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{{short description|Indian composer}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=January 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = K. Chakravarthy
| birth_name = Kommineni Appa Rao
| image =
| caption =
| alt =
| image_size =
| background = solo_singer
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1936|09|08}}
| birth_place = [[Ponnekallu]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2002|02|03|1936|09|08|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| origin =
| instrument =
| genre =
| occupation = Music director
| years_active = 1971–1999
| label =
| associated_acts =
| website =
}}
'''K. Chakravarthy''' (born Kommineni Appa Rao; 8 September 1936 – 3 February 2002) was an Indian [[Film composer|music director]] and actor who primarily worked in [[Telugu cinema]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Sudhish Kamath |url=https://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article583910.ece |title=Arts / Music : Baton and beat |work=The Hindu |date=20 August 2010 |access-date=3 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsofap.com/art-386-music-director-chakravarthy-profile-biography.html|title=Music Director Chakravarthy profile & biography -|date=26 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126141430/http://www.newsofap.com/art-386-music-director-chakravarthy-profile-biography.html|archive-date=26 November 2010}}</ref> He made his debut in 1971 with ''Mooga Prema'' and went on compose music for over 1000 films, predominantly in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] language (884 films), followed by [[Kannada]] (60 films).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2021-02-03|title=స్వర సామ్రాట్ చక్రవర్తిని తలుచుకునే క్షణమిది|url=https://www.andhrajyothy.com/telugunews/music-director-chakravarthy-death-anniversary-special-2021020210003155|website=andhrajyothy|language=te}}</ref> He won two [[Nandi Awards]].

==Personal life==
Chakravarthi was born as Kommineni Appa Rao on 8 September 1936 in [[Ponnekallu]], [[Guntur district]] of present-day [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-03|title=నేడు చక్రవర్తి వర్ధంతి|url=https://www.tnilive.com/2021/02/03/remembering-kommineni-apparao-aka-chakravarthy-on-his-death-anniversary/|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Telugu News International - TNILIVE|language=en-US}}</ref> He had three sons, including [[Sri Kommineni]] who was also a [[film composer|music director]] and a playback singer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=సంగీత దర్శకుడు చక్రవర్తి ఇంట్లో స్థలవివాదం|url=https://m.andhrajyothy.com/telugunews/abnarchievestoryv-184769|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Andhra Jyothi|archive-date=25 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825051448/https://m.andhrajyothy.com/telugunews/abnarchievestoryv-184769|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Career==
Chakravarthi learned classical vocal from [[Mahavadi Venkatappaiah]]. He formed a music troupe called Vinod Orchestra in [[Guntur]] and organised light music concerts. Those days, [[Mangapati]] of [[Saregama|His Master's Voice]] identified his talent and invited him to [[Madras]]. His Master's Voice released two private records, which includes "Kanna Nenoka Kala".

===Film career===
His first Telugu film, ''[[Mooga Prema]]'', was released in 1971. It was his friend, [[K. Chatterjee]], who kept faith in his talent and rechristened him as "Chakravarthy" from "Apparao", so that he will do justice to the Royal category in his profession. Ultimately, his creativity soared to new heights with more than 5000 song compositions to his credit. Before this film, he composed background music for a Hindi movie, in the titles of which, his name was wrongly mentioned as Chakravarthi, while it was actually Apparao then. Hence he decided to continue as Chakravarthy. ''Mooga Prema'' film was not a good hit at the box-office, ''[[Saradha (film)|Saradha]]'' (1973), gave him a good hit, but even after this film, he was not well recognized.

He is primarily known for his association with director [[K. Raghavendra Rao]], scoring hit music for his films with [[N. T. Rama Rao]]. Since the release of ''[[Driver Ramudu]]'' (1979), their association yielded numerous commercial hits both in terms of music and collections. Most of his compositions predominantly featured the [[Kalyani (raga)|Kalyani raga]] as it was predominantly used owing to directors liking of the time.

In 1977, ''[[Yamagola]]'' was released and this was the great turning point of his career. In this ''[[N. T. Rama Rao]]'' movie directed by ''[[T. Rama Rao]]'', he introduced a new trend with ''[[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]'' by making him sing with voice modulation close to the actor's voice. He composed "Aadave andaala surabhamini" song for movie ''[[Yamagola]]'' in "[[Raga]]" "[[Jaijaivanti]]" using his own style fast tempo making it a commercial success. With ''[[V. Madhusudhana Rao]]'' 1978 film ''[[Mallepoovu]]'', he became an architect for musical extravaganza. He abstained from reproducing Dada's ''[[S. D. Burman]]'' tunes for the Hindi film ''[[Pyaasa]]'', thus proving his mettle as an able composer and silencing critics from assigning him as a mass, commercial, and fast beat composer tag. His music score for the movie ''[[Khaidi (1983 film)]]'' provided much needed commercial break in the career for the actor ''[[Chiranjeevi]]'' and Director ''[[A. Kodandarami Reddy]]''. His music for ''[[Neti Bharatam]]'' and ''[[Pratighatana]]'' proved vital for actress ''[[Vijayashanti]]'' stardom. He rendered nice popular compositions in ''[[Dasari Narayana Rao]]'' favourite ragas ''[[Shivaranjani]]'' and ''[[Bhupalam]]'' for the films ''[[Balipeetam]]'', ''[[Premabhishekam (1981 film)]]'' and ''[[Srivari Muchatlu]]'' directed by him. Eventually, he contributed for ''[[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]]'' career growth as well. He composed music score for the film "Pasivadi Pranam" with electronic orchestration.

He very well knew about his limitations and excelled based on his intuitions and exemplary natural creativity. Critics agreed upon this, as he was hardly spending 30 minutes to compose a song. During the peak of his career, he was recording more than 5 songs per day and worked for 16 hrs each day.
He realized his potential in folk music and intelligently blended it with classical ragas. He proved the fact that music is boundless and it is also mass entertainment, and not just pundits make any art worthy. He established unique style of his own. He was humble and down to earth and always respected and proclaimed ''[[K. V. Mahadevan]]'' as genius in contemporary musicians. He was composing music for him in the early days of his career, before 1970.

His main assistants, Krishna-Chakra duo remained loyal to him throughout his career, though once in a while they had their own scores.
''[[Raj-Koti]]'' duo assisted him for several years.
''[[M. M. Keeravani]]'' was also his assistant. He introduced several singers with talent to the industry. ''[[S. P. Sailaja]]'' with song "Nampalli tesan kadi raja lingo" from film "[[Erra Mallelu]]", ''[[Vandemataram Srinivas]]'' are notable singers introduced by him.

He was a dubbing artist and lent his voice in 600 movies. He also penned lyrics for a few songs. He was also a singer and acted in a few films. He was one of the main reasons why Ilaiyaraja couldn't dominate Tollywood in the 80s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chakravarthy - King of Melody|url=https://www.idlebrain.com/research/anal/anal-chakravarthy.html|website=www.idlebrain.com}}</ref>

== Death ==
Chakravarthy died on 3 February 2002, due to age related ailments.<ref name=":0" />

==Filmography==
{{Colbegin}}
*''Mooga Prema'' (1971)
*''Sharada'' (1973)
*''Evariki Vaare Yamuna Teere'' (1974)
*''[[Babu (1975 film)|Babu]]'' (1975)
*''Cheekati Velugulu'' (1975)
*''[[Teerpu]]'' (1975)
*''[[Jebu Donga (1975 film)|Jebu Donga]]'' (1975)
*''[[Balipeetam]]'' (1975)
*''[[Yavvanam Katesindi]]'' (1976)
*''[[Jyothi (1976 film)|Jyoti]]'' (1976)
*''Raja''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raaja (1976) |url=https://indiancine.ma/RTZ |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref> (1976)
*''Kalpana'' (1977)
*''[[Aame Katha]]'' (1977)
*''[[Yamagola]]'' (1977)
*''[[Devathalara Deevinchandi]]'' (1977)
*''[[Maa Iddari Katha]]'' (1977)
*''[[Mallepoovu]]'' (1978)
*''Mugguru Muggure'' (1978)
*''[[Simha Garjana]]'' (1978)
*''[[Padaharella Vayasu]]'' (1978)
*''[[Pranam Khareedu]]'' (1978)
*''[[Athani Kante Ghanudu]]'' (1978)
*''[[Tayaramma Bangarayya]]'' (1979)
*''[[Vetagadu]]'' (1979)
*''[[Balina Guri]]'' (1979) (Kannada)
*''[[Driver Ramudu]]'' (1979)
*''[[Yedanthasthula Meda]]'' (1980)
*''[[Challenge Ramudu]]'' (1980)
*''[[Gharana Donga]]'' (1980)
*''[[Aatagadu]]'' (1980)
*''[[Superman (1980 film)|Superman]]'' (1980)
*''Mosagadu'' (1980)
*''[[Ram Robert Rahim]]'' (1980)
*''Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi'' (1980)
*''[[Yedanthasthula Meda]]'' (1980)
*''[[Buchi Babu (film)|Buchi Babu]]'' (1980)
*''[[Rowdy Ramudu Konte Krishnudu]]'' (1980)
*''[[Nippulanti Nijam]]'' (1980)
*''[[Pandanti Jeevitam]]'' (1980)
*''[[Sarada Ramudu]]'' (1980)
*''[[Sardar Papa Rayudu]]'' (1980)
*''[[Gaja Donga]]'' (1981)
*''[[Jeevitha Ratham]]'' (1981)
*''[[Jagamondi]]'' (1981)
*''[[Kirayi Rowdylu]]'' (1981)
*''[[Premabhishekam (1981 film)|Premabhishekam]]'' (1981)
*''[[Viswaroopam (1981 film)|Viswaroopam]]'' (1981)
*''[[Satyam Sivam]]'' (1981)
*''[[Erra Mallelu]]'' (1981)
*''[[Nyayam kavali]]'' (1981)
*''[[Prema Kanuka]]'' (1981)
*''[[Varalabbai]]'' (1981)
*''Illalu'' (1981)
*''[[Srivari Muchatlu]]'' (1981)
*''[[Ooruki Monagadu]]'' (1981)
*''[[Pakkinti Ammayi (1981 film)|Pakkinti Ammayi]]'' (1981)
*''[[Maha Purushudu]]'' (1981)
*''[[Kondaveeti Simham]]'' (1982)
*''[[Justice Chowdary]]'' (1982)
*''[[Devatha]]'' (1982)
*''[[Nyaya Ellide]]'' (1982) (Kannada)
*''[[Iddaru Kodukulu]]'' (1982)
*''[[Pagadai Panirendu]]'' (1982) (Tamil)
*''[[Idi Pellantara]]'' (1982)
*''[[Prema Murthulu]]'' (1982)
*''[[Yuvaraju (1982 film)|Yuvaraju]]'' (1982)
*''[[Gopala Krishnudu]]'' (1982)
*''[[Vamsha Gouravam]]'' (1982)
*''Adrusthavantha'' (1982) (Kannada)
*''[[Prathikaram-Telugu movie|Prathikaram]]'' (1982)
*''[[Naa Desam]]'' (1982)
*''[[Raaga Deepam]]'' (1982)
*''[[Maga Maharaju]]'' (1983)
*''Keralida Hennu'' (1983)
*''[[Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju]]'' (1983)
*''[[Kirayi Kotigadu]]'' (1983)
*''[[Adavi Simhalu]]'' (1983)
*''[[Neti Bharatam]]'' (1983)
*''[[Shakthi (film)|Shakthi]]'' (1983)
*''[[Gedda Maga]]'' (1983) (Kannada)
*''[[Khaidi (1983 film)|Khaidi]]'' (1983)
*''[[Sivudu Sivudu Sivudu]]'' (1983)
*''[[Sri Ranga Neethulu]]'' (1983)
*''[[Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu]]'' (1983)
*''[[Maga Maharaju]]'' (1983)
*''[[Amarajeevi (1983 film)|Amarajeevi]]'' (1983)
*''[[Sangharshana]]'' (1983)
*''[[Bobbili Brahmanna]]'' (1984)
*''[[Swati (1984 film)|Swati]]'' (1984)
*''[[Jagan (film)|Jagan]]'' (1984)
*''Sukha Samsarakke Hanneradu Sutragalu'' (1984) (Kannada)
*''[[Agni Gundam]]'' (1984)
*''[[Illalu Priyuralu]]'' (1984)
*''[[Khaidi (1984 film)|Khaidi]]'' (Kannada)
*''[[Yuddham (1984 film)|Yuddham]]'' (1984)
*''[[Koteeswarudu]]'' (1984)
*''Sardar''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sardar (1984) |url=https://indiancine.ma/ZDL |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref> (1984)
*''[[Tandava Krishnudu]]'' (1984)
*''[[Anubandham (1984 film)|Anubandham]]'' (1984)
*''[[Indiana Bharatha]]'' (1984) (Kannada)
*''[[Goonda (film)|Goonda]]'' (1984)
*''[[Kathanayakudu (1984 film)|Kathanayakudu]]'' (1984)
*''Danavudu'' (1984)
*''Dandayaatra'' (1984)
*''[[Bava Maradallu]]'' (1984)
*''[[Chiranjeevi (1985 film)|Chiranjeevi]]'' (1985)
*''[[Sri Katna Leelalu]]'' (1985)
*''[[America Alludu]]'' (1985)
*''[[Pratighatana]]'' (1985)
*''[[Bharyabhartala Bandham]]'' (1985)
*''[[Ooriki Soggadu]]'' (1985)
*''[[Dampatyam]]'' (1985)
*''[[Devaalayam]]'' (1985)
*''[[Vande Mataram (1985 film)|Vande Mataram]]'' (1985)
*''[[Chattamtho Poratam]]'' (1985)
*''[[Sravanthi (film)|Sravanthi]]'' (1985)
*''[[Pattabhishekam (1985 film)|Pattabhishekam]]'' (1985)
*''[[Donga (film)|Donga]]'' (1985)
*''Mangalya Balam'' (1985)
*''[[Puli (1985 film)|Puli]]'' (1985)
*''[[Rakta Sindhuram]]'' (1985)
*''[[Adavi Donga]]'' (1985)
*''[[Agni Parvatam]]'' (1985)
*''[[Mugguru Mithrulu]]'' (1985)
*''[[Maharaju]]'' (1985)
*''Palnati Simham'' (1985)
*''[[Vijetha (1985 film)|Vijetha]]'' (1985)
*''Vajrayudham'' (1985)
*''[[Krishna Garadi]]'' (1986)
*''[[Vikram (1986 Telugu film)|Vikram]]'' (1986)
*''[[Punyasthree]]'' (1986)
*''[[Khaidi Rudrayya]]'' (1986)
*''[[Veta (1986 film)|Veta]]'' (1986)
*''[[Kaliyuga Pandavulu]]'' (1986)
*''[[Repati Pourulu]]'' (1986)
*''[[Aranya Kaanda]]'' (1986)
*''[[Sravana Meghalu]]'' (1986)
*''[[Ide Naa Samadhanam]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=FilmiClub |title=Ide Naa Samadhanam (1986) Complete Cast & Crew |url=https://www.filmiclub.com/movie/ide-naa-samadhanam-1986-telugu-movie/cast-crew |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=FilmiClub |language=en-US}}</ref> (1986)
*''[[Kaliyuga Krishnudu]]'' (1986)
*''[[Chantabbai]]'' (1986)
*''[[Kondaveeti Raja]]'' (1986)
*''[[Jeevana Poratam]]'' (1986)
*''[[Desoddharakudu|Deshoddharakudu]]'' (1986)
*''[[Nippulanti Manishi (1986 film)|Nippulanti Manishi]]'' (1986)
*''Sravana Sandhya'' (1986)
*''[[Apoorva Sahodarulu]]'' (1986)
*''[[Brahma Rudrulu]]'' (1986)
*''[[Chanakya Sapatham]]'' (1986)
*''[[Donga Mogudu]]'' (1987)
*''[[Punnami Chandrudu]]'' (1987)
*''[[Thandri Kodukula Challenge]]'' (1987)
*''[[Prajaswamyam]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prajaswamyam (1987) |url=https://indiancine.ma/ADCA |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref> (1987)
*''[[Kaboye Alludu]]'' (1987)
*''[[Ajeyudu]]'' (1987)
*''[[Dongodochadu]]'' (1987)
*''[[Bhargava Ramudu]]'' (1987)
*''[[President Gari Abbai]]'' (1987)
*''[[Bharatamlo Arjunudu]]'' (1987)
*''[[Sahasa Samrat]]'' (1987)
* ''Lorry Driver'' (1987) (Kannada)
*''[[Muddayi]]'' (1987)
*''[[Agni Putrudu]]'' (1987)
*''[[Ummadi Mogudu]]'' (1987)
*''[[Samsaram Oka Chadarangam]]'' (1987)
*''[[Sardar Krishnama Naidu]]'' (1987)
*''[[Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1987 film)| Satyam Shivam Sundaram]]'' (1987) (Kannada)
*''[[Makutamleni Maharaju]]'' (1987)
*''[[Chakravarthy (1987 film)|Chakravarthy]]'' (1987)
*''[[Pasivadi Pranam]]'' (1987)
*''[[Vijetha Vikram]]'' (1987)
*''[[Athiratha Maharatha]]'' (1987) (Kannada)
*''[[Bhanumati Gari Mogudu]]'' (1987)
*''[[Jebu Donga (1987 film)|Jebu Donga]]'' (1987)
*''Sakthi'' (1988) (Kannada)
*''[[Donga Ramudu (1988 film)|Donga Ramudu]]'' (1988)
*''Nava Bharatha'' (1988) (Kannada)
*''[[Chinababu]]'' (1988)
*''[[Chuttalabbayi]]'' (1988)
*''Chattamtho Chadarangam'' (1988)
*''[[Station Master (1988 film)|Station Master]]'' (1988)
*''[[Brahma Puthrudu]]'' (1988)
*''[[Aswaddhama]]'' (1988)
*''[[Tiragabadda Telugubidda]]'' (1988)
*''[[Agni Keratalu]]'' (1988)
*''[[Manchi Donga]]'' (1988)
*''[[Donga Pelli]]'' (1988)
*''[[Yuddha Bhoomi]]'' (1988)
*''[[Ramudu Bheemudu (1988 film)|Ramudu Bheemudu]]'' (1988)
*''[[Shakthi (1988 film)|Shakthi]]'' (1988) (Kannada)
*''[[Vijay (1989 film)|Vijay]]'' (1989)
*''Soggadi Kapuram'' (1989)
*''[[Manmathe Raja]]'' (1989) (Kannada)
*''Dorikithe Dongalu'' (1989)
*''[[Parthudu]]'' (1989)
*''[[Attaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu]]'' (1989)
*''[[Sarvabhoumudu]]'' (1989)
*''Muthinantha Manushya'' (1989) (Kannada)
*''Mamathala Kovela'' (1989)
*''[[Bandhuvulostunnaru Jagratha]]'' (1989)
*''Yamapasam'' (1989)
*''[[Simha Swapnam]]'' (1989)
*''[[Bhale Donga]]'' (1989)
*''[[Gudachari 117]]'' (1989)
*''[[Ontari Poratam]]'' (1989)
*''[[Prananiki Pranam]]'' (1990)
*''[[Neti Dowrjanyam]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neti Dowrjanyam (1990) Telugu Movie: Watch Full HD Movie Online |url=https://www.airtelxstream.in/movies/neti-dowrjanyam/EROSNOW_MOVIE_6849002 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=AirtelxStream|language=en}}</ref> (1990)
*''[[Aayudham (1990 film)|Aayudham]]'' (1990)
*''[[Aggiramudu]]'' (1990)
*''Chevvilo Puvvu'' (1990)
*''Jayasimha'' (1990)
*''[[Lorry Driver]]'' (1990)
*''[[Talli Tandrulu]]'' (1991)
*''[[Amma Rajinama]]'' (1991)
*''Golmaal Govindam'' (1992)
*''Bharatham'' (1992)
*''[[Pellam Chebite Vinali]]'' (1992)
*''[[Hendthi Helidare Helabeku]]'' (1992) (Kannada)
*''Illu Pelli'' (1993)
*''[[Ammoru]]'' (1995)
*''[[Raja (1999 Indian film)|Raja]]'' (1999) (Cameo role as a music director)
*''[[Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo]]'' (2002) (Actor- Character 'Punju Raju')
*''[[Pratibimbalu]]'' (2022)
{{colend}}

==Awards==
;[[Nandi Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)|trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)|publisher=[[Andhra Pradesh (magazine)|Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh]]|access-date=21 August 2020}}(in [[Telugu language|Telugu]])</ref>
*[[Nandi Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] - ''[[Neti Bharatam]]'' (1983)
*[[Nandi Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] - ''Sravana Meghalu'' (1986)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}{{Nandi Award for Best Music Director}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chakravarthy, K.}}
[[Category:Telugu film score composers]]
[[Category:Kannada film score composers]]
[[Category:Film musicians from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:2002 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian composers]]
[[Category:People from Guntur district]]
[[Category:Films scored by K. Chakravarthy]]

K. Chakravarthy - Revision history

Krrissh at 21:08, 16 March 2026