Voleti Venkateswarulu

Voleti Venkateswarulu (1928–1989) was a celebrated South Indian classical musician born in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. He trained for many years under prominent teachers including Sri Munuganti Venkata Rao Pantulu and the renowned Dr. Sripada Pinakapani. Voleti was admired for his exceptional musical knowledge, imaginative style, and ability to sing across three octaves with perfect rhythm and pitch. His performances often featured kritis by Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Shyama Sastri, and others, and he was known for blending Hindustani elements into his Carnatic concerts, reflecting his fondness for Hindustani music and artists like Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, whose influence earned Voleti the nickname "Bade Ghulam of the South".

Voleti spent much of his career at All India Radio in Vijayawada, where he was a key figure in innovating popular music programs such as Bhakthi Ranjani and Sangeetha Sikshana. He is remembered for his dedication to music through teaching on radio and his contributions to popularizing Carnatic music. His style left a lasting legacy, influencing musicians including the Malladi brothers, and his work is still celebrated for its artistic depth and soulful expression.

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