S. P. Kodandapani

Sripathi Panditharadhyula Kodandapani was an Indian music composer and playback singer in Telugu cinema. He made his debut as an playback singer in the 1955 film Santhanam. Later, he debuted as a music director in the 1961 film Kanna Koduku. Early in his career, he gained fame as a composer for folklore-based films. Later, he composed films in varied genres. Kodandapani's notable films as a music director include Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu, Thotalo Pilla - Kotalo Rani, Jwala Dweepa Rahasyam, Bangaru Timmaraju, Devata, Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna, Gopaludu Bhoopaludu, Sukha Dukhalu, Manchi Kutumbam, Manchi Mitrulu, Kathanayika Molla, Pandanti Kapuram. Some of his notable compositions include songs like "Aalayaana Velasina Aa Devudi Reethi" from Devata, "Idi Mallela Velayani" and "Medante Meda Kadu" from Sukha Dukhalu. He introduced S. P. Balasubrahmanyam to playback singing in the film Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna and mentored him in his early career. Balasubrahmanyam considered Kodandapani to be his guru and would reminisce Kodandapani throughout his life and would often pay tributes to him. Kodandapani died on 5 April 1974 at an early age of 42. From Wikipedia (