From blueprints to ragas: How a civil engineer built a musical legacy in Kakinada

Kakinada: A family in Ramaraopeta, Kakinada, stands out for its complete dedication to Indian fine arts.

Gady Venkata Ramana, a civil engineer by profession, and his wife Padmavati are singers whose songs have been broadcast on Southampton Radio (London) and Awaaz 99.8 FM. Their two daughters, Sriramaratna and Sai Krishna Priya, are postgraduates in Music after completing B.Tech in ECE.

Born in Chakradharpur, Jharkhand, to Gady Krishna Murthy, a senior personnel officer in the Railways, and Gady Srirama Ratnam, a native of Kakinada, Ramana grew up in a home that valued service. His formal path led him through engineering studies in Jharkhand and into a long career constructing projects across the country, while his passion for music continued.

From childhood, he sang Hindi, Telugu, Bengali and Odia songs, inspired by Mukesh, Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Yesudas and Balasubrahmanyam. Over the years, he has performed on numerous stages, published more than 200 songs, and formed a musical association with Jitmohan Mitra.

His wife Padmavati, who holds a BA and B.Ed., is known for her rendering of Sanskrit verses, particularly Lalitha Sahasranamam during festivals.

Elder daughter Sriramaratna has performed at All India Radio Visakhapatnam, Naadha Neerajanam of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, and at Tirupati and Annavaram temples. She is also a classical dancer known for her renditions of Thillana.

Younger daughter Sai Krishna Priya teaches music online and offline and works as a music teacher at RTM Institute established by playback singer K.S. Chithra and music director Sonu Nigam.