Homage to Ghantasala

04 December, 2009

Though man is mortal some are immortal by their talents. Ghantasala is one among them with his sweet voice and stood as singer in the hearts of Telugu people.

GHANTASALA VENKATAESWARA RAO, popularly known as Ghantasala is a renowned name in every Telugu speaking family in the world, celebrating his 85th birth anniversary on Friday, Dec 4.

Contemporary to Mohammad Rafi in Hindi film world, Ghantasala served the South Indian film industry with his outstanding songs. Born in a poor family on Dec 4, 1023 at a tiny village of Chautapally, a fifty kms away from Vijayawada, he had his training at Susarla Krishna Brahma Sastry and later joined Vizayanagaram music school where he graduated from. While learning his music in Vijayanagaram he had to beg for food to complete the course.

What flows from his throat is nothing but ‘Ganamrutam’ and his talent was appreciated by all his fellow singers of at that time. Sang more than ten thousand songs in Telugu and minimum number in Tamil, his famous album ‘Bhagavad Gita’ brought him more applause in every Hindu house. Though he sang only 107 slokas of Bhagavadgita, which is very famous and his disciple Gangadhar who has got the voice of him is singing the remaining, which is nearing completion.

As a child prodigy, he scaled the nearest heights of music and also directed the music for more than 25 films, in which ‘Lavakusa’ was there.

Every song in that picture was a big hit and even today we here those songs in every house. The ever green movie of Telugu field ‘Patalabharavi’ produced by Nagi Reddy-Chakrapani brought a grat boost to Ghantasala, for which he composed music. He first directed the music for ‘Manadesam’ incidentally that was the first picture for NT Ramma Rao.

Whether it was song, shloka or poem (padyam) no matter if Ghantasala sang simply superb. His song ‘Shiva Sankari..Shivananda lahari’ was a wonder and even Md.Rafi could not able to appreciate.

His songs are immortal and treasure to every Telugu house. A freedom fighter and imprisoned in Alipore jail in 1942 for his songs to promote freedom movement. Besides all his merits he was very kind to all and the government honored him with ‘Padmasri’ award.

He is not simply a singer but a philosopher and his social and devotional songs had great impact on literate and illiterate.

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COMMENTS (5)

Guest

sathish

Born in a poor family on Dec 4, 1023 at a tiny village of Chautapally... BI R T H Y E A R is 1023 (?)...please modify

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sastry

The greatest ever singer with most majestic golden and divine voice. Most unique and incomparable singer without any comparison.

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Murthy

Most majestic and dynamic voice - golden and divine, having a numerous following even today, ghantasala master is the greatest ever playback singer ever produced by the country. The AP govt. had recommended the highest civilian award to him in 60's but due to hindi politics, he was awarded only padmasri. No other playback singer enjoyed such status. He won best singer award throughout his entire career of nearly 3 decades. No other singer has enjoyed such status. The greatest ever is ghantasala.

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singh

Ghantasala is the greatest playback singer ever produced in the country. An accomplished classical musician, accomplished music director, accomplished playback singer with a golden majestic voice without any competition for 3 decades - is ever the greatest. No other playback singer has such record in the country.

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Muni

He is the greatest singer of all. Look at the popularity of his songs even today. It is my hope that as long as sunshines on this planet his songs should remain and be popular and he admired

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