Ghantasala (musician)
Ghantasala Venkateswararao, known mononymously by his surname as Ghantasala, was an Indian playback singer and film composer known for his works predominantly in Telugu and Kannada cinema and also in Tamil, Malayalam, Tulu and Hindi language films. He is considered one of the greatest singers of Telugu and Indian cinema. In 1970, he received the Padma Shri award, India's fourth highest civilian award for his contribution to Indian cinema. According to The Hindu and The Indian Express, Ghantasala was 'such a divine talent and with his songs he could move the hearts of the people'. 'Ghantasala's blending of classical improvisations to the art of light music combined with his virtuosity and sensitivity puts him a class apart, above all others in the field of playback singing'. Gifted with what Indian film historian V. A. K. Ranga Rao called 'the most majestic voice', Ghantasala helped Telugu film music develop its own distinct character which remains unparalleled. He is referred to as the 'Gaana Gandharva' for his mesmerising voice and musical skills.
Ghantasala performed in the United States, England and Germany, and for the United Nations Organisation. The government of Andhra Pradesh marked the occasion of 25 years of his film career as Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Ghantasala in Hyderabad on 1 February 1970. More than 30,000 people attended the function held at the Lal Bahadur Stadium, Hyderabad. Ghantasala continues to be popular. Statutes of his likeness have been installed across Andhra Pradesh. Every year, the anniversaries of his birth and death are celebrated in India and overseas.
Early life
Ghantasala was born in 1922 into a Telugu Brahmin family of Ghantasala Soorayya, a professional singer in Chowtapalli, a village in Gudivada taluk of Krishna District. But his ancestral native place was tekupalli village, mopidevi mandal, krishna district which falls under diviseema. During his childhood, Ghantasala used to dance to his father's Tharangams. His father died when Ghantasala was a child, and he was brought up by his maternal uncle. He took formal music training from Patrayani Sitarama Sastry, and joined Maharajah's Government College of Music and Dance in Vijayanagram.Career
Ghantasala participated in the Quit India Movement of 1942, for which he was arrested and imprisoned for 18 months at the Alipore Jail, Ballari. After leaving jail, he met Samudrala Sr., who advised him to try his luck in the film industry as a singer. Ghantasala married Savitri, who lived in a village called Pedapulivarru. In that village, Ghantasala met lyricist Samudrala Sr., who was impressed with his voice and inducted him into the Madras film industry. Before Ghantasala found fame, he was already an accomplished Carnatic music singer.Ghantasala's first break as a singer came from All India Radio. Later on, Peketi Siva Ram from the His Master's Voice studios recorded Ghantasala's private songs. Ghantasala debuted as a chorus singer and for a character role in Seeta Rama Jananam by Pratibha Films. After this, he worked with well-known music directors Gali Penchala and C. R. Subbaraman. Ghantasala's first film as a music director was Laxmamma. He introduced the technique of changing the vocal pitch and diction to suit the actor singing the songs. Ghantasala was peerless at Padyam renderings and his way with the Telugu padyam was incomparable.
Producer Chittajallu Krishnaveni gave Ghantasala his first job as full-time music director for her film Mana Desam, which was N. T. Rama Rao's first film. It established Ghantasala as a music composer-cum-playback singer. He was the most prolific film composer and playback singer in Telugu cinema until the mid-1970s. He composed music for many popular Telugu movies, including Patala Bhairavi, Mayabazar, Lava Kusa, Pandava Vanavasam, Rahasyam, Gundamma Katha, Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha and Pelli Chesi Chudu, and also for popular Tamil and Kannada films in the 1950s and 1960s. Ghantasala sang for and directed the music for a Hindi film Jhandaa ooncha Rahe Hamara. The song "Siva Sankari" from the film Jagadeka Veeruni Katha believed to be one of the most challenging songs from classical Hindusthani and carnatic style was sung by Ghantasala in a single take.
Private recordings and Bhagavad Gita
Ghantasala served as the Aaasthana Gaayaka for the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. He recorded private albums, including Bhagawad Gita, Patriotic Songs, Padyalua unique genre of Telugu, singing the verses in dramatic stylePushpa Vilapam, Devotional and folk songs. His recording of "Bhagawad Gita", which he directed and sang, can now be heard daily in the Tirumala temple. According to music director Pendyala Nageswara Rao and playback singer P. Susheela, "Ghantasala alone is the foremost among playback singers who had a full-fledged melodious powerful voice range which could accommodate in uniformity, all the three octaves in music quite comfortably".Pendyala Nageswara Rao channelled Ghantasala's classical musical knowledge and skills in classical renditions and in Telugu films including siva sankari from film Jagadekaveeruni Katha, Rasika Raja taguvaramu kama from film Jayabheri, and Syamala Dandakam – Manikya Veena from film Mahakavi Kalidasu. Pendyala said these renditions were recorded only in one take by Ghantasala.
Death
Ghantasala died on 11 February 1974, two months after his 51st birthday, due to cardiac arrest at a hospital in Chennai. The last song he recorded was for a documentary – Bhadrachala Ramadasu Vaibhavam from the hospital bed the day before his death.Legacy
The Indian government released a postage stamp and first day cover to celebrate Ghantasala's work on 11 February 2003. He is the first movie singer-composer of the south to be accorded this honour. The US Postal Department has released a postal stamp on Ghantasala on 6 October 2014. The postal stamp was jointly released by the North American Telugu Society in collaboration with Telugu Literary and Cultural Association in New York.Various awards named after Ghantasala are given every year, including the "Ghantasala melody king award". Recipients of this award include playback singers K J Yesudas and P Suseela, and Indian Idol Sri Ramachandra. Ghantasala Arts Academy has instituted the "Ghantasala National Award"; the first winner was playback singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.
Awards
Ghantasala was honoured with the "Padmashri" by the Government of India. He won the best playback singer award in Andhra Pradesh every year for nearly 30 years, a feat unachieved by any other playback singer.After the saint poet Annamacharya in the 15th century, Ghantasala has been the only singer to perform devotional songs inside the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple near the Lord Moola Virat.
Tributes
"Kala Pradarshini Ghantasala Puraskar", the only award instituted directly by the Ghantasala Family curated by his second son Ravi Ghantasala and his wife, acclaimed dancer Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala, which aims to honor legends who have contributed to "Arts and Philanthropy". the Inaugural awards were presented to Dr.S.P.Balasubramanyam, Dr. Padma Subramaniam and Dr. Nalli Kuppusamy Chetty.The Ghantasala Puraskar Award 2014, given every year by Sharan Incorporation, has been conferred on Rao Bala Saraswathi Devi, who was the first Telugu playback singer.
The Government music college in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, is named after Ghantasala. Ghantasala Sangeetha Kalasala college in Hyderabad and Vizag offers six-month and one-year diploma courses on Ghantasala's light music, songs and music. Ghantasala Yuva kalakendram offers semester based courses specially for children and youth.SivaNandiAwardRecipient Ghantasala Yuva Kalakendram founder M.S.V.N.VamshikrishnaDevaraya conducts ghantasala musical workshops every year at tayagaraya gana sabha
Personal life
Ghantasala Venkateswararao was married to Savitri and Sarala Devi. He had eight children: four daughters and four sons. Shyamala, Suguna, Shanthi, Vijayakumar and Ratnakumar were born to Savtri and while Meera, Ravikumar and Shankar Kumar were born to Sarla Devi.It is said that Ghantasala named his eldest son "Vijaya" Kumar after Vijaya Productions out of gratitude towards the organization that employed him as a permanent artiste. Sri Chakrapani, one of the producers of Vijaya Productions, presented Ghantasala with a purse with Rs. 25,000 realising his respect towards the organization. 10 years after his death, his youngest son Ratnakumar went on to become a popular dubbing artist.
Filmography
Tyagayya Anarkali Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam- Sathya harichndra
Playback singer and music director
Ghantasala composed Music for more than 110 films as stated by him, following is the list of 124 films for which he has composed Music. The list includes remakes and dubbed films. The date of release of the film is also given. The list includes Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films besides Telugu films where he worked predominantly.Balaraju, 26 Feb 1948 Co Music Directors Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao and C. R. SubbaramanRatnamala, 2 Jan 1948 as a Co Music Director to CR Subbaramankeelugurram, 19 Feb 1949Mayakkudirai, Maya Kudirai or Maya Kuthirai, Tamil 1949Manadesam, 24 Nov 1949లక్ష్మమ్మ, 26 Feb 1950Lakshmamma, Tamil Dubbed 1950Vali Sugriva, 19 Mar 1950Shavukaru, 7 April 1950Swapna Sundari, 9 Nov 1950 Co Music Director CR SubbaramanSwapna Sundari, Tamil Dubbed Film Co Music Director CR Subbaramanచంద్రవంక (1951 సినిమా), 2 Feb 1951Nirabaradhi, Tamil 1951Nirdoshi, 24 Feb 1951Pathala Bhairavi, 15 March 1951Pathala Bhairavi, Tamil 17 May 1951Pathala Bhairavi, Hindi DubbedPalletooru, 16th Octo 1952Pelli Chesi Choodu, 29 Feb 1952Kalyanam Panni Paar, 15 Aug 1952Bratuku Teruvu, 6 Feb 1953 Co Music Director CR SubbaramanRajeswari, 7 June 1952Bale Raman, 1956Paropakaram, 18 Jun 1953Paropakaram, Tamil 1953Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara, Hindi 1964Chandraharam, 6 Jan 1954Chandraharam, Tamil 14 Jan 2014Cherapakura Chedevu, 6 July 1955Ellam Inba Mayam, Tamil 1 Apr 1955Kanyasulkam, 26 Aug 1955వదినగారి గాజులు (1955 సినిమా), 27 May 1955Guna Sundari, 16 Dec 1955Kalvanin Kadhali, 13 Nov 1955Astaaiswaryaalu, 1956Chiranjeevulu, 15 Aug 1956Amara Geetham, 1956Illarame Inbam, Tamil Dubbed of Cherapakura chedevu1956Jayam Manade, 4 May 1956Vetri Veeran, 4 May 1956కనకతార, 3 Mar 1956సొంతవూరు, 23 May 1956 Ghantasala is also it's ProducerMayabazar, 27 Mar 1957Mayabazar, Tamil 12 Apr 1957Mayabazar, Kannada Dubbed 1965రేపు నీదే, 1 Feb 1957Sarangadhara, 1 Nov 1957Sati Anasuya, 25th Octo 1957Vinayaka Chaviti, 22 Aug 1957తలవంచని వీరుడు, 6 Dec 1957 Dubbed FilmManchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu, 15 Aug 1958పార్వతీ కళ్యాణం, 26 Dec 1958Pellinaati Pramanalu, 17 Dec 1958Vazhkai Oppandam, 4 Sep 1959Pelli Sandadi, 2 April 1959Sabash Ramudu, 4 Sep 1959Sabash Ramu,சபாஷ் ராமு, Tamil Dubbed 4 Sep 1959Sati Sukanya, 30 Jan 1959Vinayaga Chaturthi, Tamil 1959Ganesh Chaturti, Hindi Dubbed 1973Abhimanam, 26 Aug 1960Bhakta Raghunath, 4 Nov 1960Deepavali, 22 Sep 1960 Narakasura Vadhe, Kannada Dubbing 1974Santhi Nivasam, 14 Jan 1960Shanti Nivas, Malayalam Dubbed 1962Sri Krishna Kuchela, 9 June 1961Sabash Raja, 9 Nov 1961Mohini Rukmaangada, 13 Jan 1962Gundamma Katha, 7 Jun 1962Manithan Maravillai, 10 Aug 1962Rakta Sambandham, 1 Nov 1962Tiger Ramudu, 8 Mar 1962Bhagyavantulu, 5 May 1962Aapta Mitrulu, 29 May 1963Bandipotu (1963 film), 15 Aug 1963Veera Kesari, Kannada 1963Lava Kusa, 29 March 1963Lava Kusa, Tamil 1963Lava Kusa, Kannada DubbedLava Kusa, Hindi Dubbed 1974Valmiki, 9 Feb 1963Valmiki, Tamil 1963Mamakaram, 2 March 1963Mahaveera Bheemasena, 27 Jul 1967Gudi Gantalu, 14 Jan 1964Marmayogi (1964 film), 22 Feb 1964Sri Satyanarayana Mahathyam, 27 Jun 1964Vaarasatwam, 19 Nov 1964Pandava Vanavasam, 14 Jan 1965Pandava Vanavasam, Tamil 1965CID, 23 Sep 1965Maduve Madi Nodu, 17 Dec 1965Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha, 7 Apr 1966Sakuntala, 3 Mar 1966Paduka Pattabhishekamu, పాదుకా పట్టాభిషేకం (1966 సినిమా), 16 Jun 1966Bhuvana Sundari Katha, 7 Apr 1967Nirdoshi, 2 Mar 1967Stree Janma, 31 Aug 1967Punyavathi, 3 Nov 1967Peddkkayya, 18 Nov 1967Rahasyam, 10 Dec 1967Veera Puja, 16 Feb 1968Govula Gopanna, 19 Apr 1968Chuttarikaalu, 22 June 1968Jeevita Bandham, 27 Jul 1968Bhale Abbayilu, 19 Mar 1969Jarigina Katha, 4 Jul 1969Merupu Veerudu, 6 Mar 1970Ali Baba 40 Dongalu, 4 Apr 1970Vijayam Manade, 15 Jul 1970Tallidandrulu, 23 Jul 1970Ramalayam, 22 Oct 1970Nanna Thamma, 26 Oct 1970Rendu Kutumbala Katha, 30th Octo 1970Pattindalla Bangaram, 1 May 1971Pattukunte Laksha, 8 May 1971Rangeli Raja, 11 Mar 1971Vamsodhaarakudu, 21 Apr 1972Mena Kodalu, 7 Jul 1972Rama Rajyam, 4 Apr 1973Poola Maala, 7 Dec 1973Tulasi, 23 May 1974Vasthade Maa baava, 1977 along with his son Ghantasala Vijaya KumarSati Savitri, 3 January 1978 along with PendyalaPlayback singer
Besides pictures where he is Music Director, Ghantasala recorded songs as playback singer for the movies under popular composers –V Nagaiah, Ogirala RamachandraRao, Galipenchala Narasimha Rao, S Rajeswara Rao, Pendyala Nageswara Rao, Susarla Dakshina Murthy, CR Subburaman, Aswathama, P Suribabu, Adi Narayana Rao, Master Venu, T V Raju, R Sudharshanam, R Goverdhanam, M S Viswanathan, Ramamoorthy, K V Mahadevan, T Chalapathi Rao, S P Kodandapani, GK Venkatesh, TG Lingappa, Shankar, Ganesh, Vedha, and Shankar Jai Kishan, among others.Yasodha Krishna Khaidi Babai Kodenagu Premalu Pellillu Taatamma Kala Dorababu Alluri Seetharamaraju Anbu Sagothararkal - Tamil Ida Lokam Doctor Babu Dabbuku Lokam Dasoham Bangaru Babu Ganga Manga Vaade Veedu Bhakta Tukaram Sarada Iddaru Ammaiyulu Datta Putrudu Koduku Kodalu Baala Bharatam Beedala Patlu Sri Krishnaanjaneya Yuddham Pandanti Kapuram Badi Panthulu Vichitra Bandham Sreemanthudu Kalam Marindi Manchi Rojulu Vacchayi Suputhrudu Pavitra Hrudayalu Sri Krishna Satya Adhrushtajatakudu Chinnanati Snehitulu Amayakuralu Raithu Bidda Jeevitha Chakram Prem Nagar Dasara Bullodu Bharya Biddalu Rajakota Rahasyam Sampoorna Ramayanam Ananda Nilayam Manasu Mangalyam Pavitra Bandham Oke Kutumbam Kathanayika Molla Suguna Sundari Katha Lakshmi Kataaksham Jai Jawan Balaraju Katha Dharmadata Sri Krishna Vijayam Talla Pellama Kodalu Diddina Kapuram Bhale Maastaru Ekaveera Manushulu Marali Sipayi Chinnaya Kathanayakudu Bandipotu Bheemanna Vichitra Kutumbam Gopaludu Bhoopaludu Kadaladu Vadaladu Buddhimantudu Sapta Swaralu Mooganomu Aatmeeyulu Vichitra Kutumbam Aadarsa Kutumbam Bandipotu Dongalu Bhale Rangadu Nindu Hrudayalu Lakshmi Nivasam Tikka Sankarayya Ramu Sri Rama Katha Kalasi Vacchina Adrushtam Varakatnam Bandhavyalu Bangaru Gajulu Uma Chandi Gowri Sankarula Katha Nindu Samsaram Baghdad Gaja Donga Undamma Bottu Pedata Brahmachari Adrushtavantulu Sukha Dukhalu Poola Rangadu Chikkadu Dorakadu Shri Krishnavataram Vasantasena Avekallu Ummadi Kutumbam Gruha Lakshmi Goodachari 116 Kanchukota Chadarangam Eedu Jodu Sri Krishna Rayabharam Aaasthiparulu Bheemanjaneya Yuddham Sangeetha Lakshmi Pidugu Ramudu Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam Sri Krishna Tulabharam Mohini Bhasmasura Adugu Jadalu Bhakta Potana Navaratri Rangula Ratnam Palnati Yuddham Aggi Barata Kanne Manasulu Anthastulu Sumangali Dorikithe Dongalu Zamindar Satya Harishchandra Jwala Dweepa Rahasyam Manushulu Mamathalu Manchi Kutumbam Tene Manasulu Veera Abhimanyu Uyyala Jampala Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima Prammelarjuneeyam Mangamma Sapadham Visala Hrudayalu Aatma Gouravam Naadi Aadajanme Preminchi choodu Chandrahaasa Todu Needa Daagudu Muthalu Desadrohulu Raamudu Bheemudu Pooja Phalam Navagraha Puja Mahima Babruvahana Dr. Chakravarthi Devatha Amarasilpi Jakkana Muralikrishna Manchi Manishi Sabhash Soori Aatmabalam Bobbili Yuddham Sri Satyanarayana Mahathyam Manchi Chedu Anuragam Chaduvukunna Ammayilu Punarjanma Lakshaadikari Mooga Manasulu Sri Krishnaarjuna Yuddham Narthanasala Thobuttuvulu Tirupathamma Katha Paruvu Prathista Kulagothralu Aradhana Bhishma Tiger Ramudu Mahamantri Timmarusu Constable Kooturu Siri Sampadalu Manchi Manasulu Aatmabandhuvu Kalasi Vunte Kaladu Sukham Usha Parinayam Krishna Prema Pelli Kani Pillalu Velugu Needalu Gulebakavali katha Seetha Rama Kalyanam Bhakta Jayadeva Iddaru Mitrulu Jagadeka Veeruni Katha Bharya Bhartalu Bava Maradalu Vaagdanam Mahakavi Kalidasu Bhatti Vikramarka Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam Runanubandham Kuladaivam Bhakta Sabari Rajamukutam Ulagam Sirikkirathu Banda Ramudu Rechukka Pagatichukka Illarikam Jayabheri Bhakta Ambarisha Nammina Bantu Chenchu Lakshmi Karthavarayuni Katha Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu Mangalya Balam Kathavarayan Bhookailas Veera Kankanam Nala Damayanthi Panduranga Mahatyam Thodi Kodallu Dongallo Dora M L A Suvarna Sundari Yar Paiyan Bhale Ramudu Tenali Ramakrishna Harischandra Charanadaasi Pennin Perumai Santhanam Swarna Manjari Jayasimha Kanyasulkam Donga Ramudu Anarkali Rani Ratnaprabha Sri Kalahastiswara Mahatyam Raju Peda Pedda Manushulu Kanna Talli Devadasu Chandi raani Prema Tingu Ranga Malliswari Swapna Sundari Gunasundari katha Laila Majnu Raksharekha Paithiyakkaran- ''Swarga Seema''
Private albums
Pushpa VilapamPatriotic SongsBhagawad GitaFolk Songs- ''Devotional Songs''