Chitti Babu (musician)

Chitti Babu (musician) Biography

Chitti Babu was a renowned classical musician from Andhra Pradesh versatile in the instrument Veena. In the Carnatic music world, he is also known by the name Veena Chitti Babu. Unarguably he is regarded as one of the greatest veena artists of south India. He has received numerous awards including Sangeet Natak Akademi award for 1990, Kalaimamani by Tamil Nadu government in the year 1972, Asthana Vidwan by Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam and Sangeetha Choodamani. Other honours include - Sangeetha Kala Nipuna, Spirit of Excellence Award in 1991-92, State Artiste by Government of Tamil Nadu, Tantri Vilas and Telugu Velugu.

Chitti Babu Challapally was born on October 13, 1936, in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. His parents Ranga Rao Challapally and Sundaramma Challapally were music lovers. Chitti Babu was his nickname. He started playing Veena at the age of 5. He received formal training in veena at a younger age and performed live for the first time at the age of 12. Pandravada Upmakaya, Eyyuni Appalacharyulu and Dr.Emani Sankara Sastry were his gurus.

In 1948 the family moved to Chennai and Chitti babu played a child artist role in Telugu movie, Laila Majnu. Yet later he focused on music than acting. But it was difficult to earn opportunities for a performer. He has also worked in film music during the period, 1948–1962. Even after establishing as a successful veena artist, he occasionally worked with cinema. Sampoorna Ramayanam and Dikkatra Parvathi are a few noted works and he has also composed music for Kannada movie called "Sri Raghavendra Mahime". Yet his dream was to perform on stage as a solo freelancer. Slowly Chitti Babu, created and evolved a distinctive style and identity, entirely his own and has also conducted many foreign tours.

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Updated: February 17, 2014