Chitti Babu Challapally was born on October 13th, , in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India, to music-loving parents, Ranga Rao Challapally and Sundaramma Challapally, who named him Hanumanlu, when he was born
Chitti Babu was his nick name at home, which came to stay eventually, after his father formally changed it to be so.
He was a child prodigy who started playing Veena at the tender age of 5.
He had a providential beginning, when at that tender age, he corrected his father playing the Veena and the stunned father spontaneously decided to let go of his own practice and chose to focus on getting his son started on the Veena and nurture the child's inherently prodigious talent. He had his basic training very early from Shri.
Pandravada Upmakaya and Shri. Eyyuni Appalacharyulu, both whom recognized the boy's genius very early, and strongly urged Ranga Rao to encourage his son in pursuing