| S. Rajeswara Rao | |
| 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, 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 B. N. Reddy's Malliswari in 1950; the songs were a hit. Vipranarayana (1954), Missamma (1955) 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 Rajeswara Rao's compositions.[1]
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 Vizianagaram in 1934. A child prodigy, Rajeswara 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 Rajeswara 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 Rajeswara Rao became a household name all over Andhra Pradesh.
Rajeswara 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. 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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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 (Koti), are also music directors in the Telugu film industry. Rajeswara Rao's youngest son, Saluri Koti Durga Prasad, is not associated with the film industry. His daughters are Ramadevi, Mangamma, Kousalya, and Vijayalakshmi. Rajeswara Rao's elder brother, Saluri Hanumantha Rao, was a music director in the Kannada and Telugu film industry.
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).
| 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 | Shanta 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 | 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 | 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 | Amrita 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 Parameshwari 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 | 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 | |