Veteran film music director Jetti Veera Raghavulu (82) passed away at his house in the wee hours of Friday, after a brief illness.
Raghavulu, who had been undergoing treatment at a local hospital, was shifted to his house two months ago.
Born in 1930 at Ramachandrapuram in East Godavari district, Raghavulu headed for the then Madras in 1950 when he was 20 years, to make a career in film industry.
As a music director, his first film is ‘Drohi’ which was released in 1970. He composed music for 175 films. Noted among his films are ‘Jeevana Tarangalu’, ‘Mogudu Kavali’, ‘Bobbili Puli’, ‘Praja Rajyam’, ‘Eenadu’, ‘Katakatala Rudrayya’, ‘Khaidi’ and ‘Intlo Ramaiah Veedhilo Krishnaiah’.
He returned to Rajahmundry in 1978 and spent his rest of life there.
Raghavulu worked with veteran music directors and playback singers Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, Chakravarthi, S Janaki, P Suseela, PB Srinivas and SP Bala Subramanayam.
He had worked with Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao and the latter’s demise provided him an opportunity to become a music director. He also sang songs for a few films.
He is survived by wife Ramanamma, three sons and a daughter.
Though Raghavulu had earned enough as a music director, he experienced several financial problems during his last days.
Film personalities D Rama Naidu, SP Bala Subramanyam, P Suseela, S Janaki, Keeravani and several others used to visit his house and enquire about his health.
MLA Routhu Surya Prakasa Rao, playback singer Jit Mohan Mitra and several prominent members of the city paid last respects to the veteran music director at his residence.
His eldest son Venkateswara Rao lit the funeral pyre at Rotary Kailasa Bhoomi.