Raj–Koti

Raj–Koti
Raj–Koti
Origin	Andhra Pradesh
Genres	Film score, World music
Occupation(s)	Film score composer, music director, singer
Years active	1982–1995

Thotakura Somaraju (c. 1954 – 21 May 2023) and Saluri Koteswara Rao, popularly known as Raj–Koti, were a duo of Indian film music composers, singer-songwriters, record producers, musicians and multi-instrumentalist in Telugu cinema. In a notable career spanning a decade, the duo has garnered particular acclaim for redefining contemporary Telugu film music. They composed music for about 180 films. Out of their 3,000 songs, about 2,500 songs were sung by singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra.^[1]^[2]

The Raj–Koti duo was among the many prominent South Indian composers for whom A. R. Rahman has worked as a keyboard programmer for 8 years.^[3]^[4]

In a television interview aired on ABN Andhrajyothy, the duo announced that they were teaming up again in 2012 and reinstating the Raj–Koti brand.^[5]

Background

Thotakura Somaraju (Raj) was the son of T. V. Raju. He died on 21 May 2023, at the age of 68.^[6]

Saluri Koteswara Rao (Koti) is the son of S. Rajeswara Rao.^[7]

Awards

Nandi Awards

Nandi Award for Best Music Director – 1994 – Hello Brother

Filmography

Raj–Koti

Pralaya Garjana (1982)
Bharya Bhartala Sawaal (1982)
Udayam (1984)
Ee Theerpu Illalidhi (1984)
James Bond 999^[8] (1984)
Pralaya Simham^[9] (1984)
Lady Jamesbond (1985)
Digvijayam (1986)
Naa Pilupe Prabhanjanam (1986)
Mandaladeesudu (1987)
Punnami Raatri(1987)
Madana Gopaludu (1987)
Sankharavam (1987)
Paga Sadhista (1987)
Pape Maa Pranam (1987)
Rowdy Babai (1987)
Doctorgari Abbai (1987)
Samsaram (1988)
Thodallullu (1988)
Jeevana Jyothi (1988)
Sahasam Cheyara Dimbhaka (1988)
Doragaarintlo Dongodu (1988)
Chikkadu Dorakadu (1988)
Indradhanassu (1988)
Prana Snehithulu (1988)
Ukku Sankellu (1988)
Veguchukka Pagatichukka (1988)
Yamudiki Mogudu (1988)
Khaidi No.786 (1988)
Rowdy No.1 (1988)
Bazaar Rowdy (1988)
Trinetrudu (1988)
Bandipotu (1988)
Ugranethrudu (1988)
Maharajasri Mayagaadu (1988)
Lankeswarudu (1989)
Sakshi (1989)
Poola Rangadu (1989)
Jayammu Nischayammu Raa (1989)
Preminchi Choodu (1989)
Adavilo Artharatri (1989)
Palnati Rudraiah (1989)
Black Tiger (1989)
Bhale Dampathulu (1989)
Bala Gopaludu (1989)
Vicky Daada(1989)
Rajakeeya Chadarangam (1989)
Manchi Kutumbam (1989)
Goonda Rajyam (1989)
Pinni (1989)
Sahasame Naa Oopiri (1989)
Bhagawan (1989)
Two Town Rowdy (1989)
Koduku Didina Kapuram (1989)
Anna Thammudu (1990)
Vishnu (1990)
Judgement (1990)
Mamasri (1990)
Sila Sasanam (1990)
Bala Chandrudu (1990)
Irugillu Porugillu (1990)
Papa Kosam (1990)
Master Kapuram (1990)
Magaadu (1990)
Aadadi (1990)
Kondaveeti Rowdy (1990)
Rao Gari Intlo Rowdy (1990)
Qaidi Dada (1990)
Indrajith (1990)
Yama Dharma Raju (1990)
Kodama Simham (1990)
Raja Vikramarka (1990)
Iddaru Iddare (1990)
Sathruvu (1990)
Bujjigadi Babai (1990)
Ramudu Kadhu Rakshasudu (1991)
Super Express^[10] (1991)
Parama Sivudu (1991)
Pasidi Pantalu (1991)
Mamagaaru (1991)
Peddinti Alludu (1991)
Siva Sakthi (1991)
Pandirimancham (1991)
Naa Pellam Naa Ishtam (1991)
Nenera Police (1991)
Aagraham (1991)
Karthavyam (1991)
Stuvartpuram Dongalu (1991)
Akka Mogudu (1992)
Ahankhari (1992)
Pranadaata (1992)
Bangaaru Mama (1992)
Sapatham (1992)
Rendu Pondatti Kaavalkaaran (1992; Tamil)
Gang War (1992)
Doshi (1992)
Pelli Neeku Subham Naaku (1992)
Collector Gaari Alludu (1992)
College Bullodu (1992)
Peddarikam (1992)
Balaramakrishnulu (1992)
Seetharatnam Gari Abbayi (1992)
Alexander (1992)
Atta Sommu Alludu Danam (1992)
Snehada Kadalalli (1992; Kannada)
Mogudu Pellala Dongaata (1992)
Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi (1992; Kannada)
Nagaradalli Nayakaru (1992; Kannada)
Public Rowdy (1992)
Dance Gang (1992)
Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege (1993; Kannada)
Inspector Jhansi(1993)
Bava Bavamaridi (1993)
Alludi Poru Ammai Joru (1993)
Dongalludu (1993)
Muta Mestri (1993)
Jambalakidi Pamba (1993)
Bangaru Bullodu (1993)
Mechanic Alludu (1993)
Ish Ghup Chup (1993)
Nakshatra Poratam (1993)
Paruvu Pratishta (1993)
Nippu Ravva(1993)
Evandi Avida Vachchindi (1993)
Pelli Gola (1993)
Pelli Kaani Illalu (1993)
Rajadhani (1993)
Ish Gup Chup (1993)
Pekata Papa Rao (1993)
Aasayam (1993)
Parugo Parugu (1994)
Doragaariki Donga Pellam (1994)
Mayadari Mosagadu (1994)
Maa Voori Maaraju (1994)
Govinda Govinda (1994)
Kiladigalu (1994; Kannada)
Hello Brother (1994)
Bhale Mavayya (1994)
Jailor Gari Abbai(1994)
Andaroo! Andare!! (1994)
Bangaru Kutumbam(1994)
Todi Kodallu (1994)
Maga Rayudu (1994)
Srivari Priyuralu (1994)
Atta Kodalu (1994)
Maa Vori Maraju (1994)
Hello Alludu (1994)
Jeevana Khaidi (1994)
M. Dharmaraju M.A. (1994)
Raja Simham (1995)
Pokiri Raja (1995)
Leader (1995)
Aasti Mooredu Aasa Baaredu (1995)
God Father (1995)
Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet (1999) (Hindi; score only)

Raj's Solo career filmography

Sisindri (1995)
Bharatha Simham (1995)
Ramudochadu (1996)
Mrugam (1996)
Bobbili Bullodu (1996)
Panjaram (1997)
Sambhavam (1998)
Premante Idera (1998) (BGM)
Chinni Chinni Aasa (1999)
Prema Kosam (1999)
Suryaputrika
Lagna Patrika (2002)

References

^ "Music duo". My First Show. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
^ "Raj-Koti Reunited : Special Live show". 16 June 2011. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
^ The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Visakhapatnam News : Teaching does not diminish his love for music
^ "A.R.Rahman- Indian under Spotlight | Indians in Paris | Musi". Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
^ "- YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
^ Gopal, Nanda (21 May 2023). "Raj of Raj-Koti Passes Away". Gulte. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
^ "The Hindu : Metro Plus Hyderabad : 'Good music emanates from the story'". 31 October 2004. Archived from the original on 31 October 2004. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
^ "James Bond 999 (1984) Telugu Movie Review, Rating - Suman". www.thecinebay.com. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
^ "PRALAYA SIMHAM (1984)". MovieGQ. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
^ "Super Express 1991 Telugu Movie Wiki,Cast Crew,Songs,Videos,Release Date". MovieGQ. Retrieved 5 November 2023.

External links

Raj–Koti at IMDb
Raj–Koti discography at Discogs

[1] "Music duo". My First Show. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2023.

[2] "Raj-Koti Reunited : Special Live show". 16 June 2011. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2023.

[3] The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Visakhapatnam News : Teaching does not diminish his love for music

[4] "A.R.Rahman- Indian under Spotlight | Indians in Paris | Musi". Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2023.

[5] "- YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 21 May 2023.

[6] Gopal, Nanda (21 May 2023). "Raj of Raj-Koti Passes Away". Gulte. Retrieved 21 May 2023.

[7] "The Hindu : Metro Plus Hyderabad : 'Good music emanates from the story'". 31 October 2004. Archived from the original on 31 October 2004. Retrieved 21 May 2023.

[8] "James Bond 999 (1984) Telugu Movie Review, Rating - Suman". www.thecinebay.com. Retrieved 16 April 2023.

[9] "PRALAYA SIMHAM (1984)". MovieGQ. Retrieved 11 April 2023.

[10] "Super Express 1991 Telugu Movie Wiki,Cast Crew,Songs,Videos,Release Date". MovieGQ. Retrieved 5 November 2023.

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v t e Nandi Award for Best Music Director
1977–1980	Rajan–Nagendra (1977) M. S. Viswanathan (1978) K. V. Mahadevan (1979) S. Rajeswara Rao (1980)
1981–1990	Ilaiyaraaja (1981) Ramesh Naidu (1982) K. Chakravarthy (1983) Ramesh Naidu (1984) S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (1985) K. Chakravarthy (1986) K. V. Mahadevan (1987) Ilaiyaraaja (1988) O. P. Nayyar (1989) Ilaiyaraaja (1990)
1991–2000	K. V. Mahadevan (1991) M. M. Keeravani (1992) M. M. Keeravani (1993) Raj–Koti (1994) M. M. Keeravani (1995) Madhavapeddi Suresh (1996) Vandemataram Srinivas (1997) Mani Sharma (1998) Vandemataram Srinivas (1999) Vandemataram Srinivas (2000)
2001–2010	R. P. Patnaik (2001) M. M. Keeravani (2002) Mani Sharma (2003) Vidyasagar (2004) M. M. Keeravani (2005) K. M. Radha Krishnan (2006) Mickey J. Meyer (2007) Mickey J. Meyer (2008) M. M. Keeravani (2009) Chakri (2010)
2011–present	Ilaiyaraaja (2011) Ilaiyaraaja & M. M. Keeravani (2012) Devi Sri Prasad (2013) Anup Rubens (2014) M. M. Keeravani (2015) Mickey J. Meyer (2016)