HYDERABAD: Veteran playback singer K Rani passed away due to age-related ailments here on Friday night at her elder daughter Vijaya’s residence. Rani was 76 and is survived by her daughters Vijaya and Kavitha.Rani began singing for films at the age of eight in 1950 with ‘Paramanandayya Sishyulu’ (Telugu) and ‘Mohana Sundaram’ (Tamil). She also rendered songs in films like ‘Kalyani Kalyanam Panni Paar’ and ‘Pelli Chesi Choodu.’
She also sung for a delightful dance ballet performed by veteran actor and dancer, Vyjayanthimala, at Annamalai auditorium in Chennai in 1950. “After that show, legendary composer CR Subburaman signed her in a slew of films including ‘Parijatham,’‘ Dharma Devatha,’ ‘Chandirani’ and ‘Devadasu’ wherein she rendered three immortal songs ‘Antha Bhranthi Yenaa,’ ‘O…Devada’ and ‘Cheliya Ledhu Chelimi Ledhu’ that won praise all around,” reveals SV Rama Rao, a renowned film aficionado.
Rani was one of the most popular singers of her times and through her career, she has sung over 500 songs in several languages including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Sinhala. “She had a wonderful voice. She sang both duets and peppy dance numbers with equal poise,” adds Rama Rao.She made her debut in Sri Lankan cinema with the romantic musical ‘Sujatha’ and followed it up with films like ‘Seda Sulang’ and ‘ Sirimalli.’ “She also rendered the National Anthem of Sri Lanka (the Sri Lanka Matha) composed by Susarla Dakshinamurthi. This was a rare honour conferred on her. At the age of 14, she won appreciation from popular Bollywood singer Lata Mangeshkar as well,” says Rama Rao.
She also sang political party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) songs and also recorded Tamil Islamic songs with Nagore E Hanifa. “Rani gave her performance before the then President of India, S Radhakrishnan and won appreciation. Congress leader K Kamaraj Nadar, in 1955, gave her the sobriquet Mellisai Rani and honoured her with a gold medal,” recalls Rama Rao.Rani distanced herself from the industry after she got married to producer Galiveeti Seetharamireddy. After 1965, she discontinued singing due to various reasons.
Telugu actor Vinod passes away
Hyderabad: Telugu actor Vinod, known for portraying supporting roles in films and TV serials, passed away on Saturday. Reportedly, he suffered a brain stroke at 2 am and died on way to hospital. He was 59 and is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. Vinod made his debut as a lead actor in 1983 film ‘Keerthi Kantha Kanakam’