The Raj-Koti duo composed music for around 180 films.
Telugu music director Raj of popular duo Raj-Koti passed away at his residence in Kukatpally, Hyderabad on Sunday. He had reportedly suffered a heart attack.
Telugu music director Raj of the popular duo Raj-Koti passed away at the age of 68 at his Kukatpally residence in Hyderabad on Sunday. Raj contributed to the music of various Telugu films and the duo came to be known as Raj-Koti. The combo produced several chartbuster songs before disbanding.
Music director Koti was shocked after hearing this news and later became emotional in tears. Koti said, “I cannot digest the news of my Raj’s death.” The two met recently at a function, where the late music director didn’t tell her about his health problems. “Extremely saddened to learn about his demise this morning,” Saluri Koteswara Rao, popularly known as Koti, added.
The Raj-Koti team composed music for several famous Telugu films, including Govinda Govinda, Karthaviyam and Prisoner No. 786. During their ten-year career, the duo composed music for over 180 films.
Recalling his happy memories with his friend and music partner Raj, Koti said, “As Raj-Koti, we have worked together in many films. We have given many blockbuster hits. All the films I did as Koti after our separation were also called Raj Koti Geet. Reflecting on his past relationship with his counterpart, Koti also said that he created a trend in Telugu and even after his death, he will always be remembered in the form of our songs.
Due to creative differences, the friend-turned-music director duo parted ways in 1995 and Raj went his own way. He composed music for various films during this period. However the one notable film that he did in his solo career was Sisindri starring Nagarjuna. Coti called this separation “the result of the influence of time and circumstances in his life”. He called him his elder brother. The two reconciled in 2012, but have not worked together since.