TU to honour Ravu Balasaraswathi

Ravu Balasaraswathi Devi, the graceful grand old lady of Telugu music industry, will be given the special Visishta Purasakaram by the Potti Sri Ramulu Telugu University.

The Award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a citation, will be presented to the legendary first generation singer on December 2 which is the 26th Foundation Day of the University.

Born in Venkatagiri in 1921, she has many firsts to her credit and happens to be the first singer to record a song for HMV, besides being the first playback singer to record light music songs for All India Radio.

She was just a four year old when she made her debut as a singer and was six years when the first solo recording was done for HMV. Known for her light music and the swinging voice laced with melody, Balasaraswathi, the multi-faceted personality acted in early films in Telugu and Tamil and later settled as singer after marriage.

She began her acting career as a child artiste in early 1930s and scripted a golden chapter in Telugu film industry by lending her voice (play back) for Kamala Kotnis in the film Bhagyalakshmi of Chittoot V Nagaiah.

She enthralled the music lovers for over three generations starting from 1940 and even in her retirement days, she was always ready to sing light music and private numbers.