Sangeetha Ratna Pemmaraju Surya Rao

Born in August 1934 in a family of lovers of classical music, Surya Rao achieved considerable command over the theory and practice of classical Carnatic Music under the guidance of his Guru Late Sri Maddulapalli Lakshmi Narasimha Sastri who was a close disciple of the great vidwan and legendary Guru ‘Sri Parupalli Ramakrishnaiah Pantulu’. 

He is versatile musician of concerts, compositions of several vaggeyakaras, Bhakthi Ranjani broadcasts, a large number of thematic Akashavani musical plays and musical talks. Surya Rao was teaching in the government music college of Vijayawada for 31 years and retired in the position of Principal. 

He worked under the stewardship of illustrious and great musicians like Padmavibushan Dr. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, Padmabhushan Dr Nookala China Satyanarayana, Sri Dwaram Bhavannarayana Rao and others. 

Since 1975, Surya Rao has been the cultural reporter in Vijayawada for the English daily “The Hindu”.  Surya Rao was the co-author of “Dr. Vempati Maestro with a Misson”, a biography of Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, the well known Kuchipudi Maestro. 

Surya Rao has given his concerts in many sabhas covering many parts of the country. He had extensively toured USA, USSR, Netherlands and Canada giving concerts, lecture demonstrations and extensive teaching sessions.

He was awarded several titles including the prestigious  ‘Sangeetha Ratna’ conferred by the Federation of Music Sabhas of Andhra Pradesh. In 2004 Surya Rao was honored with ‘Suvarna Ghanta Kankanam’ by his disciples and admirers. He was awarded as ‘Best Vocalist’ by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai in 1980 and ‘Best Musician Award’ by Madras Music Academy in 1983. Surya Rao is an A Grade artiste of All India Radio.

Another feather in his cap is his being selected as vocal Guru in “Gurushishya Parampara” scheme implemented by the South Zone Cultural Department at Thanjavur.

Surya Rao is the founder president of prestigious ‘Sangeetha Sanmandali’ at Vijayawada. He, along with a few dedicated artistes started this in 1994 with the aim of celebrating Thyagaraja aradhana Sangeetotsavam every year in January. The Sangeeta Sanmandali has now snowballed into the most eagerly awaited annual musical event, which attracts musicians from all over the country and even abroad.