Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao

Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao was born on December 4, 1923 in Choutapalli, near Gudivada. His inspiration and his teacher was his father Surayya, an itinerant singer of tarangalu, and mridangam player. Sadly, Surayya passed away when Venkateshwara Rao was only 11. The family was supported by his maternal uncle Ryali Pichiramaiah.

He acted as a child actor in plays like Chintamani and Sati Sakkubhai. He was apprenticed to the school of Susurlu Krishna Brahma Sastry and graduated from a music school at Vijayanagaram, while earning a living as an singer and beggar. He received the title of Vidhwan in 1941.

As a freedom fighter he was jailed for two years in Alipore. He worked with All India Radio for sometime. He got married to Savitri of Pedapulivarru. It was in this village that he met Samudrala Raghavacharya. He reached Madras for film chances on the advice of Samudrala.

Prathiba Balaramaiah gave him first chance as a character artist. He then worked under the music director Subbaraman for the film 'Ratnamala'. He worked as a asociate music director for 'Balaraju'. He was music director for the film 'Lakshmamma.' His first film as a singer was 1945 (Swargaseema), singing duets with Bhanumati to Nagaiah's score.

He served as the 'Aaasthana Gaayaka' (court musician) for the TTD. He was also a recipient of the Padmashri. He sang more than 10,000 songs and composed music for more than 125 movies. Some of the most famous renderings of Ghantasala include Bhagawadhgeeta, Pushpa Vilapam etc.

Filmography
Playback Singer

1. Alluri Seetharama Raju (1974)
2. Bhakta Tukaram (1973)
3. Deshoddharakulu (1973)
4. Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973)
5. Jeevana Tarangalu (1973)
6. Badi Panthulu (1972)
7. Bala Bharatam (1972)
8. Iddaru Ammayilu (1972)
9. Koduku Kodalu (1972)
10. Pandanti Kapuram (1972)
11. Tata Manavadu (1972)
12. Chinnanaati Snehithulu (1971)
13. Dasara Bullodu (1971)
14. Prem Nagar (1971)
15. Rajakota Rahasyam (1971)
16. Sampoorna Ramayanam (1971)
17. Shri Krishna Satya (1971)
18. Shrimanthudu (1971)
19. Alibaba 40 Dongalu (1970)
20. Ammakosam (1970)
21. Balaraju Katha (1970)
22. Dharma Daata (1970)
23. Kathanayika Molla (1970)
24. Poola Rangadu (1970)
25. Thalli Thandrulu (1970)
26. Adrushtavanthalu (1969)
27. Aadarsa Kutumbam (1969)
28. Aatmiyulu (1969)
29. Buddhimanthudu (1969)
30. Ekaveera (1969)
31. Mooga Nomu (1969)
32. Nindu Hridayalu (1969)
33. Saptaswarulu (1969)
34. Vichitra Kutumbam (1969)
35. Brahmachari (1968)
36. Bagdad Gajadonga (1968)
37. Bandhavyalu (1968)
38. Bangaru Gaajulu (1968)
39. Kalisochchina Adrushtam (1968)
40. Niluvu Dopidi (1968)
41. Umachandi Gauri Shankarula Katha (1968)
42. Undamma Bottu Pedata (1968)
43. Varakatnam (1968)
44. Kanchukota (1967)
45. Bhakta Prahlada (1967)
46. Bhama Vijayam (1967)
47. Chadarangam (1967)
48. Goodachari 116 (1967)
49. Kambojaraju Katha (1967)
50. Prana Mithrulu (1967)
51. Privetu Mastaru (1967)
52. Rahasyam (1967)
53. Saakshi (1967)
54. Shri Krishnavataram (1967)
55. Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna (1967)
56. Sudigundaalu (1967)
57. Ummadi Kutumbam (1967)
58. Aastiparulu (1966)
59. Adugu Jaadalu (1966)
60. Bhakta Potana (1966)
61. Chilaka Gorinka (1966)
62. Kanne Manasulu (1966)
63. Letha Manasulu (1966)
64. Navarathri (1966)
65. Palnati Yudham (1966)
66. Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha (1966)
67. Potti Pleader (1966)
68. Rangula Ratnam (1966)
69. Shri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966)
70. Shri Krishna Tulabharam (1966)
71. Aatma Gowravam (1965)
72. Antastulu (1965)
73. Bangaru Panjaram (1965)
74. Chandrahasa (1965)
75. C.I.D (1965)
76. Gudi Gantalu (1965)
77. Manashulu Mamatalu (1965)
78. Naadi Aada Janme (1965)
79. Preminchi Choodu (1965)
80. Satya Harishchandra (1965)
81. Sumangali (1965)
82. Tene Manasulu (1965)
83. Todu Needa (1965)
84. Uyyala Jampala (1965)
85. Aatma Balam (1964)
86. Amarshilpi Jakanna (1964)
87. Babruvahana (1964)
88. Bobbili Yudham (1964)
89. Daagudumootalu (1964)
90. Devatha (1964)
91. Dr. Chakravarthy (1964)
92. Manchi Manishi (1964)
93. Murali Krishna (1964)
94. Poojaphalam (1964)
95. Ramudu Bheemudu (1964)
96. Velugu Needalu (1964)
97. Vivaha Bandham (1964)
98. Manchi Chedu (1963)
99. Narthanasala (1963)
100. Tirupathamma Katha (1963)
101. Lakshadhikari (1963)
102. Bandipotu (1963)
103. Paruvu Prathishta (1963)
104. Lava Kusa (1963)
105. Savati Koduku (1963)
106. Valmiki (1963)
107. Irugu - Porugu (1963)
108. Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham (1963)
109. Apta Mithrulu (1963)
110. Chaduvukunna Ammayilu (1963)
111. Karna (1963)
112. Mooga Manasulu (1963)
113. Penchina Prema (1963)
114. Punarjanma (1963)
115. Yedureetha (1963)
116. Atma Bandhuvu (1962)
117. Raktha Sambandham (1962)
118. Swarnamanjari (1962)
119. Mahamantri Timmarasu (1962)
120. Gundamma Katha (1962)
121. Dakshayagnam (1962)
122. Bhishma (1962)
123. Tiger Ramudu (1962)
124. Gaali Medalu (1962)
125. Gulebakavali Katha (1962)
126. Aradhana (1962)
127. Constable Koothuru (1962)
128. Kula Gothralu (1962)
129. Manchi Manasulu (1962)
130. Pavithra Prema (1962)
131. Siri Sampadalu (1962)
132. Taxi Ramudu (1961)
133. Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham (1961)
134. Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961)
135. Santa (1961)
136. Pendli Pilupu (1961)
137. Sati Sulochana (1961)
138. Intiki Deepam Illalu (1961)
139. Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam (1961)
140. Batasari (1961)
141. Bharya Bharthalu (1961)
142. Iddaru Mitrulu (1961)
143. Krishna Kuchela (1961/II)
144. Pandava Vanavasam (1961/I)
145. Papa Pariharam (1961)
146. Sabash Raja (1961)
147. Usha Parinayam (1961)
148. Vagdanam (1961)
149. Bhatti Vikramarka (1960)
150. Bhakta Raghunath (1960)
151. Bhakta Shabari (1960)
152. Chivaraku Migiledi (1960)
153. Deepavali (1960)
154. Harishchandra (1960)
155. Magavari Mayalu (1960)
156. Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960)
157. Mangalyam (1960)
158. Runanubandham (1960)
159. Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chinthamani (1960)
160. Samajam (1960)
161. Shantinivasam (1960)
162. Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam (1960)
163. Vimala (1960)
164. Balangamma (1959)
165. Illarikam (1959)
166. Jayabheri (1959)
167. Bhagya Devatha (1959)
168. Krishna Leelalu (1959)
169. Maa Inti Mahalakshmi (1959)
170. Nammina Bantu (1959)
171. Pelli Sandadi (1959)
172. Raja Makutam (1959)
173. Rechukka Pragatichukka (1959)
174. Sabhash Ramudu (1959)
175. Pelli Naati Pramanalu (1958)
176. Raja Nandini (1958)
177. Bhookailas (1958)
178. Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1958)
179. Atha Okinti Kodale (1958)
180. Chenchu Lakshmi (1958)
181. Mangalya Balam (1958)
182. Mundadugu (1958)
183. Shri Krishna Maya (1958)
184. Suvarna Sundari (1957)
185. Maya Bazaar (1957)
186. Aalu Magalu (1957)
187. Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam (1957)
188. Bhagya Rekha (1957)
189. Bhale Bava (1957)
190. Dongallo Dora (1957)
191. Maya Bazaar (1957)
192. M.L.A. (1957)
193. Nala Damayanti (1957)
194. Panduranga Mahatyam (1957)
195. Preme Daivam (1957)
196. Sarangadhara (1957)
197. Sati Savitri (1957)
198. Todi Kodallu (1957)
199. Varudu Kavali (1957)
200. Vinayaka Chaviti (1957)
201. Chiranjeevulu (1956)
202. Tenali Ramakrishna (1956)
203. Bhakta Markandeya (1956)
204. Bhale Ramudu (1956)
205. Charana Daasi (1956)
206. Chintamani (1956)
207. Jayam Manade (1956)
208. Kanakatara (1956)
209. Muddu Bidda (1956)
210. Sontha Ooru (1956)
211. Jayasimha (1955)
212. Donga Ramudu (1955)
213. Kanyasulkam (1955)
214. Santanam (1955)
215. Rojulu Marayi (1955)
216. Anarkali (1955)
217. Ardhangi (1955)
218. Missamma (1955)
219. Rani Ratnaprabha (1955)
220. Shri Krishna Tulabharam (1955)
221. Vadina Gari Gajulu (1955)
222. Parivartana (1954)
223. Raju-Peda (1954)
224. Rechukka (1954)
225. Todu Dongalu (1954)
226. Vaddante Dabbu (1954)
227. Chandraharam (1954)
228. Bangaru Papa (1954)
229. Chakrapani (1954)
230. Peddamanushulu (1954)
231. Sri Kalahastiswara Mahatyam (1954)
232. Pitchi Pullaiah (1953)
233. Bratuku Theruvu (1953)
234. Chandirani (1953)
235. Chandirani (1953)
236. Devadasu (1953)
237. Jatakam (1953)
238. Jatakaphalam (1953)
239. Kanna Talli (1953)
240. Oka Talli Pillalu (1953)
241. Pardesi (1953)
242. Pempudu Koduku (1953)
243. Pratigna (1953)
244. Palletooru (1952)
245. Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952)
246. Prema (1952)
247. Tingu Ranga (1952)
248. Malliswari (1951)
249. Patala Bhairavi (1951)
250. Navvite Navaratnalu (1951)
251. Palletoori Pilla (1950)
252. Shavukaru (1950)
253. Samsaram (1950)
254. Swapna Sundari (1950)
255. Mana Desam (1949)
256. Laila Majnu (1949)
257. Raksharekha (1949)
258. Gunasundari Katha (1949)
259. Balaraju (1948)
260. Vindhyarani (1948)
261. Palnati Yudham (1947)
262. Ratnamala (1947)
263. Swargaseema (1945)

Music Director

1. Alibaba 40 Dongalu (1970)
2. Thalli Thandrulu (1970)
3. Rahasyam (1967)
4. Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha (1966)
5. C.I.D (1965)
6. Gudi Gantalu (1965)
7. Raktha Sambandham (1962)
8. Gundamma Katha (1962)
9. Sati Sulochana (1961)
10. Pandava Vanavasam (1961)
11. Sabash Raja (1961)
12. Bhakta Raghunath (1960)
13. Deepavali (1960)
14. Shantinivasam (1960)
15. Pelli Sandadi (1959)
16. Sabhash Ramudu (1959)
17. Pelli Naati Pramanalu (1958)
18. Maya Bazaar (1957)
19. Bhale Bava (1957)
20. Sarangadhara (1957)
21. Vinayaka Chaviti (1957)
22. Chiranjeevulu (1956)
23. Jayam Manade (1956)
24. Kanakatara (1956)
25. Kanyasulkam (1955)
26. Vadina Gari Gajulu (1955)
27. Chandraharam (1954)
28. Bratuku Theruvu (1953)
29. Palletooru (1952)
30. Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952)
31. Patala Bhairavi (1951)
32. Shavukaru (1950)
33. Vali Sugriva (1950)
34. Mana Desam (1949)
35. Raksharekha (1949)
36. Balaraju (1948)

Producer

1. Bhakta Raghunath (1960)
2. Sontha Ooru (1956)

Actor

1. Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam (1960) (guest appearance)