M. S. Ramarao

M. S. Ramarao (3 July 1921 – 20 April 1992) was an Indian singer and composer. He was popular for his devotional songs, especially sundarakandamu in Telugu. He was the very first play back singer in the Telugu filmdom.
Singing career.
Rama Rao debuted at World Telugu Conference held in Hyderabad in 1975.
He became popular for his Telugu Version of Hanuman Chalisa. He also narrated Bala kanda,Ayodhya kanda and Sundara Kanda (some parts of the epic "Ramayana") in form of Songs in Telugu. He gained fame for singing the devotional songs and was awarded the name of 'Sundara Dasu' in 1977.
He wrote Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarakandamu of Valmiki Ramayana in Telugu during 1972–74. He sang Sundarakanda in the form of Telugu songs.
Tollywood.
His movie career as singer spanned 1944–64 in Madras.
He also sang " Ee vishala prashantha ekanta soudhamlo" for O. P. Nayyar's Telugu movie, "Neerajanam".
Personal life.
M.S.Rama Rao married Lakshmi Samrajyam in 1946 and had 3 children P.V.Sarojini Devi M.Babu Rao and M.Nageshwar Rao. his daughter was married off to Dr.Polapragada Rama Rao and gave birth to four sons P.V.N Janardhan rao, P.Srinivas, P.Chandra Shekar & P.Anil Kumar(desecending order). M.S.Rama Rao's second grandson is taking forward his legacy by continuing to perform his songs.
Awards.
Rama Rao gained fame for his singing the above two works and was awarded the name of 'Sundara Dasu' in 1977.
Rao's inspirational songs still provide incentives to follow the path of singing, even a decade after his unfortunate death.