Raavu Balasaraswathi

Raavu Balasaraswathi Devi (28 August 1928 – 15 October 2025) was an Indian singer and actress who performed from 1930 to the 1960s in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She was the first light music singer on All India Radio and the first playback singer in the Telugu cinema.

Early life Balasaraswathi was born in 1928 to Parthasarathi Rao and Visalakshi Amma at Venkatagiri in Andhra Pradesh. She learned music from Allathuru Subbayya and lent her voice for the first solo gramophone by His Master's Voice at the age of six.

Career Balasaraswathi Devi acted as child actor Ganga and also sang in the films Sati Anasuya and Bhakta Dhruva, both directed by C. Pullaiah in 1936. Observing her talent, director K. Subramaniam invited her to act in Tamil films. In the following years, she acted in Tamil films like Bhaktha Kuchela (1936), Balayogini (1937), and Thiruneelakantar (1939). She played the role of Tukaram's daughter in Tukaram (1938). The Tukaram role was portrayed by Musiri Subramania Iyer in the Tamil version and by C. S. R. Anjaneyulu in the Telugu version. In 1940, she acted with S. Rajeswara Rao in Illalu, directed by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam.

In Bhagya Lakshmi (1943) of Sri Renuka Films of V. Nagayya, she sang for Kamala Kotnis on screen, this being the first instance of playback singing in Telugu cinema. The song Thinne Meedha Sinnoda was composed by Bhimavarapu Narasimha Rao.

Music composers she sang for Balasaraswathi Devi worked with G. Ramanathan, K. V. Mahadevan, C. R. Subburaman, S. V. Venkatraman, Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, Bhimavarapu Narasimha Rao, R. Chinnaiah, S. Hanumantha Rao, S. Rajeswara Rao, P. Adinarayana Rao, G. Aswathama, Ogirala Ramachandra Rao, Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao, Adepalli Rama Rao, C. N. Pandurangan, V. Nagayya, T. V. Raju, Ghantasala, Naushad, L. Malleswara Rao, S. Dakshinamurthi, Vedha, M. Ranga Rao, Master Venu, R. Sudarsanam, Pamarti Krishna Murty, G. Govindarajulu Naidu and M. B. Sreenivasan.

With playback singers Balasaraswathi Devi sang duets mostly with Ghantasala and A. M. Rajah. She sang with T. M. Soundararajan, T. A. Mothi, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. Rajam, M. S. Ramarao, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao and Subramanyam.

She also sang duets with Jikki, A. P. Komala, M. S. Rajeswari, K. Rani, P. Susheela and P. S. Vaideghi.

Personal life and death Balasaraswathi Devi lived for some years in Mysore, and then shifted to Hyderabad. After her husband's death, she lived with her son in her grandson's house in Secunderabad. Balasaraswathi Devi died at her residence in Hyderabad, on 15 October 2025, at the age of 97.

Filmography

Playback singer Year Film Language Song Music Co-singer 1936 Sati Anasuya or Dhruva Vijayamu Telugu Yedi Daari Naa Kichata Prabhala Satyanarayana 1939 Mahananda Telugu Cheyandamma Cheyandi Motibabu Kori Kori Vasinnche Jagame Jagame Jagamega Lalitha & C. Krishnaveni Therichoodu Ee Vanasobha Lalitha & C. Krishnaveni Marachipotivaa Maamaa 1940 Illalu Telugu Suma Komala Kanulela Kala S. Rajeswara Rao S. Rajeswara Rao Kavyapaanamu Chesi Kaipekkinaane S. Rajeswara Rao1941 Apavadu Telugu Eemaanupainundi S. Rajeswara Rao K. Raghuramaiah Adugadugo Poga Bandī Enni Chinnelu Nerchadammaa Thelisinademo Theliyanidemo Paanakammulo Pudaka Netikitu 1941 Chandrahasa Telugu Javvaname Sresṭhamainadaho Motibabu Sugandha Pushpa Sumambul 1943 Bhagyalakshmi Telugu Tinne Meedi Chinnoda Bhimavarapu Narasimha Rao Chestanu Pendlikodukunu 1944 Chenchu Lakshmi Telugu Elukovayya Elukovayya R. Chinnaiah & C. R. Subburaman Eri Eri Naa Samanulu Kanipinchitiva Narasimha Madhuramugaa Aahaa Ee Jeevithame S. Venkatraman 1947 Radhika Telugu Gopala Krishnudu Nallana S. Hanumantha Rao 1948 Bilhana Tamil Sri Jaya Saraswathi Devi Thaaye Papanasam Sivan Innisaiye Ganarasa Innamudhe Ennuriye 1948 Suvarnamala Telugu Ravoji Jilvana Jyoti Adepalli Rama Rao Gopala Baludu Gopala Radhalola Premaleelaye Noyi Surya Narayana Yadhakumara Giridhara 1949 Laila Majnu Tamil Veen Pazhi Thane Prabho En Mel C. R. Subburaman 1949 Laila Majnu Telugu Ela Pagaye Ipudela Pagaye C. R. Subburaman 1950 Aahuti Telugu O Priyabalanura Ne Manajalanura S. Rajeswara Rao Ghantasala Janana Maraṇa Lila Premaye Ghantasala Hansavale O Padava Ghantasala & T. Kanakam Premaye Janana Maraṇa Lila Ghantasala Punnami Vachinadī Ponginadī Ghantasala 1950 Modati Rathri Telugu Mamatho Yemo Chandrudela Pendyala Nageswara Rao M. S. Ramarao & G. Varalakshmi1950 Shavukaru Telugu Deepavali Deepavali (pathos) Ghantasala Deepavali Deepavali Santha Kumari Palukaraadate Chilukaa Ghantasala Palukaraadate Chilukaa 1950 Swapna Sundari Tamil Ohoho Maharaja C. R. Subburaman Nee Sariye Madhana Nee Inbam Ulakinil Thaane Ghantasala Komagane Nee Maha Thiyagiye Thedi Alainthene Unnai Ghantasala Pagattum Penne Yeno 1950 Swapna Sundari Telugu Ohoho Maharaja C. R. Subburaman Natanalu Thelusune Ee Seema Velasina Ghantasala Oh Paradesi O Swapna Sundari Ghantasala Ninne Valache Konara 1951 Mayakkari Tamil Kanbeno Kanbeno P. Adinarayana Rao Pithapuram Nageswara Rao Kaavinil Koovum Kogilam Thaano Pithapuram Nageswara Rao Idhu Enna Vedhanai Raajaa Koluvaai Vandhaar Pithapuram Nageswara Rao1951 Mayalamari Telugu Ledemo Ledemo P. Adinarayana Rao Pithapuram Nageswara Rao Koyila Koose Pithapuram Nageswara Rao Valachina Priyude Rani Vedaale Pithapuram Nageswara Rao O Paradesi 1952 Roopavathi Telugu Reethiye Leni Naa Vraatha C. R. Subburaman Vennelni Chinnabuchche Paata 1952 Chinna Kodalu Telugu Jo Jo Jo Vayyarikade Jo Jo Jo G. Aswathama Ra Rado Rachiluka A. M. Rajah Paruve Baruvaayega Pillanagrovi Patakada 1952 Manavathi Tamil O Malaya Maarudhame Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao & H. R. Padmanabha Sastry S. Rajam Anbu Kondaendhum Thanadhu Adamae Thaan 1952 Manavathi Telugu O Malaya Pavanama Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao & H. R. Padmanabha Sastry M. S. Ramarao Phalimpava Naa Asalu Tana Pantame 1952 Kaadhal Tamil C. R. Subburaman 1952 Prema Telugu Ooho! Idigada! C. R. Subburaman 1952 Priyuralu Telugu Anandam Mana Jeevana Ragam S. Rajeswara Rao Ghantasala & Jikki Undumu Madhuranagarilo Krishna Evarida Venugīti Pillagalito Okasaraina Nī Madhuralapana Ghantasala Vinaravo O Vintalokama Ghantasala Vennelni Chinnabuchche Paata 1952 Santhi Telugu Aha Netiki Naapai Jaali C. R. Subburaman Voogudhune Ooyale 1952 Thai Ullam Tamil Malai Nilaa Vara Vendum V. Nagayya & Adepalli Rama Rao T. A. Mothi1953 Devadas Tamil Santhosham VendumendralC. R. Subburaman, T. K. Ramamoorthy & M. S. Viswanathan Anbe Pavama Paaramugam Yenayya En Swami 1953 Devadasu Telugu Andam Choodavaya Anandinchavaya C. R. Subburaman, T. K. Ramamoorthy& M. S. Viswanathan Tane Marena Nanne Marachena Imta Telisiyumdi 1953 En Veedu Tamil Bhoomiyile Oru Punniya Kathai V. Nagayya & Adepalli Rama Rao Jikki1953 Naa Chellelu Telugu Hayi Kada Mana Ilvanamu C. N. Pandurangan A. M. Rajah Ma Prema Ghada Madurmmugada A. M. Rajah1953 Naa Illu Telugu Adigadigo Gagana Seemao V. Nagayya & Adepalli Rama Rao Jikki Vinnara Janulara Veenulara Jikki 1953 Pichi Pullayya Telugu Ella Velalandu Nee Chakkani Chirunavvulakai T. V. Raju Ghantasala1954 Nalla Penmani Tamil Anbe Nee Kanne Valarnthaal Petra P. S. Divakar Dhevi Dhevi Agathi En Vinai Nin Dhayavaale En Mana Thuyaram Anbe Nee Kanne Valarnthaal Petra A. M. Rajah Vaadi Ularumo Vaazhkai Malarumo 1954 Nirupedalu Telugu Raavamma Nidura Raavamma T. V. Raju 1954 Rajee En Kanmani Tamil Malligaipoo Jathi Roja S. Hanumantha Rao Sundara Malare Amma Vareero Thoongayo Duraiye Soppanam Manadhinile Vethanai 1954 Rajee Na Pranam Telugu Mallepoolu Mallepoolu S. Hanumantha Rao Meraina Choosi Amma Ivigonamma Dayatho Nindhu Vennela Mallelalo Managalana Soonyamu 1954 Panam Paduthum Padu Tamil Maname Sugame Perumo T. A. Kalyanam Endrum Ilaa Inbam Idhe 1954 Vaddante Dabbu Telugu Mansaemo Chalinchaneyo T. A. Kalyanam Endhukohoyi Naku Endhukamma 1955 Aada Bidda Telugu Kalyani Subhadayini Amarnath Galimedalena Naa Jīvitasalu Talatala Merise Vennelalo Laagaraa Ailesaa M. S. Rama Rao & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao1955 Asai Anna Arumai Thambi Tamil Kannaithaan Parikkudhu K. V. Mahadevan Sugam Peruveno 1955 Jaya Gopi Tamil O Muthu Papa Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1955 Jayasimha Telugu Madiloni Madhura Bhavam Palikenu Mohana Ragam T. V. Raju Ghantasala Manasaina Cheli Pilupu A. P. Komala1955 Jayasimman Tamil Malarodu Madhura Mevum Manam Kaanum Mohana Ragam T. V. Raju Ghantasala Malar Thara A. P. Komala1955 Mahakavi Kalidhas Tamil Pesum Kiliye Vaanil Parandhaai C. Honnappa Bhagavathar Vaaraai Vaaraai Vaaraai V. N. Sundaram 1955 Mangaiyar Thilakam Tamil Neela Vanna Kanna Vada S. Dakshinamurthi 1955 Nallakalam Tamil Vazhvu Malarnthu Manam Veesiduthe K. V. Mahadevan Maname Un Vaazhvil Nee 1955 Pasupu Kumkuma Telugu Hayi Hayi O Papayi M. Ranga Rao 1955 Sri Jagannatha Mahatyamu Telugu Kadha Yide Mrdumadhuramu Mallik & B. Gopalam Bhramara Yidemaya Ento 1956 Bhagyachakra Kannada Doora Doora Doorake Vijaya Bhaskar Jhalukina Jhalukina Loka 1956 Bhagyodaya Kannada Anandha Gokula L. Malleswara Rao K. Rani & Subramanyam Namaste Saradha Devi.... Vaani Veena Paani 1956 Bhaktha Markandeya Kannada Dagudu Mootalu Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1956 Bhaktha Markandeya Telugu Dagudu Muthalu Natona Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1956 Kannin Manigal Tamil Kandu Konden Naane S. V. Venkatraman T. A. Mothi Kandu Konden Naane (pathos) T. A. Mothi 1956 Mangala Gauri Tamil Ambaa Mangala Gowri Ogirala Ramachandra Rao 1956 Marma Veeran Tamil Thudikkum Valibame Vedha 1956 Moondru Pengal Tamil Enadhu Ullame Poothu Kulungum K. V. Mahadevan 1956 Nalla Veedu Tamil Kalaimathiye En Kaadhal Krishnamurthi & Nagaraja Iyer P. B. Sreenivas Vidhiyin Sodhanai Idhuthaanaa Idhayame Sorgamaagum 1956 Sri Gauri Mahatyam Telugu Ambaa Mangala Gowri Ogirala Ramachandra Rao & T. V. Raju 1956 Tenali Raman Tamil Thangam Pongum Meni Undhan Sondham Ini Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1956 Tenali Ramakrishna Telugu Jhan Jhan Kankanamuluga Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1956 Vanaratham Tamil Sudar Thaari Sabaiyil Unai Kanen Nane M. B. Sreenivasan Nenjin Ilamai Ensolven 1957 Aandi Petra Selvan Tamil Amma Amma S. Rajeswara Rao 1957 Aavathellam Pennale Tamil Vennila Raajaa Vegamaai Nee Vaa Jeevan 1957 Baagyavathi Tamil Ellorum Unnai Nallavan Endre S. Dakshinamurthi Dhinasari En Vazhvil Thirunale 1957 Bhaktha Markandeya Tamil Inggum Anggum Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1957 Dhampatyam Telugu Tanemi Talacheno Ramesh Naidu A. M. Rajah Nadhi Veedhilo Jeevitham Ledhemo Aanandhaṁ Ipuḍi Vennelaajaa Vegame Raavaa 1957 Evari Abbayi Telugu Kallamootakaalam Kadura Raajaa T. M. Ibrahim 1957 Mahadhevi Tamil Singara Punnagai Kannara Kandale Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy M. S. Rajeswari 1957 Peddarikalu Telugu Lali Lali Nanu Kannayya Master Venu Vennela Radha Vedanalena Padavamma Maayam P. Susheela & P. S. Vaidhegi1957 Raja Rajan Tamil Kalaityaadha Aasai Kanave K. V. Mahadevan Kalaityaadha Aasai Kanave (Pathos) 1957 Rani Rangamma Telugu Natiroju Yela Radhu S. Dakshinamurthi 1957 Sankalpam Telugu Nidurapoora S. Dakshinamurthi Naa Aasalanni 1957 Veera Kankanam Telugu Amdala Rani S. Dakshinamurthi A. M. Rajah Siggulu Chigurinchene Kalakaadhu Chelee Kaadhu Jikki 1957 Yaar Paiyan Tamil Kannaamoochi Aattam S. Dakshinamurthi 1958 Anbu Enge Tamil Sollu Nee Raja Vedha 1958 Booloka Rambha Telugu Devi Dayaganave Bhavani C. N. Pandurangan 1958 Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu Telugu Dharaniki Giri Bharama Giriki Taruvu Bharama Ghantasala 1958 Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum Tamil Eliyorai Thaazhthi Valiyorai Vaazhthum K. V. Mahadevan T. M. Soundararajan 1958 Uthama Puthiran Tamil Muthe, Pavalame.... Aala Pirantha En Kanmaniye G. Ramanathan A. P. Komala 1959 Arumai Magal Abirami Tamil Nalla Pillai Endru Solli Unnai V. Dakshinamoorthy 1959 Bala Nagamma Tamil Aararo Ennaasai Raajaa Pamarti 1959 Gandhari Garva Bhangamu Telugu Ne Arunodayavela Pamarti 1959 Maa Inti Mahalakshmi Telugu Chivurullo Chilukalaga G. Aswathama P. S. Vaidhegi 1959 Mala Oru Mangala Vilakku Tamil Aaduthu Poongkodi C. N. Pandurangan 1959 Pedda Kodalu Telugu Vennelaradha Vedanelena M. Ranga Rao 1959 Pelli Sandadi Telugu Rave Premalata Oho Kaviraja Ghantasala Ghantasala 1959 Penn Kulathin Perumai Tamil Pillai Kaniyamuthe Pedhai Enthan G. Ramanathan 1959 Sahodhari Tamil Uravu Thanthai Kannaale R. Sudarsanam Malarum Malarum Nallarame 1959 Sollu Thambi Sollu Tamil Soodaadha Malarai K. V. Mahadevan 1959 Sumangali Tamil Vidhi Seidha Sadhiyo Atthaan M. Ranga Rao Seerkazhi Govindarajan 1959 Thayapola Pillai Noolapola Selai Tamil Nalla Kudumbam Miga Nalla Kudumbam K. V. Mahadevan 1959 Thozhan Tamil Vada Malarthene G. Ramanathan 1959 Vachina Kodalu Nachindi Telugu Emo Emanukoneno Na Matha S. Dakshinamurthi 1960 Chinna Marumagal Tamil Namaste Saradha Devi.... Vaani Veena Paani L. Malleswara Rao 1960 Irumanam Kalanthal Thirumanam Tamil Kanne Vaadaa Kaniye Vaadaa S. Dakshinamurthi 1960 Raja Bakthi Tamil Paarmuzhuthum Irul Parappum G. Govindarajulu Naidu 1961 Thayilla Pillai Tamil Seerarum Paingkiliye K. V. Mahadevan 1962 Swargarajyam Malayalam Pandu Pandu Pande M. B. Sreenivasan 1963 Naan Vanangum Dheivam Tamil Dhayavillaiyo Annaiye K. V. Mahadevan 1968 Harichandra Tamil Oraam Maadham Udaladhu Thalarndhu K. V. Mahadevan Naranaiyum Nee Padaitthaai 1980 Sangham Chekkina Shilpalu Telugu Poyi Rave Amma Poyi Ravamma Ramesh Naidu

Actress

Year Film Language Director Banner 1935 Sati Anasuya Telugu Ahin Chowdhary 1936 Bhakta Dhruva Telugu C. Pullaiah East India Film Company 1936 Bhaktha Kuchela Tamil K. Subramaniam Madras United Artists Corp 1937 Balayogini Tamil K. Subramanyam Madras United Artists Corp 1938 Tukaram Tamil B. Narayana Rao Star Combines 1938 Tukaram Telugu B. Narayana Rao Star Combines 1939 Thiruneelakantar Tamil P. K. Raja Sandow Trichy Thyagaraj Films Ltd 1940 Illalu Telugu Gudavalli Ramabrahmam Indira Devi Films 1941 Apavadu Telugu Gudavalli Ramabrahmam Kasturi Films 1940 Chandrahasa Telugu M. L. Rangaiah Vani Pictures 1943 Dhaasippen Tamil Ellis R. Dungan Devi Films 1947 Radhika Telugu K. Sadasiva Rao Sri Chatrapathi Pictures 1948 Bilhana Tamil B. N. Rao Mubarak Pictures 1948 Bilhana Telugu B. N. Rao Mubarak Pictures