{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2019}} {{Infobox musical artist<!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Raj–Koti | image = | image_size = | caption = | background = non_performing_personnel | birth_name = | alias = | birth_date = | origin = Andhra Pradesh | instrument = | genre = Film score, World music | occupation = Film score composer, music director, singer | years_active = 1982–1995 | label = | website = }}

'''Thotakura Somaraju''' ({{circa|1954}} – 21 May 2023) and '''Saluri Koteswara Rao''', popularly known as '''Raj–Koti''', were a duo of Indian film music composers, singer-songwriters, record producers, musicians and multi-instrumentalists in Telugu cinema. In a notable career spanning a decade, the duo has garnered particular acclaim for redefining contemporary Telugu film music. They composed music for about 180 films. Out of their 3,000 songs, about 2,500 were sung by singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.myfirstshow.com/news/view/5688/Music-duo-Rajkoti-will-be-honoured.html|title=Music duo|work=My First Show|access-date=13 December 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904221958/http://www.myfirstshow.com/news/view/5688/Music-duo-Rajkoti-will-be-honoured.html|archive-date=4 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ap7am.com/ap7am_show_detail_videos.php?newsid=32394|title=Raj-Koti Reunited : Special Live show|date=16 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616055252/http://www.ap7am.com/ap7am_show_detail_videos.php?newsid=32394 |accessdate=21 May 2023|archive-date=16 June 2011 }}</ref>

The Raj–Koti duo was among the many prominent South Indian composers for whom A. R. Rahman has worked as a keyboard programmer for 8 years.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130127014925/http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/18/stories/2010031854650500.htm The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Visakhapatnam News : Teaching does not diminish his love for music<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiansinparis.com/blog/roots/420-arrahman|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322232419/http://www.indiansinparis.com/blog/roots/420-arrahman|url-status=dead|title=A.R.Rahman- Indian under Spotlight &#124; Indians in Paris &#124; Musi|archivedate=22 March 2012|accessdate=21 May 2023}}</ref>

In a television interview aired on ABN Andhrajyothy, the duo announced that they were teaming up again in 2012 and reinstating the Raj–Koti brand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE_QITOvFq4|title=- YouTube|website=www.youtube.com|accessdate=21 May 2023}}</ref>

==Background== Thotakura Somaraju (Raj) was the son of T. V. Raju. He died on 21 May 2023, at the age of 68.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gulte.com/movienews/242315/raj-of-raj-koti-passes-away|title=Raj of Raj-Koti Passes Away|first=Nanda|last=Gopal|date=21 May 2023|website=Gulte|accessdate=21 May 2023}}</ref>

Saluri Koteswara Rao (Koti) is the son of S. Rajeswara Rao.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/10/12/stories/2004101200730100.htm|title=The Hindu : Metro Plus Hyderabad : 'Good music emanates from the story'|date=31 October 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041031113142/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/10/12/stories/2004101200730100.htm |accessdate=21 May 2023|archive-date=31 October 2004 }}</ref>

==Awards== ;Nandi Awards *Nandi Award for Best Music Director – 1994 – ''Hello Brother''

==Discography== ;Raj–Koti {{columns-list|colwidth=22em|*''Pralaya Garjana'' (1982) *''Bharya Bhartala Sawaal'' (1982) *''Udayam'' (1984) *''Ee Theerpu Illalidhi'' (1984) * ''James Bond 999<ref>{{Cite web |title=James Bond 999 (1984) Telugu Movie Review, Rating - Suman |url=https://www.thecinebay.com/movie/index/id/8852?ed=Tolly |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=www.thecinebay.com |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416185819/https://www.thecinebay.com/movie/index/id/8852?ed=Tolly |url-status=dead }}</ref>'' (1984) *''Pralaya Simham''<ref>{{Cite web |title=PRALAYA SIMHAM (1984) |url=https://moviegq.com/movie/pralaya-simham-6911/cast-crew|access-date=2023-04-11 |website=MovieGQ |language=en}}</ref> (1984) *''Lady Jamesbond'' (1985) *''Punnami Rathri'' (1985) *''Digvijayam'' (1986) *''Love Master'' (1986) *''Pelli Kaani Illalu'' (1986) *''Naa Pilupe Prabhanjanam'' (1986) *''Mandaladeesudu'' (1987) *''Madana Gopaludu'' (1987) *''Sankharavam'' (1987) *''Paga Sadhista'' (1987) *''Rowdy Babai'' (1987) *''Doctorgari Abbai'' (1987) *''Samsaram'' (1988) *''Thodallullu'' (1988) *''Jeevana Jyothi'' (1988) *''Sahasam Cheyara Dimbhaka'' (1988) *''Doragaarintlo Dongodu'' (1988) *''Chikkadu Dorakadu'' (1988) *''Indradhanassu'' (1988) *''Prana Snehithulu'' (1988) *''Ukku Sankellu'' (1988) *''Veguchukka Pagatichukka'' (1988) *''Yamudiki Mogudu'' (1988) *''Khaidi No.786'' (1988) *''Rowdy No.1'' (1988) *''Bazaar Rowdy'' (1988) *''Trinetrudu'' (1988) *''Bandipotu'' (1988) *''Ugranethrudu'' (1988) *''Maharajasri Mayagaadu'' (1988) *''Lankeswarudu'' (1989) *''Sakshi'' (1989) *''Paape Maa Pranam'' (1989) *''Poola Rangadu'' (1989) *''Jayammu Nischayammu Raa'' (1989) *''Preminchi Choodu'' (1989) *''Adavilo Artharatri'' (1989) *''Palnati Rudraiah'' (1989) *''Black Tiger'' (1989) *''Bhale Dampathulu'' (1989) *''Bala Gopaludu'' (1989) *''Vicky Daada''(1989) *''Rajakeeya Chadarangam'' (1989) *''Manchi Kutumbam'' (1989) *''Goonda Rajyam'' (1989) *''Pinni'' (1989) *''Bhagavan'' (1989) *''Two Town Rowdy'' (1989) *''Koduku Didina Kapuram'' (1989) *''Anna Thammudu'' (1990) *''Vishnu'' (1990) *''Judgement'' (1990) *''Mamasri'' (1990) *''Sila Sasanam'' (1990) *''Balachandrudu'' (1990) *''Irugillu Porugillu'' (1990) *''Papa Kosam'' (1990) *''Master Kapuram'' (1990) ''Karthavyam'' (1990) *''Magaadu'' (1990) *''Aadadi'' (1990) *''Kondaveeti Rowdy'' (1990) *''Rao Gari Intlo Rowdy'' (1990) *''Qaidi Dada'' (1990) *''Indrajith'' (1990) * ''Yama Dharma Raju'' (1990) *''Kodama Simham'' (1990) *''Raja Vikramarka'' (1990) *''Iddaru Iddare'' (1990) *''Sathruvu'' (1990) *''Bujjigadi Babai'' (1990) *''Stuvartpuram Dongalu'' (1991) *''Ramudu Kadhu Rakshasudu'' (1991) *''Super Express''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Express 1991 Telugu Movie Wiki,Cast Crew,Songs,Videos,Release Date |url=https://moviegq.com/movie/super-express-8671 |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=MovieGQ |language=en}}</ref> (1991) *''Parama Sivudu'' (1991) *''Pasidi Pantalu'' (1991) *''Mamagaaru'' (1991) *''Peddinti Alludu'' (1991) *''Siva Sakthi'' (1991) *''Pandirimancham'' (1991) *''Naa Pellam Naa Ishtam'' (1991) *''Nenera Police '' (1991) *''Aagraham'' (1991) *''Akka Mogudu'' (1992) *''Pranadaata'' (1992) *''Bangaru Mama'' (1992) *''Ahankari'' (1992) *''Rendu Pondatti Kaavalkaaran'' (1992; Tamil) *''Gang War'' (1992) *''Antham'' (1992) *''Pelli Neeku Subham Naaku'' (1992) *''Collector Gari Alludu'' (1992) *''College Bullodu'' (1992) *''Peddarikam'' (1992) *''Balaramakrishnulu'' (1992) *''Seetharatnam Gari Abbayi'' (1992) *''Alexander'' (1992) *''Attasommu Alludu Danam'' (1992) *''Snehada Kadalalli'' (1992; Kannada) *''Mogudu Pellala Dongaata'' (1992) *''Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi'' (1992; Kannada) *''Nagaradalli Nayakaru'' (1992; Kannada) *''Public Rowdy'' (1992) *''Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege'' (1993; Kannada) *''Inspector Jhansi''(1993) *''Bava Bavamaridi'' (1993) *''Dongalludu'' (1993) *''Muta Mestri'' (1993) *''Jambalakidi Pamba'' (1993) *''Bangaru Bullodu'' (1993) *''Mechanic Alludu'' (1993) *''Ish Ghup Chup'' (1993) *''Nakshatra Poratam'' (1993) *''Paruvu Pratishta'' (1993) *''Nippu Ravva'' (1993) *''Evandi Avida Vachchindi'' (1993) *''Pelli Gola'' (1993) *''Rajadhani'' (1993) *''Ish Gup Chup'' (1993) *''Pekata Papa Rao'' (1993) *''Aasayam'' (1993) *''Parugo Parugu'' (1994) *''Doragaariki Donga Pellam'' (1994) *''Mayadari Mosagadu'' (1994) *''Alludu Poru Ammayi Joru'' (1994) *''Maa Voori Maaraju'' (1994) *''Govinda Govinda'' (1994) *''Kiladigalu'' (1994; Kannada) *''Hello Brother'' (1994) *''Bhale Mavayya'' (1994) *''Jailor Gari Abbai''(1994) *''Andaroo! Andare!!'' (1994) *''Bangaru Kutumbam''(1994) *''Todi Kodallu'' (1994) *''Maga Rayudu'' (1994) *''Srivari Priyuralu'' (1994) *''Atha Kodalu'' (1994) *''Maa Voori Maaraju'' (1994) *''Hello Alludu'' (1994) *''Jeevana Khaidi'' (1994) *''M. Dharmaraju M.A.'' (1994) *''Tapassu'' (1995) *''Raja Simham'' (1995) *''Pokiri Raja'' (1995) *''Leader'' (1995) *''Aasti Mooredu Aasa Baaredu'' (1995) *''God Father'' (1995) *''Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet'' (1999) (Hindi; score only) }} ;Raj's Solo career filmography *''Sisindri'' (1995) *''Bharatha Simham'' (1995) *''Ramudochadu'' (1996) *''Mrugam'' (1996) *''Bobbili Bullodu'' (1996) *''Panjaram'' (1997) *''Sambhavam'' (1998) *''Premante Idera'' (1998) {{small|(BGM)}} *''Chinni Chinni Aasa'' (1999) *''Prema Kosam'' (1999) *''Suryaputrika'' *''Lagna Patrika'' (2002)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{IMDb name|9965164}} * {{discogs artist|Raj-Koti}}

{{authority control}}{{Nandi Award for Best Music Director}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raj-Koti}} Category:Indian musical duos Category:Telugu film score composers Category:Kannada film score composers Category:Musical groups established in 1983 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1995 Category:1983 establishments in India Category:1995 disestablishments in India