Eminent composer and scholar Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao, popularly known as Rajani, is a surprised man these days with visitors pouring in from various walks of life and greeting him at his residence in Seetharamapuram here. With the help of his family members, he recognises them and enquires about their well-being.
A steady stream of relatives is reaching a new high as he is all set to celebrate his 100th birthday (as per Telugu almanac, including adhikamasams) on January 31. The “birthday boy” is still active playing carom with his great grandchildren. He also listens to music and reads newspapers everyday without the help of spectacles. He also stretches a bit to keep himself fit.
Except minor ailments which elderly persons usually face, Mr. Rao is actively spending time with the family members. “We are organising a function on January 31 at Hotel Minerva Grand to celebrate the occasion,” said Mr. Rao’s elder son B. Hemachandra, a businessman.
Mr. Rao began his career as a programme executive in AIR-Madras in the year 1941. He was responsible for writing and composing the first Telugu song ever broadcast in independent India on the midnight of 15 August 1947, following the speech of then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru; “Our tryst with destiny”. The song “ Maadi Swatantra Desam” was sung by T. Suryakumari. As the programme executive in AIR-Vijayawada he was the originator of ‘Bhakti Ranjani’ a devotional programme.
He became the Station Director of AIR-Ahmadabad, AIR-Vijayawada and retired as the Station Director of AIR-Bangalore (1976–78), completing 36 years in the broadcasting field. Since the age of twenty one he has written lyrics, composed songs and directed ballets. Under pseudonyms Nalini and Taranath he has composed many tunes for popular movies like Swargaseema and Gruhapravesam.
Kuchipudi ballets and Yakshaganas such as ‘Sri Krishna Saranam Mama’, ‘Menaka Viswamitra’, ‘Vipranarayana’, ‘Chandidas’ and ‘Subhadraajuniyam’ have won him accolades. His literary works include ‘Satapatra Sundari’, a collection of lyrics, ‘Andhra Vaggeyakara Charitam’ and ‘Jejimamayya Patalu’- a collection of songs for children. He takes the rare distinction of being the only person in the country to have won both Central Sahitya Academi Award and Central Sangeeta Nataka Academi Award, being a Vaggeyakara (writer-composer).
Asked why the government failed to present him the prestigious Padma awards, Mr. Hemachandra, “We never expected awards. No one takes them seriously,” he added.
