M. S. Ramarao

M. S. Rama Rao (3 July 1921 – 20 April 1992) was an Indian singer and composer. He was the very first playback singer in the Telugu filmdom and popular for his devotional songs.

Singing career Rama Rao debuted at World Telugu Conference held in Hyderabad in 1975.

He became popular for his Telugu version of Hanuman Chalisa. He also narrated Bala kanda, Ayodhya kanda and Sundara Kanda (some parts of the epic Ramayana) in form of Songs in Telugu. He gained fame for singing the devotional songs and was awarded the name of 'Sundara Dasu' in 1977.

He wrote Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarakandamu of Valmiki Ramayana in Telugu during 1972–74. He sang Sundarakanda in the form of Telugu songs.

Tollywood His movie singing career spanned 1944–64 in Madras.

He also sang "Ee vishala prashantha ekanta soudhamlo" for O. P. Nayyar's Telugu movie Neerajanam.

Personal life M.S.Rama Rao married Lakshmi Samrajyam in 1946 and had three children P.V.Sarojini Devi, M.Babu Rao and M.Nageshwar Rao. He was inspired to write Hanuman chalisa because of his elder son Babu Rao who was a pilot in the Indian Air force whose whereabouts were not known for a long time during the Indo-Pak war in 1971, so he dedicated himself to lord Hanuman for his safe return and composed and sang the Hanuman chalisa in Telugu. His only lineage to carry his surname is capt Moparti Anil Rao (grandson) and then his son Moparti Aman Rao (great-grandson). All of them being three generations of pilots. M.S.Rama Rao's second grandson is taking forward his legacy by continuing to perform his songs.

Awards Rama Rao gained fame for his singing the above two works and was awarded the name of 'Sundara Dasu' in 1977.

Rao's inspirational songs still provide incentives to follow the path of singing, even a decade after his unfortunate death.

Songs Sundarakandamu Hanuman Chalisa Bala Kandamu

Filmography Year Film Language Song Music director Co-singer 1941 Devata Telugu Ee Vasanthamu Nityamu Kadoyi V. Nagayya 1948 Drohi Telugu Idenaa Nee Nyayamu Pendyala Nageswara Rao 1949 Mana Desam Telugu Emito Ee Sambhandam Ghantasala C. Krishnaveni Chalo Chalo Raja C. Krishnaveni 1950 Jeevitham Telugu Idena Maa Desam R. Sudharsanam 1950 Shavukaru Telugu Ghantasala 1950 Modati Rathri Telugu Ghantasala 1951 Anni Tamil Poadaa Kanne Poayi Nee Paaradaa Pendyala Nageswara Rao 1951 Deeksha Telugu Pendyala Nageswara Rao 1951 Niraparadhi Tamil Vidhiyaale Vanameha Seedhai Ghantasala 1951 Nirdoshi Telugu Ghantasala 1952 Manavathi Telugu O Malaya Pavanama Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao &H. R. Padmanabha Sastry R. Balasaraswathi Devi 1952 Palletooru Telugu Aa Manasulona Ghantasala 1953 Naa Illu Telugu V. Nagayya & A. Rama Rao 1953 Pichi Pullayya Telugu Avamanaalaku Baliavuthunna T. V. Raju Sokapu Tupaanu 1954 Annadata Telugu P. Adinarayana Rao 1954 Kudumbam Tamil Pendyala Nageswara Rao 1954 Menarikam Telugu Pendyala Nageswara Rao 1949 Nirupedalu Telugu Ammalaraa Vinnaraa T. V. Raju Eethele Ee Brathukintele Eethele Ee Nirupedala 1955 Jayasimha Telugu Jeevitamintele T. V. Raju 1957 Panduranga Mahatyam Telugu Oh Daari Kaanan T. V. Raju 1957 Manaalane Mangaiyin Baakkiyam Tamil Mogamadaa Thaalaadha Modamadaa P. Adinarayana Rao P. Leela Kanee Nee Vaadaa Kaniye Nee P. Susheela 1957 Sarangadhara Telugu Dhanalubdula Vruddula Ghantasala 1957 Sati Anasuya Telugu Kadilindi Ganga Bhavani Ghantasala Ghantasala 1957 Suvarna Sundari Telugu Naa Chitti Papa P. Adinarayana Rao P. Susheela1957 Vinayaka Chaviti Telugu Raja Premajoopara Ghantasala P. Leela Yashoda Kishora 1958 Karthavarayuni Katha Telugu Okka Kshnam G. Ramanathan & G. Aswathama 1958 Raja Nandini Telugu T. V. Raju 1960 Seeta Rama Kalyanam Telugu Sashtiryojana Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao Padmaasane Kowsalyaa Suprajaa Sree Raaghavam Hey Raama Raama Mangalam 1975 Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham Telugu Saranamu Neeve Srirama K. V. Mahadevan Amaraadhe 1988 Neerajanam Telugu ee visala prasantha O. P. Nayyar