| Saluri Rajeswara Rao | |
| Native Name: | సాలూరి రాజేశ్వరరావు |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Alias: | Saluri Rajeswara Rao |
| Birth Place: | Sivaramapuram, India |
| Birth Date: | 11 October 1922 |
| Origin: | Sivaramapuram, Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Instrument: | Harmonium Tabla Dholak Mrudangam Flute Electric Guitar Piano Violin |
| Genre: | Indian film scores |
| Occupation: | Composer |
| Years Active: | 1934–1986 |
Saluri Rajeswara Rao (11 October 1922 – 25 October 1999) was an Indian composer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and music producer, known for his work in Telugu cinema.[1] Rajeswara Rao is noted for integrating Indian classical music into Telugu cinema for over five decades. His innovative compositions and mastery of classical and folk music earned him widespread recognition.[2]
Rajeswara Rao was born in 1922 in the village of Sivaramapuram near Salur in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh.[3] His father, Sanyasi Raju, was a mrudangam player in the troupe of the renowned violinist, Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu. Rajeswara Rao was recognized as a child prodigy and began performing on stage at the age of four.[4] Under his father's guidance, he trained with Venkataswamy Naidu in tabla and harmonium.
Rajeswara Rao's career in cinema began in 1934 when recording technician Mr. Huchins discovered him and took him to Bangalore to record the "Bhagavad Gita". He later traveled to Calcutta and was cast as Lord Krishna in the Telugu film Sri Krishna Leelalu (1935). Subsequently, he did films like Keechaka Vadha and Uttara Gograhanam and met musical legends such as Kundan Lal Saigal and Pankaj Mullick, from whom he learned Hindustani music.
Rajeswara Rao's first role as a music director came with the film Jayaprada (1939). He went on to score music for a number of successful films in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada. Some of his notable films include Malliswari (1951), Missamma (1955), and Chandralekha (1948). He was known for his use of Indian classical ragas and experimentation with foreign musical styles, including Western, Persian, and Arabic influences.
Rajeswara Rao was associated with Gemini Studios in the 1940s and composed music for many of their major films. He is credited with helping popularize light music in Telugu cinema. He was also known for his collaborations with directors like B. N. Reddy and Vijaya Productions.
Rajeswara Rao's compositions were known for their classical underpinnings, particularly his use of ragas such as "Mohanam", "Abheri", "Kalyani", and "Sindhu Bhairavi". He blended Indian classical music with other styles, creating scores that captured a wide range of emotions. His works in films like Kurukshetram (1977) and Tandra Paparayudu (1986) demonstrated his mastery over classical compositions. He was also among the first to incorporate Persian musical elements in Indian film scores.
Rajeswara Rao was married to Rajeswari Devi, with whom he had five sons and four daughters. His sons, Saluri Ramalingeswara Rao, Saluri Poornachandra Rao, Saluri Vasu Rao, and Saluri Koteswara Rao (Koti), followed in his footsteps as musicians in the Telugu film industry. His elder brother, Saluri Hanumantha Rao, was also a music director in Kannada and Telugu cinema.[3]
| Year | Film | Language | Director | Banner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Sri Krishna Leelalu | 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 | Indira Devi Films | Actor and Music director | |
| 1940 | Jeevanmukti | Telugu | T. V. Neelakantan | ||
| 1941 | Apavadu | Telugu | Kasturi Films | ||
| 1941 | Kamadhenu | Nandalal Jaswantalal | The Madras United Artists Corporation | with T. A. Kalyanam | |
| 1941 | Madana Kama Rajan | Tamil | B. N. Rao | with M. D. Parthasarathy | |
| 1942 | Bala Nagamma | Telugu | with M. D. Parthasarathy | ||
| 1942 | Bhaktha Naradar | Tamil | S. Soundararajan | Tamil Nadu Talkies | Background Score |
| 1942 | Nandanar | Tamil | Murugadasa | with M. D. Parthasarathy | |
| 1942 | Santha Bala Nagamma | Telugu | S. V. S. Rama Rao | Royal Pictures | |
| 1943 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Telugu | S. Soundararajan | Tamil Nadu Talkies | |
| 1943 | Dhaasippen | Tamil | Devi Films | with Lalitha Venkatraman | |
| 1943 | Mangamma Sabatham | Tamil | Acharya | with M. D. Parthasarathy | |
| 1944 | Dasi Aparanji | Tamil | B. N. Rao | with M. D. Parthasarathy | |
| 1944 | Bhishma | Telugu | Bhavani Pictures | ||
| 1945 | Paduka Pattabhishekam | Telugu | |||
| 1947 | Miss Malini | Tamil | with Parur S. Anantharaman | ||
| 1948 | Chandralekha | with M. D. Parthasarathy | |||
| 1948 | Chandralekha | Tamil | with M. D. Parthasarathy | ||
| 1948 | Vindya Rani | Telugu | C. Pullayya | Vyjayanthi Pictures | with Emani Sankara Sastry |
| 1949 | Apoorva Sagodharargal | Tamil | Acharya | with M. D. Parthasarathy & R. Vaidyanathan | |
| 1949 | Nishaan | Hindi | Acharya | with M. D. Parthasarathy & R. Vaidyanathan | |
| 1950 | Apoorva Sahodarulu | Telugu | Acharya | with M. D. Parthasarathy & R. Vaidyanathan | |
| 1950 | Aahuti | Telugu | R. S. Junnarkar | Naveena Films | |
| 1950 | Vali Sugreeva | Telugu | Jampana | Ashoka's | |
| 1951 | Malliswari | Telugu | |||
| 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 | |||
| 1953 | Vayyari Bhama | Telugu | P. Subba Rao | Ajantha Pictures | |
| 1953 | Vazha Pirandhaval | Tamil | R. R. Pictures | with G. Ramanathan | |
| 1954 | Raju Peda | Telugu | B. A. S. Productions | ||
| 1954 | Vipra Narayana | Telugu | |||
| 1955 | Missamma | Telugu | |||
| 1955 | Missiamma | Tamil | |||
| 1954 | Vipra Narayana | Tamil | |||
| 1956 | Balasanyasamma Katha | Telugu | P. Subba Rao | Zoya Films | |
| 1956 | Bhale Ramudu | Telugu | Narasu Studios | ||
| 1956 | Prema Pasam | Tamil | Narasu Studios | ||
| 1956 | Charana Daasi | Telugu | Lalitha Films | ||
| 1956 | Mathar Kula Manickam | Tamil | Lalitha Films | ||
| 1957 | Alladin Ka Chirag | Hindi | Jai Sakthi Pictures | with S. Hanumantha Rao | |
| 1957 | Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam | Telugu | Jai Sakthi Pictures | with S. Hanumantha Rao | |
| 1957 | Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum | Tamil | Jai Sakthi Pictures | with S. Hanumantha Rao | |
| 1957 | Bhale Ammayilu | Telugu | Narasu Studios | with S. Hanumantha Rao | |
| 1957 | Iru Sagodharigal | Tamil | Narasu Studios | ||
| 1957 | Sati Savitri | Telugu | Varalakshmi Pictures | M. Balamuralikrishna, Mallik, P. Suribabu, Babu Rao, J. Lakshminarayana, H. R. Padmanabha Sastry & Master Venu | |
| 1957 | Sathiyavan Savithri | Tamil | Varalakshmi Pictures | with Babu Rao | |
| 1958 | Aada Pettanam | Telugu | Prabha Productions | with Master Venu | |
| 1958 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Tamil | Navayuga Films | ||
| 1958 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Telugu | Navayuga Films | ||
| 1958 | Kadan Vaangi Kalyaanam | Tamil | |||
| 1958 | Paanai Pidithaval Bhaagyasaali | Tamil | Marakatha Pictures | with S. V. Venkatraman | |
| 1959 | Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu | Telugu | |||
| 1959 | Aval Yaar | Tamil | K. J. Mahadevan | Sudarsanam Pictures | |
| 1959 | Illali Adrustame Intiki Bhagyamu | Telugu | Marakatha Pictures | with S. V. Venkatraman & Jeevan | |
| 1960 | Nammina Bantu | Telugu | Navayuga Films | with Master Venu | |
| 1960 | Pattaliyin Vetri | Tamil | Navayuga Films | with Master Venu | |
| 1960 | Petra Manam | Tamil | National Pictures | ||
| 1960 | Rani Ratnaprabha | Telugu | B. A. S. Productions | ||
| 1961 | Bhakta Jayadeva | Telugu | P. V. Rama Rao | Lalitha Kala Nikethan | |
| 1961 | Iddaru Mitrulu | Telugu | |||
| 1961 | Bharya Bharthalu | Telugu | |||
| 1962 | Aradhana | Telugu | Jagapathi Art Productions | ||
| 1962 | Vikramaadhithan | Tamil | T. R. Raghunath & N. S. Ramadas | Jaya Bharat Productions | |
| 1962 | Bhishma | Telugu | B. A. S. Productions | ||
| 1962 | Kula Gothralu | Telugu | |||
| 1962 | Pathi Gowravame Sathikanandam | Telugu | K. J. Mahadevan | Sudarsanam Pictures | |
| 1963 | Chaduvukunna Ammayilu | Telugu | |||
| 1964 | Amara Shilpi Jakkanna | Telugu | Vikram Studios | ||
| 1964 | Amarashilpi Jakanachari | Vikram Studios | |||
| 1964 | Bobbili Yuddham | Telugu | C. Seetaram | Republic Productions | |
| 1964 | Desa Drohulu | Telugu | Bolla Subba Rao | Sri Rama Pictures | |
| 1964 | Doctor Chakravarti | Telugu | |||
| 1964 | Mahiravana | Telugu | B. A. S. Productions | ||
| 1964 | Manchi Manishi | Telugu | Chaya Chitra | with T. Chalapathi Rao | |
| 1964 | Pooja Phalam | Telugu | Sri Sambu Pictures | ||
| 1964 | Sirpiyin Selvan | Tamil | Vikram Studios | ||
| 1965 | Aatma Gowravam | Telugu | |||
| 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 | |||
| 1966 | Bhakta Potana | Telugu | Bharat Films | ||
| 1966 | Bala Nagamma | Kannada | P. R. Kaundinya | Sanathana Kalamandira | |
| 1966 | Chilaka Gorinka | Telugu | Aatma Arts | ||
| 1966 | Mohini Bhasmasura | Telugu | B. A. S. Productions | ||
| 1966 | Palnati Yudham | Telugu | Sri Anurupa Films | ||
| 1966 | Rangula Ratnam | Telugu | with B. Gopalam | ||
| 1966 | Sangeeta Lakshmi | Telugu | Giduturi Suryam | Seetaramanjaneya Pictures | |
| 1967 | Bhakta Prahlada | Tamil | |||
| 1967 | Bhakta Prahlada | Telugu | |||
| 1967 | Gruhalakshmi | Telugu | |||
| 1967 | Pula Rangadu | Telugu | |||
| 1967 | Mulla Kireetam | Telugu | P. Subramanyam | Neela Productions | with K. Devadasu |
| 1967 | Rakhta Sindhooram | Telugu | C. Seetharam | Republic | |
| 1967 | Vasantha Sena | Telugu | Vikram Studios | ||
| 1968 | Veeranjaneya | Telugu | Maheeja Films | ||
| 1969 | Aatmiyulu | Telugu | |||
| 1969 | Aadarsa Kutumbam | Telugu | |||
| 1969 | Bangaru Panjaram | Telugu | with B. Gopalam | ||
| 1969 | Bhale Basava | Kannada | Vikram Productions | ||
| 1969 | Dharma Patni | Telugu | B. A. S. Productions | ||
| 1969 | Mamaku Thagga Kodalu | Telugu | Balaji Films | ||
| 1970 | Chitti Chellelu | Telugu | |||
| 1970 | Desamante Manushuloyi | Telugu | Filmkrafts | ||
| 1970 | Jai Jawan | Telugu | Navayuga Films | ||
| 1971 | Amaayakuraalu | Telugu | |||
| 1971 | Bangaru Talli | Telugu | Babu Pictures | ||
| 1971 | Pavitra Bandham | Telugu | 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 | Shri Sanjeevi Movies | ||
| 1972 | Bala Baratham | Tamil | Venus Maheeja Films | ||
| 1972 | Bala Bharatha | Kannada | Venus Maheeja Films | ||
| 1972 | Bala Bharatam | Telugu | Venus Maheeja Films | ||
| 1972 | Bal Mahabharat | Hindi | Venus Maheeja Films | ||
| 1972 | Kalam Marindi | Telugu | Venus Pictures | ||
| 1973 | Mannina Magalu | Kannada | Vikram Productions | ||
| 1973 | Neramu Siksha | Telugu | 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 | |||
| 1974 | Jeevithaasayam | Telugu | 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 | Raja Lakshmi Combines | ||
| 1974 | Tatamma Kala | Telugu | Ramakrishna Cine Studios | ||
| 1975 | Anna Thammulla Katha | Telugu | D. S. Prakash Rao | Amrita Films | |
| 1975 | Bharathamlo Oka Ammayi | Telugu | Vijayavelangani Pictures | ||
| 1975 | Challani Thalli | Telugu | K. S. Rami Reddy | Lalita Movies | |
| 1975 | Yashoda Krishna | Telugu | Premier Studios | ||
| 1976 | Dasavatharamulu | Telugu | Karpagam Studios | with K. Chakravarthy | |
| 1976 | Manchiki Maro Peru | Telugu | Sree Ramakrishna Films | ||
| 1976 | Manushulanta Okkate | Telugu | Aditya Chitra | ||
| 1976 | Oka Deepam Veligindhi | Telugu | Sivaprasad Movies | ||
| 1977 | Eenati Bandham Yenatido | Telugu | K. S. R. Doss | Amrita Films | |
| 1977 | Idhekkadi Nyayam | Telugu | Lalita Movies | ||
| 1977 | Kurukshetram | Telugu | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao | Madhavi Padmalaya Combines | |
| 1978 | Devadasu Malli Puttadu | Telugu | Devi Art Productions | ||
| 1978 | Prema Paga | Telugu | B. V. Prasad | Amruta Films | |
| 1978 | Radhakrishna | Telugu | Annapurna Kala Niketan | ||
| 1978 | Sneha Sedu | Kannada | 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 | Jaganmatha Arts | ||
| 1980 | Bapuji Bharatham | Telugu | Relangi Narasimha Rao | Jayashree Chitra | |
| 1980 | Bommala Koluvu | Telugu | Kommineni Seshagiri Rao | Apsara Arts | |
| 1980 | Chukkallo Chandrudu | Telugu | Sri Pragathi Pictures | with K. V. Mahadevan | |
| 1980 | Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu | Kannada | Maheeja Films | ||
| 1980 | Sri Vasavi Kanyakaa Parameswari Mahathyam | Telugu | 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 | Maheeja Films | ||
| 1984 | Adarsavanthudu | Telugu | Maheeja Films | ||
| 1986 | Tandra Paparayudu | Telugu | |||
| 1987 | America Abbayi | Telugu | Jayalakshmi Movies | ||
| 1991 | Lambadolla Ramdasu | Telugu | K. Babu Rao | ||
| 1995 | Yadagiri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Mahatyam | Telugu | A. Venugopal | with S. Vittal Rao | |
Rajeswara Rao was the recipient of numerous awards and honours for his contributions to Indian cinema, including: