The 95th birth anniversary of popular playback singer and Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao was celebrated here amidst tributes that include a musical extravaganza by singer Angadi Siva Prasad and his troupe from Kakinada who rendered Ghantasala’s songs on Music College grounds on Monday.
It was a day to relish and rejoice for all the amateur singers as they gathered at Music College grounds. Singers P. Chandrsekhar, R. Balaji Kumar and Subhasri sung the popular numbers of the legendary singer such as Andame Anandam , Oohalu Gusagusalade and Neelo Nenai. Government Music & Dance College principal Govindarajan garlanded the singer’s statue and hailed his contribution to the film and light music world.
At Tummalapallivari Kalakshetram as well, the statue of ‘Ganagandharva’ was garlanded followed by an hour long music programme.
Singers G. Hari Krishna and Sudha Rani enthralled the gathering with their mellifluous renditions.
Cultural patrons Hasrathayya Gupta, Bobbili Leela Prasad, M. Ramana, Singamsetti Peda Babu, Chintakayala Chitti Babu and others lit the lamp and hailed the golden era of Telugu film music which was dominated by the majestic voice of Ghantasala.
At Railway Institute, the Ghantasala Cultural Association felicitated as many as 16 artists for their contributions to their respective fields. Congress MLC Ilapuram Venkaiah graced the function as chief guest.
