Jetti Veera Raghavulu (1931 – 7 June 2013), better known as J. V. Raghavulu, was an eminent Indian music director and playback singer.^[1] He started as playback singer and became a music director after the sudden death of Ghantasala. He made his screen debut in Drohi (1970), a film by Suresh Productions. He scored music to about 172 films.^[2]

Career

He belonged to an agricultural family in Ramachandrapuram, East Godavari district. His parents were Veeraswami Naidu and Adilaxmi. He was one of the six siblings. He learned acting and singing from Bhadracharyulu who used to organize Harischandra play. He gave him chance to act as Lohitasudu in the play. He used to study in the school and act in the plays touring different places. Famous poets Indraganti Hanumachastri and Vedula Satyanarayana Sastry were his school teachers. Their poems used to be broadcast in All India Radio, Vijayawada. They encouraged him to sing these poems. He tuned and voiced many songs written by them and other writers in "Geetavali" programme. In one of the recording sessions, popular singer Ghantasala heard him singing a light song. Impressed by his voice, he invited Raghavulu to the films. He completed S.S.L.C.^{[citation needed]}

Leaving studies and without informing the parents, he left home, reached Madras and worked under Ghantasala for long time. He was there with him from early morning to late night learning the nuances of playback singing and composing music. Ghantasala used to look after him as his son. He sang "Baito Baito Pellikodaka" in Pelli Sandadi (1959) film for Chalam. He used to look after the composition of the songs for many films. He also worked with K. V. Mahadevan and M. S. Viswanathan for sometime.^{[citation needed]}

Vadde Brothers(Sobhanadri,Ramesh(Father of Hero Vadde Naveen),Kishore) under "Vijaya Madhavi Pictures/Combines" banner as Production house made J. V. Raghavulu their "Aasthana Sangeeta Darshakudu" (Music Director of House) beginning with Aatmiyudu film in 1977 and continued through Katakataala Rudraiah , Rangoon Rowdy, Bebbuli till 1982 Bobbili Puli and further.

He composed thousands of songs. His memorable songs include Janani Janmabhoomischa (Bobbili Puli), Veena Naadi Teega Needi Teegachatu Raagamundi, Tarangini O Tarangini, Ee Jeevana Tarangalalo (Jeevana Tarangalu) and many others.^{[citation needed]}

He was married to Ramanamma. They had four sons (Venkateswar Rao, Bhaskar, Shyam Kumar and Ravi Kumar) and a daughter (Lakshmi). Ravi Raghav has also worked as a music composer, working for the low budget Tamil films, Villalan, Muthal Thagaval Arikkai and En Oviya.^[3]

Filmography

As a playback singer

As an assistant music director

• 1971 Prema Nagar

As a music director

Telugu

• 1969 Bommalu Cheppina Katha (along with Master Venu)
• 1970 Drohi
• 1973 Jeevana Tarangalu
• 1974 Dorababu
• 1976 Aadavaallu Apanindalu
• 1977 Aatmeeyudu
• 1977 Bhale Alludu
• 1978 Katakataala Rudraiah
• 1979 Evvadabba Sommu
• 1979 Cheyyethi Jai Kottu^[4]
• 1979 Naa Illu Naa Vaallu
• 1979 Rangoon Rowdy
• 1979 Kothala Raayudu
• 1980 Shivamettina Satyam
• 1980 BebbuliBebbuli
• 1980 Samsara Bandham
• 1980 Love in Singapore
• 1980 Mogudu Kaavali
• 1981 Shri Anjaneya Charitra
• 1982 Bobbili Puli
• 1982 Kalahala Kapuram
• 1982 Eenadu
• 1982 Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya
• 1982 Tarangini
• 1983 Mukku Pudaka
• 1983 Police Venkataswamy
• 1983 Maa Inti Premayanam
• 1983 Simhapuri Simham
• 1983 Praja Rajyam
• 1984 Babulugaadi Debba
• 1984 Raraju
• 1984 Bharatamlo Shankharavam
• 1984 Devanthakudu
• 1985 Intiko Rudramma
• 1985 TirugubatuTirugubatu
• 1985 Kalyana Tilakam
• 1986 Ravana Brahma
• 1987 Brahma Nayudu
• 1987 Viswanatha Nayakudu
• 1987 Chaitanya Ratham
• 1989 Balipeethampai Bharata Naari
• 1989 Chalaki Mogudu Chadastapu Pellam
• 1989 Viyyalavari Vindhu
• 1990 20va Sathabdam
• 1991 Iddaru Pellala Muddula Police
• 1991 Amma Kadupu Challanga
• 1991 Edurinti Mogudu Pakkinti Pellam
• 1993 Sarasaala Soggaadu
• 1994 Brahmachari Mogudu
• 1996 Ooha
• 1986 Dharmapeetham Daddarillindi

Tamil

• 1972 Kadhalikka Vanga