Ghantasala

Ghantasala, whose full name is Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, was a singer and music composer who worked on films from various languages like Tamil, Hindi, Tulu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Telegu. He was born on December 4, 1922, in Choutapalli, Gudivada, Krishna district, Madras Presidency, India. His father, Soorayya Ghantasala, was a singer too. In his childhood, his father would sing, and he would dance to his tunes. However, he died when Ghantasala was still very young. After his death, his maternal uncle took his responsibility. Patrayani Sitarama Sastry is his teacher. Maharajah's Government College of Music and Dance, Vijayanagar is his educational institution. His had two wives named Savitri and Sarala Devi.

He had four daughters and four sons from both his marriage. He was an active participant in the Quit India Movement and went to the jail for eighteen months for it. After his punishment ended, he had a chance meeting with Samudrala Raghavacharya, who took him under his wings. Samudrala suggested him to utilize his talent and work in films. People got to hear his voice first on All India Radio. From here, he switched to singing for movies and albums. His projects include Laxmamma, Jhandaa Ooncha Rahe Hamara, Mana Desam, Jayabheri, Patala Bhairavi, Mahakavi Kalidasu, Lava Kusa, Gundamma Katha, Pandava Vanavasam, Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha, Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu, Sri Krishnaanjaneya Yuddham, Suguna Sundari Katha, and much more. Pendyala Nageswara Rao, who has worked with him on several occasions says that most of the phrases that he has sung for him were only one take songs.

He had performed not only in India but countries like England, United States of America, and Germany. He has an envious record of winning Andhra Pradesh's Best Playback Singer Award for thirty years in a row. The Indian government honored him with the Padmashri. The industry and the audience use to call him Gaana Gandharva as he had a beautiful voice. The Postal Office of U.S. created a stamp which had his face with the help of North American Telugu Society and Telugu Literary and Cultural Association. Ghantala is the only singer after Annamacharya, a poet belonging to the fifteenth century, who got to perform devotional songs inside the premises of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. CH Rama Rao is in the process of writing a movie which takes inspiration from him. He died on February 11, 1974, due to heart-related ailments. Even after his death, he continues to inspire several Indian aspiring singers.