L. N. Shastri
| L. N. Shastri | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Chaitanya |
| Born | 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
- 1996 - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer - "Kolumande Jangamadevaru" (film: Janumada Jodi)
References
- ↑ "Singer Shastri drops ‘composer’ Chaitanya". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ↑ "Melody Grand Audio". Indiaglitz. 12 August 2014.