telugu film industry.

Awards and honors

Travel

Rajeswara 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 Vel Pictures 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 T. A. Kalyanam
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
1942 Shanta Bala Nagamma Telugu S. V. S. Rama Rao Royal Pictures
1943 Chenchu Lakshmi Telugu S. Soundararajan 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 Parur S. Anantharaman
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. Pullayya Vyjayanthi Pictures with Emani Sankara Sastry
1949 Apoorva Sagodharargal Tamil Acharya Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy & R. Vaidyanathan
1949 Nishaan Hindi Acharya Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy & R. Vaidyanathan
1950 Apoorva Sahodarulu Telugu Acharya Gemini Studios with M. D. Parthasarathy & R. Vaidyanathan
1950 Aahuti Telugu R. S. Junnarkar Naveena Films
1950 Vali Sugreeva Telugu Jampana Ashoka's
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
1951 Malliswari Telugu B. N. Reddy Vauhini Studios
1951 Mantra Dandam Telugu K. S. Ramachandra Rao Sri Gnanambika Pictures Background Score
1952 Priyuralu Telugu Gopichand Bharathalakshmi Productions with Addepalli Rama Rao
1953 Manam Pola Mangalyam Tamil P. Pullayya 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 R. R. Pictures 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. Subba Rao Zoya Films
1956 Bhale Ramudu Telugu Vedantam Raghavayya Narasu Studios
1956 Prema Pasam Tamil Vedantam Raghavayya Narasu Studios
1956 Charana Daasi Telugu T. Prakash Rao Lalitha Films
1956
Mathar Kula Manickam
Tamil T. Prakash Rao Lalitha Films
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 Raghavayya Narasu Studios with S. Hanumantha Rao
1957 Iru Sagodharigal Tamil Vedantam Raghavayya Narasu Studios
1957 Sati Savitri Telugu K. B. Nagabhushanam Varalakshmi Pictures
P. Suribabu, Babu Rao, J. Lakshminarayana, H. R. Padmanabha Sastry & Master Venu
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
1959 Illali Adrustame Intiki Bhagyamu Telugu T. S. Durairaj Marakatha Pictures with S. V. Venkatraman & Jeevan
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. Madhusudhana 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
1962 Pathi Gowravame Sathikanandam Telugu K. J. Mahadevan Sudarsanam 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 B. A. S. Productions
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
1965 Veera Marthanda Telugu T. R. Raghunath & N. S. Ramadas Jaya Bharat Productions
1966 Aatma Gowravam Telugu K. Viswanath Annapurna Pictures
1966 Bhakta Potana Telugu
Gutha Ramineedu
Bharat Films
1966 Bala Nagamma Kannada P. R. Kaundinya Sanathana Kalamandira
1966 Chilaka Gorinka Telugu
K. Pratyagatma
Aatma Arts
1966 Mohini Bhasmasura Telugu B. A. Subba Rao B. A. S. Productions
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 Mulla Kireetam Telugu P. Subramanyam Neela Productions with K. Devadasu
1967 Rakhta Sindhooram Telugu C. Seetharam Republic
1967 Vasantha Sena Telugu B. S. Ranga Vikram Studios
1968 Veeranjaneya Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Maheeja Films
1969 Aatmiyulu Telugu V. Madhusudhana Rao
Saradhi Studios
1969 Aadarsa Kutumbam Telugu K. Pratyagatma Prasad Art Pictures
1969 Bangaru Panjaram Telugu B. N. Reddy Vijaya Vauhini Studios with B. Gopalam
1969 Bhale Basava Kannada B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions
1969 Dharma Patni Telugu B. A. Subba Rao B. A. S. Productions
1969 Mamaku Thagga Kodalu Telugu C. S. Rao Balaji Films
1970 Chitti Chellelu Telugu M. Krishnan Nair AVM Productions
1970 Desamante Manushuloyi Telugu C. S. Rao Filmkrafts
1970 Jai Jawan Telugu D. Yoganand Navayuga Films
1971 Amaayakuraalu Telugu V. Madhusudhana Rao Annapurna Pictures
1971
Bangaru Talli
Telugu Tapi Chanakya Babu Pictures
1971 Pavitra Bandham Telugu V. Madhusudhana Rao Venus Pictures & Ashok Movies
1971 Ramalayam Telugu K. Babu Rao Ramavijeta Films with Ghantasala
1971 Sri Venkateswara Vaibhavam Telugu Lakshmi Films P. D. Prasad
1972 Neeti-Nijayiti Telugu Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Shri Sanjeevi Movies
1972 Bala Baratham Tamil Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Venus Maheeja Films
1972 Bala Bharatha Kannada Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Venus Maheeja Films
1972 Bala Bharatam Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Venus Maheeja Films
1972 Bal Mahabharat Hindi Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Venus Maheeja Films
1972 Kalam Marindi Telugu K. Viswanath Venus Pictures
1973 Mannina Magalu Kannada B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions
1973 Neramu Siksha Telugu K. Viswanath Amrita Films
1973 Nindu Kutumbam Telugu Parvataneni Sambasiva Rao Seetharamanjaneya Movies
1973 Sri Kanakadurga Mahima Telugu Surati Durga Rao & P. D. Prasad Sri Prabhu Pictures with G. Aswathama
1974 Bangaaru Kalalu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao Annapurna Pictures
1974 Jeevithaasayam Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Saptagiri Productions
1974 Jeevitha Rangamu Telugu Lakshmi Films P. D. Prasad
1974 Nitya Sumangali Telugu B.N.R Nalinasree Productions
1974 Palle Paduchu Telugu K. Satyam Mamta Combines
1974 Ram Raheem Telugu B. A. Subba Rao Raja Lakshmi Combines
1974 Tatamma Kala Telugu N. T. Rama Rao Ramakrishna Cine Studios
1975 Anna Thammulla Katha Telugu D. S. Prakash Rao Amrita Films
1975 Bharathamlo Oka Ammayi Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao Vijayavelangani Pictures
1975 Challani Thalli Telugu K. S. Rami Reddy Lalita Movies
1975 Yashoda Krishna Telugu C. S. Rao Premier Studios
1976 Dasavatharamulu Telugu K. S. Gopalakrishnan Karpagam Studios with K. Chakravarthy
1976 Manchiki Maro Peru Telugu C. S. Rao Sree Ramakrishna Films
1976 Manushulanta Okkate Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao Aditya Chitra
1976 Oka Deepam Veligindhi Telugu
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
Sivaprasad Movies
1977 Eenati Bandham Yenatido Telugu K. S. R. Doss Amrita Films
1977 Idhekkadi Nyayam Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao Lalita Movies
1977 Kurukshetram Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Madhavi Padmalaya Combines
1978 Devadasu Malli Puttadu Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao Devi Art Productions
1978 Prema Paga Telugu B. V. Prasad Amrita Films
1978 Radhakrishna Telugu K. Raghavendra Rao Annapurna Kala Niketan
1978 Sneha Sedu Kannada V. Madhusudhana Rao Maheeja Films
1979 Indrudu Chandrudu Telugu T. Krishna Sri Lakshmi Art Creations with Saluri Babu
1979 Katha Marindi Telugu Madhu Sricharita Chitra
1979 Namala Thathayya Telugu K. Hemambharadhara Rao
1979 Pacha Bottu Telugu B.N.R Shri Nalini Combines
1979 Pavitra Prema Telugu D. S. Prakash Rao Srilakshmi Art Pictures
1979 Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Jaganmatha Arts
1980 Bapuji Bharatham Telugu Relangi Narasimha Rao Jayashree Chitra
1980
Bommala Koluvu
Telugu Kommineni Seshagiri Rao Apsara Arts
1980 Chukkallo Chandrudu Telugu C. S. Rao Sri Pragathi Pictures with K. V. Mahadevan
1980 Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu Kannada V. Madhusudhana Rao Maheeja Films
1980 Sri Vasavi Kanyakaa Parameshwari Mahathyam Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Mani Art Enterprises
1980 Rojulu Marali Telugu Devadas Kanakala
1980 Veedani Bandalu Telugu K. M. Reddy & V. Madhusudhana Rao
1982 Illalu Chulallu Telugu
1982 Mummidivaram Balayogeswara Charitra Telugu Vijayaprakash
1982 Punnami Vennela Telugu P. Subramanyam Vijayashanti Arts
1982 Sri Lakshmi Nilayam Telugu T. Krishna Sudarshan Productions with Saluri Babu
1983 Muddula Mogudu Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao Maheeja Films
1984 Adarsavanthudu Telugu Kodi Ramakrishna Maheeja Films
1986 Tandra Paparayudu Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao Annapurna Studios & Padmalaya Studios
1987 America Abbayi Telugu Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Jayalakshmi Movies
1991 Lambadolla Ramdasu Telugu K. Babu Rao
1995 Yadagiri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Mahatyam Telugu A. Venugopal with S. Vittal Rao

See also

References

  1. ^ 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. ^ 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. ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
  5. ^ "Vadophil Issue". Quarterly Bulletin of the Baroda Philatelic Society (157–158): 20. January 2019.