Quick Facts
Biography
M. S. Ramarao (July 3, 1921 - April 20, 1992) is an Indian singer and composer. He was popular for his devotional songs, especially sundarakandamu in Telugu.
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,Ayodya 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 career as singer 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 1942 he is survived by three children capt.M.Babu Rao(Pilot Air India) Mr nageshwar rao and daughter Smt. Sarojinidevi polapragada.
M.S.Rama Rao's daughter married Dr.Polapragada Sree Rama Rao, who survived by four sons. Polapragada Venkata Naga Janardhana Rao (Eldest), Srinivas P (Elder), Chendra Shekar P. (Youngest), Anil Kumar P (Younger).
His grandson PVN Janardhana Rao, was brought up by him, and taught him karnataka music from childhood, made him to sing popular Sundarakanda along with him, and janardhana continued his devotional journey with his grandfather for more than 150 performances in Andhra Pradesh, India. After his grandfather died, he went to USA as a IT Professional, and also continues his Sundarakanda performances in USA.
His grandson, Dr P.Srinivas is a singer. He lived in Chikkadpally until 1972. In 2003, a street in Hyderabad at Chikkadpally was named M S Rama Rao Lane in his honour.
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.
Discography
- Sundarakandamu
- Hanuman Chalisa
Filmography
| Year | Film | Songs |
|---|---|---|
| 1941 | Devatha | Ee Vasanthamu Nityamu Kadoyi |
| 1948 | Drohi | Idenaa Nee Nyayamu |
| 1949 | Mana Desam | Emito Ee Sambhandam Enduko Ee Anubhandam |
| 1949 | Jeevitham | |
| 1950 | Shavukaru | |
| 1950 | Modati Rathri | |
| 1951 | Anni | |
| 1951 | Deeksha | |
| 1952 | Palletooru | Aa Sankrantiki Ee Sankrantiki |
| 1953 | Pichi Pullaiah | |
| 1953 | Naa Illu | |
| 1955 | Jayasimha | Jeevitamintele Manava Jeevitamintele |
| 1957 | Panduranga Mahatyam | Oh Daari Kaanani |
| 1957 | Suvarna Sundari | Naa Chitti Paapaa, Naa Kanna Paapaa |
| 1957 | Sarangadhara | |
| 1957 | Vinayaka Chaviti | |
| 1961 | Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam | |
| 1974 | Sree Rama Anjaneya Yuddham |