Penumatsa Venkata Ramaraju (born 1 June 1985), known professionally as PVR Raja,[1] is an Indian music composer, record producer, songwriter and guitarist who works in Telugu cinema. He is nicknamed "Short films Maestro" and "Ilaiyaraaja of Short films".[2][3][4] He initially composed music for over 250 Short films and Independent films.
PVR Raja | |
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![]() PVR Raja in 2024 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Penumatsa Venkata Ramaraju |
Also known as | PVR Raja Short films Maestro Ilaiyaraaja of Short films |
Born | Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, India | 1 June 1985
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | |
Instruments | |
Discography | P.V.R. Raja discography |
Years active | 2005 – present |
Labels | Saregama, Sony Music India, Aditya Music, Times Music, Madhura Audio, Anand Audio |
Website | pvrraja |
Raja has composed music for the films Vitamin She (2020),[5] Black (2022)[6] and Madhi (2022).[7] He won the Andhra Pradesh state award in the guitar category at the 2011 National Youth Festival (India). Raja entered the India Book of Records for composing the most number of short Telugu films.[8][9][10][11][12][13]
Early life
editPVR Raja was born as Penumatsa Venkata Ramaraju on 1 June 1985 to Penumatsa Chandra Sekhar Raju and Penumatsa Satyavathi in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh. His father Chandra Sekhar Raju worked as the Police Head Constable and Raja's elder sister is Dhanalakshmi, younger sister is Sridevi and younger brother is Manikanta Raju.[14]
He completed his elementary education from R.C.M. St. Anthony's High School, intermediate school from M.S.N. Degree College and undergraduate degree from A.G.L. College.[14] He completed Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor's Degree from Andhra University in 2005 and studied music at Maharajah's Government College of Music and Dance. He worked as a music teacher before becoming a music composer.[13][10][15][16]
Raja worked as a music teacher in Hyderabad Hindu Public School, Shraddha Centre For Special Education, Shalom Music School, Symphony Academy of Music and St. Alphonsa’s High School.[17][9][14]
Career
editRaja made his debut as a music director with the short film Arya 3 produced by Puri Jagannadh own production company Vaishno Academy. He provided the background score for the film 1 Hour produced by actress and politician Roja Selvamani.[18] Raja composed music for the movie Atma Rama Ananda Ramana produced by Annapurna College of Film and Media and streaming on aha.[19][20] He has predominantly composed music over 250 digital short films and Independent films from 2013 to present in English, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi languages.[9][21]
Raja worked as music director for the short films under the own production and direction of actor and writer L. B. Sriram.[9] He composed music for ETV Dhee title winner Yashwanth Master's debut video album Dilantha Adhire.[14][13][9]
He won the first place in Andhra pradesh state level competitions for guitar category in National Youth Festival 2011 organized by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.[21] His albums released in major record labels in India such as Vitamin She in Times Music,[22] Madhi in Aditya Music[1][23] and Kaala Bhairava Ashtakam in Sony Music India.[3] In the year 2020, three films scored by PVR Raja won awards at the SparkOTT film contest organized by Indian film director Ram Gopal Varma himself.[9][2] MR. Productions Okka Kshanam short film is Raja's 100th film as a composer.[17]
Awards and nominations
edit- 2005, 3rd position at Vizianagaram district level guitar category in National Youth Festival Competition.
- 2007, Top 18th place in 7 Up Ooh La La La band hunt conducted by music director A. R. Rahman.[14]
- 2011, 1st position at Prakasam district level guitar category in National Youth Festival Competition.
- 2011, Andhra Pradesh state awardee in light music category at National Youth Festival, held in Hyderabad.
- 2011, 1st place at Andhra Pradesh state guitar category in National Youth Festival competitions.
- 2013, Semi finalist in Hyderabad Times Fresh face 2013 competitions.[2]
- 2016, Lotus Film Awards best music director for Itlu Mee Laila short film.
- 2016, Felicitated with the Short film Diamond Award for his contribution to music in Telugu short films.
- 2017, Uday Kiran Cine Awards best music director for Oopirilo Oopiriga short film.[14]
- 2017, Star Hunt best music director for Itlu Mee Laila short film.
- 2017, Lotus Film Awards best music director for Akasamantha Prema short film.
- 2017, Gayathri Cine Awards best music director for Happy Ending short film.
- 2017, Drishya short Stories BIG Ideas best music director for Last Call short film.
- 2017, Sakhi Eventz Varun Bajaj Awards best music director for Oopirilo Oopiriga short film.
- 2017, TANA International Telugu Short Film Awards best music director for Itlu Mee Laila short film.
- 2018, Lotus Film Awards best music director for Okka Kshanam short film.[14]
- 2018, Nominated in Studio One Short film awards for Okka Kshanam for best music director category.
- 2020, Nominated in SIIMA short film awards for Antharardham for best music director category.[21][24][25]
- 2023, Felicitated by Vizianagaram Vishwakala Parishath for his contribution to music in Telugu short films.
- 2023, Awarded by India Book of Records for Music composed by an individual for maximum short Telugu films.[26]
Discography
editFeature films
editYear | Film | Language | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Jandhyala Rasina Prema Katha | Telugu | [27][28] |
2018 | Mitti: Back to the Roots | Hindi | |
2020 | Samshayam | Telugu | [29] |
2020 | Vitamin She | Telugu | |
2022 | Madhi | Telugu | |
2022 | Black | Telugu | [30] |
2023 | Maro Prapancham (2023) | Telugu | [3] |
Singles and album songs
editYear | Album/Song Title | Record label | Language | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Maaya | Carpediem Technology Systems Private Limited | Telugu | [31] |
2020 | Dearuu Darlinguuu | Media6(India)Pvt.Ltd. | Telugu | [32] |
2021 | Vitamin She | Times Music | Telugu | [33] |
2021 | Vennela Vacche Padhamani | PVR Melodies Studio | Telugu | [34] |
2022 | Neetho Nadichina | Mango Music | Telugu | [35] |
2022 | Capture | Times Music | Telugu | [36] |
2022 | Madhi | Aditya Music | Telugu | [37] |
2023 | Kaala Bhairava Ashtakam | Sony Music India | Sanskrit | [38] |
2023 | Dosthi | Aditya Music | Telugu | [39] |
2023 | Jai Shri Ram | Sony Music India | Sanskrit | [40] |
Short films
editYear | Title | Platform | Language | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Arya 3 | Filmy Time | Telugu | [2] |
2016 | Itlu Mee Laila | RunwayReel | Telugu | [41] |
2016 | One Hour | TeluguOne | Telugu | |
2017 | Okka Kshanam | Subash Chandra | Telugu | [2] |
2017 | Oopirilo Oopiriga | iQlikchannel | Telugu | [10] |
2019 | Antharartham | Subash Chandra | Telugu | [4] |
2019 | Maa Bujjakka Great | L B Sriram | Telugu | [10] |
2019 | Swacha Bhaaratheeyudu | L B Sriram | Telugu | [10] |
2020 | Atma Rama Ananda Ramana | Aha | Telugu | [2] |
2020 | Nuvvu Nenu Ee Kshanam | iQlikchannel | Telugu | [10] |
2020 | Roots | L B Sriram | Telugu | [10] |
Independent films
editYear | Title | Platform | Language | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Happy Ending | RunwayReel | Telugu | [10] |
2015 | Advika | TeluguOne | Telugu | [10] |
2016 | Akasamantha Prema | RunwayReel | Telugu | [10] |
2017 | Naa Seetha MahaLaxmi | TeluguOne | Telugu | [10] |
2018 | Pushpa Vilaapam | iQlikchannel | Telugu | [24] |
2019 | Maaya | MX Player | Telugu | [2] |
2021 | Happy Married LIfe | 50mm Productions | Kannada | [10] |
2021 | Chai Kahani | MX Player | Telugu | [2] |
2022 | Capture | MX Player | Telugu | [42] |
Web series
editYear | Title | Platform | Language | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Geetha Subramanyam | Wirally | Telugu | [14] |
2017 | Michael Madan Kamaraju | Wirally | Telugu | [14] |
References
edit- ^ a b "Happy birthday PVR Raja: From Vizianagaram to musical stardom, journey of the musician". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "PVR Raja: Meet the popular short film composer who's making a mark in Telugu cinema". www.ottplay.com. OTT play. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "Hitting a high note: Telugu music composer PVR Raja to compose 100 songs in 15 Indian languages". The New Indian Express. Express Publications (Madurai) Limited. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Adding life to director's vision through music". the pioneer. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
- ^ "Vitamin She Movie Review". telugu.news18. CNN-News18. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ^ "Black". filmyfocus.com. Filmy Focus. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "Madhi Movie Review : An emotionally stirring romantic drama". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
- ^ "Trailblazing talent". newindianexpress. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "PVR Raja: షార్ట్ ఫిలిమ్స్లో ఆస్కార్ అవార్డే లక్ష్యం". Sakshi. Jagati Publications Ltd. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Music Director PVR Raja : లఘుచిత్రాల ఇళయరాజా.. ఈ పీవీఆర్ రాజా". Etv Bharat. ETV Networks. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ "మ్యూజిక్ కోసం మేకప్". V6 Velugu. VIL Media Pvt. Ltd. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "'మరో ప్రపంచం'తో వస్తోన్న ఉత్తరాంధ్ర సంగీత దర్శకుడు పీవీఆర్ రాజా". telugu.samayam.com. The Times Of India. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Introducing Music Director PVR Raja". zindhagi.com. Zindhagi. 25 December 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ "From introvert to International Book of Records". The Hans India. Hyderabad Media House Ltd. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ "#BehindTheCamera: Music director PVR Raja: RP Patnaik provided me with shelter and food during my struggling days". The Times of India. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ a b "STRIKING THE RIGHT CHORDS". humansofhyderabad.co.in. Humans Of Hyderabad. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ "ఒకే ఏడాదిలో ఏడుసార్లు బెస్ట్ మ్యూజిక్ డైరెక్టర్గా అవార్డులు అతని సొంతం". Sakshi. Jagati Publications Ltd. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ^ "Raja makes his mark as a music director". Telangana Today. Telangana Publications Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ a b c "Music director PVR Raja completes a decade in the industry". The Times of India. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ "Vitamin She (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". spotify.com. Spotify. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ "Madhi". spotify.com. Spotify. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Music is way of life for this Hyderabad-based multi-talented musician". Telangana Today. Hyderabad Media House Ltd. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ "SIIMA Short Film Awards 2020". siima. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Music composed by an individual for maximum short Telugu films". indiabookofrecords.in. India Book Of Records. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ "Jandhyala Rasina Prema Katha". indiancine.ma. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "Jandhyala Rasina Prema Katha". open.spotify.com. Spotify. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
- ^ "ప్రేమను కొత్త కోణంతో.. ఎన్నారైలంతా సంశయం". filmibeat.com. Filmibeat Telugu. 29 June 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
- ^ "Black". moviebuff.com. Moviebuff. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ^ "Maaya". spotify.com. Spotify. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ "Dearuu Darlinguuu..." spotify.com. Spotify. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ "Vitamin She". spotify.com. Spotify. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ "Vennela Vacche Padhamani Original Telugu Soundtrack". open.spotify.com. Spotify. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ "Neetho Nadichina". spotify.com. Spotify. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ "Capture". spotify.com. Spotify. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Madhi". spotify.com. Spotify. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
- ^ "Kaala Bhairava Ashtakam". spotify.com. 2023 Sony Music Entertainment India Pvt. Ltd. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ "Dosthi". spotify.com. Spotify. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ "Jai Shri Ram - Single". music.apple.com. Apple Music. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ "Josh Music Artist PVR Raja Is Scaling New Heights Of Success". filmibeat.com. FilmiBeat. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ "Capture". ETimes. Times Of India. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
External links
edit- Official website
- P.V.R. Raja at IMDb
- P.V.R. Raja on Facebook
- P.V.R. Raja on Instagram
- PVR Raja discography at MusicBrainz