Introduction
Rajashri (Telugu: రాజశ్రీ) (31 August 1934 – 14 August 1994) was a famous dialogue and lyrics writer and Music director in Telugu cinema industry. His birth name is Indukuri Ramakrishnam Raju (ఇందుకూరి రామకృష్ణంరాజు). He has worked with nearly 1000 films, a majority of them are dubbing films. He was aptly called "Anuvaada Brahma".
He used to pen lyrics for most of the Telugu movies dubbed from Tamil language.
Life sketch
He was born to Indukuri Appalaraju and Narayanamma in Vizianagaram. He completed his BSc (Physics) from Maharajah's College in Vizianagaram. He learned typewriting. He worked as a typist-cum-personal-assistant in Srikakulam District Board. He reached Madras and started assisting writer Pinisetty Sriramamurthy. The first film he worked for as a lyricist was Aada Pettanam (1954), produced by Kadaru Nagabhushanam and Kannamba. He also worked as an assistant director for Kadaru Nagabhusnam for the films like Aada Pettanam, Anna-Thammudu, Paruvu-Pratishta, Shanta, Nithya Kalyanam Paccha Thoranam, Veera Bhaskarudu, and Sri Krishna Maaya.
Rajashri worked with L. V. Prasad in the story department of Prasad Productions for the films like Sasural (1961), Khilona (1970), Thayilla Pillai, etc. He wrote lyrics for films like Rama Sundari.
Rajashri worked with Chalam for some memorable films like Sambaraala Rambabu (1970), Bullemma Bullodu, Devudamma, Thulaabhaaram (1974), Ramude Devudu, Ooriki Upakaari, etc. He also wrote some memorable songs in these films.
Rajashri has worked with director Mani Ratnam for some great movies like: Mouna Ragam (1986), Naayakudu (1987), Gharshana (1988), Anjali (1990), Dalapathi (1991), Roja (1992), and Donga Donga (1993). He got dialogues written by him for the straight Telugu film Geethanjali (1989).
He has also composed music for few films like Mama Kodalu (1993) and Venkanna Babu (1992) directed by Dasari Narayana Rao.
He died while asleep during the shooting of Premikudu on 14 August 1994, in Chennai. His son Rajashri Sudhakar has penned dialogues and songs for some films like "Krrish", Jodha Akbar", Krrish-3", "Dhoom -2", "Dangal" & "Dabangg -3"that were dubbed into Telugu.