Pendyala Nageswara Rao

Pendyala Nageswara Rao (6 March 1917 – 31 August 1984), known mononymously by his surname Pendyala, was an Indian composer, multi-instrumentalist, conductor, music producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema along with Tamil and Kannada films.

Early life and career He was born at Vanukuru near Vijayawada and later shifted to Katur. He was closely associated with Mikkilineni as they were students of Kapilavai Ramanatha Sastry.

His ancestors including his father Sitaramaiah were music exponents. Similarly Nageswara Rao also showed interest in music since childhood. He used to accompany his father playing Harmonium for dramas and learned techniques to play with it since the age of 13 years. He acted for the first time as Jambavati in Krishna Tulabharam play. He later played Rukmini, Narada characters in Tulabaram play along with Jonnavitula Sheshagiri, Rshyendramani, Lakshmirajyam and got the applause of the viewers.

During that period Kadaru Nagabhushanam seeing his talents, invited to him to work in his orchestra for Talli Prema (1941) film. He went to Madras and joined Rajarajeswari Films and worked as assistant director to Dinakar Rao and S V Venkataraman for that film. With the beginning of Second World War he returned home. Later he was invited by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam to work for Mayalokam as Harmonist under Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao. K. S. Prakash Rao gave him the independent music director change for his film Drohi, which brought him good fame. He has provided music for about 100 films some of them are memorable hits.

Pendyala is "Bhinna Sangeeta Sampradaya Vishesha Praveenajnudu" (Expert in Natakam Padya, Gadya aalaapana(Drama Poetry singing), Hari Katha, Burra Katha, Janapada/Lok Sangeet)) in addition to traditional Hindustani and Carnatic music styles. Pendyala Composition for Kalidasa Poem "Manikya Veena Mupaalalayanti" in 1960 film Mahakavi Kalidasu, and "Jayeebhava Vijayeebhava" from 1977 film Daana Veera Soora Karna are few examples to measure his calibre. Pendyala composed "Shringar Ras" (Romantic Duet) "Chitram Hai Bhalare Vichitram" Song for Character Duryodhana from Daana Veera Soora Karna film without hampering his Monarchy "Roudra Ras" for which he is known for. Rare combination made reality. Pendyala tune for "Evaro Vastaarani Edo Chestarani" song from film Bhoomi Kosam aimed at social message and equality philosophy, but in a different unique tone from regular mode. His Versatality is visible in song "Naa Peru Bikari Naa Daari Edaari" from 1976 film "Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club" as with simple Harmonium he could elevate scene mood and character.

Pendyala would always follow norms, rules of Raga's basis time and situation of song in his film compositions. Similar to song "San Sanna Sanna Sanna, Jao Re O Pavan" from film Sampoorna Ramayana which was composed in Raga chandrakauns depicting isolation, loneliness (intended situation for Raga chandrakauns) of Sita at Ashoka vanam in Lanka,

Pendyala always respected Raga Lakshanam (Properties) in his compositions. Always used appropriate Raga's for his tunes. His Composition "Sivasankari Sivanandalahari" from film Jagadeka Veeruni Katha composed in Raga Darbari Kanada justifies time and situation for that raga which remained magnanimous all-time hit in film compositions. Pendyala had kept faith in an Idiom "Raasi kante Vaasi mendu" (Reputation is important/better than numbers). People also had laid their belief in an Idiom "Gangi Govu Ksheeramu Garitadaina Chalunu" (Holy Cow Milk a Spoonful is Enough)

Filmography Year Film Language Director Banner Notes 1948 Drohi Telugu L. V. Prasad Debut film 1950 Modati Raatri Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao Prakash Productions 1950 Vaali – Sugreeva Telugu Jampanna Asoka's Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao, Master Venu, Ghantasala & S. Rajeswara Rao 1951 Deeksha Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao Prakash Productions 1951 Anni Tamil K. S. Prakash Rao Prakash Productions 1953 Kanna Talli Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao Prakash Productions Introduced P. Susheela 1953 Petrathai Tamil K. S. Prakash Rao Prakash Productions Remake of Kanna Talli 1954 Baalanandam Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao Prakash Productions 1954 Jyothy Telugu Sridhar & Tilak Navayuga Pictures 1954 Menarikam Telugu Jampana Nandhi Productions 1954 Kudumbam Tamil Jampana Nandhi Productions 1955 Ante Kavali Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao Prakash Productions 1955 Donga Ramudu Telugu K. V. Reddy Annapurna Studios 1956 Thiruttu Raman Tamil K. V. Reddy Annapurna Studios 1956 Melukolupu Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao Prakash Productions 1956 Marumalarchi Tamil K. S. Prakash Rao Prakash Productions 1956 Muddu Bidda Telugu K. B. Tilak Anupama Films 1957 Akka Chellelu Telugu Sarvabhowma-Amanulla Sharwani 1957 Bhagya Rekha Telugu B. N. Reddy Ponnaluri Brothers Pvt Ltd 1957 Rayara Sose Kannada R. Ramamurthy & K. S. Murthy Sri Panduranga Productions with R. Diwakara 1957 M.L.A. Telugu K. B. Tilak Anupama Chitra 1957 M.L.A. Tamil K. B. Tilak Anupama Chitra 1957 Soubhagyavathi Tamil Jampana Nandhi Pictures with M. S. Gnanamani 1958 Atha Okinti Kodale Telugu K. B. Tilak Anupama Films 1958 Ganga Gouri Samvadam Telugu V. N. Reddy Vijayagopal Production 1958 Shree Krishna Gaarudi Kannada Hunsur Krishnamurthy Nandi Pictures 1958 Sri Krishna Garudi Telugu Hunsur Krishnamurthy Nandi Pictures 1958 Sree Ramanjaneya Yuddham Telugu Acharya Kasinadh Productions 1958 Veettukku Vandha Varalakshmi Tamil B. N. Reddy Ponnaluri Brothers Pvt Ltd 1959 Jayabheri Telugu P. Pullaiah Sarada Productions 1959 Kalaivaanan Tamil P. Pullaiah Sarada Productions 1959 Naan Valartha Thangai Tamil Ch. Narayanamurthy Saravanabhava Unity Pictures 1959 Soubhagyavati Telugu Jampana Nandhi Pictures 1960 Bhakta Sabari Telugu Ch. Narayanamurthy Sukhibhava Films 1960 Bhakta Sabari Tamil Ch. Narayanamurthy Sukhibhava Films 1960 Bhakta Sabari Kannada Ch. Narayanamurthy Sukhibhava Films 1960 Bhatti Vikramarka Telugu Jampana Nandhi Productions 1960 Patti Vikramathithan Tamil Jampana Nandhi Productions 1960 Mahakavi Kalidasu Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Sarani Productions 1960 Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam Telugu P. Pullaiah Padmasri Pictures Silver JubileeMusical film 1960 Srinivasa Kalyanam Tamil P. Pullaiah Padmasri Pictures 1961 Bava Maradallu Telugu P. A. Padmanaba Rao Krishna Chitra 1961 Jagadeka Veeruni Katha Telugu K. V. Reddy Vijaya Productions 1961 Jagathalaprathapan Tamil K. V. Reddy Vijaya Productions 1961 Jagadekaveerana Kathe Kannada K. V. Reddy Vijaya Productions 1961 Krishna Prema Telugu Adurthi Subbarao Mahendra Pictures 1961 Mamiyarum Oru Veetu Marumagale Tamil K. B. Tilak Anupama Films 1961 Vagdanam Telugu Acharya Aatreya Kavitha Chitra 1961 Velugu Needalu Telugu Adurthi Subba Rao Annapurna Studios 1961 Thooya Ullam Tamil Adurthi Subba Rao Annapurna Studios 1962 Chitti Tammudu Telugu K. B. Tilak Poorna Pictures Film based on Oliver Twist 1962 Mahamantri Timmarusu Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Vauhini Studios 1963 Anuragam Telugu G. Ramineedu 1963 Eedu Jodu Telugu K. B. Tilak Anupama Films 1963 Paruvu-Prathishta Telugu M. Appa Rao Valta Productions 1963 Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham Telugu K. V. Reddy Jayanthi Pictures 1963 Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham Tamil K. V. Reddy Jayanthi Pictures 1964 Ramudu Bheemudu Telugu Tapi Chanakya Suresh Productions 1964 Sabhash Suri Telugu I. N. Murthy R. R. Pictures 1965 Prachanda Bhairavi Telugu C. S. R. Rao 1965 Prameelarjuneeyam Telugu M. Mallikarjuna Rao S. R. Movies 1965 Satya Harishchandra Kannada K. V. Reddy Vijaya Productions 1965 Satya Harishchandra Telugu K. V. Reddy Vijaya Productions 1965 Uyyala Jampala Telugu K. B. Tilak Anupama Chitra 1966 Srikakula Andhra Maha Vishnu Katha Telugu A. K. Sekhar Sri Sambhu Films 1966 Sri Krishna Tulabharam Telugu Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao Suresh Productions 1968 Bandipotu Dongalu Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao Madhavi Pictures 1968 Bhagya Chakram Telugu K. V. Reddy Jayanthi Pictures 1968 Gramadevatalu Telugu C. S. Rao Sudhni Pictures 1968 Panthalu Pattimpulu Telugu K. B. Tilak Sri Sambhu Films 1968 Papa Kosam Telugu G. V. R. Seshagiri Rao Vijaya Suresh Combines 1968 Uma Chandi Gowri Shankarula Katha Telugu K. V. Reddy Vijaya Productions 1970 Maa Nanna Nirdhoshi Telugu K. V. Nandana Rao Mahalakshmi Movies 1970 Pelli Sambandham Telugu K. Varaprasad Rao Praveena Pictures 1971 Manasu Mangalyam Telugu K. Pratyagatma Uttama Chitra 1971 Ananda Nilayam Telugu B. S. Narayana Mercury Cine Productions 1971 Naa Tammudu Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao S. B. R. Pictures 1971 Sri Krishna Satya Telugu K. V. Reddy R. K. Brothers 1971 Sri Krishna Vijayamu Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Kaumudi Art Pictures 1972 Mathru Murthy? Telugu Manapuram Apparao Vishwajyoti Pictures 1972 Sampurna Theerthayatra Telugu Rupesh Films 1974 Bhoomi Kosam Telugu K. B. Tilak Anupama 1974 Deeksha Telugu K. Pratyagatma Sri Padmaja Films 1974 Dhanavanthulu Gunavanthulu Telugu K. Varaprasad Rao Devi Arts 1974 Kode Nagu Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao Kowmudi Pictures 1976 Kolleti Kapuram Telugu K. B. Tilak SH Movies 1976 Sri Rajeswari Vilas Coffee Club Telugu Chakrapani & Bapu Vijaya Productions 1976 Suprabhatam Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao Model Productions 1976 Vemulawada Bheemakavi Telugu D. Yoganand Ramakrishna Studios 1977 Daana Veera Soora Karna Telugu N. T. Rama Rao Ramakrishna Studios 1977 Chanakya Chandragupta Telugu N. T. Rama Rao Ramakrishna Studios 1977 Koyilamma Kusindi Telugu Y. R. Babu Balaji Art Pictures 1978 Sati Savitri Telugu B. A. Subba Rao Lalitha Siva Jyothi Studios 1978 Sri Rama Pattabhishekam Telugu N. T. Rama Rao Ramakrishna Studios 1979 Gali Vaana Telugu Aadhiraju Anandmohan Surendra Arts 1979 Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam Telugu N. T. Rama Rao Ramakrishna Studios 1979 Priya Bandhavi Telugu Dorai Sripati Films 1980 Kotha Vennela Telugu Jayashyam Mayur Enterprises 1980 Srushti Rahasyalu Telugu Pratap Sri Venkata Sai Pictures 1982 Dharma Vaddi Telugu K. B. Tilak Rupachitra Kalamandir 1982 Puramdara Dasu Telugu R. Ramamurthy with K. Subrahmanyam 1985 Kalaaranjani Telugu K. Babu Rao 1987 Prema Deepalu Telugu C. S. Bose