Chittibabu is one of the best Veena artistes of this century. He is a disciple of Emani Sankara Shastri. He was the Asthana Vidwan of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Dakshinam - Naya Sringeri Sankara Mutt and Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthananm. He had received many titles including Sangeetha Kala Nipuna (Mylapore Fine Arts 1995), Vaineeka Sikamani (Maharaja of Mysore - 1967), Veenai Isai Vendan to name a few. He was the state artiste for the Govt. of Tamilnadu.

He has widely traveled in all the five continents of the World. He is noted for sweet, pleasing rendering rich with intricate and subtle turns, graces and embodiments. He is highly popular and had a busy musical career from the age of 12. Born on October
13, 1936 at Kakinada to Challapathy Ranga Rao and Sundaramma, Chittibabu had been honored by the Andhra University with a Doctorate.