# S. Rajeswara Rao

Saluri Rajeswara Rao (11 October 1922 – 25 October 1999) was an Indian composer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and music producer, known for his work in Telugu cinema. Rajeswara Rao is noted for integrating Indian classical music into Telugu cinema for over five decades. His innovative compositions and mastery of classical and folk music earned him widespread recognition.

## Early life

Rajeswara Rao was born in 1922 in the village of Sivaramapuram near Salur in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh. His father, Sanyasi Raju, was a mrudangam player in the troupe of the renowned violinist, Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu. Rajeswara Rao was recognized as a child prodigy and began performing on stage at the age of four. Under his father's guidance, he trained with Venkataswamy Naidu in tabla and harmonium.

## Career

Rajeswara Rao's career in cinema began in 1934 when recording technician Mr. Huchins discovered him and took him to Bangalore to record the "Bhagavad Gita". He later traveled to Calcutta and was cast as Lord Krishna in the Telugu film Sri Krishna Leelalu (1935). Subsequently, he did films like Keechaka Vadha and Uttara Gograhanam and met musical legends such as Kundan Lal Saigal and Pankaj Mullick, from whom he learned Hindustani music.
Rajeswara Rao's first role as a music director came with the film Jayaprada (1939). He went on to score music for a number of successful films in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada. Some of his notable films include Malliswari (1951), Missamma (1955), and Chandralekha (1948). He was known for his use of Indian classical ragas and experimentation with foreign musical styles, including Western, Persian, and Arabic influences.
Rajeswara Rao was associated with Gemini Studios in the 1940s and composed music for many of their major films. He is credited with helping popularize light music in Telugu cinema. He was also known for his collaborations with directors like B. N. Reddy and Vijaya Productions.

## Musical style

Rajeswara Rao's compositions were known for their classical underpinnings, particularly his use of ragas such as "Mohanam", "Abheri", "Kalyani", and "Sindhu Bhairavi". He blended Indian classical music with other styles, creating scores that captured a wide range of emotions. His works in films like Kurukshetram (1977) and Tandra Paparayudu (1986) demonstrated his mastery over classical compositions. He was also among the first to incorporate Persian musical elements in Indian film scores.

## Personal life

Rajeswara Rao was married to Rajeswari Devi, with whom he had five sons and four daughters. His sons, Saluri Ramalingeswara Rao, Saluri Poornachandra Rao, Saluri Vasu Rao, and Saluri Koteswara Rao (Koti), followed in his footsteps as musicians in the Telugu film industry. His elder brother, Saluri Hanumantha Rao, was also a music director in Kannada and Telugu cinema.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Language | Director | Banner | Notes |
| 1935 | Sri Krishna Leelalu | Telugu | Ch. Narasimha Rao | Vel Pictures | Actor |
| 1936 | Maya Bazar | Telugu | P. V. Das | Vel Pictures | Actor |
| 1939 | Jayaprada | Telugu | Ch. Narasimha Rao | Sree Sarada Rayalaseema Films Ltd | Actor and Music director |
| 1940 | Illalu | Telugu | Gudavalli Ramabrahmam | Indira Devi Films | Actor and Music director |
| 1940 | Jeevanmukti | Telugu | T. V. Neelakantan | Gemini Studios | |
| 1941 | Apavadu | Telugu | Gudavalli Ramabrahmam | Kasturi Films | |
| 1941 | Kamadhenu | Tamil | Nandalal Jaswantalal | The Madras United Artists Corporation | with T. A. Kalyanam |
| 1941 | Madana Kama Rajan | Tamil | B. N. Rao | Gemini Studios | with M. D. Parthasarathy |
| 1942 | Bala Nagamma | Telugu | C. Pullaiah | Gemini Studios | with M. D. Parthasarathy |
| 1942 | Bhaktha Naradar | Tamil | S. Soundararajan | Tamil Nadu Talkies | Background Score |
| 1942 | Nandanar | Tamil | Murugadasa | Gemini Studios | with M. D. Parthasarathy |
| 1942 | Santha Bala Nagamma | Telugu | S. V. S. Rama Rao | Royal Pictures | |
| 1943 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Telugu | S. Soundararajan | Tamil Nadu Talkies | |
| 1943 | Dhaasippen | Tamil | Ellis R. Dungan | Devi Films | with Lalitha Venkatraman |
| 1943 | Mangamma Sabatham | Tamil | Acharya | Gemini Studios | with M. D. Parthasarathy |
| 1944 | Dasi Aparanji | Tamil | B. N. Rao | Gemini Studios | with M. D. Parthasarathy |
| 1944 | Bhishma | Telugu | Ch. Narayana Murthy | Bhavani Pictures | |
| 1945 | Paduka Pattabhishekam | Telugu | K. B. Nagabhushanam | Gemini Studios | |
| 1947 | Miss Malini | Tamil | Kothamangalam Subbu | Gemini Studios | with Parur S. Anantharaman |
| 1948 | Chandralekha | Hindi | S. S. Vasan | Gemini Studios | with M. D. Parthasarathy |
| 1948 | Chandralekha | Tamil | S. S. Vasan | Gemini Studios | with M. D. Parthasarathy |
| 1948 | Vindya Rani | Telugu | C. Pullayya | Vyjayanthi Pictures | with Emani Sankara Sastry |
| 1949 | Apoorva Sagodharargal | Tamil | Acharya | Gemini Studios | with M. D. Parthasarathy & R. Vaidyanathan |
| 1949 | Nishaan | Hindi | Acharya | Gemini Studios | with M. D. Parthasarathy & R. Vaidyanathan |
| 1950 | Apoorva Sahodarulu | Telugu | Acharya | Gemini Studios | with M. D. Parthasarathy & R. Vaidyanathan |
| 1950 | Aahuti | Telugu | R. S. Junnarkar | Naveena Films | |
| 1950 | Vali Sugreeva | Telugu | Jampana | Ashoka's | Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao, Master Venu, Ghantasala & Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Malliswari | Telugu | B. N. Reddy | Vauhini Studios | |
| 1951 | Mantra Dandam | Telugu | K. S. Ramachandra Rao | Sri Gnanambika Pictures | Background Score |
| 1952 | Priyuralu | Telugu | Gopichand | Bharathalakshmi Productions | with Addepalli Rama Rao |
| 1953 | Manam Pola Mangalyam | Tamil | P. Pullayya | Narayanan and Company | |
| 1953 | Pempudu Koduku | Telugu | L. V. Prasad | Prasad Art Pictures | |
| 1953 | Vayyari Bhama | Telugu | P. Subba Rao | Ajantha Pictures | |
| 1953 | Vazha Pirandhaval | Tamil | T. R. Ramanna | R. R. Pictures | with G. Ramanathan |
| 1954 | Raju Peda | Telugu | B. A. Subba Rao | B. A. S. Productions | |
| 1954 | Vipra Narayana | Telugu | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao | Bharani Studios | |
| 1955 | Missamma | Telugu | L. V. Prasad | Vijaya Vauhini Studios | |
| 1955 | Missiamma | Tamil | L. V. Prasad | Vijaya Vauhini Studios | |
| 1954 | Vipra Narayana | Tamil | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao | Bharani Studios | |
| 1956 | Balasanyasamma Katha | Telugu | P. Subba Rao | Zoya Films | |
| 1956 | Bhale Ramudu | Telugu | Vedantam Raghavayya | Narasu Studios | |
| 1956 | Prema Pasam | Tamil | Vedantam Raghavayya | Narasu Studios | |
| 1956 | Charana Daasi | Telugu | T. Prakash Rao | Lalitha Films | |
| 1956 | Mathar Kula Manickam | Tamil | T. Prakash Rao | Lalitha Films | |
| 1957 | Alladin Ka Chirag | Hindi | T. R. Raghunath | Jai Sakthi Pictures | with S. Hanumantha Rao |
| 1957 | Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam | Telugu | T. R. Raghunath | Jai Sakthi Pictures | with S. Hanumantha Rao |
| 1957 | Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum | Tamil | T. R. Raghunath | Jai Sakthi Pictures | with S. Hanumantha Rao |
| 1957 | Bhale Ammayilu | Telugu | Vedantam Raghavayya | Narasu Studios | with S. Hanumantha Rao |
| 1957 | Iru Sagodharigal | Tamil | Vedantam Raghavayya | Narasu Studios | |
| 1957 | Sati Savitri | Telugu | K. B. Nagabhushanam | Varalakshmi Pictures | M. Balamuralikrishna, Mallik, P. Suribabu, Babu Rao, J. Lakshminarayana, H. R. Padmanabha Sastry & Master Venu |
| 1957 | Sathiyavan Savithri | Tamil | K. B. Nagabhushanam | Varalakshmi Pictures | with Babu Rao |
| 1958 | Aada Pettanam | Telugu | Adurthi Subba Rao | Prabha Productions | with Master Venu |
| 1958 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Tamil | B. A. Subba Rao | Navayuga Films | |
| 1958 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Telugu | B. A. Subba Rao | Navayuga Films | |
| 1958 | Kadan Vaangi Kalyaanam | Tamil | L. V. Prasad | Vijaya Vauhini Studios | |
| 1958 | Paanai Pidithaval Bhaagyasaali | Tamil | T. S. Durairaj | Marakatha Pictures | with S. V. Venkatraman |
| 1959 | Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu | Telugu | L. V. Prasad | Vijaya Vauhini Studios | |
| 1959 | Aval Yaar | Tamil | K. J. Mahadevan | Sudarsanam Pictures | |
| 1959 | Illali Adrustame Intiki Bhagyamu | Telugu | T. S. Durairaj | Marakatha Pictures | with S. V. Venkatraman & Jeevan |
| 1960 | Nammina Bantu | Telugu | Adurthi Subba Rao | Navayuga Films | with Master Venu |
| 1960 | Pattaliyin Vetri | Tamil | Adurthi Subba Rao | Navayuga Films | with Master Venu |
| 1960 | Petra Manam | Tamil | A. Bhimsingh | National Pictures | |
| 1960 | Rani Ratnaprabha | Telugu | B. A. Subba Rao | B. A. S. Productions | |
| 1961 | Bhakta Jayadeva | Telugu | P. V. Rama Rao | Lalitha Kala Nikethan | |
| 1961 | Iddaru Mitrulu | Telugu | Adurthi Subba Rao | Annapurna Pictures | |
| 1961 | Bharya Bharthalu | Telugu | K. Pratyagatma | Prasad Art Pictures | |
| 1962 | Aradhana | Telugu | V. Madhusudhana Rao | Jagapathi Art Productions | |
| 1962 | Vikramaadhithan | Tamil | T. R. Raghunath & N. S. Ramadas | Jaya Bharat Productions | |
| 1962 | Bhishma | Telugu | B. A. Subba Rao | B. A. S. Productions | |
| 1962 | Kula Gothralu | Telugu | K. Pratyagatma | Prasad Art Pictures | |
| 1962 | Pathi Gowravame Sathikanandam | Telugu | K. J. Mahadevan | Sudarsanam Pictures | |
| 1963 | Chaduvukunna Ammayilu | Telugu | Adurthi Subba Rao | Annapurna Pictures | |
| 1964 | Amara Shilpi Jakkanna | Telugu | B. S. Ranga | Vikram Studios | |
| 1964 | Amarashilpi Jakanachari | Kannada | B. S. Ranga | Vikram Studios | |
| 1964 | Bobbili Yuddham | Telugu | C. Seetaram | Republic Productions | |
| 1964 | Desa Drohulu | Telugu | Bolla Subba Rao | Sri Rama Pictures | |
| 1964 | Doctor Chakravarti | Telugu | Adurthi Subba Rao | Annapurna Pictures | |
| 1964 | Mahiravana | Telugu | B. A. Subba Rao | B. A. S. Productions | |
| 1964 | Manchi Manishi | Telugu | K. Pratyagatma | Chaya Chitra | with T. Chalapathi Rao |
| 1964 | Pooja Phalam | Telugu | B. N. Reddy | Sri Sambu Pictures | |
| 1964 | Sirpiyin Selvan | Tamil | B. S. Ranga | Vikram Studios | |
| 1965 | Aatma Gowravam | Telugu | K. Viswanath | Annapurna Pictures | |
| 1965 | Dorikithe Dongalu | Telugu | P. Subrahmanyam | Chandamama Films | |
| 1965 | Veera Marthanda | Telugu | T. R. Raghunath & N. S. Ramadas | Jaya Bharat Productions | |
| 1966 | Aatma Gowravam | Telugu | K. Viswanath | Annapurna Pictures | |
| 1966 | Bhakta Potana | Telugu | Gutha Ramineedu | Bharat Films | |
| 1966 | Bala Nagamma | Kannada | P. R. Kaundinya | Sanathana Kalamandira | |
| 1966 | Chilaka Gorinka | Telugu | K. Pratyagatma | Aatma Arts | |
| 1966 | Mohini Bhasmasura | Telugu | B. A. Subba Rao | B. A. S. Productions | |
| 1966 | Palnati Yudham | Telugu | Gutha Ramineedu | Sri Anurupa Films | |
| 1966 | Rangula Ratnam | Telugu | B. N. Reddy | | with B. Gopalam |
| 1966 | Sangeeta Lakshmi | Telugu | Giduturi Suryam | Seetaramanjaneya Pictures | |
| 1967 | Bhakta Prahlada | Tamil | Chitrapu Narayana Rao | AVM Productions | |
| 1967 | Bhakta Prahlada | Telugu | Chitrapu Narayana Rao | AVM Productions | |
| 1967 | Gruhalakshmi | Telugu | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao | Bharani Studios | |
| 1967 | Pula Rangadu | Telugu | Adurthi Subba Rao | Annapurna Pictures | |
| 1967 | Mulla Kireetam | Telugu | P. Subramanyam | Neela Productions | with K. Devadasu |
| 1967 | Rakhta Sindhooram | Telugu | C. Seetharam | Republic | |
| 1967 | Vasantha Sena | Telugu | B. S. Ranga | Vikram Studios | |
| 1968 | Veeranjaneya | Telugu | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao | Maheeja Films | |
| 1969 | Aatmiyulu | Telugu | V. Madhusudhana Rao | Saradhi Studios | |
| 1969 | Aadarsa Kutumbam | Telugu | K. Pratyagatma | Prasad Art Pictures | |
| 1969 | Bangaru Panjaram | Telugu | B. N. Reddy | Vijaya Vauhini Studios | with B. Gopalam |
| 1969 | Bhale Basava | Kannada | B. S. Ranga | Vikram Productions | |
| 1969 | Dharma Patni | Telugu | B. A. Subba Rao | B. A. S. Productions | |
| 1969 | Mamaku Thagga Kodalu | Telugu | C. S. Rao | Balaji Films | |
| 1970 | Chitti Chellelu | Telugu | M. Krishnan Nair | AVM Productions | |
| 1970 | Desamante Manushuloyi | Telugu | C. S. Rao | Filmkrafts | |
| 1970 | Jai Jawan | Telugu | D. Yoganand | Navayuga Films | |
| 1971 | Amaayakuraalu | Telugu | V. Madhusudhana Rao | Annapurna Pictures | |
| 1971 | Bangaru Talli | Telugu | Tapi Chanakya | Babu Pictures | |
| 1971 | Pavitra Bandham | Telugu | V. Madhusudhana Rao | Venus Pictures & Ashok Movies | |
| 1971 | Ramalayam | Telugu | K. Babu Rao | Ramavijeta Films | with Ghantasala |
| 1971 | Sri Venkateswara Vaibhavam | Telugu | Lakshmi Films | P. D. Prasad | |
| 1972 | Neeti-Nijayiti | Telugu | Singeetam Srinivasa Rao | Shri Sanjeevi Movies | |
| 1972 | Bala Baratham | Tamil | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao | Venus Maheeja Films | |
| 1972 | Bala Bharatha | Kannada | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao | Venus Maheeja Films | |
| 1972 | Bala Bharatam | Telugu | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao | Venus Maheeja Films | |
| 1972 | Bal Mahabharat | Hindi | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao | Venus Maheeja Films | |
| 1972 | Kalam Marindi | Telugu | K. Viswanath | Venus Pictures | |
| 1973 | Mannina Magalu | Kannada | B. S. Ranga | Vikram Productions | |
| 1973 | Neramu Siksha | Telugu | K. Viswanath | Amrita Films | |
| 1973 | Nindu Kutumbam | Telugu | Parvataneni Sambasiva Rao | Seetharamanjaneya Movies | |
| 1973 | Sri Kanakadurga Mahima | Telugu | Surati Durga Rao & P. D. Prasad | Sri Prabhu Pictures | with G. Aswathama |
| 1974 | Bangaaru Kalalu | Telugu | Adurthi Subba Rao | Annapurna Pictures | |
| 1974 | Jeevithaasayam | Telugu | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao | Saptagiri Productions | |
| 1974 | Jeevitha Rangamu | Telugu | Lakshmi Films | P. D. Prasad | |
| 1974 | Nitya Sumangali | Telugu | B.N.R | Nalinasree Productions | |
| 1974 | Palle Paduchu | Telugu | K. Satyam | Mamta Combines | |
| 1974 | Ram Raheem | Telugu | B. A. Subba Rao | Raja Lakshmi Combines | |
| 1974 | Tatamma Kala | Telugu | N. T. Rama Rao | Ramakrishna Cine Studios | |
| 1975 | Anna Thammulla Katha | Telugu | D. S. Prakash Rao | Amrita Films | |
| 1975 | Bharathamlo Oka Ammayi | Telugu | Dasari Narayana Rao | Vijayavelangani Pictures | |
| 1975 | Challani Thalli | Telugu | K. S. Rami Reddy | Lalita Movies | |
| 1975 | Yashoda Krishna | Telugu | C. S. Rao | Premier Studios | |
| 1976 | Dasavatharamulu | Telugu | K. S. Gopalakrishnan | Karpagam Studios | with K. Chakravarthy |
| 1976 | Manchiki Maro Peru | Telugu | C. S. Rao | Sree Ramakrishna Films | |
| 1976 | Manushulanta Okkate | Telugu | Dasari Narayana Rao | Aditya Chitra | |
| 1976 | Oka Deepam Veligindhi | Telugu | Singeetham Srinivasa Rao | Sivaprasad Movies | |
| 1977 | Eenati Bandham Yenatido | Telugu | K. S. R. Doss | Amrita Films | |
| 1977 | Idhekkadi Nyayam | Telugu | Dasari Narayana Rao | Lalita Movies | |
| 1977 | Kurukshetram | Telugu | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao | Madhavi Padmalaya Combines | |
| 1978 | Devadasu Malli Puttadu | Telugu | Dasari Narayana Rao | Devi Art Productions | |
| 1978 | Prema Paga | Telugu | B. V. Prasad | Amruta Films | |
| 1978 | Radhakrishna | Telugu | K. Raghavendra Rao | Annapurna Kala Niketan | |
| 1978 | Sneha Sedu | Kannada | V. Madhusudhana Rao | Maheeja Films | |
| 1979 | Indrudu Chandrudu | Telugu | T. Krishna | Sri Lakshmi Art Creations | with Saluri Babu |
| 1979 | Katha Marindi | Telugu | Madhu | Sricharita Chitra | |
| 1979 | Namala Thathayya | Telugu | K. Hemambharadhara Rao | | |
| 1979 | Pacha Bottu | Telugu | B.N.R | Shri Nalini Combines | |
| 1979 | Pavitra Prema | Telugu | D. S. Prakash Rao | Srilakshmi Art Pictures | |
| 1979 | Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu | Telugu | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao | Jaganmatha Arts | |
| 1980 | Bapuji Bharatham | Telugu | Relangi Narasimha Rao | Jayashree Chitra | |
| 1980 | Bommala Koluvu | Telugu | Kommineni Seshagiri Rao | Apsara Arts | |
| 1980 | Chukkallo Chandrudu | Telugu | C. S. Rao | Sri Pragathi Pictures | with K. V. Mahadevan |
| 1980 | Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu | Kannada | V. Madhusudhana Rao | Maheeja Films | |
| 1980 | Sri Vasavi Kanyakaa Parameswari Mahathyam | Telugu | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao | Mani Art Enterprises | |
| 1980 | Rojulu Marali | Telugu | Devadas Kanakala | | |
| 1980 | Veedani Bandalu | Telugu | K. M. Reddy & V. Madhusudhana Rao | | |
| 1982 | Illalu Chulallu | Telugu | | | |
| 1982 | Mummidivaram Balayogeswara Charitra | Telugu | Vijayaprakash | | |
| 1982 | Punnami Vennela | Telugu | P. Subramanyam | Vijayashanti Arts | |
| 1982 | Sri Lakshmi Nilayam | Telugu | T. Krishna | Sudarshan Productions | with Saluri Babu |
| 1983 | Muddula Mogudu | Telugu | K. S. Prakash Rao | Maheeja Films | |
| 1984 | Adarsavanthudu | Telugu | Kodi Ramakrishna | Maheeja Films | |
| 1986 | Tandra Paparayudu | Telugu | Dasari Narayana Rao | Annapurna Studios & Padmalaya Studios | |
| 1987 | America Abbayi | Telugu | Singeetam Srinivasa Rao | Jayalakshmi Movies | |
| 1991 | Lambadolla Ramdasu | Telugu | K. Babu Rao | | |
| 1995 | Yadagiri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Mahatyam | Telugu | A. Venugopal | | with S. Vittal Rao |

## Awards and honours

Rajeswara Rao was the recipient of numerous awards and honours for his contributions to Indian cinema, including:
* Honorary doctorate Kalaprapoorna from Andhra University in 1979
* Asthana Vidwan of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
* Kalaimamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu
* Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 1992 for his outstanding contribution to Telugu cinema
* Nandi Award for Best Music Director for Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Mahathmyam in 1980
* Commemorative postage stamp issued by India Post in 2018 in his honour