Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao
| Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao | |
|---|---|
| Born |
29 January 1920 Nidadavole, Andhra Pradesh |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Ethnicity | Hindu |
| Citizenship | India |
| Education | B.A.(Hons.) |
| Alma mater | Andhra University |
| Genre | Writer, composer, musicologist |
| Notable works | Andhra Vaggeyakara Charitamu |
| Notable awards | Kalaprapoorna |
Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao BA (Telugu: ) (born 29 January 1920) is the son of "Kavi Rajahamsa" Balantrapu Venkata Rao who was one of the modern Telugu poet-duo Venkata Parvateswara Kavulu. He is a well-known writer, composer and poet in the Telugu language. He has won several national and state level awards for his work.
Rajanikanta Rao started his schooling in Pithapuram, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. He went on to complete his high school education at P.R. College, Kakinada. He later completed his B.A. (Hons) from Andhra University in the year 1940, with Telugu and Sanskrit as main subjects. Dr C.R. Reddy, former VC of Andhra University sang along with Rajanikanta Rao during college days.
Rajanikanta Rao began his career as a programme executive in AIR-Madras in the year 1941. He was responsible for writing and composing the first Telugu song ever broadcast in independent India on the midnight of 15 August 1947, following the speech of Jawaharlal Nehru; "Our tryst with destiny". The song "Mroyimpu jayabheri" was sung by T. Suryakumari.In 1948 to celebrate the first anniversary of Independence the song "Madi swatantra desam " was written and composed.This was also sung by Tangaturi Suryakumari. As the programme executive in AIR-Vijayawada he was the originator of 'Bhakti Ranjani'; a devotional programme.
Rajanikanta Rao became the station director of AIR-Ahmadabad, AIR-Vijayawada and retired as the station director of AIR-Bangalore (1976–78) – completing 36 years in the broadcasting field. He initiated and designed an interactive radio programme, called "Dharmasandehalu" hosted by Mr.Ushasri. He was the first director to broadcast an Annamacharya kirtana everyday before 7.00 clock news bulletin. He was made the Producer Emeritus of Akashavani in 1982.
Since the age of twenty one he has written lyrics, composed songs and directed ballets. Under the pseudonyms Nalini and Taranath he has composed many tunes for popular movies like Swargaseema, Gruhapravesam, etc. Kuchipudi ballets and Yakshaganas such as 'Sri Krishna Saranam Mama', 'Menaka Viswamitra', Vipranarayana', 'Chandidas' and 'Subhadraajuniyam' have won him accolades. His literary works include 'Satapatra Sundari'- a collection of lyrics, 'Andhra Vaggeyakara Charitam'- his magnum opus (described below) and 'Jejimamayya Patalu'- a collection of songs for children and 'Etiki edureeta'
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