Thotakura Venkata Raju (

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode S ...

: తోటకూర వెంకట రాజు), better known as T. V. Raju (1921 - 20 February 1973), was an Indian music composer who primarily worked 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, ...

. 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 ''Panduranga Mahatyam'' () is a 1957 Indian Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of Pundarika, produced by N. Trivikrama Rao under the National Art Theatres banner and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Ra ...

'' (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 ''Taxi Ramudu'' is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by D. V. K. Raju, K. N. Raju, K. Ramachandra Raju and C. S. Raju under the Sri Ramakrishna Productions banner and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, D ...

''. Satyam assisted him for many films. His association with "NAT Combines" production house,

N. T. Rama Rao Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996), often referred to by his initials NTR, was an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician who served as List of Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh fo ...

films yielded many hits. He even made Mohammed Rafi sing a song for 1969 film '' Bhale Thammudu''.

Personal life

T. V. Raju and

spent time as room mates during their early days of struggle in the Telugu Film Industry. Thotakura Somaraju, better known as Raj and one of the composers of the duo Raj–Koti, is his son.

Filmography

;Telugu # ''Ting Ranga'' (1952) # ''

Pichi Pullayya ''Pichi Pullayya'' () is a 1953 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by T. Prakash Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Sowcar Janaki and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by T. V. Raju. The film was produced by N. Trivikrama Rao on Nationa ...

'' (1953) # '' Thodu Dongalu'' (1954) # ''Nirupedalu'' (1954) # '' Jayasimha'' (1955) # ''Chintamani'' (1956) # ''

'' (1957) # '' Raja Nandini'' (1958) # ''Sri Krishna Maya'' (1958) # ''Bala Nagamma'' (1959) # ''

'' (1961) # ''Savati Koduku'' (1963) #''

Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima ''Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima'' is a 1965 Telugu film written and directed by B. V. Prasad in his debut. The film is based on the stories related to Sri Varaha Narasimha Kshetram of Simhachalam in Andhra Pradesh, India. Plot The story begins ...

'' (1965) # '' Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam'' (1966) # ''

Pidugu Ramudu ''Pigudu Ramudu'' () is a 1966 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckling fantasy film directed by B. Vittalacharya. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Rajasree, with music composed by T. V. Raju. Plot Once upon a time, a Kingdom was ruled by an innoc ...

'' (1966) # '' Bhimanjaneya Yuddham'' (1966) # '' Bhama Vijayam'' (1967) # ''Chadarangam'' (1967) # ''Kambojaraju Katha'' (1967) # '' Sri Krishnavataram'' (1967) # '' Ummadi Kutumbam'' (1967) # ''

Tikka Shankaraiah ''Tikka Sankarayya'' () is a 1968 Indian Telugu-language comedy film directed by D. Yoganand and produced by D. V. S. Raju. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna Kumari and Jayalalithaa, with music composed by T. V. Raju. Plot Raghavayya, a ...

'' (1968) # '' Baghdad Gajadonga'' (1968) # '' Kalisochina Adrushtam'' (1968) # '' Nene Monaganni'' (1968) # ''

Varakatnam ''Varakatnam'' () is a 1969 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by N. Trivikrama Rao under the banner Ramakrishna & NAT Combines and directed by his older brother N. T. Rama Rao. It stars Rama Rao, Savitri and Krishna Kumari, with m ...

'' (1968) # '' Nindu Hrudayalu'' (1969) # '' Bhale Tammudu'' (1969) # '' Kathanayakudu'' (1969) # '' Saptaswaralu'' (1969) # ''

Vichitra Kutumbam ''Vichitra Kutumbam'' () is a 1969 Indian Telugu-language comedy film, produced by V. K. P. Sunkavalli under the Sriraj Art Films banner and directed by K. S. Prakash Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri, Krishna, Shobhan Babu and Vijaya Nirm ...

'' (1969) # '' Marina Manishi'' (1970) # ''Talla Pellamma'' (1970) # ''Chinnanaati Snehithulu'' (1971) # '' Sri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham'' (1972) # ''Raja Mahal'' (1972) # ''Dhanama? Daivama?'' (1973) ;Kannada # '' Chikkamma'' (1969) ;Tamil #'' Kanimuthu Paappa'' (1972)

External links

* 1921 births 1973 deaths Telugu people Telugu film score composers Kannada film score composers 20th-century Indian composers Tamil film score composers Indian male film score composers 20th-century male musicians {{india-film-bio-stub