Raavu Balasaraswathi

Raavu Balasaraswathi (born 28 August 1928) is an Indian singer and actress who performed from 1930 to the 1960s in Telugu and Tamil cinema.

R. Balasaraswathi Devi
Born
Rao Balasaraswathi Devi

28 August 1928
Venkatagiri, Madras Presidency, British India
(now in Andhra Pradesh, India)
OccupationActress, playback singer
AwardsRamineni Foundation Award

She was the first light music singer on All India Radio and the first playback singer of the Telugu cinema industry.[1]

Early life

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.

Career

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 Chittor V. Nagaiah, 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.

Music composers she sang for

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, Chittor V. Nagaiah, T. V. Raju, Ghantasala, Naushad, L. Malleswara Rao, S. Dakshinamurthi, Vedha, M. Ranga Rao, Master Venu, R. Sudharsanam, Pamarti Krishna Murty, G. Govindarajulu Naidu and M. B. Sreenivasan.

With playback singers

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 A. P. Komala, M. S. Rajeswari, K. Rani, Jikki and P. S. Vaidehi.

Filmography

Playback singer
YearFilmLanguageSongMusicCo-singer
1940IllaluTeluguSuma Komala Kanulela KalaS. Rajeswara RaoS. Rajeswara Rao
Kavyapaanamu Chesi KaipekkinaaneS. Rajeswara Rao
1941ApavaduTeluguEemaanupainuṇḍiS. Rajeswara RaoK. Raghuramaiah
Adugadugo Poga Bandī
1943Bhagya LakshmiTeluguTinne Meedi ChinnodaBhimavarapu Narasimha Rao
1943Chenchu LakshmiTeluguElukkovayyaR. Chinnaiah & C. R. Subburaman
Eri Eri
1947RadhikaTeluguGopala Krishnudu NallanaS. Hanumantha Rao
1948BilhanaTamilSri Jaya Saraswathi Devi ThaayePapanasam Sivan
Innisaiye Ganarasa Innamudhe Ennuriye
1948ChakradhariTamilAmmaa Ammaa EnaM. D. Parthasarathy
Kanne Vaadaa Maniye Vaadaa
1948SuvarnamalaTeluguRavoji Jilvana JyotiAdepalli Rama Rao
1949Laila MajnuTeluguEla Pagaye Ipudela PagayeC. R. Subburaman
1949Laila MajnuTamilVeen Pazhi Thane Prabho En MelC. R. Subburaman
1950AahutiTeluguO Priyabalanura Ne ManajalanuraS. Rajeswara RaoGhantasala
Janana Maraṇa Lila PremayeGhantasala
Hansavale O PadavaGhantasala
Premaye Janana Maraṇa LilaGhantasala
Punnami Vachinadī PonginadīGhantasala
1950Paramanandayya SishyuluTeluguOgirala Ramachandra Rao
1950ShavukaruTeluguDeepavali Deepavali (pathos) Ghantasala
Deepavali DeepavaliP. Santha Kumari
Palukaraadate ChilukaaGhantasala
Palukaraadate Chilukaa
1950Swapna SundariTeluguNatanalu TelusunuleC. R. Subburaman
Ninne Valache Konara
Ee Seema VelasinaGhantasala
1950Vaali SugreevaTeluguBratuke NirasaS. Rajeswara Rao, Pendyala Nageswara Rao, Master Venu, Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao & GhantasalaGhantasala
1951MayakkariTamilKanbeno KanbenoP. Adinarayana RaoPithapuram Nageswara Rao
Kaavinil Koovum Kogilam ThaanoPithapuram Nageswara Rao
Idhu Enna Vedhanai
Raajaa Koluvaai VandhaarPithapuram Nageswara Rao
1951MayalamariTeluguLedemo LedemoP. Adinarayana RaoGhantasala
Koyila KooseGhantasala
Valachina Priyude
Rani VedaaleGhantasala
O Paradesi
1951RupavathiTeluguRītiyeleni Naa VrataC. R. Subburaman
1952Chinna KodaluTeluguJo Jo Jo Vayyarikade Jo Jo JoG. Aswathama
Ra Rado RachilukaA. M. Rajah
Paruve Baruvaayega
Pillanagrovi Patakada
1952ManavathiTamilO Malaya MaarudhameBalantrapu Rajanikanta Rao & H. R. Padmanabha SastryS. Rajam
Anbu Kondaendhum
Thanadhu Adamae Thaan
1952ManavathiTeluguO Malaya PavanamaBalantrapu Rajanikanta Rao & H. R. Padmanabha SastryM. S. Ramarao
Phalimpava Naa Asalu
Tana Pantame
1952PremaTeluguOoho! Idigada!C. R. Subburaman
1952KaadhalTamilC. R. Subburaman
1952PriyuraluTeluguAnandam Mana Jivana RagamS. Rajeswara RaoGhantasala & Jikki
Undumu Madhuranagarilo Krishna
Evarida Venugīti Pillagalito
Okasaraina Nī MadhuralapanaGhantasala
Vinaravo O VintalokamaGhantasala
1952SanthiTeluguAkule Marrakula EenaduC. R. Subburaman
Aha Netiki Napai Jali
Oogudune Vuyela Rivvuna
1952Thai UllamTamilMalai Nila Vara VendumChittor V. Nagaiah & Adepalli Rama RaoT. A. Mothi
1953AmmalakkaluTeluguLallaa LallaaG. Ramanathan]], C. R. Subburaman & Viswanathan-RamamoorthyPithapuram Nageswara Rao
1953DevadasTamilSanthosham VendumendralC. R. Subburaman, T. K. Ramamoorthy
& M. S. Viswanathan
Anbe Pavama
Paaramugam Yenayya En Swami
1953DevadasuTeluguAndam Choodavaya AnandinchavayaC. R. Subburaman, T. K. Ramamoorthy
& M. S. Viswanathan
Tane Marena Nanne Marachena
Imta Telisiyumdi
1953En VeeduTamilBhoomiyile Oru Punniya KathaiChittor V. Nagaiah & Adepalli Rama RaoJikki
1953Naa ChelleluTeluguHayi Kada Mana IlvanamuC. N. PanduranganA. M. Rajah
Ma Prema Ghada MadurmmugadaA. M. Rajah
1953Naa IlluTeluguAdigadigo Gagana Seema Andamaina Chandamama AdigoChittor V. Nagaiah & Adepalli Rama RaoJikki
1953Pichi PullayyaTeluguElla Velalandu Nee Chakkani ChirunavvulakaiT. V. RajuGhantasala
1954Nalla PenmaniTamilAnbe Nee Kanne Valarnthaal PetraP. S. Divakar
Dhevi Dhevi Agathi En Vinai
Nin Dhayavaale En Mana Thuyaram
Anbe Nee Kanne Valarnthaal PetraA. M. Rajah
Vaadi Ularumo Vaazhkai Malarumo
1954Maa GopiTeluguO Muddu PapaViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1954NirupedaluTeluguRaavamma Nidura RaavammaT. V. Raju
1954Raju PedaTeluguAmma AmmaS. Rajeswara Rao
1954Rajee En KanmaniTamilMalligaipoo Jathi RojaS. Hanumantha Rao
Sundara Malare
Amma Vareero
Thoongaayo Dhuraiye
1954Rajee Na PranamTamilMallepoolu MallepooluS. Hanumantha Rao
Meraina Choosi
Nindhu Vennela Mallelalo
Managalana Soonyamu
1954Panam Paduthum PaduTamilManame Sugame PerumoT. A. Kalyanam
Endrum Ilaa Inbam Idhe
1954Vaddante DabbuTeluguMansaemo ChalinchaneyoT. A. Kalyanam
Endukoyi
ThimtalangthomRohini, V. Ramakrishna, S. P. Kodandapani, & M. V. Raju
1955Aada BiddaTeluguKalyani SubhadayiniAmarnath
Galimedalena Naa Jīvitasalu
Talatala Merise Vennelalo
Laagaraa AilesaaM. S. Rama Rao & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
1955Asai Anna Arumai ThambiTamilKannaithaan ParikkudhuK. V. Mahadevan
Sugam Peruveno
1955JayasimhaTeluguMadiloni Madhura Bhavam Palikenu Mohana RagamT. V. RajuGhantasala
Manasaina Cheli PilupuA. P. Komala
1955JayasimmanTamilMalarodu Madhura Mevum Manam Kaanum Mohana RagamT. V. RajuGhantasala
Malar TharaA. P. Komala
1955Mahakavi KalidhasTamilPesum Kiliye Vaanil ParandhaaiC. Honnappa Bhagavathar
Vaaraai Vaaraai VaaraaiV. N. Sundharam
1955Mangaiyar ThilakamTamilNeela Vanna Kanna VadaS. Dakshinamurthi
1955NallakalamTamilVazhvu Malarnthu Manam VeesidutheK. V. Mahadevan
Maname Un Vaazhvil Nee
1955Pasupu KumkumaTeluguHayi Hayi O PapayiM. Ranga Rao
1955Sri Jagannatha MahatyamuTeluguKadha Yide MrdumadhuramuMallik & B. Gopalam
Bhramara Yidemaya Ento
1956BhagyachakraKannadaDoora Doora DoorakeVijaya Bhaskar
Jhalukina Jhalukina Loka
1956BhagyodayaKannadaAnandha GokulaL. Malleswara RaoK. Rani & Subramanyam
Namaste Saradha Devi.... Vaani Veena Paani
1956Jaya GopiTamilO Muthu PapaViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1956Kannin ManigalTamilKandu Konden NaaneS. V. VenkatramanT. A. Mothi
Kandu Konden Naane (pathos)T. A. Mothi
1956Mangala GauriTamilAmbaa Mangala GowriOgirala Ramachandra Rao
1956Marma VeeranTamilThudikkum ValibameVedha
1956Moondru PengalTamilEnadhu Ullame Poothu KulungumK. V. Mahadevan
1956Nalla VeeduTamilKalaimathiye En KaadhalKrishnamurthi & Nagaraja IyerP. B. Sreenivas
Vidhiyin Sodhanai Idhuthaanaa
Idhayame Sorgamaagum
1956Sri Gauri MahatyamTeluguAmbaa Mangala GowriOgirala Ramachandra Rao & T. V. Raju
1956Tenali RamakrishnaTeluguJhan Jhan KankanamulugaViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1956Tenali RamanTamilThangam Pongum Meni Undhan Sondham IniViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1956VanarathamTamilSudar Thaari Sabaiyil Unai Kanen NaneNaushad
Nenjin Ilamai Ensolven
1957Aandi Petra SelvamTamilAmma AmmaS. Rajeswara Rao
1957Aavathellam PennaleTamilVennila Raajaa Vegamaai Nee VaaJeevan
1957BaagyavathiTamilEllorum Unnai Nallavan EndreS. Dakshinamurthi
Dhinasari En Vazhvil Thirunale
1957Bhaktha MarkandeyaTamilInggum AnggumViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1957DhampatyamTeluguTanemi TalachenoPasupuleti Ramesh NaiduA. M. Rajah
Nadhi Veedhilo Jeeitham
1957Evari AbbayiTeluguKallamootakaalaṁ Kadura RaajaaT. M. Ibrahim
1957MahadheviTamilSingara Punnagai Kannara KandaleViswanathan-RamamoorthyM. S. Rajeswari
1957PeddarikaluTeluguLali Lali Nanu KannayyaMaster Venu
Vennela Rada Vedanalena
Padavamma MaayamP. Susheela & P. S. Vaidhegi
1957Raja RajanTamilKalaityaadha Aasai KanaveK. V. Mahadevan
Kalaityaadha Aasai Kanave (Pathos)
1957SankalpamTeluguNidurapooraS. Dakshinamurthi
Naa Aasalanni
1957Veera KankanamTeluguAmdala RaniS. DakshinamurthiA. M. Rajah
Siggulu Chigurinchene
1957Yaar PaiyanTamilKannaamoochi AattamS. Dakshinamurthi
1958Anbu EngeTamilSollu Nee RajaVedha
1958Manchi Manasuku Manchi RojuluTeluguDharaniki Giri Bharama Giriki Taruvu BharamaGhantasala
1958Thai Pirandhal Vazhi PirakkumTamilEliyorai Thaazhthi Valiyorai VaazhthumK. V. MahadevanT. M. Soundararajan
1958Uthama PuthiranTamilMuthe, Pavalame....... Aala Pirantha En KanmaniyeG. RamanathanA. P. Komala
1959Arumai Magal AbiramiTamilNalla Pillai Endru Solli UnnaiV. Dakshinamoorthy
1959Bala NagammaTamilAararo Ennaasai Raajaa Pamarti Krishna Murty
1959Gandhari Garva BhangamuTeluguNe ArunodayavelaPamarti Krishna Murty
1959Maa Inti MahalakshmiTeluguChivurullo ChilukalagaG. AswathamaP. S. Vaidhegi
1959Mala Oru Mangala VilakkuTamilAaduthu PoongkodiC. N. Pandurangan
1959Pelli SandadiTeluguRave Premalata Oho KavirajaGhantasalaGhantasala
Hailelo Naa RaajaJikki
1959Penn Kulathin PerumaiTamilPillai Kaniyamuthe Pedhai Enthan Pudhu VazhveMaster Venu
1959SahodhariTamilUravu Thanthai KannaaleR. Sudharsanam
Malarum Malarum Nallarame
1959Sollu Thambi SolluTamilSoodaadha MalaraiK. V. Mahadevan
1959SumangaliTamilVidhi Seidha Sadhiyo AtthaanM. Ranga RaoSeerkazhi Govindarajan
1959Thayapola Pillai Noolapola SelaiTamilNalla Kudumbam Miga Nalla KudumbamK. V. Mahadevan
1959ThozhanTamilVada MalartheneG. Ramanathan
1959Vachina Kodalu NachindiTeluguEmo Emanukoneno Na MathaS. Dakshinamurthi
1960Chinna MarumagalTamilNamaste Saradha Devi.... Vaani Veena PaaniL. Malleswara Rao
1960Irumanam Kalanthal ThirumanamTamilKanne Vaadaa Kaniye VaadaaS. Dakshinamurthi
1960Raja BakthiTamilPaarmuzhuthum Irul ParappumG. Govindarajulu Naidu
1961Thayilla PillaiTamilSeerarum PaingkiliyeK. V. Mahadevan
1962SwargarajyamMalayalamPandu Pandu PandeM. B. Sreenivasan
1963Naan Vanangum DheivamTamilDhayavillaiyo AnnaiyeK. V. Mahadevan
1968HarichandraTamilOraam Maadham Udaladhu ThalarndhuK. V. Mahadevan
Naranaiyum Nee Padaitthaai

Actress
  1. Sati Anasuya (1936) Telugu
  2. Bhakta Dhruva (1936) Telugu
  3. Kuchela (1936) Tamil
  4. Balayogini (1936) Tamil
  5. Tukaram (1938) Telugu & Tamil
  6. Thiruneelakantar (1939) Tamil
  7. Illalu (1940) Telugu
  8. Apavadu (1941) Telugu
  9. Chandrahasa (1941) Telugu
  10. Dhaasippen (1943) Tamil
  11. Radhika (1947) Telugu
  12. Bilhana (1948) Telugu & Tamil
  13. Shanthi Nivasam (1960) Telugu
  14. Sabhash Raja (1961) Telugu

Awards

References
  1. "Stars : Star Profiles : Rao Balasaraswathi Devi to be felicitated on her 75th birthday". Telugucinema.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  2. "Light Music By Rao Balasaraswathi Devi: Events in Hyderabad". Fullhyderabad.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
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