R. Balasaraswathi Devi (1928-2025) Biography, Family

Quick Info

Profession	Playback singer, Actress
Nationality	Indian
Date of Birth	28/08/1928
Age	97 years (died on 15, Oct, 2025)
Birthplace	Venkatagiri, Madras Presidency, British India
Date of Death	15/10/2025

Latest News about R. Balasaraswathi Devi

15/10/2025

R. Balasaraswathi Devi, the first playback singer of Telugu cinema and a pioneering light music artist on All India Radio, passed away at her residence in Hyderabad. She was widely recognized for her early gramophone recordings as a child and for her work in Telugu and Tamil cinema from the 1930s through the 1960s.

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Bio/Wiki

Full Name	Raavu Balasaraswathi Devi
Famous for	Being first playback singer of Telugu cinema

Physical Stats & More

Height	5' 2" (158 cm)
Weight	50 Kg (110 lbs)
Eye Color	Black
Hair Color	Salt & pepper
Hair Colour	Salt & pepper

Personal Life

Religion	Hinduism
Music Teacher	Allathuru Subbayya

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Widow

Family

Father	Pardhasaradhi Rao
Mother	Visalakshi
Spouse	Sri Raja Rao Pradyumna Krishna Mahipati Surya Rao
Children	2 Sons
Sons	Gopalakrishna Venkatakrishna
Spouse Marriage Year	1944

Career

Description	Raavu Balasaraswathi Devi emerged as a prominent figure in the music industry, known for her pioneering role as the first playback singer in Telugu cinema. She recorded her first solo gramophone record at the age of six, swiftly gathering fame as a child artist. In addition to her singing, she made significant contributions to South Indian cinema as an actress during the 1930s and 1940s. Balasaraswathi Devi's illustrious career spanned over nine decades, encompassing both playback singing and acting in multiple languages. Her notable recordings include hundreds of enduring songs, made in collaboration with many well-known composers. Alongside her musical endeavors, her contributions to radio as the first light music singer in All India Radio solidified her legacy. She received various accolades, such as the Ramineni Foundation Award and the YSR Lifetime Achievement Award by the Andhra Pradesh government. She recorded her first solo gramophone record at the age of six with His Master's Voice (HMV), becoming the first Indian woman to do so. In 1936, she acted as a child artist under the screen name 'Ganga' in the Telugu films Sati Anasuya and Bhakta Dhruva, both directed by C. Pullaiah. She worked in Tamil films including Bhaktha Kuchela (1936), Balayogini (1937), Thiruneelakantar (1939), and Tukaram (1938), directed by K. Subramaniam. In 1943, she made history by becoming the first playback singer in Telugu cinema, recording the song 'Thinne Meedha Sinnoda' for actress Kamala Kotnis in the film Bhagya Lakshmi, composed by Bhimavarapu Narasimha Rao. She sang more than 100 songs in Tamil and Telugu films, though only about 25 are readily available today. As a playback singer, she was active for over 25 years in the industry. She became All India Radio's first light music singer, performing opening songs for AIR Madras and AIR Vijayawada. She received the Ramineni Foundation Award and the YSR Lifetime Achievement Award by the Andhra Pradesh government in 2023. In 2014, the Seetha Ramaiah Sangeetha Seva Trust felicitated her, where she performed her timeless number 'Ee Challani Rayi' after a gap of 45 years. Her last live performance took place in 2018 during the Swarabhishekam program in Hyderabad.

Description

Raavu Balasaraswathi Devi emerged as a prominent figure in the music industry, known for her pioneering role as the first playback singer in Telugu cinema.
She recorded her first solo gramophone record at the age of six, swiftly gathering fame as a child artist.
In addition to her singing, she made significant contributions to South Indian cinema as an actress during the 1930s and 1940s.
Balasaraswathi Devi's illustrious career spanned over nine decades, encompassing both playback singing and acting in multiple languages.
Her notable recordings include hundreds of enduring songs, made in collaboration with many well-known composers.
Alongside her musical endeavors, her contributions to radio as the first light music singer in All India Radio solidified her legacy.
She received various accolades, such as the Ramineni Foundation Award and the YSR Lifetime Achievement Award by the Andhra Pradesh government.
She recorded her first solo gramophone record at the age of six with His Master's Voice (HMV), becoming the first Indian woman to do so.
In 1936, she acted as a child artist under the screen name 'Ganga' in the Telugu films Sati Anasuya and Bhakta Dhruva, both directed by C. Pullaiah.
She worked in Tamil films including Bhaktha Kuchela (1936), Balayogini (1937), Thiruneelakantar (1939), and Tukaram (1938), directed by K. Subramaniam.
In 1943, she made history by becoming the first playback singer in Telugu cinema, recording the song 'Thinne Meedha Sinnoda' for actress Kamala Kotnis in the film Bhagya Lakshmi, composed by Bhimavarapu Narasimha Rao.
She sang more than 100 songs in Tamil and Telugu films, though only about 25 are readily available today.
As a playback singer, she was active for over 25 years in the industry.
She became All India Radio's first light music singer, performing opening songs for AIR Madras and AIR Vijayawada.
She received the Ramineni Foundation Award and the YSR Lifetime Achievement Award by the Andhra Pradesh government in 2023.
In 2014, the Seetha Ramaiah Sangeetha Seva Trust felicitated her, where she performed her timeless number 'Ee Challani Rayi' after a gap of 45 years.
Her last live performance took place in 2018 during the Swarabhishekam program in Hyderabad.

Favourites

Preferred Outfit	Half-white silk sarees
Favorite Flower	Jasmine flowers
Favorite Sweets	Gulab jamun Jangri

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Balasaraswathi Devi belonged to the distinguished Nidudavolu family, renowned in Telugu culture.
2. Her first significant role occurred when she was just eight, portraying Ganga in two acclaimed Telugu films.
3. She broadened her artistic horizons by working with major studios during her early career.
4. Her groundbreaking song recorded in 1943 marked a monumental shift in the Telugu film industry.
5. She was renowned for her ability to sing in multiple languages, showcasing her vast musical range.
6. She was the first Indian woman to record a solo gramophone disc with His Master’s Voice (HMV).
7. Her last live performance took place in 2018 during the Swarabhishekam program in Hyderabad.
8. Her first recorded song at age six was 'Dorike Dorike Naku' in 1934.

R. Balasaraswathi Devi Playback singer, Actress Indian Venkatagiri, Madras Presidency, British India