Rajan–Nagendra

Rajan and Nagendra (Kannada: Kannada ರಾಜನ್ – ನಾಗೇಂದ್ರ ) were musicians who were prominent composers of film music in Kannada cinema during the late 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. Rajan, along with his brother Nagendra, created a niche for themselves for nearly four decades. The duo scored music for about 375 films, over 200 of them in Kannada and the remaining in other languages like Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Tulu, Hindi and Sinhala. They composed innumerable hits, hundreds of melodious tunes in their career spanning four decades. They also hold the record for the longest active musical pair in the industry.

Childhood

Rajan (b. 1933) and Nagendrappa (b. 1935), born in Shivarampet of Mysore in a middle-class musical family. Their father Rajappa was a harmonium and flute player who played background music for silent movies.[1]

Within a short time, each of them attained proficiency in playing a different instrument – Rajan in violin and Nagendra in Jal tarang. Rajan used to listen to musical performances of eminent musicians at Choudayya Ramamandira in Mysore and hence got the opportunity to listen to music performances by Hindusthani, Karnatik, and western music in the Mysore palace. Later on Rajan came to Bangalore for his further educational studies.

Early career

In Bangalore Rajan studied in S.L.N. School in the K.R. Market area, Later in central high school. Rajan learnt the violin and appeared for the violin state level competition and had the distinction of passing in first rank.

Both Rajan and Nagendra participated in public performances through Jaya Maruthi Orchestra. In the meanwhile, Rajan got an offer to go to Madras. He took his brother along with him and they got an opportunity of learning the music trade under the aegis of H. R. Padmanabha Shastri who was known for producing talkie movies at that time. It gave them a lot of exposure to the movie industry.

In 1951, Nagendra returned to Mysore and completed his matriculation. Then he joined P. Kalinga Rao who at that time was a famous radio artiste. Within no time, Nagendra got an opportunity of singing for the movie 'Srinivasa Kalyana' along with Hindustani singer Ameer Bai

Finally, Rajan–Nagendra became independent music directors when they scored music for the film Sowbhagya Lakshmi in 1952. After this, they never looked back for more than four decades. This movie opened their doors of success. After 'Sowbhagya Lakshmi' came Vittalacharya's 'Chanchalakumari', 'Rajalakshmi' and 'Mutthaide Bhagya' in a series to open the doors for these would-be melody kings.

Composers

Rajan used to compose the melodies and set the notations for the orchestra. Nagendra used to dictate the lyrics and tune of the song to the singers.

They had a successful stint in Kannada film industry from early 50s till late 90s, but they started shining from 1973 with Gandhada Gudi songs becoming popular throughout Karnataka and dimmed in early 90s, when new generation music took over thus covering a span of two decades of lilting melodies that has been hugely popular till date in Karnataka and other states of South India.

In the 70s came super hits in a row like Nyayave Devaru, Gandhada Gudi, Devara Gudi, Bhagyavantaru, Eradu Kanasu, Naa Ninna Mareyalaare, Naa Ninna Bidalaare, Hombisilu, Bayalu Daari, Paavana Ganga, Giri Kanye and the list goes on.

In the 80s, they made the music for some Telugu films, including Maa Intayana Katha, Puli Bebbuli and Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bharathulu. They composed the music for about 35 Telugu films.

Further, they kept scoring consistently good music through the 90s and in the course, produced for movies like Mathe Haditu Kogile, Marali Goodige and Suprabhaata. They also composed music for a TV serial 'Abhimaana' on Udaya TV.

Rajan–Nagendra made delightful songs in the Rajkumar-Lakshmi starrer Naa Ninna Mareyalaare and Eradu Kanasu, which starred Rajkumar, Manjula and Kalpana.

Hombisilu, starring Vishnuvardhan, was another big hit.

Rajan–Nagendra also did a series of films starring Anant Nag, and Lakshmi, notable among them being Benkiya Bale and Chandanada Gombe etc.

Naa Ninna Mareyalaare, Gandhada Gudi, Eradu Kanasu—these huge musical hits of the Kannada screen featured the music of Rajan–Nagendra. Their team was exceptionally good at composing cheerful love duets, although they did come up with a couple of sombre numbers like Baadi hoda balliyinda(P B Srinivas, Eradu Kanasu)

The lyricists who wrote unforgettable lyrics for them are late Hunasur Krishna Murthy, Uday Shankar, Vijiya Narasimha, Geetha Priya, Dodda Range Gowda, Vyasa Rao and many more. The prominent Telugu lyricists are Narayana Reddy, Dasarathi and late Vetoori Sundarama Murthy and many others. The most prominent Tamil lyricists are late Kanna Dasan and many more.

The main male vocalists who enriched the melody of their songs are late Ghantasala, Kala Govindarajan, P.B.Srinivas, late Kishore Kumar, Balasubrahmanyam, Jesudas, Rajesh Krishna and many more. The popular female vocalists are Bala Saraswati, Soolamangalam sisters, P.Leela, S.Janaki, Vaani Jayaram, Rani, L.R.Easwari, P.Susheela, Jikki, Chitra and many more.

Hundreds of Rajan–Nagendra songs were sung by Legendary singers P.B.Sreenivas, S. Janaki, SPB. Almost all of them remain etched as the unforgettable melodies of Kannada Cinema. The Love songs of SPB-SJ-Rajan–Nagendra combination is considered to be heavenly. Such an everlasting haunting melodies Rajan–Nagendra pair created. The duo is also reported to have introduced another illustrious playback singer K. S. Chitra to the Kannada cinema back in the early 1980s.

Nagendra sang a couple of songs in his five-decade-long career. The most popular was Yaaru yaaru née yaaru for the comedian Narasimharaju. He also sang Nammoora santheli in the Jai Jagadish-Lakshmi starrer Gaalimaatu. Neeliya baninda tareya oorinda from Tony. Somehow his voice was typecast for comic scenes.

The pair directed music for about 400 films, more than 200 in Kannada alone and rest in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam Tulu and Sinhalese.

Most of the hit songs from Kannada movies were remade in Telugu.

Composition

Some unforgettable Rajan–Nagendra numbers:

Kannada:

Telugu:

Awards and Recognition

Rajan–Nagendra are in the same class as Hindi cinema's popular composing duo Shankar-Jaikishen, Laxmikanth Pyarelal and Kalyanji-Anandji. They excelled composing technically flawless and violin-rich orchestral interludes, and enjoyed an equally long innings in the industry. It is no exaggeration that these two brothers were called the Kalyanji – Anandji of Kannada film music.[2]

Their first award film in Kannada was

They won many more awards from private and public associations such as south Indian film fans association, Chitra Rasikara Sangha, Karnataka films directors association, Kannada chalana chitra pathra karthara sanga, Madras Telugu academy, ugadi puraskara award, Abhinandana film awards Hydrabad kalasagar, Madras etc., Throughout south India. Many of their films have celebrated hundred days and silver jubilees.

Nagendra's death

Nagendra, the younger one of the two brothers who gave Kannada cinema some of its most memorable hits, died in Bowring hospital at Bangalore on 4 November 2000. Nagendra was admitted to Bowring Hospital for treatment of hernia. He later developed complications because of his high blood pressure and diabetes. He suffered a stroke.

Current status

Mr. Rajan is continuing his work along with his son R Ananth kumar. He has written a book titled "Haado suswara sangeetha" regarding an innovative notation system for music enthusiasts. They are also conducting music classes for vocal enthusiasts on Voice culturing & film singing.

Partial discography

Year Film title Language Remarks
1987 Aapadbaandava Kannada
1970 Aaparaajithe Kannada
1968 Adda Daari Kannada
1964 Annapoorna Kannada
1971 Anugraha Kannada
1967 Anuraadha Kannada
1982 Archana Kannada
1988 Arjun Kannada
1998 Arjun Abhimanyu Kannada
1992 Atma Bandhana Kannada
1980 Auto Raja Kannada
1981 Avala Hejje Kannada
1996 Baalina Jyothi Kannada
1990 Baare Nanna Muddina Raani Kannada
1993 Bahaddoor Hennu Kannada
1967 Bangaarada Hoovu Kannada
1995 Bangaarada Kalasa Kannada
1996 Bangaarada Mane Kannada
1976 Bayalu Daari Kannada
1998 Bayalu Deepa Kannada
1977 Bayasade Banda Bhagya Kannada
1973 Beesida Bale Kannada
1975 Beluvalada Madilaali Kannada
1983 Benkiya Bale Kannada
1985 Bettada Hoovu Kannada
1982 Bettale Seve Kannada
1977 Bhagyavantharu Kannada
1972 Bhale Huchcha Kannada
1994 Bhutaayi Makkalu Kannada
1985 Bidugadeya Bedi Kannada
1980 Biligiriya Banadalli Kannada
1970 Boregowda Bangalorige Bandha Kannada
1981 Chadurida Chitragulu Kannada
1982 Chalisuva Modagalu Kannada
1953 Chanchala Kumari Kannada Debut Film as Music Director[3]
1979 Chandanada Gombe Kannada
1990 Chapala Chennigaraya Kannada
1997 Choo Bhaana Kannada
1973 Cowboy Kulla Kannada
1977 Devara Duddu Kannada
1967 Devara Gedda Maanava Kannada
1975 Devara Gudi Kannada
1988 Dharmaatma Kannada
1973 Dharmapatni Kannada
1989 Doctor Krishna Kannada
1966 Eendu Ninnavane Kannada
1974 Eradu Kanasu Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director
1981 Gaali Maathu Kannada
1989 Gagana Kannada
1973 Gandhada Gudi Kannada
1991 Gandanige Takka Hendathi Kannada
1994 Gandhada Gudi Part 2 Kannada
1995 Ganeshana Galate Kannada
1990 Ganeshana Maduve Kannada
1983 Gayathri Maduve Kannada
1995 Giddu Daada Kannada
1985 Giribaale Kannada
1977 Giri Kanye Kannada
1991 Gauri Ganesha Kannada
1986 Guri Kannada
1992 Hatamaari Hennu Kilaadi Gandu Kannada
1978 Hombisilu Kannada
1989 Hrudaya Geethe Kannada
1998 Hrudayanjali Kannada
1993 Huvondu Beku Ballige Kannada
1983 Ibbani Karagithu Kannada
1979 Intinti Ramayanam Telugu
1987 Inspector Kranti Kumar Kannada
1993 Jaga Mechida Huduga Kannada
1991 Jagadeka Veera Kannada
1998 Jagat Kilaadi Kannada
1983 Jaggu Kannada
1988 Jananayaka Kannada
1997 Janani Janmabhoomi Kannada
1981 Jeevakke Jeeva Kannada
1985 Jeevana Chakra Kannada
1993 Jeevana Sangharsha Kannada
1985 Kaadina Raja Kannada
1984 Kalinga Sarpa Kannada
1992 Kaliyuga Seethe Kannada
1975 Kalla Kulla Kannada
1970 Kanneeru Kannada
1954 Kanyaa Daana Kannada
1995 Karulina Kudi Kannada
1987 Karunaamaye Kannada
1990 Kempu Surya Kannada
1978 Kiladi Jodi Kannada
1978 Kittu Puttu Kannada
1981 Koodi Baalidare Swarga Sukha Kannada
1972 Kulla Agent 000 Kannada Kishore Kumar sang for this movie
1980 Kulla Kulli Kannada
1991 Maangalya Kannada
1976 Maangalya Bhagya Kannada
1958 Maangalya Yoaga Kannada
1978 Madhura Sangama Kannada
1974 Mahaa Thyaga Kannada
1982 Manchu Pallaki Telugu
1958 Mane Thumbida Hennu Kannada
1959 Manege Banda Mahalakshmi Kannada
1964 Mangala Muhurta Kannada
1980 Manku Thimma Kannada
1966 Mantralaya Mahatme Kannada
1975 Mantra Shakthi Kannada
1984 Marali Goodige Kannada
1979 Maralu Sarapani Kannada
1984 Maryade Mahalu Kannada
1990 Mathe Haditu Kogile Kannada
1986 Mattondu Charithre Kannada
1969 Mayor Muthanna Kannada
1991 Modada Mareyali Kannada
1984 Mooru Janma Kannada
1986 Mrugaalaya Kannada
1976 Mugiyada Kathe Kannada
1981 Muniyana Maadari Kannada
1970 Muru Muttugalu Kannada
1956 Muthaide Bhagya Kannada
1992 Mysuru Jaana Kannada
1979 Naa Ninna Bidalaare Kannada
1976 Naa Ninna Mareyalare Kannada
1961 Naagaarjuna Kannada
1993 Naanendu Nimmavane Kannada
1979 Naaniruvude Ninaagaagi Kannada
1972 Naari Munidare Maari Kannada
1991 Nagu Naguta Nali Kannada
1988 Nammura Raja Kannada
1982 Nanna Devaru Kannada
1992 Nanna Shatru Kannada
1979 Nanobba Kalla Kannada
1964 Navajeevana Kannada
1971 Nyayave Devaru Kannada
1984 Olavu Moodidaga Kannada
1971 Onde Kula Onde Daiva Kannada
1984 Onde Raktha Kannada
1983 Onde Guri Kannada
1992 Ondu Cinema Kathe Kannada
1965 Paathala Mohini Kannada
1977 Pavana Ganga Kannada
1978 Panthulamma Telugu Nandi Award for Best Music Director
1982 Paraajitha Kannada
1978 Parasangada Gendethimma Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director
1978 Phoenix Kannada
1980 Point Parimala Kannada
1975 Pooja Telugu
1994 Poorna Satya Kannada
1968 Pravaasi Mandira Kannada
1979 Preethi Maadu Tamashe Nodu Kannada
1984 Preethi Vatsalya Kannada
1986 Prema Gange Kannada
1974 Prema Paasha Kannada
1981 Prema Pallavi Kannada
1983 Prema Parva Kannada
1984 Prema Saakshi Kannada
1992 Prema Sangama Kannada
1999 Prema Prema Prema Kannada
1981 Premaanubandha Kannada
1984 Premigala Saval Kannada
1974 Professor Huchuraya Kannada
1979 Putani Agent 123 Kannada
1954 Rajalakshmi Kannada
1980 Rama Lakshmana Kannada
1980 Rama-Parashurama Kannada
1962 Ratnamanjari Kannada
1985 Sedina Hakki Kannada
1988 Sambhavaami Yuge Yuge Kannada
1967 Sathi Sukanya Kannada
1986 Seelu Nakshatra Kannada
1985 Shabdagalu Kannada
1992 Shivanaaga Kannada
1990 Shivashankar Kannada
1978 Singapuralli Raja Kulla Kannada
1978 Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi Kannada
1952 Sowbhagya Lakshmi Kannada
1966 Sri Kannika Parameshwari Katha Kannada
1974 Sri Srinivasa Kalyana Kannada
1995 State Rowdy Kannada
1988 Suprabhatha Kannada
1996 Suryaputra Kannada
1993 Suryodaya Kannada
1973 Swayamvara Kannada
1977 Taayiginta Devarilla Kannada
1982 Tony Kannada
1993 Urvashi Kalyana Kannada
1986 Usha Kannada
1964 Veera Sankalpa Kannada
1976 Vijaya Vaani Kannada
1972 Vishakanye Kannada
1986 Vishwa Roopa Kannada
1994 Yaarigu Haelbedi Kannada
1984 Yarivanu Kannada
1995 Yama Kinkara Kannada
1981 Yava Hoovu Yara Mudigo Kannada

See also

References

External links

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