Patharlagadda Nageswara Rao (5 May 1930 – 5 March 1996), popularly known as Pithapuram Nageswara Rao, was an Indian playback singer known for his contributions to Telugu cinema, particularly in comedic songs. He gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s for his unique voice and his performances alongside Madhavapeddi Satyam, with whom he formed a renowned playback singing duo. Nageswara Rao was especially recognized for singing background songs for comedians, and his work left a lasting impression on Telugu film music. He also lent his voice to a few Kannada and Tamil films.

Early life

Nageswara Rao was born on 5 May 1930 in Pithapuram, East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. His actual surname was Patharlagadda (పాతర్లగడ్డ), but since he hailed from Pithapuram, the name became popular in usage. His father was a talented stage actor, which inspired Nageswara Rao to develop an interest in acting and singing from a young age. Initially, Nageswara Rao started by providing background vocals for those unable to sing on stage. Driven by a passion for cinema, Nageswara Rao left home and moved to Madras to pursue a career in film.

Career

Nageswara Rao made his playback singing debut at the age of 16 in the film Mangala Sutram (1946) at the age of 16. He later sang in the classic film Chandralekha (1948), produced by Gemini Studios, which helped establish him as a playback singer in the industry. Over the years, he lent his voice to several notable films, including Mantra Dandam (1951) and Paradesi (1953), where he sang for the actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. One of his most popular songs, "Prabhu Marala Palakavela," composed by Saluri Rajeswara Rao, became a major hit and solidified his position as a busy playback singer. In Mayabazar (1957), Pithapuram Nageswara Rao initially recorded the song "Sundari Nee Vanti Divya Swaroopamu" for Relangi's character. However, the song was later re-recorded with Ghantasala's voice, which was used in the final film. Throughout his career, Nageswara Rao sang thousands of songs across multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada. His second wave of success came through his collaboration with Madhavapeddi Satyam, where they performed numerous comedic songs together, both in films and live concerts. Some of his notable songs during this period include "Ayyayyo Jebulo Dabbulu Poyene" from Kula Gothralu (1962) and "Maa Oollo Oka Paduchundi" from Ave Kallu (1967), the latter being a duet with Ghantasala. Pithapuram Nageswara Rao earned the affectionate title "Andhra Rafi" for his unique voice. He continued his career in films until the late 1970s, with his final song being in the 1978 film Bommarillu. As playback opportunities diminished over time, he gradually withdrew from the industry. Nageswara Rao passed away on 5 March 1996.

Filmography

These are some of the important songs he has voiced: