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.