HYDERABAD: Veteran Telugu playback singer V Ramakrishna, who sang many memorable songs and hit numbers, passed away late Wednesday night at his residence in Venkatigiri Hills.
The veteran, who was 68, was suffering from cancer for quite some time. He is survived by his wife Jyothi, actor-son Sai Kiran and daughter Lekha.
Ramakrishna’s contribution to the Telugu film industry is vital and immortal. He has over 5,000 songs to his credit and is best known for ‘Yedo, Yedo Annadi’ from ‘Muthyala Muggu’ in 1975.
Having made his debut as a singer in ‘Vichitra Bandham’, Ramakrishna went on to sing for films like ‘Andala Ramudu’, ‘Alludu Seetharama Raju’ and ‘Sharada’, among others, besides ‘Muthyala Muggu’.
His songs in NT Rama Rao’s ‘Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy Charitra” were a runaway success. He was also popular for a number of devotional songs that he sang.
Ramakrishna’s son Sai Kiran is a popular film and television actor.
Several film personalities, including singer SP Sailaja, Sunita and music directors RP Patnaik and Nagaraj paid homage to the departed soul.
Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao condoled the death of Ramakrishna.
Recalling that Ramakrishna had rendered his ‘mellifluous’ voice to songs in nearly 200 movies, Rao said: “Not only had he sung film songs, but also sang several songs for the cause of Telangana during the movement and had won appreciation from Telangana people.” He expressed condolences to the bereaved family.