Thotakura Venkata Raju

Thotakura Venkata Raju (25 October 1921 – 20 February 1973), popularly known as T. V. Raju, was an Indian music composer who predominantly worked in Telugu cinema. Known for his versatility and significant contributions to both mythological and social drama films, Raju established himself as one of the leading music directors of his time.

He worked as an assistant composer to P. Adinarayana Rao in the film Palletoori Pilla (1950). He acted in a small role in the same film. His debut film as independent music director was Tingu Ranga (1952) directed by B. A. Subba Rao. His music in the films Panduranga Mahatyam (1957), Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam (1966) and Sri Krishnavataram (1967) is memorable. T. V. Raju also proved his mettle as versatile music composer in social drama genre movies similar to 1961 film Taxi Ramudu. Satyam assisted him for many films. His association with "NAT Combines" production house, N. T. Rama Rao films yielded many hits. He even made Mohammed Rafi sing a song for 1969 film Bhale Thammudu.

Early life Totakura Venkata Raju was born on 25 October 1921 in Raghudevapuram near Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh. Raju displayed an early interest in music. Coming from a family with a strong inclination toward the arts, he pursued his musical training in Rajahmundry before moving to Madras (now Chennai) to establish a career in the film industry.

Career In Madras, Raju worked as an assistant to leading music directors of the time. He shared living space with N. T. Rama Rao, Tatineni Prakash Rao, and M. A. Rahman, all of whom were aspiring to make their mark in cinema. Raju's first major opportunity came when he worked as an associate music director for the film Palleturi Pilla (1950), composed by Adinarayana Rao.

T. V. Raju's first break as a full-fledged music composer came with the film Tinguranga, produced by B. A. Subba Rao. His long-standing collaboration with N. T. Rama Rao began with the film Pichi Pullayya, produced under the National Art Theatre (NAT) banner. This partnership grew stronger with Raju composing music for numerous films featuring Rama Rao, including Todudongalu and Jayasimha (1955). The success of Jayasimha marked a turning point in Raju's career, cementing his position as a leading music director.

Raju's work is especially remembered for the music in films like Panduranga Mahatyam (1957), Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam (1966), and Sri Krishnavataram (1967), which remain classics in Telugu cinema. He also showcased his talent in social dramas, with films like Taxi Ramudu (1961). His ability to blend classical and contemporary music made him a versatile composer.

One of Raju's notable achievements was bringing renowned Bollywood playback singer Mohammed Rafi to sing for the Telugu film Bhale Thammudu (1969), further cementing his influence in the industry. Music director Satyam worked as his assistant for many films, contributing to his success.

T. V. Raju composed music for over 60 films in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada, with a significant number of them starring N. T. Rama Rao. Some of his notable films with NTR include Panduranga Mahatyam, Rajanandini, Rechukka Pagatichukka, Indrajit, Taxi Ramudu, Savati Koduku, Mangamma Sapatham, Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam, Pidugu Ramudu, Ummadi Kutumbam, Sri Krishnavataram, Bhale Thammudu, Baghdad Gajadonga, and Kathanayakudu.

Raju's compositions for Rama Rao's productions, including films like Srimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swamy Charitra and Bhale Thammudu, were highly successful and showcased his versatility as a composer. He was known for blending northern Indian musical styles with his own distinct touch, creating memorable melodies that resonated with audiences.

In addition to his work as a composer, Raju also appeared in small roles in films, such as a spy in Palleturi Pilla (1950) and a devotee in the song "Krishna Mukunda Murari" from Panduranga Mahatyam (1957).

Notable Songs Some of the most memorable songs composed by T. V. Raju include "E Nati Ee Haayi," "Jayakrishna Mukunda Murari" from Panduranga Mahatyam, "Swagatam Suswagatam" from Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam, "Nee Charana Kamalalu" from Sri Krishnavataram, "Telugu Jaati Manadi" from Talla Pellama, and "Neeti Dharmamu" from Kodalu Diddina Kaapuram. These songs continue to be cherished by Telugu music lovers.

Legacy T. V. Raju's contribution to Telugu cinema remains unparalleled, particularly for his collaboration with N. T. Rama Rao, for whom he composed music for around 38 films. Despite his success, Raju maintained close ties with his mentor, Adinarayana Rao, and even worked as an associate composer on Suvarna Sundari, a film scored by Adinarayana Rao.

Raju's family continued his musical legacy, with his son Venkata Satyasuryanarayana Raju working as a guitarist in the film industry, and another son, Somaraju, being part of the famous music duo Raj–Koti. T. V. Raju's music is still celebrated today for its unique blend of traditional and contemporary styles.

Personal life In his personal life, Raju married Savitri, and the couple had two sons. Their elder son, Venkata Satya Suryanarayana Raju, became a guitarist, while their younger son, Thotakura Somaraju, better known as Raj from the composer duo Raj–Koti, achieved fame as a music director in Telugu cinema.

T. V. Raju had a close friendship with N. T. Rama Rao, with whom he shared living quarters during their early struggles in the film industry.

T. V. Raju died on 20 February 1973 at the age of 51, leaving behind a rich legacy as a prolific music composer in South Indian cinema. His contributions to the Telugu film industry, especially his work in mythological and social drama genres, continue to be celebrated.

Filmography Year Film Language Director Banner Co-Music Directors 1952 Shyamala Tamil B. A. Subba Rao Yuva Pictures G. Ramanathan & S. B. Thinakar Rao 1952 Tingu Ranga Telugu B. A. Subba Rao Yuva Pictures 1953 Pichi Pullayya Telugu T. Prakash Rao National Art Theatre 1954 Thodu Dongalu Telugu D. Yoganand National Art Theatre 1954 Nirupedalu Telugu T. Prakash Rao Gokul Pictures 1955 Aada Bidda Telugu Erra Apparao Sri VSV Films B. Gopalam 1955 Jayasimha Telugu D. Yoganand National Art Theatre 1955 Jayasimman Tamil D. Yoganand National Art Theatre 1956 Chintamani Telugu P. S. Ramakrishna Rao Bharani Pictures Addepalli Rama Rao 1956 Sri Gauri Mahatyam Telugu D. Yoganand Mahi Productions Ogirala Ramachandra Rao 1956 Mangala Gowri Tamil D. Yoganand Mahi Productions Ogirala Ramachandra Rao 1957 Panduranga Mahatyam Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao National Art Theatre 1958 Raja Nandini Telugu Vedantam Raghavayya Jalaruha Productions 1958 Sri Krishna Maya Telugu C. S. Rao Sri Raja Rajeswari Film Company 1959 Goppinti Ammayi Telugu A. Bhimsingh National Productions 1959 Annaiyum Pithavum Munnari Dheivam Tamil Kamalakara Kameswara Rao National Art Theatre 1959 Bala Nagamma Telugu V. Madhusudhana Rao Sri Venkata Ramana Pictures 1959 Raja Sevai Tamil Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Swastisri Pictures 1959 Rechukka Pagatichukka Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Swastisri Pictures 1961 Jagadeka Sundari Telugu Shantilal Soni Rupak Movies 1961 Rushyasrunga Telugu Mukkamala Geetha Pictures 1961 Taxi Ramudu Telugu R. M. Krishnaswami Sri Ramakrishna Productions 1961 Sati Sulochana Telugu S. Rajinikanth Srikanth Productions 1963 Savati Koduku Telugu Y. Ranga Rao Naveena Chitra Satyam 1964 Aadarsa Sodarulu Telugu A. Bhimsingh Santhi Films 1964 Neethi - Nijayathi Telugu T. S. Rama Rao Pasumarthi Pictures 1964 Rishyasringar Tamil Mukkamala Geetha Pictures 1965 Adhrusya Hanthakudu Telugu A. S. A. Sami Rajendran Pictures K. V. Mahadevan 1965 Gharana Hanthakudu Telugu M. Natesan Natesh Art Pictures 1965 Mangamma Sapatham Telugu B. Vittalacharya D.V.S. Productions 1965 Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima Telugu B. V. Prasad Sri Saraswati Movies 1965 Visala Hrudayalu Telugu B. S. Narayana Gokul Art Pictures 1966 Pidugu Ramudu Telugu B. Vittalacharya D.V.S. Productions 1966 Bhimanjaneya Yuddham Telugu S. D. Lal Mahalakshmi Movies 1966 Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam Telugu N. T. Rama Rao NAT & Ramakrishna Cine Studios 1967 Bhama Vijayam Telugu C. Pullaiah Shekar Films 1967 Chadarangam Telugu S. V. Ranga Rao SVR Films 1967 Chikkadu Dorakadu Telugu B. Vittalacharya Sri Lakshmi Narayana Productions 1967 Kambojaraju Katha Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Anantalakshmi Productions 1967 Nindu Manasulu Telugu S. D. Lal S.V.S. Films 1967 Pinni Telugu B. A. Subba Rao Srikanth Productions 1967 Shabhash Ranga Telugu M. A. Thirumugam Thevar Films K. V. Mahadevan 1967 Sri Krishnavataram Telugu Kamalakara Kameswara Rao Taraka Rama Pictures 1967 Ummadi Kutumbam Telugu D. Yoganand NAT & Ramakrishna Cine Studios 1968 Anubhavinchu Raja Anubhavinchu Telugu K. Balachander Ayya Films M. S. Viswanathan 1968 Baghdad Gaja Donga Telugu D. Yoganand Padma Gowri Pictures 1968 Coimbathuru Khaidhi Telugu G. Ramakrishnan New India Productions K. V. Mahadevan 1968 Devakanya Telugu K. Hemambharadhara Rao Sri Chaya Chitra 1968 Kalisochina Adrushtam Telugu K. Viswanath S.V.S. Films 1968 Manasamsaram Telugu C. S. Rao Srikanth Productions 1968 Nene Monaganni Telugu S. D. Lal Prathima Films 1968 Tikka Sankarayya Telugu D. Yoganand D.V.S. Productions 1969 Bandhipotu Bhimanna Telugu M. Mallikharjuna Rao Bhaskar Pictures 1969 Bhale Mastaru Telugu S. D. Lal Vijayagiri Dhwaja Productions 1969 Bhale Thammudu Telugu B. A. Subba Rao Tarakarama Pictures 1969 Chikkamma Kannada R. Sampath S.V.S. Films 1969 Gandikota Rahasyam Telugu B. Vittalacharya D.V.S. Productions 1969 Goa CID 999 Telugu Dorai–Bhagavan Golden Studio G. K. Venkatesh 1969 Karpoora Harathi Telugu V. Ramachandra Rao Srikanth Productions 1969 Kadaladu Vadaladu Telugu B. Vittalacharya Sri Lakshmi Narayana Combines 1969 Kathanayakudu Telugu K. Hemambaradhara Rao Gopala Krishna Productions 1969 Nindu Hrudayalu Telugu K. Viswanath S. V. S. Films 1969 Saptaswaralu Telugu Vedantam Raghavayya Hema Films 1969 Tara Sasankam Telugu Manapuram Appa Rao Ramakrishna Pictures 1969 Varakatnam Telugu N. T. Rama Rao Ramakrishna & NAT Combines 1969 Vichitra Kutumbam Telugu K. S. Prakash Rao Sriraj Art Films 1970 Kodalu Diddina Kapuram Telugu D. Yoganand NAT & Ramakrishna Cine Studios 1970 Marina Manishi Telugu C. S. Rao Srikanth Productions 1970 Khadga Veera Telugu G. Vishwanath Sri Vijayarani Combines 1970 Raithe Raju Telugu B. Vittalacharya Sri Swarajyalakshmi Productions 1970 Thalla? Pellama? Telugu N. T. Rama Rao NAT & Ramakrishna Cine Studios 1971 Bhagyavanthudu Telugu C. S. Rao Sagar Films 1971 Chinnanati Snehitulu Telugu K. Viswanath D.V.S. Productions 1971 Nindu Dampathulu Telugu K. Viswanath S.V.S. Films Vijaya Krishna Murthy 1972 Kanimuthu Paappa Tamil S. P. Muthuraman Sri Navaneedha Films 1972 Raj Mahal Telugu B. Harinarayana Harikrishna Films 1972 Rani Yaar Kuzhanthai Tamil D. Yoganand Jupiter Art Pictures 1972 Sri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham Telugu C. S. Rao Poornima Pictures 1973 Bullebbayi Pelli Telugu K. Krishna Murthy D.V.S. Productions 1973 Dhanama? Daivama? Telugu C. S. Rao D.V.S. Productions 1974 Manushullo Devudu Telugu B. V. Prasad Sri Bhaskara Chitra S. Hanumantha Rao