R. Balasaraswathi Devi

In this Telugu name, the surname is Raavu.

Raavu Balasaraswathi Devi (born 28 August 1928) is an Indian singer and actress who performed from 1930 to the 1960s in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She was the first light music singer on All India Radio and the first playback singer in the Telugu cinema.^[1]

Raavu Balasaraswathi Devi
Born	Raavu Balasaraswathi Devi (1928-08-28) 28 August 1928 (age 96) Venkatagiri, Madras Presidency, British India now in Andhra Pradesh
Occupation(s)	Actress, playback singer
Family	See Nidudavolu Family
Awards	Ramineni Foundation Award

Early life

Balasaraswathi was born in Venkatagiri in 1928.^{[citation needed]} She learned music from Allathuru Subbayya and lent her voice for the first solo gramophone by HMV recording company at the age of six.^{[citation needed]}

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 V. Nagayya, she sang for Kamala Kotnis on screen, this being the first instance of playback singing in Telugu cinema.^{[citation needed]} The song Thinne Meedha Sinnoda was composed by Bhimavarapu Narasimha Rao.^{[citation needed]}

She lived for some years in Mysore, and then shifted to Hyderabad.^{[citation needed]} After her husband's death, she has lived with her son in her grandson's house in Secunderabad.^{[citation needed]}

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, V. Nagayya, T. V. Raju, Ghantasala, Naushad, L. Malleswara Rao, S. Dakshinamurthi, Vedha, M. Ranga Rao, Master Venu, R. Sudarsanam, Pamarti Krishna Murty, G. Govindarajulu Naidu and M. B. Sreenivasan.^{[citation needed]}

With playback singers

She sang duets mostly with Ghantasala and A. M. Rajah.^{[citation needed]} She sang with T. M. Soundararajan, T. A. Mothi, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. Rajam, M. S. Ramarao, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao and Subramanyam. ^{[citation needed]}

She also sang duets with Jikki, A. P. Komala, M. S. Rajeswari, K. Rani, P. Susheela and P. S. Vaideghi.^{[citation needed]}

Filmography

Playback singer

Year	Film	Language	Song	Music	Co-singer
1939	Mahananda	Telugu	Cheyandamma Cheyandi	Motibabu
			Kori Kori Vasinnche
			Jagame Jagame Jagamega		Lalitha & C. Krishnaveni
			Therichoodu Ee Vanasobha		Lalitha & C. Krishnaveni
			Marachipotivaa Maamaa
1940	Illalu	Telugu	Suma Komala Kanulela Kala	S. Rajeswara Rao	S. Rajeswara Rao
			Kavyapaanamu Chesi Kaipekkinaane		S. Rajeswara Rao
1941	Apavadu	Telugu	Eemaanupainundi	S. Rajeswara Rao	K. Raghuramaiah
			Adugadugo Poga Bandī
			Enni Chinnelu Nerchadammaa
			Thelisinademo Theliyanidemo
			Paanakammulo Pudaka Netikitu
1941	Chandrahasa	Telugu	Javvaname Sresṭhamainadaho	Motibabu
			Sugandha Pushpa Sumambul
1943	Bhagyalakshmi	Telugu	Tinne Meedi Chinnoda	Bhimavarapu Narasimha Rao
			Chestanu Pendlikodukunu
1944	Chenchu Lakshmi	Telugu	Elukovayya Elukovayya	R. Chinnaiah & C. R. Subburaman
			Eri Eri Naa Samanulu
			Kanipinchitiva Narasimha
			Madhuramugaa Aahaa Ee Jeevithame		S. Venkatraman
1947	Radhika	Telugu	Gopala Krishnudu Nallana	S. Hanumantha Rao
1948	Bilhana	Tamil	Sri Jaya Saraswathi Devi Thaaye	Papanasam Sivan
			Innisaiye Ganarasa Innamudhe Ennuriye
1948	Chakradhari	Tamil	Ammaa Ammaa Ena	M. D. Parthasarathy
			Kanne Vaadaa Maniye Vaadaa
1948	Suvarnamala	Telugu	Ravoji Jilvana Jyoti	Adepalli Rama Rao
			Gopala Baludu
			Gopala Radhalola
			Premaleelaye Noyi		Surya Narayana
			Yadhakumara Giridhara
1949	Laila Majnu	Tamil	Veen Pazhi Thane Prabho En Mel	C. R. Subburaman
1949	Laila Majnu	Telugu	Ela Pagaye Ipudela Pagaye	C. R. Subburaman
1950	Aahuti	Telugu	O Priyabalanura Ne Manajalanura	S. Rajeswara Rao	Ghantasala
			Janana Maraṇa Lila Premaye		Ghantasala
			Hansavale O Padava		Ghantasala & T. Kanakam
			Premaye Janana Maraṇa Lila		Ghantasala
			Punnami Vachinadī Ponginadī		Ghantasala
1950	Modati Rathri	Telugu	Mamatho Yemo Chandrudela	Pendyala Nageswara Rao	M. S. Ramarao & G. Varalakshmi
1950	Shavukaru	Telugu	Deepavali Deepavali (pathos)	Ghantasala
			Deepavali Deepavali		Santha Kumari
			Palukaraadate Chilukaa		Ghantasala
			Palukaraadate Chilukaa
1950	Swapna Sundari	Tamil	Ohoho Maharaja	C. R. Subburaman
			Nee Sariye Madhana
			Nee Inbam Ulakinil Thaane		Ghantasala
			Komagane Nee Maha Thiyagiye
			Thedi Alainthene Unnai		Ghantasala
			Pagattum Penne Yeno
1950	Swapna Sundari	Telugu	Ohoho Maharaja	C. R. Subburaman
			Natanalu Thelusune
			Ee Seema Velasina		Ghantasala
			Oh Paradesi
			O Swapna Sundari		Ghantasala
			Ninne Valache Konara
1951	Mayakkari	Tamil	Kanbeno Kanbeno	P. Adinarayana Rao	Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
			Kaavinil Koovum Kogilam Thaano		Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
			Idhu Enna Vedhanai
			Raajaa Koluvaai Vandhaar		Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
1951	Mayalamari	Telugu	Ledemo Ledemo	P. Adinarayana Rao	Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
			Koyila Koose		Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
			Valachina Priyude
			Rani Vedaale		Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
			O Paradesi
1952	Roopavathi	Telugu	Reethiye Leni Naa Vraatha	C. R. Subburaman
			Vennelni Chinnabuchche Paata
1952	Chinna Kodalu	Telugu	Jo Jo Jo Vayyarikade Jo Jo Jo	G. Aswathama
			Ra Rado Rachiluka		A. M. Rajah
			Paruve Baruvaayega
			Pillanagrovi Patakada
1952	Manavathi	Tamil	O Malaya Maarudhame	Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao & H. R. Padmanabha Sastry	S. Rajam
			Anbu Kondaendhum
			Thanadhu Adamae Thaan
1952	Manavathi	Telugu	O Malaya Pavanama	Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao & H. R. Padmanabha Sastry	M. S. Ramarao
			Phalimpava Naa Asalu
			Tana Pantame
1952	Kaadhal	Tamil		C. R. Subburaman
1952	Prema	Telugu	Ooho! Idigada!	C. R. Subburaman
1952	Priyuralu	Telugu	Anandam Mana Jeevana Ragam	S. Rajeswara Rao	Ghantasala & Jikki
			Undumu Madhuranagarilo Krishna
			Evarida Venugīti Pillagalito
			Okasaraina Nī Madhuralapana		Ghantasala
			Vinaravo O Vintalokama		Ghantasala
			Vennelni Chinnabuchche Paata
1952	Santhi	Telugu	Aha Netiki Naapai Jaali	C. R. Subburaman
			Voogudhune Ooyale
1952	Thai Ullam	Tamil	Malai Nilaa Vara Vendum	V. Nagayya & Adepalli Rama Rao	T. A. Mothi
1953	Devadas	Tamil	Santhosham Vendumendral	C. R. Subburaman, T. K. Ramamoorthy & M. S. Viswanathan
			Anbe Pavama
			Paaramugam Yenayya En Swami
1953	Devadasu	Telugu	Andam Choodavaya Anandinchavaya	C. R. Subburaman, T. K. Ramamoorthy & M. S. Viswanathan
			Tane Marena Nanne Marachena
			Imta Telisiyumdi
1953	En Veedu	Tamil	Bhoomiyile Oru Punniya Kathai	V. Nagayya & Adepalli Rama Rao	Jikki
1953	Naa Chellelu	Telugu	Hayi Kada Mana Ilvanamu	C. N. Pandurangan	A. M. Rajah
			Ma Prema Ghada Madurmmugada		A. M. Rajah
1953	Naa Illu	Telugu	Adigadigo Gagana Seemao	V. Nagayya & Adepalli Rama Rao	Jikki
			Vinnara Janulara Veenulara		Jikki
1953	Pichi Pullayya	Telugu	Ella Velalandu Nee Chakkani Chirunavvulakai	T. V. Raju	Ghantasala
1954	Nalla Penmani	Tamil	Anbe Nee Kanne Valarnthaal Petra	P. S. Divakar
			Dhevi Dhevi Agathi En Vinai
			Nin Dhayavaale En Mana Thuyaram
			Anbe Nee Kanne Valarnthaal Petra		A. M. Rajah
			Vaadi Ularumo Vaazhkai Malarumo
1954	Nirupedalu	Telugu	Raavamma Nidura Raavamma	T. V. Raju
1954	Rajee En Kanmani	Tamil	Malligaipoo Jathi Roja	S. Hanumantha Rao
			Sundara Malare
			Amma Vareero
			Thoongayo Duraiye Soppanam
			Manadhinile Vethanai
1954	Rajee Na Pranam	Telugu	Mallepoolu Mallepoolu	S. Hanumantha Rao
			Meraina Choosi
			Amma Ivigonamma Dayatho
			Nindhu Vennela Mallelalo
			Managalana Soonyamu
1954	Panam Paduthum Padu	Tamil	Maname Sugame Perumo	T. A. Kalyanam
			Endrum Ilaa Inbam Idhe
1954	Vaddante Dabbu	Telugu	Mansaemo Chalinchaneyo	T. A. Kalyanam
			Endhukohoyi Naku Endhukamma
1955	Aada Bidda	Telugu	Kalyani Subhadayini	Amarnath
			Galimedalena Naa Jīvitasalu
			Talatala Merise Vennelalo
			Laagaraa Ailesaa		M. S. Rama Rao & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
1955	Asai Anna Arumai Thambi	Tamil	Kannaithaan Parikkudhu	K. V. Mahadevan
			Sugam Peruveno
1955	Jaya Gopi	Tamil	O Muthu Papa	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1955	Jayasimha	Telugu	Madiloni Madhura Bhavam Palikenu Mohana Ragam	T. V. Raju	Ghantasala
			Manasaina Cheli Pilupu		A. P. Komala
1955	Jayasimman	Tamil	Malarodu Madhura Mevum Manam Kaanum Mohana Ragam	T. V. Raju	Ghantasala
			Malar Thara		A. P. Komala
1955	Mahakavi Kalidhas	Tamil	Pesum Kiliye Vaanil Parandhaai	C. Honnappa Bhagavathar
			Vaaraai Vaaraai Vaaraai		V. N. Sundaram
1955	Mangaiyar Thilakam	Tamil	Neela Vanna Kanna Vada	S. Dakshinamurthi
1955	Nallakalam	Tamil	Vazhvu Malarnthu Manam Veesiduthe	K. V. Mahadevan
			Maname Un Vaazhvil Nee
1955	Pasupu Kumkuma	Telugu	Hayi Hayi O Papayi	M. Ranga Rao
1955	Sri Jagannatha Mahatyamu	Telugu	Kadha Yide Mrdumadhuramu	Mallik & B. Gopalam
			Bhramara Yidemaya Ento
1956	Bhagyachakra	Kannada	Doora Doora Doorake	Vijaya Bhaskar
			Jhalukina Jhalukina Loka
1956	Bhagyodaya	Kannada	Anandha Gokula	L. Malleswara Rao	K. Rani & Subramanyam
			Namaste Saradha Devi.... Vaani Veena Paani
1956	Bhaktha Markandeya	Kannada	Dagudu Mootalu	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1956	Bhaktha Markandeya	Telugu	Dagudu Muthalu Natona	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1956	Kannin Manigal	Tamil	Kandu Konden Naane	S. V. Venkatraman	T. A. Mothi
			Kandu Konden Naane (pathos)		T. A. Mothi
1956	Mangala Gauri	Tamil	Ambaa Mangala Gowri	Ogirala Ramachandra Rao
1956	Marma Veeran	Tamil	Thudikkum Valibame	Vedha
1956	Moondru Pengal	Tamil	Enadhu Ullame Poothu Kulungum	K. V. Mahadevan
1956	Nalla Veedu	Tamil	Kalaimathiye En Kaadhal	Krishnamurthi & Nagaraja Iyer	P. B. Sreenivas
			Vidhiyin Sodhanai Idhuthaanaa
			Idhayame Sorgamaagum
1956	Sri Gauri Mahatyam	Telugu	Ambaa Mangala Gowri	Ogirala Ramachandra Rao & T. V. Raju
1956	Tenali Raman	Tamil	Thangam Pongum Meni Undhan Sondham Ini	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1956	Tenali Ramakrishna	Telugu	Jhan Jhan Kankanamuluga	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1956	Vanaratham	Tamil	Sudar Thaari Sabaiyil Unai Kanen Nane	M. B. Sreenivasan
			Nenjin Ilamai Ensolven
1957	Aandi Petra Selvam	Tamil	Amma Amma	S. Rajeswara Rao
1957	Aavathellam Pennale	Tamil	Vennila Raajaa Vegamaai Nee Vaa	Jeevan
1957	Baagyavathi	Tamil	Ellorum Unnai Nallavan Endre	S. Dakshinamurthi
			Dhinasari En Vazhvil Thirunale
1957	Bhaktha Markandeya	Tamil	Inggum Anggum	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1957	Dhampatyam	Telugu	Tanemi Talacheno	Ramesh Naidu	A. M. Rajah
			Nadhi Veedhilo Jeevitham
			Ledhemo Aanandhaṁ Ipuḍi
			Vennelaajaa Vegame Raavaa
1957	Evari Abbayi	Telugu	Kallamootakaalam Kadura Raajaa	T. M. Ibrahim
1957	Mahadhevi	Tamil	Singara Punnagai Kannara Kandale	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	M. S. Rajeswari
1957	Peddarikalu	Telugu	Lali Lali Nanu Kannayya	Master Venu
			Vennela Radha Vedanalena
			Padavamma Maayam		P. Susheela & P. S. Vaidhegi
1957	Raja Rajan	Tamil	Kalaityaadha Aasai Kanave	K. V. Mahadevan
			Kalaityaadha Aasai Kanave (Pathos)
1957	Rani Rangamma	Telugu	Natiroju Yela Radhu	S. Dakshinamurthi
1957	Sankalpam	Telugu	Nidurapoora	S. Dakshinamurthi
			Naa Aasalanni
1957	Veera Kankanam	Telugu	Amdala Rani	S. Dakshinamurthi	A. M. Rajah
			Siggulu Chigurinchene
			Kalakaadhu Chelee Kaadhu		Jikki
1957	Yaar Paiyan	Tamil	Kannaamoochi Aattam	S. Dakshinamurthi
1958	Anbu Enge	Tamil	Sollu Nee Raja	Vedha
1958	Booloka Rambha	Telugu	Devi Dayaganave Bhavani	C. N. Pandurangan
1958	Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu	Telugu	Dharaniki Giri Bharama Giriki Taruvu Bharama	Ghantasala
1958	Thai Pirandhal 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
1959	Arumai Magal Abirami	Tamil	Nalla Pillai Endru Solli Unnai	V. Dakshinamoorthy
1959	Bala Nagamma	Tamil	Aararo Ennaasai Raajaa	Pamarti
1959	Gandhari Garva Bhangamu	Telugu	Ne Arunodayavela	Pamarti
1959	Maa Inti Mahalakshmi	Telugu	Chivurullo Chilukalaga	G. Aswathama	P. S. Vaidhegi
1959	Mala Oru Mangala Vilakku	Tamil	Aaduthu Poongkodi	C. N. Pandurangan
1959	Pedda Kodalu	Telugu	Vennelaradha Vedanelena	M. Ranga Rao
1959	Pelli Sandadi	Telugu	Rave Premalata Oho Kaviraja	Ghantasala	Ghantasala
			Hailelo Naa Raaja		Jikki
1959	Penn Kulathin Perumai	Tamil	Pillai Kaniyamuthe Pedhai Enthan	G. Ramanathan
1959	Sahodhari	Tamil	Uravu Thanthai Kannaale	R. Sudarsanam
			Malarum Malarum Nallarame
1959	Sollu Thambi Sollu	Tamil	Soodaadha Malarai	K. V. Mahadevan
1959	Sumangali	Tamil	Vidhi Seidha Sadhiyo Atthaan	M. Ranga Rao	Seerkazhi Govindarajan
1959	Thayapola Pillai Noolapola Selai	Tamil	Nalla Kudumbam Miga Nalla Kudumbam	K. V. Mahadevan
1959	Thozhan	Tamil	Vada Malarthene	G. Ramanathan
1959	Vachina Kodalu Nachindi	Telugu	Emo Emanukoneno Na Matha	S. Dakshinamurthi
1960	Chinna Marumagal	Tamil	Namaste Saradha Devi.... Vaani Veena Paani	L. Malleswara Rao
1960	Irumanam Kalanthal Thirumanam	Tamil	Kanne Vaadaa Kaniye Vaadaa	S. Dakshinamurthi
1960	Raja Bakthi	Tamil	Paarmuzhuthum Irul Parappum	G. Govindarajulu Naidu
1961	Thayilla 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
1968	Harichandra	Tamil	Oraam Maadham Udaladhu Thalarndhu	K. V. Mahadevan
			Naranaiyum Nee Padaitthaai
1980	Sangham Chekkina Shilpalu	Telugu	Poyi Rave Amma Poyi Ravamma	Ramesh Naidu

Actress

Year	Film	Language	Director	Banner
1935	Sati Anasuya	Telugu	Ahin Chowdhary
1936	Bhakta Dhruva	Telugu	C. Pullaiah	East India Film Company
1936	Bhaktha Kuchela	Tamil	K. Subramaniam	Madras United Artists Corp
1937	Balayogini	Tamil	K. Subramanyam	Madras United Artists Corp
1938	Tukaram	Tamil	B. Narayana Rao	Star Combines
1938	Tukaram	Telugu	B. Narayana Rao	Star Combines
1939	Thiruneelakantar	Tamil	P. K. Raja Sandow	Trichy Thyagaraj Films Ltd
1940	Illalu	Telugu	Gudavalli Ramabrahmam	Indira Devi Films
1941	Apavadu	Telugu	Gudavalli Ramabrahmam	Kasturi Films
1940	Chandrahasa	Telugu	M. L. Rangaiah	Vani Pictures
1943	Dhaasippen	Tamil	Ellis R. Dungan	Devi Films
1947	Radhika	Telugu	K. Sadasiva Rao	Sri Chatrapathi Pictures
1948	Bilhana	Tamil	B. N. Rao	Mubarak Pictures
1948	Bilhana	Telugu	B. N. Rao	Mubarak Pictures

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.

External links

• Interview with Raavu Balasaraswathi Devi. on YouTube
• Listen to some of the songs of R. Balasaraswathi at Old Telugu Songs.com