Raj of musical duo Raj-Koti passed away

HYDERABAD: The South Indian music industry is mourning as veteran music composer Raj, one-half of the renowned Raj-Koti duo, has passed away. Raj, whose birth name was Thotakura Somaraju, departed from this world some time ago, leaving a deep void in the hearts of his colleagues and fans. Raj reportedly died of a heart attack at his residence in Kukatpally.

Raj-Koti was a prominent music composing duo, and AR Rahman had the privilege of working as a keyboard programmer for them for eight years. Rahman considered Raj and Koti his brothers, emphasizing their strong bond. The sudden loss of Raj has sent shockwaves through the music fraternity.

Raj was known for his expertise in conducting music and guiding the orchestra, as revealed by Koti, his musical partner. However, Koti equally acknowledged Raj's contribution to the composition of their songs, stating that they shared equal credit for every piece they created.

Over their illustrious career spanning a decade, Raj and Koti composed music for approximately 180 films. Out of their impressive repertoire of 3000 songs, popular singers SP Balasubrahmanyam and KS Chithra lent their melodious voices to around 2500 tracks.

In 1994, Raj and Koti received the prestigious Nandi Award for Best Music Director for their work in Nagarjuna's Hello Brother.

In a television interview from the past, the duo had expressed their intention to reunite and revive the Raj-Koti brand. However, their plans were not realized, and faced unknown obstacles. Following their separation, Koti began composing background music for over 300 films.

The Telugu film industry, known as Tollywood, is deeply saddened by the demise of Raj. Numerous music composers, singers, film directors, and actors have expressed their sorrow over Raj's loss, highlighting his profound impact during his musical journey.