P. Adinarayana Rao
Encyclopedia
Penupatruni Adinarayana Rao (1915–1991), also known as P. Adinarayana Rao was a reputed Telugu
music director, film producer, lyricist and play writer from south Indian film industry.
He co-founded "Aswini Pictures" along with Akkineni Nageswara Rao
and produced couple of movies in Telugu
and Tamil
language. Later, he produced several blockbuster Telugu movies under his own production house Anjali Pictures
on his famous actress cum wife's name Anjali Devi
. He also did produce and compose music for several Tamil
and Hindi movies too.
According to well known music critic V.A.K. Rangarao, "Adinarayana Rao is credited for introducing Hindustani music in contemporary flavour and simplified orchestration, and thereby impressing both laymen audience as well cognoscenti. It is this music that survives him enthralling all the music lovers".
Memorable music compositions from him are "Rajasekhara Neepai Moju Theera Leduraa" in the movie Anarkali released in 1955, "Piluvakuraa Alugakuraa" in the movie Suvarna Sundari
released in 1957, "Telugu Veera Levaraa Deeksha Booni Sagara" and "Vastaadu Naraju" in the movie Alluri Seetarama Raju
released in 1974 and all songs including "Ghana Ghana Sundara" in Bhakta Tukaram
, released in 1973.
Well-known music directors like Satyam, Totakura Venkata Raju, Lakshmikant-Pyarelal etc., fine-tuned their skills by working under him as assistant directors.
caste in 1915 at Kakinada
of East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh
to Penupatruni Krishnayya Goud and Penupatruni
Anasuya. He did his matriculation from Kakinada.
He started his film career as a child artist at the age of six under Rajarajeswari Naatya Mandali's baton to play the roles of mythological characters like "Narada" and "Savitri". Later, he studied classical music under Patrayani Sitaramsastry in Salur
u. By age of 12, he started playing many musical instruments and showing his talent in both music as a composer and on stage as a play writer.
He was well known in Kakinada
theatre with plays like Black Market, Vasanta Sena and Veedhi Gaayakulu, which he still continued after entering film industry and was affectionately given a nickname "Abbayi Garu". The play Street Singers written by him was well admired, and his wife Anjali Devi
received Gold medal and a citation from Sir Arthur Hope
, then governor
of Madras Presidency
in 1943. He fine-tuned his skills into a well known artist while working under Burmah Shell Amateurs Troupe through famous "Young Mens Happy Club" which produced stalwarts from Telugu
film industry like Relangi Venkata Ramaiah
, S. V. Ranga Rao
, Gandikota Jagannatham and Anjali Devi
. It is here, that he met his future wife Anjali Devi
.
He along with S. V. Ranga Rao
made their debut into film industry with film Varudhini in 1946. Adinarayana Rao wrote lyrics and composed music for two songs in that film. Later, wrote lyrics and composed music for couple of films. Huge break arrived with film Gollabhama directed by C. Pullaiah
, in which his wife Anjali Devi
made her debut. With film Palletoori Pilla
in 1950, he established himself into a well-known and full-fledged music director in the Telugu film industry. He married Anjali Devi
in 1948, and they had two sons. His granddaughter Saila Rao is also an actress.
He was versatile in composing music, writing lyrics and story for films, and producing movies in Telugu
, Tamil
, Marathi
, and Hindi
under Anjali Pictures
. During 80's, he mostly composed music and wrote lyrics under Padmalaya Studios
for actor Krishna
till he died in 1991.
and makeup artist K. Gopala Rao to produce movies like "Maayalamaari" in 1951 in Telugu
, "Mayakkaari" in Tamil
, and "Annadhata" in 1954 for which he wrote lyrics and composed music.
in 1951 by the name of his wife after parting ways with Aswini Pictures. He produced some of the blockbusters in film industry like Paradesi in 1952 in Telegu which was directed by L. V. Prasad
in Telugu, Poongottai in Tamil, Anarkali in 1955, Suvarna Sundari
in 1957 and Bhakta Tukaram
in 1973. In all these movies, his wife Anjali Devi
acted as the lead heroine. Most of the movies he produced had Akkineni Nageswara Rao
as a lead actor.
He also produced movies in Hindi like Phoolon Ki Sej in 1964 and Suvarna Sundari, for which the he actually wrote the (1957). His film Mahakavi Kshetrayya
won award Nandi Award for Best Feature Film.
launched an award on her husband name from 2011. Noted playback singer P. Susheela
is the first recipient of that award.
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...
music director, film producer, lyricist and play writer from south Indian film industry.
He co-founded "Aswini Pictures" along with Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Akkineni Nageswara Rao , also known as ANR, is a Telugu cinema actor from Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh. Nageswara Rao has worked in several genres of films in his 70-year acting career, including mythological, social, and drama films...
and produced couple of movies in Telugu
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...
and Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
language. Later, he produced several blockbuster Telugu movies under his own production house Anjali Pictures
Anjali Pictures
Anjali Pictures is an Indian film production house owned by famous music director P. Adinarayana Rao and versatile film actress Anjali Devi.-Films Produced:* Pardesi * Poongothai , Tamil version of Pardesi.* Anarkali...
on his famous actress cum wife's name Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi is a veteran Telugu actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita in Lava Kusha and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.- Biography :...
. He also did produce and compose music for several Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
and Hindi movies too.
According to well known music critic V.A.K. Rangarao, "Adinarayana Rao is credited for introducing Hindustani music in contemporary flavour and simplified orchestration, and thereby impressing both laymen audience as well cognoscenti. It is this music that survives him enthralling all the music lovers".
Memorable music compositions from him are "Rajasekhara Neepai Moju Theera Leduraa" in the movie Anarkali released in 1955, "Piluvakuraa Alugakuraa" in the movie Suvarna Sundari
Suvarna Sundari
Suvarna Sundari is a popular Telugu film produced in 1957 in the golden era of Telugu film industry.It was directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah and produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali Pictures banner...
released in 1957, "Telugu Veera Levaraa Deeksha Booni Sagara" and "Vastaadu Naraju" in the movie Alluri Seetarama Raju
Alluri Seetharama Raju (1974 film)
Alluri Seetharama Raju is a super hit, historical Telugu cinema based on the life of Indian freedom fighter Alluri Sitaramaraju and produced by Padmalaya Studios. It is the 100th film of Ghattamaneni Krishna. The film is directed by V. Ramachandra Rao and written by Maharadhi Tripuraneni...
released in 1974 and all songs including "Ghana Ghana Sundara" in Bhakta Tukaram
Bhakta Tukaram
Bhakta Tukaram is a 1973 Telugu Biographical film produced by Anjali Pictures based on the life of saint poet Tukaram. Akkineni Nageswara Rao played the title role with great devotion. The music score of P. Adinarayana Rao and songs of Ghantasala and others is one of the highest levels in Indian...
, released in 1973.
Well-known music directors like Satyam, Totakura Venkata Raju, Lakshmikant-Pyarelal etc., fine-tuned their skills by working under him as assistant directors.
Life
Adinarayana Rao was born in GoudGoud
The Goud are caste found mostly in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa and Maharastra. Gouds were involved in soma development in ancient days.-Origin:...
caste in 1915 at 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"...
of East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
to Penupatruni Krishnayya Goud and Penupatruni
Anasuya. He did his matriculation from Kakinada.
He started his film career as a child artist at the age of six under Rajarajeswari Naatya Mandali's baton to play the roles of mythological characters like "Narada" and "Savitri". Later, he studied classical music under Patrayani Sitaramsastry in Salur
Salur
Salur or Saluru is a Municipality and Mandal headquarters in Vizianagaram district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh...
u. By age of 12, he started playing many musical instruments and showing his talent in both music as a composer and on stage as a play writer.
He was well known in 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"...
theatre with plays like Black Market, Vasanta Sena and Veedhi Gaayakulu, which he still continued after entering film industry and was affectionately given a nickname "Abbayi Garu". The play Street Singers written by him was well admired, and his wife Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi is a veteran Telugu actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita in Lava Kusha and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.- Biography :...
received Gold medal and a citation from Sir Arthur Hope
Arthur Hope, 2nd Baron Rankeillour
Arthur Oswald James Hope, 2nd Baron Rankeillour GCIE MC was a British politician, soldier and administrator. He was a Conservative and served as Member of Parliament for Nuneaton from 1924 to 1929 and for Birmingham Aston from 1931 to 1939, after which he was Governor of the Madras Presidency of...
, then governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of Madras Presidency
Madras Presidency
The Madras Presidency , officially the Presidency of Fort St. George and also known as Madras Province, was an administrative subdivision of British India...
in 1943. He fine-tuned his skills into a well known artist while working under Burmah Shell Amateurs Troupe through famous "Young Mens Happy Club" which produced stalwarts from Telugu
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...
film industry like Relangi Venkata Ramaiah
Relangi Venkata Ramaiah
Relangi Venkata Ramaiah was a comedian during the golden years of Telugu film. Hailing from East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, he has acted in several films as chief comedian, hero, anti-hero and character artiste....
, S. V. Ranga Rao
S. V. Ranga Rao
Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao Popularly Known as S.V.R. was an Indian Theater actor, Tollywood actor, director and producer...
, Gandikota Jagannatham and Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi is a veteran Telugu actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita in Lava Kusha and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.- Biography :...
. It is here, that he met his future wife Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi is a veteran Telugu actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita in Lava Kusha and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.- Biography :...
.
He along with S. V. Ranga Rao
S. V. Ranga Rao
Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao Popularly Known as S.V.R. was an Indian Theater actor, Tollywood actor, director and producer...
made their debut into film industry with film Varudhini in 1946. Adinarayana Rao wrote lyrics and composed music for two songs in that film. Later, wrote lyrics and composed music for couple of films. Huge break arrived with film Gollabhama directed by C. Pullaiah
C. Pullaiah
Chittajallu Pullaiah popularly known as C. Pullaiah is an eminent Telugu film director. He is one among those film personalities associated with the Telugu movie right from its silent movie days. His son C. S...
, in which his wife Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi is a veteran Telugu actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita in Lava Kusha and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.- Biography :...
made her debut. With film Palletoori Pilla
Palletoori Pilla
Palletoori Pilla is a 1950 Telugu film directed by B. A. Subba Rao. The title role is played by Anjali Devi. The story was loosely based on the English play, Pizaro by Richard Sheridan. The film is a commercial hit and ran for more than 100 days in 6 centres. This is also the first film wherein...
in 1950, he established himself into a well-known and full-fledged music director in the Telugu film industry. He married Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi is a veteran Telugu actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita in Lava Kusha and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.- Biography :...
in 1948, and they had two sons. His granddaughter Saila Rao is also an actress.
He was versatile in composing music, writing lyrics and story for films, and producing movies in Telugu
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...
, Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
, Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
, and Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
under Anjali Pictures
Anjali Pictures
Anjali Pictures is an Indian film production house owned by famous music director P. Adinarayana Rao and versatile film actress Anjali Devi.-Films Produced:* Pardesi * Poongothai , Tamil version of Pardesi.* Anarkali...
. During 80's, he mostly composed music and wrote lyrics under Padmalaya Studios
Padmalaya Studios
Padmalaya Film Studios is Film production company located in the Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, India. It is owned by Ghattamaneni Krishna and his brothers G. Hanumantha Rao and G. Adiseshagiri Rao...
for actor Krishna
Krishna (actor)
Warning: It is not an impartial presentation and it seems to be written by an Aficionado without any citations. Superfluous and presumptious.Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna , commonly referred to as Krishna, is a Telugu film actor...
till he died in 1991.
Aswini Pictures
He founded "Aswini Pictures" along with Akkineni Nageswara RaoAkkineni Nageswara Rao
Akkineni Nageswara Rao , also known as ANR, is a Telugu cinema actor from Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh. Nageswara Rao has worked in several genres of films in his 70-year acting career, including mythological, social, and drama films...
and makeup artist K. Gopala Rao to produce movies like "Maayalamaari" in 1951 in Telugu
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...
, "Mayakkaari" in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
, and "Annadhata" in 1954 for which he wrote lyrics and composed music.
Anjali Pictures
He started a production house Anjali PicturesAnjali Pictures
Anjali Pictures is an Indian film production house owned by famous music director P. Adinarayana Rao and versatile film actress Anjali Devi.-Films Produced:* Pardesi * Poongothai , Tamil version of Pardesi.* Anarkali...
in 1951 by the name of his wife after parting ways with Aswini Pictures. He produced some of the blockbusters in film industry like Paradesi in 1952 in Telegu which was directed by L. V. Prasad
L. V. Prasad
Akkineni Lakshmi Vara Prasada Rao , more popularly known as L. V. Prasad was an Indian film producer and actor. He was a recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime contribution to cinema from the Government of India for the year 1982...
in Telugu, Poongottai in Tamil, Anarkali in 1955, Suvarna Sundari
Suvarna Sundari
Suvarna Sundari is a popular Telugu film produced in 1957 in the golden era of Telugu film industry.It was directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah and produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali Pictures banner...
in 1957 and Bhakta Tukaram
Bhakta Tukaram
Bhakta Tukaram is a 1973 Telugu Biographical film produced by Anjali Pictures based on the life of saint poet Tukaram. Akkineni Nageswara Rao played the title role with great devotion. The music score of P. Adinarayana Rao and songs of Ghantasala and others is one of the highest levels in Indian...
in 1973. In all these movies, his wife Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi is a veteran Telugu actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita in Lava Kusha and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.- Biography :...
acted as the lead heroine. Most of the movies he produced had Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Akkineni Nageswara Rao , also known as ANR, is a Telugu cinema actor from Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh. Nageswara Rao has worked in several genres of films in his 70-year acting career, including mythological, social, and drama films...
as a lead actor.
He also produced movies in Hindi like Phoolon Ki Sej in 1964 and Suvarna Sundari, for which the he actually wrote the (1957). His film Mahakavi Kshetrayya
Mahakavi Kshetrayya
Mahakavi Kshetrayya is a 1976 Telugu film based on the life of Kshetrayya. It is produced by Anjali Pictures and starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi. The film has excellent songs voiced by V. Ramakrishna and music score proved by P. Adinarayana Rao.-Cast:* Akkineni Nageshwara Rao ......
won award Nandi Award for Best Feature Film.
Producer
- Maayalamaari in 1951.
- Mayakkaari in 1951.
- Pardesi in 1953.
- Poongothai in 1953.
- Annadata in 1954.
- Anarkali in 1955.
- Suvarna SundariSuvarna SundariSuvarna Sundari is a popular Telugu film produced in 1957 in the golden era of Telugu film industry.It was directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah and produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali Pictures banner...
in 1957. - Swarnamanjari in 1962.
- Phoolon Ki Sej in 1964.
- Sati Sakkubai in 1965.
- Ammakosam in 1970.
- Bhakta TukaramBhakta TukaramBhakta Tukaram is a 1973 Telugu Biographical film produced by Anjali Pictures based on the life of saint poet Tukaram. Akkineni Nageswara Rao played the title role with great devotion. The music score of P. Adinarayana Rao and songs of Ghantasala and others is one of the highest levels in Indian...
in 1973. - Mahakavi KshetrayyaMahakavi KshetrayyaMahakavi Kshetrayya is a 1976 Telugu film based on the life of Kshetrayya. It is produced by Anjali Pictures and starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi. The film has excellent songs voiced by V. Ramakrishna and music score proved by P. Adinarayana Rao.-Cast:* Akkineni Nageshwara Rao ......
in 1976.
Music director
- Golla Bhama in 1947
- Palletoori PillaPalletoori PillaPalletoori Pilla is a 1950 Telugu film directed by B. A. Subba Rao. The title role is played by Anjali Devi. The story was loosely based on the English play, Pizaro by Richard Sheridan. The film is a commercial hit and ran for more than 100 days in 6 centres. This is also the first film wherein...
in 1950. - Maayalamaari in 1951.
- Mayakkaari in 1951.
- Pardesi in 1953.
- Poongothai in 1953.
- Annadata in 1954.
- Anarkali in 1955.
- Suvarna SundariSuvarna SundariSuvarna Sundari is a popular Telugu film produced in 1957 in the golden era of Telugu film industry.It was directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah and produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali Pictures banner...
in 1957. - Manalane Mangayin Bhagyam in 1957.
- Adutha Veetu Penn in 1960.
- Runanubandham in 1960.
- Swarnamanjari in 1962.
- Mangayir Ullam Mangada Selvam in 1962.
- Phoolon Ki Sej in 1964.
- Sati Sakkubai in 1965.
- Ammakosam in 1970
- Agni Pareeksha in 1970.
- Mosagallaku MosagaduMosagallaku MosagaduMosagallaku Mosagadu was the first cowboy film in India. It was produced by G. Adisheshagiri Rao, directed by K. S. R. Das in the banner of Sri Padmalaya Films in 1971. This was the first Telugu movie to be dubbed into English, and it was screened in more than 125 countries, which is a record in...
in 1971 - Pedda Koduku in 1972.
- Bhakta TukaramBhakta TukaramBhakta Tukaram is a 1973 Telugu Biographical film produced by Anjali Pictures based on the life of saint poet Tukaram. Akkineni Nageswara Rao played the title role with great devotion. The music score of P. Adinarayana Rao and songs of Ghantasala and others is one of the highest levels in Indian...
in 1973. - Alluri Seetarama RajuAlluri Seetharama Raju (1974 film)Alluri Seetharama Raju is a super hit, historical Telugu cinema based on the life of Indian freedom fighter Alluri Sitaramaraju and produced by Padmalaya Studios. It is the 100th film of Ghattamaneni Krishna. The film is directed by V. Ramachandra Rao and written by Maharadhi Tripuraneni...
in 1974. - Mahakavi KshetrayyaMahakavi KshetrayyaMahakavi Kshetrayya is a 1976 Telugu film based on the life of Kshetrayya. It is produced by Anjali Pictures and starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi. The film has excellent songs voiced by V. Ramakrishna and music score proved by P. Adinarayana Rao.-Cast:* Akkineni Nageshwara Rao ......
in 1976. - Kannavari Illu in 1978.
- Chandipriya in 1980.
Adinarayana Rao Award
Anjali DeviAnjali Devi
Anjali Devi is a veteran Telugu actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita in Lava Kusha and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.- Biography :...
launched an award on her husband name from 2011. Noted playback singer P. Susheela
P. Susheela
Pulapaka Susheela is an Indian playback singer. In a career spanning more than four decades, she has recorded songs in many Indian languages including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, Bengali, Oriya, Sanskrit, Tulu, Badaga and Sinhalese.-Personal life:She is the daughter of Pulapaka...
is the first recipient of that award.
External links
- http://www.oldtelugusongs.com/biographies/adinarayanarao.html
- http://www.chakpak.com/celebrity/adinarayana-rao-p./movies/17831
- http://www.imdb.com/company/co0116468/
- http://www.saigan.com/heritage/flmmusic/adinr.html
- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0654891/