Raavu Balasaraswathi

R. Balasaraswathi Devi
Born Rao Balasaraswathi Devi
28 August 1928
Venkatagiri, Madras Presidency, British India now in Andhra Pradesh
Occupation Actress, playback singer
Awards Ramineni Foundation Award

R. Balasaraswathi, Raavu Balasaraswathi or Rao Balasaraswathi Devi (Telugu: రావు బాలసరస్వతీ దేవి. Tamil: ராவ் பாலசரஸ்வதி தேவி) (born 28 August 1928) is a famous singer and actress of 1930 to the 1960s in Telugu and Tamil cinema.[1]

She has the distinction of being the first light music singer on All India Radio and the first playback singer of the Telugu cinema industry.[2]

Early life

She was born in 1928 at Venkatagiri. 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 life

She acted as child actor Ganga and also sang in the films Sati Anasuya and Bhakta Dhruva, both directed by C. Pullaiah in 1936.[3] 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 made history when she sang for Kamala Kotnis on screen. It was the first instance of playback singing in Telugu cinema. The song Thinne Meedha Sinnoda was composed by Bhimavarapu Narasimha Rao.

She gradually reduced her screen appearances. After some time, she resumed her career as a playback singer to sing many memorable songs in Telugu and Tamil. Although she has rendered songs in many genres and moods such as religious, romantic and dance, her strong point is sorrow and lullabies. The immortal song of neela vaNNa kaNNa vaada, nee oru muttham thaadaa in Mangaiyar Thilakam in Tamil and Dharaniki Giri Bharama, Giriki Tharuvu Bharama, Taruvuku Kaaya Bharama, Kanipenche Talliki Pilla Bharama in Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu in Telugu languages is one of her best tunes.

She lived for some years in Mysore, and then shifted to Hyderabad. After her husband's death, she is now living with her son in her grandson's house in Secunderabad.

Music composers she sang for

She worked under 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.

Playback singers she sang with

She sang immemorable duets mostly with Ghantasala and A. M. Rajah. She also sang along with T. M. Soundararajan, T. A. Mothi, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. Rajam, M. S. Ramarao, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao and Subramanyam.

She also sang duets with female singers with A. P. Komala, M. S. Rajeswari, K. Rani, Jikki and P. S. Vaidehi.

Filmography

Playback singer

Year Film Language Song Music Co-singer
1940 Illalu Telugu Suma Komala S. Rajeswara Rao
1943 Bhagya Lakshmi Telugu Tinne Meedi Chinnoda Bhimavarapu Narasimha Rao
1943 Chenchu Lakshmi Telugu Elukkovayya R. Chinnaiah & C. R. Subburaman
1943 Chenchu Lakshmi Telugu Eri Eri R. Chinnaiah & C. R. Subburaman
1947 Radhika Telugu Gopala Krishnudu Nallana S. Hanumantha Rao
1948 Bilhana Tamil Sri Jaya Saraswathi Devi Thaaye
1948 Bilhana Tamil Innisaiye Ganarasa Innamudhe Ennuriye
1948 Suvarnamala Telugu Ravoji Jilvana Jyoti Adepalli Rama Rao
1949 Laila Majnu Telugu Ela Pagaye Ipudela Pagaye C. R. Subburaman
1949 Laila Majnu Tamil Veen Pazhi Thane Prabho En Mel C. R. Subburaman
1950 Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha Telugu Ogirala Ramachandra Rao
1950 Shavukaru Telugu Deepavali Deepavali Ghantasala
1950 Swapna Sundari Telugu Natanalu Telusunule C. R. Subburaman
1950 Swapna Sundari Telugu Kanaganaitiniga C. R. Subburaman Ghantasala
1950 Swapna Sundari Telugu O Paradesi Mare Jadala C. R. Subburaman
1951 Mayakkari Tamil Kanbeno Kanbeno P. Adinarayana Rao Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
1951 Mayakkari Tamil Kaagaiyum Kooguvum P. Adinarayana Rao Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
1951 Mayakkari Tamil Idhu Enna Vedhanai P. Adinarayana Rao
1951 Mayakkari Tamil Raajaa Koluvaai Vandhaar P. Adinarayana Rao Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
1952 Chinna Kodalu Telugu Jo Jo Jo Vayyarikade Jo Jo Jo G. Aswathama
1952 Chinna Kodalu Telugu Ra Rado Rachiluka G. Aswathama A. M. Rajah
1952 Manavati Tamil O Malaya Maaruthame Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao S. Rajam
1952 Manavati Telugu O Malaya Pavanama Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao M. S. Ramarao
1952 Manavati Telugu Phalimpava Naa Asalu Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao
1952 Manavati Telugu Tana Pantame Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao
1952 Prema Telugu C. R. Subburaman
1952 Thai Ullam Tamil Malai Nila Vara Vendum Chittor V. Nagaiah & Adepalli Rama Rao T. A. Mothi
1952 Priyuralu Telugu Unduvo Madhuranagari Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao
1953 Devadasu Telugu Andam Choodavaya Anandinchavaya C. R. Subburaman,
T. K. Ramamoorthy &
M. S. Viswanathan
1953 Devadasu Telugu Tane Marena Nanne Marachena C. R. Subburaman,
T. K. Ramamoorthy &
M. S. Viswanathan
1953 Devadasu Telugu Imta Telisiyumdi C. R. Subburaman,
T. K. Ramamoorthy &
M. S. Viswanathan
1953 Devadas Tamil Santhosham Vendumendral C. R. Subburaman,
T. K. Ramamoorthy &
M. S. Viswanathan
1953 Devadas Tamil Anbe Pavama C. R. Subburaman,
T. K. Ramamoorthy &
M. S. Viswanathan
1953 Devadas Tamil Paaramugam Yenayya En Swami C. R. Subburaman,
T. K. Ramamoorthy &
M. S. Viswanathan
1953 Naa Chellelu Telugu Hayi Kada Mana Ilvanamu C. N. Pandurangan A. M. Rajah
1953 Naa Chellelu Telugu Ma Prema Ghada Madurmmugada C. N. Pandurangan A. M. Rajah
1953 Naa Illu Telugu Adigadigo Gagana Seema Andamaina Chandamama Adigo Chittor V. Nagaiah & Adepalli Rama Rao Jikki
1953 Pitchi Pullaiah Telugu Ella Velalandu Nee Chakkani Chirunavvulakai T. V. Raju Ghantasala
1953 Parobakaram Tamil Manme Sugamne Perumo Ghantasala
1954 Rajee Na Pranam Telugu Mallepoolu Mallepoolu S. Hanumantha Rao
1954 Rajee En Kanmani Tamil Malligaipoo Jathi Roja S. Hanumantha Rao
1954 Rajee En Kanmani Tamil Sundara Malare S. Hanumantha Rao
1954 Rajee En Kanmani Tamil Amma Vareero S. Hanumantha Rao
1954 Rajee En Kanmani Tamil Thoongaayo Dhuraiye S. Hanumantha Rao
1954 Aandi Petra Selvam Tamil Amma Amma S. Rajeswara Rao
1954 Raju Peda Telugu Amma Amma S. Rajeswara Rao
1955 Asai Anna Arumai Thambi Tamil Kannaithan Parikkuthu K. V. Mahadevan
1955 Asai Anna Arumai Thambi Tamil Sugam Peruveno K. V. Mahadevan
1955 Jayasimha Telugu Madiloni Madhura Bhavam Palikenu Mohana Ragam T. V. Raju Ghantasala
1955 Jayasimha Telugu Manasaina Cheli Pilupu T. V. Raju A. P. Komala
1955 Jayasimman Tamil Malarodu Madhura Mevum Manam Kaanum Mohana Ragam T. V. Raju Ghantasala
1955 Jayasimman Tamil Malar Thara T. V. Raju A. P. Komala
1955 Pasupu Kumkuma Telugu Hayi Hayi O Papayi
1955 Nalla Kalam Tamil Vazhvu Malarnthu Manam Veesiduthe K. V. Mahadevan
1955 Nalla Kalam Tamil Maname Un Vaazhvil Nee K. V. Mahadevan
1955 Mangaiyar Thilakam Tamil Neela Vanna Kanna Vada S. Dakshinamurthi
1955 Valliyin Selvan Tamil Amma Amma Endru S. V. Venkatraman
1955 Valliyin Selvan Tamil Kanne Vada kaniye Vada S. V. Venkatraman
1956 Tenali Raman Tamil Thangam Pongum Meni Undhan Sondham Ini Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1956 Tenali Ramakrishna Telugu Jhan Jhan Kankanamuluga Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1956 Dhampatyam Telugu Tanemi Talacheno Pasupuleti Ramesh Naidu A. M. Rajah
1956 Marma Veeran Tamil Thudikkum Valibame Vedha
1956 Jaya Gopi Tamil O Muthu Papa Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1956 Kannin Manigal Tamil Kandu Konden Naane S. V. Venkatraman T. A. Mothi
1956 Kannin Manigal Tamil Kandu Konden Naane (pathos) S. V. Venkatraman T. A. Mothi
1956 Vanaratham Tamil Sudar Thaari Sabaiyil Unai Kanen Nane Naushad
1956 Vanaratham Tamil Nenjin Ilamai Ensolven Naushad
1956 Bhagyodaya Kannada Anandha Gokula L. Malleswara Rao K. Rani & Subramanyam
1956 Bhagyodaya Kannada Namaste Saradha Devi.... Vaani Veena Paani L. Malleswara Rao
1957 Mahadhevi Tamil Singara Punnagai Kannara Kandale Viswanathan Ramamoorthy M. S. Rajeswari
1957 Peddarikalu Telugu Lali Lali Nanu Kannayya
1957 Peddarikalu Telugu Vennela Rada Vedanalena
1957 Raja Rajan Tamil Kalaityatha Asai Kanave K. V. Mahadevan
1957 Raja Rajan Tamil Kalaityatha Asai Kanave (Pathos) K. V. Mahadevan
1957 Baagyavathi Tamil Ellorum Unnai Nallavan Endre S. Dakshinamurthi
1957 Baagyavathi Tamil Dhinasari En Vazhvil Thirunale S. Dakshinamurthi
1957 Veera Kankanam Telugu Amdala Rani S. Dakshinamurthi A. M. Rajah
1957 Baktha Markandeya Tamil Inggum Anggum Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1958 Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu Telugu Dharaniki Giri Bharama Giriki Taruvu Bharama Ghantasala
1958 Thai Piranthaal Vazhi Pirakkum Tamil Eliyorai Thaazhthi Valiyorai Vaazhthum K. V. Mahadevan T. M. Soundararajan
1958 Uthama Puthiran Tamil Muthe, Pavalame....... Aala Pirantha En Kanmaniye G. Ramanathan A. P. Komala
1958 Anbu Enge Tamil Sollu Nee Raja Vedha
1959 Thayaipola Pillai Noolaipola Selai Tamil Nalla Kudumbam K. V. Mahadevan
1959 Yaar Paiyan Tamil Kannaamoochi Aattam S. Dakshinamurthi
1959 Pelli Sandadi Telugu Rave Premalata Oho Kaviraja Ghantasala Ghantasala
1959 Sumangali Tamil Vithi Seitha Sathiyo Athan M. Ranga Rao Seerkazhi Govindarajan
1959 Penkulathin Ponvilakku Tamil Pillai Kaniyamuthe Pedhai Enthan Pudhu Vazhve Master Venu
1959 Sahodhari Tamil Uravu Thanthai Kannale R. Sudarsanam
1959 Sahodhari Tamil Malarum Malarum Nallarame R. Sudarsanam
1959 Thozhan Tamil Vada Malarthene G. Ramanathan
1959 Sollu Thambi Sollu Tamil Soodatha Malarai K. V. Mahadevan
1959 Mala Oru Mangala Vilakku Tamil Aaduthu Poongkodi
1959 Gandhari Garva Bhangamu Telugu ne Arunodayavela Pamarti Krishna Murty
1959 Arumai Magal Abirami Tamil Nalla Pillai Endru Solli Unnai V. Dakshinamoorthy
1959 Maa Inti Mahalakshmi Telugu Chivurullo Chilukalaga G. Aswathama P. S. Vaidehi
1960 Irumanam Kalanthal Thirumanam Tamil Kanne Vada Kaniye Vada S. Dakshinamurthi
1960 Raja Bakthi Tamil Paarmuzhuthum Irul Parappum G. Govindarajulu Naidu
1961 Thaiyilla Pillai Tamil Seerarum Paingkiliye K. V. Mahadevan
1962 Swargarajyam Malayalam Pandu Pandu Pande M. B. Sreenivasan
1963 Naan Vanangum Dheivam Tamil Dhayavillaiyo Annaiye K. V. Mahadevan
1967 Harichandra Tamil Oraam Maadham Udaladhu Thalarndhu K. V. Mahadevan

Actress

  1. Sati Anasuya (1936) Telugu
  2. Bhakta Dhruva (1936) Telugu
  3. Bhaktha 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. Shantinivasam (1960) Telugu
  14. Sabash Raja (1961) Telugu

Awards

References

  1. "655 DhooL.com Song of the Day". Dhool.com. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  2. "Stars : Star Profiles : Rao Balasaraswathi Devi to be felicitated on her 75th birthday". Telugucinema.com. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  3. "Light Music By Rao Balasaraswathi Devi: Events in Hyderabad". Fullhyderabad.com. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
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