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Padma Shri Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao was born at Choutapalli, Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh on 4 December 1922.  Legendary singer Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao was swept into the freedom struggle at an early age. He was a young man of 20 years when he came in contact with other freedom fighters. He actively participated in the Quit India movement in August 1942.  Being at an impressionable age he was greatly influenced by Gandhiji's speeches as well as the patriotic fervor of the crusaders of freedom that he chanced on. He was arrested and convicted of rendering six patriotic songs that aroused in the people of the country a strong sense of men and country. It is said that with his divine talent he could move the hearts of the people with his songs. He served 18 months in prison at Alipore and Bellary jails, serving three months' imprisonment for each of the songs he rendered. Government-issued commemorative postage stamp on him in 2003. The government has installed his statue at Guntur. Several educational institutions have been named after him. This great son of India passed away on 11 February 1974 at the age of 51