| Raavu Balasaraswathi Devi | |
| Birthname: | Raavu Balasaraswathi Devi |
| Birth Date: | 28 August 1928 |
| Birth Place: | Venkatagiri, Madras Presidency, British India now in Andhra Pradesh |
| Occupation: | Actress, playback singer |
| Family: | See Nidudavolu Family |
| Awards: | Ramineni Foundation Award |
Raavu Balasaraswathi Devi (born 28 August 1928) is an Indian singer and actress who performed from 1930 to the 1960s in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She was the first light music singer on All India Radio and the first playback singer in the Telugu cinema.[1]
Balasaraswathi was born in Venkatagiri in 1928. She learned music from Allathuru Subbayya and lent her voice for the first solo gramophone by HMV recording company at the age of six.
She acted as child actor Ganga and also sang in the films Sati Anasuya and Bhakta Dhruva, both directed by C. Pullaiah in 1936.[2] Observing her talent, director K. Subramaniam invited her to act in Tamil films. In the following years, she acted in Tamil films like Bhaktha Kuchela (1936), Balayogini (1937), and Thiruneelakantar (1939). She played the role of Tukaram's daughter in Tukaram (1938). The Tukaram role was portrayed by Musiri Subramania Iyer in the Tamil version and by C. S. R. Anjaneyulu in the Telugu version. In 1940, she acted with S. Rajeswara Rao in Illalu, directed by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam.
In Bhagya Lakshmi (1943) of Sri Renuka Films of V. Nagayya, she sang for Kamala Kotnis on screen, this being the first instance of playback singing in Telugu cinema. The song Thinne Meedha Sinnoda was composed by Bhimavarapu Narasimha Rao.
She lived for some years in Mysore, and then shifted to Hyderabad. After her husband's death, she has lived with her son in her grandson's house in Secunderabad.
She worked with G. Ramanathan, K. V. Mahadevan, C. R. Subburaman, S. V. Venkatraman, Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, Bhimavarapu Narasimha Rao, R. Chinnaiah, S. Hanumantha Rao, S. Rajeswara Rao, P. Adinarayana Rao, G. Aswathama, Ogirala Ramachandra Rao, Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao, Adepalli Rama Rao, C. N. Pandurangan, V. Nagayya, T. V. Raju, Ghantasala, Naushad, L. Malleswara Rao, S. Dakshinamurthi, Vedha, M. Ranga Rao, Master Venu, R. Sudarsanam, Pamarti Krishna Murty, G. Govindarajulu Naidu and M. B. Sreenivasan.
She sang duets mostly with Ghantasala and A. M. Rajah. She sang with T. M. Soundararajan, T. A. Mothi, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. Rajam, M. S. Ramarao, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao and Subramanyam.
She also sang duets with Jikki, A. P. Komala, M. S. Rajeswari, K. Rani, P. Susheela and P. S. Vaideghi.
| Year | Film | Language | Song | Music | Co-singer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Mahananda | Cheyandamma Cheyandi | Motibabu | |||
| Kori Kori Vasinnche | ||||||
| Jagame Jagame Jagamega | Lalitha & C. Krishnaveni | |||||
| Therichoodu Ee Vanasobha | Lalitha & C. Krishnaveni | |||||
| Marachipotivaa Maamaa | ||||||
| 1940 | Illalu | Telugu | Suma Komala Kanulela Kala | |||
| Kavyapaanamu Chesi Kaipekkinaane | S. Rajeswara Rao | |||||
| 1941 | Apavadu | Telugu | Eemaanupainundi | K. Raghuramaiah | ||
| Adugadugo Poga Bandī | ||||||
| Enni Chinnelu Nerchadammaa | ||||||
| Thelisinademo Theliyanidemo | ||||||
| Paanakammulo Pudaka Netikitu | ||||||
| 1941 | Chandrahasa | Telugu | Javvaname Sresṭhamainadaho | Motibabu | ||
| Sugandha Pushpa Sumambul | ||||||
| 1943 | Bhagya Lakshmi | Telugu | Tinne Meedi Chinnoda | |||
| Chestanu Pendlikodukunu | ||||||
| 1944 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Telugu | Elukovayya Elukovayya | |||
| Eri Eri Naa Samanulu | ||||||
| Kanipinchitiva Narasimha | ||||||
| Madhuramugaa Aahaa Ee Jeevithame | S. Venkatraman | |||||
| 1947 | Radhika | Telugu | Gopala Krishnudu Nallana | |||
| 1948 | Bilhana | Sri Jaya Saraswathi Devi Thaaye | Papanasam Sivan | |||
| Innisaiye Ganarasa Innamudhe Ennuriye | ||||||
| 1948 | Chakradhari | Tamil | Ammaa Ammaa Ena | |||
| Kanne Vaadaa Maniye Vaadaa | ||||||
| 1948 | Suvarnamala | Telugu | Ravoji Jilvana Jyoti | |||
| Gopala Baludu | ||||||
| Gopala Radhalola | ||||||
| Premaleelaye Noyi | Surya Narayana | |||||
| Yadhakumara Giridhara | ||||||
| 1949 | Laila Majnu | Tamil | Veen Pazhi Thane Prabho En Mel | |||
| 1949 | Laila Majnu | Telugu | Ela Pagaye Ipudela Pagaye | |||
| 1950 | Aahuti | Telugu | O Priyabalanura Ne Manajalanura | |||
| Janana Maraṇa Lila Premaye | ||||||
| Hansavale O Padava | Ghantasala & T. Kanakam | |||||
| Premaye Janana Maraṇa Lila | ||||||
| Punnami Vachinadī Ponginadī | ||||||
| 1950 | Modati Rathri | Telugu | Mamatho Yemo Chandrudela | M. S. Ramarao & G. Varalakshmi | ||
| 1950 | Shavukaru | Telugu | Deepavali Deepavali (pathos) | |||
| Deepavali Deepavali | Santha Kumari | |||||
| Palukaraadate Chilukaa | Ghantasala | |||||
| Palukaraadate Chilukaa | ||||||
| 1950 | Swapna Sundari | Tamil | Ohoho Maharaja | |||
| Nee Sariye Madhana | ||||||
| Nee Inbam Ulakinil Thaane | Ghantasala | |||||
| Komagane Nee Maha Thiyagiye | ||||||
| Thedi Alainthene Unnai | Ghantasala | |||||
| Pagattum Penne Yeno | ||||||
| 1950 | Swapna Sundari | Telugu | Ohoho Maharaja | |||
| Natanalu Thelusune | ||||||
| Ee Seema Velasina | Ghantasala | |||||
| Oh Paradesi | ||||||
| O Swapna Sundari | Ghantasala | |||||
| Ninne Valache Konara | ||||||
| 1951 | Mayakkari | Tamil | Kanbeno Kanbeno | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | ||
| Kaavinil Koovum Kogilam Thaano | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | |||||
| Idhu Enna Vedhanai | ||||||
| Raajaa Koluvaai Vandhaar | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | |||||
| 1951 | Mayalamari | Telugu | Ledemo Ledemo | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | ||
| Koyila Koose | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | |||||
| Valachina Priyude | ||||||
| Rani Vedaale | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | |||||
| O Paradesi | ||||||
| 1952 | Roopavathi | Telugu | Reethiye Leni Naa Vraatha | |||
| Vennelni Chinnabuchche Paata | ||||||
| 1952 | Chinna Kodalu | Telugu | Jo Jo Jo Vayyarikade Jo Jo Jo | |||
| Ra Rado Rachiluka | A. M. Rajah | |||||
| Paruve Baruvaayega | ||||||
| Pillanagrovi Patakada | ||||||
| 1952 | Manavathi | Tamil | O Malaya Maarudhame | Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao & H. R. Padmanabha Sastry | S. Rajam | |
| Anbu Kondaendhum | ||||||
| Thanadhu Adamae Thaan | ||||||
| 1952 | Manavathi | Telugu | O Malaya Pavanama | Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao & H. R. Padmanabha Sastry | M. S. Ramarao | |
| Phalimpava Naa Asalu | ||||||
| Tana Pantame | ||||||
| 1952 | Kaadhal | Tamil | ||||
| 1952 | Prema | Telugu | Ooho! Idigada | |||
| 1952 | Priyuralu | Telugu | Anandam Mana Jeevana Ragam | Ghantasala & Jikki | ||
| Undumu Madhuranagarilo Krishna | ||||||
| Evarida Venugīti Pillagalito | ||||||
| Okasaraina Nī Madhuralapana | ||||||
| Vinaravo O Vintalokama | ||||||
| Vennelni Chinnabuchche Paata | ||||||
| 1952 | Santhi | Telugu | Aha Netiki Naapai Jaali | |||
| Voogudhune Ooyale | ||||||
| 1952 | Thai Ullam | Tamil | Malai Nilaa Vara Vendum | T. A. Mothi | ||
| 1953 | Devadas | Tamil | Santhosham Vendumendral | |||
| Anbe Pavama | ||||||
| Paaramugam Yenayya En Swami | ||||||
| 1953 | Devadasu | Telugu | Andam Choodavaya Anandinchavaya | |||
| Tane Marena Nanne Marachena | ||||||
| Imta Telisiyumdi | ||||||
| 1953 | En Veedu | Tamil | Bhoomiyile Oru Punniya Kathai | Jikki | ||
| 1953 | Naa Chellelu | Telugu | Hayi Kada Mana Ilvanamu | A. M. Rajah | ||
| Ma Prema Ghada Madurmmugada | A. M. Rajah | |||||
| 1953 | Naa Illu | Telugu | Adigadigo Gagana Seemao | Jikki | ||
| Vinnara Janulara Veenulara | Jikki | |||||
| 1953 | Pichi Pullayya | Telugu | Ella Velalandu Nee Chakkani Chirunavvulakai | Ghantasala | ||
| 1954 | Nalla Penmani | Tamil | Anbe Nee Kanne Valarnthaal Petra | P. S. Divakar | ||
| Dhevi Dhevi Agathi En Vinai | ||||||
| Nin Dhayavaale En Mana Thuyaram | ||||||
| Anbe Nee Kanne Valarnthaal Petra | A. M. Rajah | |||||
| Vaadi Ularumo Vaazhkai Malarumo | ||||||
| 1954 | Nirupedalu | Telugu | Raavamma Nidura Raavamma | |||
| 1954 | Rajee En Kanmani | Tamil | Malligaipoo Jathi Roja | |||
| Sundara Malare | ||||||
| Amma Vareero | ||||||
| Thoongayo Duraiye Soppanam | ||||||
| Manadhinile Vethanai | ||||||
| 1954 | Rajee Na Pranam | Telugu | Mallepoolu Mallepoolu | |||
| Meraina Choosi | ||||||
| Amma Ivigonamma Dayatho | ||||||
| Nindhu Vennela Mallelalo | ||||||
| Managalana Soonyamu | ||||||
| 1954 | Panam Paduthum Padu | Tamil | Maname Sugame Perumo | |||
| Endrum Ilaa Inbam Idhe | ||||||
| 1954 | Vaddante Dabbu | Telugu | Mansaemo Chalinchaneyo | |||
| Endhukohoyi Naku Endhukamma | ||||||
| 1955 | Aada Bidda | Telugu | Kalyani Subhadayini | Amarnath | ||
| Galimedalena Naa Jīvitasalu | ||||||
| Talatala Merise Vennelalo | ||||||
| Laagaraa Ailesaa | M. S. Rama Rao & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | |||||
| 1955 | Asai Anna Arumai Thambi | Tamil | Kannaithaan Parikkudhu | |||
| Sugam Peruveno | ||||||
| 1955 | Jaya Gopi | Tamil | O Muthu Papa | |||
| 1955 | Jayasimha | Telugu | Madiloni Madhura Bhavam Palikenu Mohana Ragam | Ghantasala | ||
| Manasaina Cheli Pilupu | A. P. Komala | |||||
| 1955 | Jayasimman | Tamil | Malarodu Madhura Mevum Manam Kaanum Mohana Ragam | |||
| Malar Thara | A. P. Komala | |||||
| 1955 | Mahakavi Kalidhas | Tamil | Pesum Kiliye Vaanil Parandhaai | |||
| Vaaraai Vaaraai Vaaraai | V. N. Sundaram | |||||
| 1955 | Mangaiyar Thilakam | Tamil | Neela Vanna Kanna Vada | |||
| 1955 | Nallakalam | Tamil | Vazhvu Malarnthu Manam Veesiduthe | |||
| Maname Un Vaazhvil Nee | ||||||
| 1955 | Pasupu Kumkuma | Telugu | Hayi Hayi O Papayi | |||
| 1955 | Sri Jagannatha Mahatyamu | Telugu | Kadha Yide Mrdumadhuramu | |||
| Bhramara Yidemaya Ento | ||||||
| 1956 | Bhagyachakra | Doora Doora Doorake | ||||
| Jhalukina Jhalukina Loka | ||||||
| 1956 | Bhagyodaya | Kannada | Anandha Gokula | K. Rani & Subramanyam | ||
| Namaste Saradha Devi.... Vaani Veena Paani | ||||||
| 1956 | Bhaktha Markandeya | Kannada | Dagudu Mootalu | |||
| 1956 | Bhaktha Markandeya | Telugu | Dagudu Muthalu Natona | |||
| 1956 | Kannin Manigal | Tamil | Kandu Konden Naane | T. A. Mothi | ||
| Kandu Konden Naane (pathos) | T. A. Mothi | |||||
| 1956 | Mangala Gauri | Tamil | Ambaa Mangala Gowri | |||
| 1956 | Marma Veeran | Tamil | Thudikkum Valibame | |||
| 1956 | Moondru Pengal | Tamil | Enadhu Ullame Poothu Kulungum | |||
| 1956 | Nalla Veedu | Tamil | Kalaimathiye En Kaadhal | Krishnamurthi & Nagaraja Iyer | P. B. Sreenivas | |
| Vidhiyin Sodhanai Idhuthaanaa | ||||||
| Idhayame Sorgamaagum | ||||||
| 1956 | Sri Gauri Mahatyam | Telugu | Ambaa Mangala Gowri | |||
| 1956 | Tenali Raman | Tamil | Thangam Pongum Meni Undhan Sondham Ini | |||
| 1956 | Tenali Ramakrishna | Telugu | Jhan Jhan Kankanamuluga | |||
| 1956 | Vanaratham | Tamil | Sudar Thaari Sabaiyil Unai Kanen Nane | |||
| Nenjin Ilamai Ensolven | ||||||
| 1957 | Aandi Petra Selvam | Tamil | Amma Amma | |||
| 1957 | Aavathellam Pennale | Tamil | Vennila Raajaa Vegamaai Nee Vaa | Jeevan | ||
| 1957 | Baagyavathi | Tamil | Ellorum Unnai Nallavan Endre | |||
| Dhinasari En Vazhvil Thirunale | ||||||
| 1957 | Bhaktha Markandeya | Tamil | Inggum Anggum | |||
| 1957 | Dhampatyam | Telugu | Tanemi Talacheno | A. M. Rajah | ||
| Nadhi Veedhilo Jeevitham | ||||||
| Ledhemo Aanandhaṁ Ipuḍi | ||||||
| Vennelaajaa Vegame Raavaa | ||||||
| 1957 | Evari Abbayi | Telugu | Kallamootakaalam Kadura Raajaa | T. M. Ibrahim | ||
| 1957 | Mahadhevi | Tamil | Singara Punnagai Kannara Kandale | |||
| 1957 | Peddarikalu | Telugu | Lali Lali Nanu Kannayya | |||
| Vennela Radha Vedanalena | ||||||
| Padavamma Maayam | P. Susheela & P. S. Vaidhegi | |||||
| 1957 | Raja Rajan | Tamil | Kalaityaadha Aasai Kanave | |||
| Kalaityaadha Aasai Kanave (Pathos) | ||||||
| 1957 | Rani Rangamma | Telugu | Natiroju Yela Radhu | |||
| 1957 | Sankalpam | Telugu | Nidurapoora | |||
| Naa Aasalanni | ||||||
| 1957 | Veera Kankanam | Telugu | Amdala Rani | A. M. Rajah | ||
| Siggulu Chigurinchene | ||||||
| Kalakaadhu Chelee Kaadhu | Jikki | |||||
| 1957 | Yaar Paiyan | Tamil | Kannaamoochi Aattam | |||
| 1958 | Anbu Enge | Tamil | Sollu Nee Raja | |||
| 1958 | Booloka Rambha | Telugu | Devi Dayaganave Bhavani | |||
| 1958 | Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu | Telugu | Dharaniki Giri Bharama Giriki Taruvu Bharama | |||
| 1958 | Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum | Tamil | Eliyorai Thaazhthi Valiyorai Vaazhthum | T. M. Soundararajan | ||
| 1958 | Uthama Puthiran | Tamil | Muthe, Pavalame.... Aala Pirantha En Kanmaniye | A. P. Komala | ||
| 1959 | Arumai Magal Abirami | Tamil | Nalla Pillai Endru Solli Unnai | |||
| 1959 | Bala Nagamma | Tamil | Aararo Ennaasai Raajaa | |||
| 1959 | Gandhari Garva Bhangamu | Telugu | Ne Arunodayavela | |||
| 1959 | Maa Inti Mahalakshmi | Telugu | Chivurullo Chilukalaga | P. S. Vaidhegi | ||
| 1959 | Mala Oru Mangala Vilakku | Tamil | Aaduthu Poongkodi | |||
| 1959 | Pedda Kodalu | Telugu | Vennelaradha Vedanelena | |||
| 1959 | Pelli Sandadi | Telugu | Rave Premalata Oho Kaviraja | Ghantasala | ||
| Hailelo Naa Raaja | Jikki | |||||
| 1959 | Penn Kulathin Perumai | Tamil | Pillai Kaniyamuthe Pedhai Enthan | |||
| 1959 | Sahodhari | Tamil | Uravu Thanthai Kannaale | |||
| Malarum Malarum Nallarame | ||||||
| 1959 | Sollu Thambi Sollu | Tamil | Soodaadha Malarai | |||
| 1959 | Sumangali | Tamil | Vidhi Seidha Sadhiyo Atthaan | Seerkazhi Govindarajan | ||
| 1959 | Thayapola Pillai Noolapola Selai | Tamil | Nalla Kudumbam Miga Nalla Kudumbam | |||
| 1959 | Thozhan | Tamil | Vada Malarthene | |||
| 1959 | Vachina Kodalu Nachindi | Telugu | Emo Emanukoneno Na Matha | |||
| 1960 | Chinna Marumagal | Tamil | Namaste Saradha Devi.... Vaani Veena Paani | |||
| 1960 | Irumanam Kalanthal Thirumanam | Tamil | Kanne Vaadaa Kaniye Vaadaa | |||
| 1960 | Raja Bakthi | Tamil | Paarmuzhuthum Irul Parappum | |||
| 1961 | Thayilla Pillai | Tamil | Seerarum Paingkiliye | |||
| 1962 | Swargarajyam | Pandu Pandu Pande | ||||
| 1963 | Naan Vanangum Dheivam | Tamil | Dhayavillaiyo Annaiye | |||
| 1968 | Harichandra | Tamil | Oraam Maadham Udaladhu Thalarndhu | |||
| Naranaiyum Nee Padaitthaai | ||||||
| 1980 | Sangham Chekkina Shilpalu | Telugu | Poyi Rave Amma Poyi Ravamma |
| Year | Film | Language | Director | Banner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Sati Anasuya | Ahin Chowdhary | |||
| 1936 | Bhakta Dhruva | Telugu | East India Film Company | ||
| 1936 | Bhaktha Kuchela | Madras United Artists Corp | |||
| 1937 | Balayogini | Tamil | K. Subramanyam | Madras United Artists Corp | |
| 1938 | Tukaram | Tamil | B. Narayana Rao | Star Combines | |
| 1938 | Tukaram | Telugu | B. Narayana Rao | Star Combines | |
| 1939 | Thiruneelakantar | Tamil | Trichy Thyagaraj Films Ltd | ||
| 1940 | Illalu | Telugu | Indira Devi Films | ||
| 1941 | Apavadu | Telugu | Gudavalli Ramabrahmam | Kasturi Films | |
| 1940 | Chandrahasa | Telugu | M. L. Rangaiah | Vani Pictures | |
| 1943 | Dhaasippen | Tamil | Devi Films | ||
| 1947 | Radhika | Telugu | K. Sadasiva Rao | Sri Chatrapathi Pictures | |
| 1948 | Bilhana | Tamil | B. N. Rao | Mubarak Pictures | |
| 1948 | Bilhana | Telugu | B. N. Rao | Mubarak Pictures |