Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao
Encyclopedia
Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao B.A. (born January 29, 1920) is the son of "Kavi Rajahamsa
" Balantrapu Venkata Rao who was one of the modern Telugu poet-duo Venkata Parvateswara Kavulu
. He is a well-known writer, composer and poet in the Telugu language
. He has won several national and state level awards for his work.
, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. He went on to complete his high school education at P.R. College, Kakinada
. He later completed his B.A. (Hons) from Andhra University
in the year 1940, with Telugu and Sanskrit as main subjects. Dr C.R. Reddy, former VC of Andhra University sang along with Rajanikanta Rao during college days.
in the year 1941. He was responsible for writing and composing the first Telugu song ever broadcasted in independent India on the midnight of August 15, 1947, following the speech of Jawaharlal Nehru; "Our tryst with destiny". The song "Maadi Swatantra desam" was sung by T. Suryakumari
. As the programme executive in AIR-Vijayawada
he was the originator of 'Bhakti Ranjani'; a devotional programme.
Rajanikanta Rao became the station director of AIR-Ahmadabad, AIR-Vijayawada and retired as the station director of AIR-Bangalore (1976–78) - completing 36 years in the broadcasting field. He initiated and designed an interactive radio programme, called "Dharmasandehalu" hosted by Mr.Ushasri
. He was the first director to broadcast an Annamacharya kirtana everyday before 7.00 clock news bulletin. He was made the Producer Emeritus of Akashavani
in 1982.
ballets and Yakshaganas such as 'Sri Krishna Saranam Mama', 'Menaka Viswamitra', Vipranarayana', 'Chandidas' and 'Subhadraajuniyam' have won him accolades. His literary works include 'Satapatra Sundari'- a collection of lyrics, 'Andhra Vaggeyakara Charitam'- his magnum opus (described below) and 'Jejimamayya Patalu'- a collection of songs for children.
He composed and conducted music for Vadyabrinda
(a national orchestra), AIR-Delhi and Vadyabrinda, AIR-Madras. His popular compositions included Andhri - an origin of the Raga Kalyani
, Raga
Desavarali, Raga Devasalagam, Viswayanam-the voyage of the universe and 'Sangeeta Gangotri' - a musical composition on the evolution of Indian music to name a few.
. In the year 1980, Mr. Rajanikanta Rao was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by his alma mater Andhra University. From 1988 to 1990, he worked as a visiting professor of the Telugu University, Rajahmundry
.He then joined the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
(TTD) as a special officer of the Sri Venkateswara Kalapeetham and worked there for 4 years. He has been presenting research papers on musicology in various conferences of Music Academy, Madras on subjects that include Kshetrayya's
lyrics, Geeta Govinda, Ragas of Gandhara Grama, ancient scales of Indian music, etc. He shared his memoirs of rich socio-cultural experiences over a lifetime through 'Rajani Bhavatarangalu', a weekly column published in the Telugu newspaper Andhra Prabha
.
as the Director of AIR-Vijayawada
. This interview remains the only radio-broadcasted interview of the famous writer till this day.
and Shobha Naidu
some of which are as follows:
1. Chandidas
2. Divya Jyoti (on Buddha)
3. Viswaveena (on Orpheus)
4. Megha Sandesham
5. Menaka Viswamitra
6. Kalyana Srinivasam
7. Sri Krishna Saranam Mama
8. Namostute Nari
2. Viswaveena (A book of operas in Telugu)
3. Satapatra Sundari (Songs of all hews) which won Telugu Bhasha Samiti Award.
4. Alone with the spouse divine (Ekantaseva) published by the TTD.
5. Kshetrayya (a biography on the saint composer with translation of his lyrics) published by the national Sahitya Akademi
.
6. Ramadasu (A biography of the saint composer published by the national Sahitya Akademi
)
7. Jejimamayya Patalu (Songs for children published by EMESCO)
8. Muvva Gopala Padavali (A biography of the saint composer with translation of his lyrics)
9. Tyagaraju (A biography on the saint composer Tyagaraja
published by the National Book Trust
)
10. Etiki Edurita (A collection of modern Telugu poetry by Rajani)
11. Chaturbhani (A collection of four Sankrit plays written in 4th century BC translated into Telugu)
12. A collection of Annamacharya lyrics translated into English and published by Dravidian University
, Kuppam
2. Swargaseema (1945) (songs and music) directed by B.N. Reddy (the popular song 'Oho pavurama' and 'Oho tapodhana sundara')
3. Perantalu (music) directed by T. Gopichand
4. Lakshmamma Katha
5. Gruhapraveesam - produced by Sarathi Pictures and directed by T. Gopichand
6. Manathi - directed by Y.V. Rao
7. Rajamakutam (1959) and Bangaru Papa
(1954) directed by B.N. Reddy
1. Kalaprapoorna - An honourary doctorate conferred on him by his alma mater Andhra University
in 1981.
2. Kala Ratna Award - conferred on him by the Andhra Pradesh government in 2007.
3. Central Sahitya Akademi Award in 1961
4. The Pratibha Moorti Lifetime Achievement award for 2000 was bestowed on him by US based Appajyotsula Vishnubhotla Foundation.
Venkata Parvatiswara Kavulu
Venkata Parvatiswara Kavulu were two prominent Telugu poets; Balantrapu Venkata Rao and Voleti Parvatisam . Bhava Kusumavali Brundavanam and an unfinished Ramayanam established their reputation as poets honored with the title Kaviraja Hamsalu ....
" Balantrapu Venkata Rao who was one of the modern Telugu poet-duo Venkata Parvateswara Kavulu
Venkata Parvatiswara Kavulu
Venkata Parvatiswara Kavulu were two prominent Telugu poets; Balantrapu Venkata Rao and Voleti Parvatisam . Bhava Kusumavali Brundavanam and an unfinished Ramayanam established their reputation as poets honored with the title Kaviraja Hamsalu ....
. He is a well-known writer, composer and poet in the Telugu language
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
. He has won several national and state level awards for his work.
Early life
Rajanikanta Rao started his schooling in PithapuramPithapuram
For famous Playback singer see Pithapuram Nageswara RaoPithapuram is a town and a municipality in East Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh....
, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. He went on to complete his high school education at P.R. College, Kakinada
Kakinada
Kakinada is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad. It is also the headquarters of East Godavari district. It is nicknamed "Fertilizer City" , "Pensioner's Paradise" and "Second Madras"...
. He later completed his B.A. (Hons) from Andhra University
Andhra University
Andhra University or Andhra Viswa Kala Parishad , located in Visakhapatnam, north east coastal Andhra Pradesh, is one of the older premier universities in India with a broad focus...
in the year 1940, with Telugu and Sanskrit as main subjects. Dr C.R. Reddy, former VC of Andhra University sang along with Rajanikanta Rao during college days.
Broadcaster
Rajanikanta Rao began his career as a programme executive in AIR-MadrasAll India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
in the year 1941. He was responsible for writing and composing the first Telugu song ever broadcasted in independent India on the midnight of August 15, 1947, following the speech of Jawaharlal Nehru; "Our tryst with destiny". The song "Maadi Swatantra desam" was sung by T. Suryakumari
Tanguturi Suryakumari
Surya Kumari was a singer, actor and dancer....
. As the programme executive in AIR-Vijayawada
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
he was the originator of 'Bhakti Ranjani'; a devotional programme.
Rajanikanta Rao became the station director of AIR-Ahmadabad, AIR-Vijayawada and retired as the station director of AIR-Bangalore (1976–78) - completing 36 years in the broadcasting field. He initiated and designed an interactive radio programme, called "Dharmasandehalu" hosted by Mr.Ushasri
Ushasri
Ushasri is a radio and literary personality in Telugu. The original name of Ushasri is Puranapanda Dikshithulu. He is from Andhra Pradesh in South India. He lived between 1928 and 1990. He was very famous for his radio programmes broadcast from Vijayawada All India Radio Station...
. He was the first director to broadcast an Annamacharya kirtana everyday before 7.00 clock news bulletin. He was made the Producer Emeritus of Akashavani
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
in 1982.
Artist
Since the age of twenty one he has written lyrics, composed songs and directed ballets. Under the pseudonyms Nalini and Taranath he has composed many tunes for popular movies like Swargaseema, Gruhapravesam, etc. KuchipudiKuchipudi
Kuchipudi is a Classical Indian dance form Andhra Pradesh, India. It is also popular all over South India. Kuchipudi is the name of a village in the Divi Taluka of Krishna district that borders the Bay of Bengal and with resident Brahmins practicing this traditional dance form, it acquired the...
ballets and Yakshaganas such as 'Sri Krishna Saranam Mama', 'Menaka Viswamitra', Vipranarayana', 'Chandidas' and 'Subhadraajuniyam' have won him accolades. His literary works include 'Satapatra Sundari'- a collection of lyrics, 'Andhra Vaggeyakara Charitam'- his magnum opus (described below) and 'Jejimamayya Patalu'- a collection of songs for children.
He composed and conducted music for Vadyabrinda
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
(a national orchestra), AIR-Delhi and Vadyabrinda, AIR-Madras. His popular compositions included Andhri - an origin of the Raga Kalyani
Kalyani (raga)
Kalyan or Kalyani, originally called Yaman, is a melakarta rāga in the Carnatic music of South India, and is also an important raga in Hindustani music.-Kalyani in Carnatic music:...
, Raga
Raga
A raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
Desavarali, Raga Devasalagam, Viswayanam-the voyage of the universe and 'Sangeeta Gangotri' - a musical composition on the evolution of Indian music to name a few.
Musicologist
'Andhra Vaggeyakara Charitam' is regarded his magnum opus. It consists of biographies of lyricists and music composers along with a history and evolution of Andhra music, which won in 1961 the Central Sahitya Akademi AwardSahitya Akademi Award to Telugu Writers
Sahitya Akademi Award is given each year, since 1955, by Sahitya Akademi , to writers and their works, for their outstanding contribution to the upliftment of Indian literature and Telugu literature in particular....
. In the year 1980, Mr. Rajanikanta Rao was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by his alma mater Andhra University. From 1988 to 1990, he worked as a visiting professor of the Telugu University, Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital, Rajahmundry is noted for its intense Veda culture and intellect...
.He then joined the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams also referred as TTD is an independent trust which manages the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh...
(TTD) as a special officer of the Sri Venkateswara Kalapeetham and worked there for 4 years. He has been presenting research papers on musicology in various conferences of Music Academy, Madras on subjects that include Kshetrayya's
Kshetrayya
Kshetrayya was a prolific Telugu poet and composer of Carnatic music. He lived in the area of Andhra Pradesh in South India. He composed a number of padams and keertanas, the prevalent formats of his time. He is credited with more than 4000 compositions, although only a handful have survived...
lyrics, Geeta Govinda, Ragas of Gandhara Grama, ancient scales of Indian music, etc. He shared his memoirs of rich socio-cultural experiences over a lifetime through 'Rajani Bhavatarangalu', a weekly column published in the Telugu newspaper Andhra Prabha
Andhra Prabha
Andhra Prabha is a Telugu daily newspaper launched in 1938. It is a part of the New Indian Express Group of Companies.-Early history:The paper was started from Chennai on August 15, 1938 by Ramnath Goenka to challenge the sway of the leading Telugu newspaper at the time, Andhra Patrika...
.
Interview with Chalam
In 1972, Rajanikanta Rao had taken an interview of the popular Telugu writer with the name Gudipati VenkatachalamGudipati Venkatachalam
Gudipati Venkatachalam aka Chalam , a Telugu writer and philosopher, was one of the most influential personalities in the modern Telugu literature...
as the Director of AIR-Vijayawada
Vijayawada
Vijayawada is the third largest city in Andhra Pradesh, India, located on the banks of the Krishna River and bounded by the Indrakiladri Hills on the West and the Budameru River on the North. The city is located in the Krishna District, about from the state capital Hyderabad.Vijayawada literally...
. This interview remains the only radio-broadcasted interview of the famous writer till this day.
Operas
Rajanikanta Rao made a name for himself with operas which have been choreographed by dancers like Vempati Chinna SatyamVempati Chinna Satyam
Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam was born on October 25, 1929 in Kuchipudi, Andhra Pradesh. He is a legendary dancer and a guru of Kuchipudi dance form. Vedantam Lakshmi Narayana Sastry, a great master in the field, initiated Young Vempati into this great art...
and Shobha Naidu
Shobha Naidu
Shobha Naidu is among the foremost Kuchipudi dancers of India and an outstanding disciple of the renowned master Vempati Chinna Satyam. She mastered the technique of Kuchipudi and began dancing lead roles in dance-dramas while still very young. She has performed with her guru's troupe all over the...
some of which are as follows:
1. Chandidas
2. Divya Jyoti (on Buddha)
3. Viswaveena (on Orpheus)
4. Megha Sandesham
5. Menaka Viswamitra
6. Kalyana Srinivasam
7. Sri Krishna Saranam Mama
8. Namostute Nari
Published Works
1. Andhra Vaggeyakara Charitam2. Viswaveena (A book of operas in Telugu)
3. Satapatra Sundari (Songs of all hews) which won Telugu Bhasha Samiti Award.
4. Alone with the spouse divine (Ekantaseva) published by the TTD.
5. Kshetrayya (a biography on the saint composer with translation of his lyrics) published by the national Sahitya Akademi
Sahitya Akademi
The Sahitya Akademi ', India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India...
.
6. Ramadasu (A biography of the saint composer published by the national Sahitya Akademi
Sahitya Akademi
The Sahitya Akademi ', India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India...
)
7. Jejimamayya Patalu (Songs for children published by EMESCO)
8. Muvva Gopala Padavali (A biography of the saint composer with translation of his lyrics)
9. Tyagaraju (A biography on the saint composer Tyagaraja
Tyagaraja
Kakarla Tyagabrahmam , colloquially known as Tyāgarājar and Tyagayya was one of the greatest composers of Carnatic music or classical South Indian music. He, along with his contemporaries Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastry, forms the Trinity of Carnatic music...
published by the National Book Trust
National Book Trust
National Book Trust, is an Indian publishing house, founded in 1957 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education within the Government of India....
)
10. Etiki Edurita (A collection of modern Telugu poetry by Rajani)
11. Chaturbhani (A collection of four Sankrit plays written in 4th century BC translated into Telugu)
12. A collection of Annamacharya lyrics translated into English and published by Dravidian University
Dravidian University
The Dravidian University, Kuppam, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India was founded on October 20, 1997 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, with the initial support extended by the governments of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala for an integrated development of Dravidian...
, Kuppam
Telugu Cinema and Dance Dramas
1. Bhale Pelli and Tarumaru- Menaka Viswamitra - dance drama (script and music)
- Jo Achyutananda - sung by Subhadra Devi
2. Swargaseema (1945) (songs and music) directed by B.N. Reddy (the popular song 'Oho pavurama' and 'Oho tapodhana sundara')
3. Perantalu (music) directed by T. Gopichand
4. Lakshmamma Katha
5. Gruhapraveesam - produced by Sarathi Pictures and directed by T. Gopichand
6. Manathi - directed by Y.V. Rao
7. Rajamakutam (1959) and Bangaru Papa
Bangaru Papa
Bangaru Papa is a 1954 Telugu film directed by B. N. Reddi. It is based on the 1861 English novel Silas Marner of George Eliot. B. N. Reddi personally considered it as his best cinematic work. It portrayed the acting skills of Nata Sarvabhouma S. V. Ranga Rao...
(1954) directed by B.N. Reddy
Awards
The numerous titles such as Naada Sudharnava, Pumbhaava Saraswati, Naveena Vaggeyakara conferred on him are reflections of his versatality.1. Kalaprapoorna - An honourary doctorate conferred on him by his alma mater Andhra University
Andhra University
Andhra University or Andhra Viswa Kala Parishad , located in Visakhapatnam, north east coastal Andhra Pradesh, is one of the older premier universities in India with a broad focus...
in 1981.
2. Kala Ratna Award - conferred on him by the Andhra Pradesh government in 2007.
3. Central Sahitya Akademi Award in 1961
4. The Pratibha Moorti Lifetime Achievement award for 2000 was bestowed on him by US based Appajyotsula Vishnubhotla Foundation.