Bejawada Rajaratnam was born in the early 20th century in Andhra Pradesh and rose to prominence as one of the first female playback singers in Telugu cinema. At a time when actresses were expected to sing their own songs, she became a trailblazer by lending her voice to characters on screen, marking the beginning of playback singing in Telugu films. Alongside her singing career, she also acted in films, balancing both talents with grace.
Her career spanned nearly 15 years, during which she contributed to the growth of Telugu talkies and became a respected figure in the entertainment industry. Though not as widely celebrated as some of her contemporaries, Rajaratnam’s pioneering role in playback singing earned her a permanent place in the history of Telugu cinema. She remains remembered as a cultural icon who bridged the worlds of acting and music.