Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao (1922-1974), known mononymously as Ghantasala, was a legendary Indian playback singer and film composer who worked predominantly in Telugu cinema. He was also known for his work in Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Tulu, and Hindi language films. He is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of Telugu cinema.
Early Life and Background
- Birth: Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao was born on December 4, 1922, in Choutapalli, a village in Gudivada taluk of Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
- Family: He was born into a Telugu Brahmin family. His father, Ghantasala Soorayya, was a professional singer.
- Childhood: Ghantasala’s interest in music began in his childhood. He used to dance to his father’s Tarangams (devotional songs).
- Early Loss: His father passed away when Ghantasala was young, and he was subsequently raised by his maternal uncle, Ryali Pitchi Ramaiah.
- Formal Training: He received formal music training from Patrayani Sitarama Sastry and later joined the Maharajah’s Government College of Music and Dance in Vijayanagaram.
Career
- Freedom Fighter: Ghantasala participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942, which led to his arrest and imprisonment for 18 months in the Alipore Jail, Ballari.
- Early Career: After his release from prison, he worked as a singer for All India Radio.
- Film Debut: His entry into the film industry was with Pratibha Films, where he sang in the chorus and played a minor role in the film “Seetha Rama Jananam.”
- Music Director: Ghantasala’s first film as a music director was “Laxmamma.” He also composed music for “Mana Desam,” which was the first film of the legendary actor N. T. Rama Rao (NTR).
- Playback Singing: He became a popular playback singer with films like “Keelu Gurram” and “Laila Majnu.”
- Dominance in Telugu Cinema: For nearly three decades, Ghantasala was the dominant male playback singer in Telugu cinema. He lent his voice to almost all the leading actors of his time.
- Other Languages: Besides Telugu, Ghantasala also sang and composed music for films in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Tulu, and Hindi.
- Legacy: He sang over 10,000 songs and worked as a music director for more than 100 films.
Awards and Recognition
- Padma Shri: In 1970, Ghantasala was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to Indian cinema.
- Legacy: He is remembered for his rich voice, his mastery of classical music, and his ability to evoke emotions through his singing. His songs continue to be popular and are considered classics in Telugu cinema.
- Commemoration: The Indian government issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honor in 2003. Statues of Ghantasala have been erected in various places, and several educational institutions have been named after him.
Death
Ghantasala passed away on February 11, 1974, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, at the age of 51. His untimely death was a significant loss to the Indian music industry.
Ghantasala’s contribution to Telugu cinema and music is immense. His voice and music continue to resonate with millions of fans, and he remains an iconic figure in the history of Indian cinema.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS :
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNsbt49jLFw&pp=ygUcR0hBTlRBU0FMQSAgbGF0ZXN0IGludGVydmlldw%3D%3D
FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE VISIT : https://moviebuzzhub.com/
