Thotakura Somaraju and Saluri Koteswara Rao, popularly known as Raj–Koti were Indian film music composers, singer-songwriters, record producers, musicians and multi-instrumentalists duo in

Telugu cinema Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Telugu cinema is based in Film Nagar, Hy ...

, In a notable career spanning a decade, the duo has garnered particular acclaim for redefining contemporary

Telugu film Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Telugu cinema is based in Film Nagar, Hy ...

music. They composed music for about 180 films. Out of their 3000 songs, about 2,500 songs were sung by singers

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam (4 June 1946 – 25 September 2020), also referred to as SPB or SP Balu or Balu, was an Indian playback singer, television presenter, actor, music composer, dubbing artist, and film producer. He is wi ...

and K. S. Chithra. The Raj–Koti duo was among the many prominent South Indian composers for whom

A. R. Rahman Allah Rakha Rahman (; born A. S. Dileep Kumar; 6 January 1967) is an Indian music composer, record producer, singer and songwriter, popular for his works in Indian cinema; predominantly in Tamil and Hindi films, with occasional forays in int ...

has worked as a keyboard programmer for 8 years. In a television interview aired on ABN Andhrajyothy, the duo announced that they are teaming up again in 2012 and reinstate the Raj–Koti brand.

Background

Thotakura Somaraju (Raj) is the son of

T. V. Raju Thotakura Venkata Raju (Telugu: తోటకూర వెంకట రాజు), better known as T. V. Raju (1921 - 20 February 1973), was an Indian music composer who primarily worked in Telugu cinema. He worked as an assistant composer to ...

and Saluri Koteswara Rao (Koti) is the son of S. Rajeswara Rao.The Hindu : Metro Plus Hyderabad : `Good music emanates from the story'
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Awards

;

Nandi Awards The Nandi Awards are the awards that recognise the excellence in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre and Telugu television, and Lifetime achievements in Indian cinema. Presented annually by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the award is named after ...

Nandi Award for Best Music Director The Nandi Award for Best Music Director winners since 1977. References {{DEFAULTSORT:Nandi Award For Best Music Director Music Director A music(al) director or director of music is the person responsible for the musical aspects of a p ...

– 1994 – '' Hello Brother''

Filmography

;Raj–Koti ;Raj's Solo career filmography *''

Sisindri ''Sisindri'' is a 1995 Indian Telugu-language comedy film directed by Siva Nageswara Rao and produced by Nagarjuna. The film stars Nagarjuna's son Akhil Akkineni (in his debut). Nagarjuna, Giri Babu, Tanikella Bharani, Sudhakar, Aamani, Sara ...

'' (1995) *''Bharatha Simham'' (1995) *''

Ramudochadu ''Ramudochadu'' () is a 1996 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by Yarlagadda Surendra under the S. S. Creations banner and directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy. It stars Nagarjuna, Krishna, Soundarya and Ravali, with music composed by Ra ...

'' (1996) *''

Mrugam ''Mrugam'' ( en, Beast) is a 1996 Telugu crime film, written and directed by Rudraraju Suresh Varma. Actor J. D. Chakravarthy played the role of a sincere cop in the film Plot The plot revolves around a politician criminal nexus and love dram ...

'' (1996) *''Bobbili Bullodu'' (1996) *''Sambhavam'' (1998) *''

Premante Idera ''Premante Idera'' () is 1998 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film directed by Jayanth C. Paranjee, and produced by Burugupalli Siva Rama Krishna and K. Ashok Kumar under the Sri Lakshmi Venteswara Art Films banner. The film stars Venka ...

'' (1998) *'' Chinni Chinni Aasa'' (1999) *''Suryaputrika'' *''Lagna Patrika'' (2002)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raj-Koti Indian musical duos Telugu film score composers Kannada film score composers