L. N. Shastri

L. N. Shastri
Also known as Chaitanya
Born (1971-08-29) 29 August 1971
Genres Playback singing
Occupation(s) Singer, Composer
Years active 1991–present

L. N. Shastri (also credited as Chaitanya) is an Indian playback singer and music composer who primarily works in Kannada cinema. Starting his career as a playback singer in the film Ajagajantara (1996), Shastri went on to sing for more than 3000 songs. Upon his friends' suggestion, he rechristened as Chaitanya and composed music for over 25 films starting with Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene (1998). However, he dropped the name due to the identity crisis for the film Bellary Naga (2009).[1]

His biggest hit song as a singer has been "Kolumande Jangamadevaru" from the film Janumada Jodi (1996) which gave him a career break and also fetched him the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. He has been closely associated with music directors Hamsalekha and V. Manohar who have been the main support for his growing career since his initial days.

Career

In the early 90's Shastri was mainly seen singing track songs for major playback singers like S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and others. The film Ajagajantara (1991) composed by Hamsalekha offered him a chance to share the mic with Balasubrahmanyam for the song "Love Love Loveah". Following this, Shastri teamed up with composer V. Manohar and sung many songs for the films that featured actor Jaggesh in the lead. The songs "Anthintha Gandu Naanalla" from Bhanda Nanna Ganda (1992), "Priya Priya" from Super Nanna Maga (1992), "Dagar Dagar" from Tharle Nan Maga (1992), "Avanalli Ivalilli" from Shhh (1993) were some of his early hits which appealed to the masses. In the meantime, Shastri was working as an assistant composer to both Hamsalekha and V. Manohar for all their films.

In 1996, the folk song "Kolumande Jangamadevaru" composed by V. Manohar and picturized on actor Shiva Rajkumar for the film Janumada Jodi turned his fortunes. The song became an ultimate hit and his rendition was widely acclaimed by critics and masses. He was awarded with the Karnataka State Award for this song. Following this, he recorded many songs for all the music directors of the 90's through 2000's . Many of his songs have been received extremely well by the masses.

In 1998, Shastri turned into a complete music director with the film Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene. Though the songs were received well, the film's dismal performance at the box-office could not help boost the songs. His next composition for the V. Ravichandran starrer Ravimama (1999) was also appreciated. Following this, he composed for about 25 feature films which could not help him to be among the top ranking music directors. His rechristened name Chaitanya was familiar only inside the film fraternity and the audience could not relate his new name with his original name.

On insistence of actor Vishnuvardhan, his original name was credited for his compositions for the film Bellary Naga (2009) which proved to be the last feature film of the legendary actor. After a brief hiatus, Shastri returned to composing for the films Flop (2015) and Melody (2015) which marked his reunion with director Nanjunda who gave him the first break as a composer.[2]

Discography

As composer

Year Film title Notes
1998 Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene Debut film
Credited as Chaitanya
1999 Ravimama
2000 Maava Maava Maduve Maado
2001 Amma Ninna Tholinalli
2001 Aunty Preethse
2001 Haalu Sakkare
2002 Ninagoskara
2003 Mooru Manasu Nooru Kanasu
2003 Nagabharana
2003 Ay Naan Bheeshma Kano
2003 Preethisale Beku
2004 Preethi Nee Illade Naa Hegirali
2004 Ayyo Pandu
2004 Sakhi
2008 Hogi Baa Magale
2009 Bellary Naga Credited as L. N. Shastry
2010 Deadly-2
2015 Flop
2015 Melody

As singer (selected)

Year Film Song Name Music Director Notes
1991 Ajagajantara "Love Love Loveah" Hamsalekha Debut song
1992 Bhanda Nanna Ganda "Anthintha Gandu Nanalla"
"Yaarigu Endigu"
"Preethiya Theranu"
V. Manohar
1992 Alli Ramachari Illi Brahmachari "Achu Mechu"
"Banda Banda Ramayya"
"Entha Sundara"
"Jumma Jumma"
V. Manohar
1993 Sshhh "Avanalli Ivalilli" Sadhu Kokila
1993 Gejje Naada "Somavara Santhege" V. Manohar
1994 Panjarada Gili "Naana Naana" V. Manohar
1996 Janumada Jodi "Kolumande Jangamadevaru" V. Manohar Karnataka State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer
1996 Sipayi "Vanditha Kirana"
"Odo Chandira"
"Karago Chandira"
Hamsalekha
1997 O Mallige "O Mallige Ninnade Haadidu" V. Manohar
1997 Jodi Hakki "Laali Suvvali" V. Manohar
1998 A "Chandini"
"Helkollakonduru"
"Idu One Day Match"
Gurukiran
1998 Preethsod Thappa "Ondu Moda" Hamsalekha
1999 Naanu Nanna Hendthiru "Ready 123"
"Ee Jagave Namadu"
"Ee Bhoomige"
V. Ravichandran
2001 Ekangi "Ee Chitte Thara" V. Ravichandran
2004 Malla "Karunade"
"Mangalyam"
"Angada Angada"
V. Ravichandran
2005 Aham Premasmi "Yadha Yadhahi"
"Oh Premave"
"Eshwar"
V. Ravichandran
2007 Dheemantha Manushya "Jeevarashiya Amara" A. Karthik Raja
2007 Right Adre "Kudkondu Thooradkondu" Neel
2007 Chanda "Gundene Dyavru" S. Narayan
2009 Bhagyada Balegara "Budu Budu Kavya" Ilaiyaraaja
2014 Adyaksha "Adyaksha Adyaksha" Arjun Janya
2014 Love in Mandya "Lo Maava" Anoop Seelin

Awards

Karnataka State Film Awards

References

  1. "Singer Shastri drops ‘composer’ Chaitanya". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  2. "Melody Grand Audio". Indiaglitz. 12 August 2014.
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