Rajan–Nagendra

Rajan–Nagendra were an Indian musical duo who were prominent composers of film music in Kannada and Telugu cinema from the late 1950s to the 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 remainder in other languages like Telugu, Tamil, 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.

Rajan–Nagendra
Rajan–Nagendra brothers
Born
Rajan
Nagendrappa

1933 (Rajan)
1935 (Nagendra)
DiedOctober 11, 2020(2020-10-11) (aged 87) (Rajan)
November 4, 2000(2000-11-04) (aged 65) (Nagendra)
OccupationMusic composers
Years active1952–1999

Childhood

Rajan (1933–2020) and Nagendrappa (1935–2000)[1] were 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.[2]

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, Karnatak, 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 and later in Central High School. Rajan learnt the violin and appeared at the state level violin competition, where he secured the first place.

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

In 1951, Nagendra returned to Mysore and completed his matriculation. Then he joined P. Kalinga Rao, who was then a famous radio artiste. Within no time, Nagendra got an opportunity to sing 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. This movie opened the doors of success and they never looked back for more than four decades. After 'Sowbhagya Lakshmi' came Vittalacharya's 'Chanchalakumari', 'Rajalakshmi' and 'Mutthaide Bhagya' in a series to pave the way 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 to 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 others.

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 70 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 songs in the Rajkumar-Lakshmi 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 Naa Ninna Bidalaare, Benkiya Bale and Chandanada Gombe.

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, Dr. Rajkumar, late Kishore Kumar, Balasubrahmanyam, Jesudas, P. Jayachandran, Rajesh Krishna and many more. The popular female vocalists are Bala Saraswati, Soolamangalam sisters, P. Leela, S. Janaki, Vani Jairam, Rani, L. R. Easwari, P. Susheela, Jikki, Chitra and many more.

Hundreds of Rajan–Nagendra songs were sung by legendary singers P. B. Srinivas, S. Janaki, Dr. Rajkumar, SPB. Almost all of them remain etched as the unforgettable melodies of Kannada Cinema. The love songs of SPB-SJ-Rajan–Nagendra combination are considered to be heavenly. Such 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 and 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 Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Tulu, and Sinhalese.

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

Composition

Some unforgettable Rajan–Nagendra numbers:

Kannada:

  • Akashave beelali mele from Nyayave Devaru
  • Aakaasha deepavu neenu from Pavana Ganga
  • Aakaashadinda dharegilida from Chandanada Gombe
  • Aaseya bhaava olavina jeeva from Mangalya Bhagya
  • Aalaya Mrugalaya from Mrugalaya
  • Aralutide moha from Nanobba Kalla
  • Baanallu neene bhuviyallu neene from Bayalu Dari
  • Bandeya baalina belakaagi from Avala Hejje
  • Bisiladarenu Maleyadarenu from Benkiya bale
  • Beladinglondu hennagi bandanthe kande from Premanubandha
  • Beluvalda madilalli bevara hani biddaga from Beluvaladha Madilalli
  • Cheluveya andada mogake from Devara Gudi
  • Dundu mallige mathaadeya from Nanna Devaru
  • Ee bhaavageete ninagaagi haadide from Onde Guri
  • Ellelli Nodali Ninnane Kanuve from Na ninna mareyalare
  • Endendu ninnanu maretu from Eradu Kanasu
  • E Hrudaya Haadige from Suprabhata
  • Gopilola hey gopala from Nari munidare maari
  • Halliyadarenu shiva dilliyadarenu shiva from Mayor Muttanna
  • Hosa balige née joteyade from Naa ninna bidalare
  • Indu enage govinda from Eradu Kanasu
  • Jeeva veene from Hombisilu
  • Kanasalu neene manasalu neene from Bayalu Dari
  • Kangalu vandane helide from Mugiyada Kathe
  • Kumkumaviruvude hanegaagi from Naaniruvude Ninaagaagi
  • Mamaravello Kogileyello from Devara Gudi
  • Manasu manasu ondadare from Preethi madu Tamasha nodu
  • Maneyanu Belagide Indu from Chandanada Gombe
  • Mathu chenna mauna chenna from Rama Lakshmana
  • Modalane dinave olide from Pavana Ganga
  • Muthina hanigalu from Bayasade Banda Bhagya
  • Na haadalu neevu aadabeku from Kalla Kulla
  • Naa ninna mareyalaare from Naa ninna mareyalaare
  • Naliva gulabi hoove from Auto Raja
  • Nanna haadu nannadu from Suprabhata
  • Nanu neenu ondada mele from Na ninna bidalare
  • Navaduva Nudiye Kannada Nudi from Gandhadha Gudi
  • Neera bittu nelada mele from Hombisilu
  • Neralanu Kanada lateyante from Avala Hejje
  • Notadage nageya meeti from Parasangada Genda Timma
  • Omme ninnannu kann tumba from Gaali matu
  • Prema preethi nannusiru from Singapoorinalli Raja Kulla
  • Tam nam tam nam nannee manasu midiyutide from Eradu Kanasu
  • Tarikere yeri mele mooru kari kuri mari from Devara Duddu
  • Tera eri ambaradage from Parasangada Genda Timma
  • Thareyu baanige thaavare neerige from Biligiriya Banadali
  • Thai thai thai thai bangari from Giri Kanye
  • Yuga yugagale saagali from Hrudaya Geethe

Telugu:

  • Emo emo idhi (Aggi pidigu)
  • Ennenno Janmalabandham (Puja)
  • Ningi nela (Puja)
  • Pujaluseya (Puja)
  • Veena venuvaina sarigama (Intinti Ramayanam)
  • Intinti Ramayanam (Intinti Ramayanam)
  • Chinukula raali (Nalugu Sthambhalaata)
  • Manasa veena madhugeetam (Panthulamma)
  • Sirimalleneeva (Panthulamma)
  • Letha chaligalulu (Moodu mullu)
  • Neekosam yavvanamantha (Moodu mullu)
  • Neekallalo Snehamu (Prema Khaidi)
  • Aakaasam Nee Haddu Ra (Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi)
  • Nagamalli Vo Teega Malli Vo (Nagamalli)
  • Kastandhuko (Rendu Rellu Aaru)
  • Viraha Veena (Rendu Rellu Aaru)
  • Parimalinchu Punnamilo (Puli Bebbuli)

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.[3]

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.

Deaths

Nagendra, the younger one of the duo, died of a stroke in Bowring & Lady Curzon Hospitals, Bangalore, on 4 November 2000. He was being treated for hernia, but later developed complications from high blood pressure and diabetes.[5][6]

Rajan died on 11 October 2020 due to cardiac arrest in Bengaluru. He was also suffering from other age related ailments.[7]

Later activity

Rajan continued his work along with his son R. Ananth Kumar. He published a book titled "Haado Suswara Sangeetha" regarding an innovative notation system for music enthusiasts. They were also conducting music classes by name "Sapthaswaranjali" for vocal enthusiasts on voice culturing and film singing.

Discography

Kannada

YearFilm titleRemarks
1952Sowbhagya Lakshmi
1953Chanchala KumariDebut film as music director[8]
1954Kanyaa Daana
1954Rajalakshmi
1956Muthaide Bhagya
1958Maangalya Yoaga
1958Mane Thumbida Hennu
1959Manege Banda Mahalakshmi
1961Naagaarjuna
1962Ratnamanjari
1964Mangala Muhurta
1964Annapoorna
1964Navajeevana
1964Veera Sankalpa
1965Paathala Mohini
1966Eendu Ninnavane
1966Mantralaya Mahatme
1966Sri Kannika Parameshwari Katha
1967Sathi Sukanya
1967Anuraadha
1967Bangaarada Hoovu
1967Devara Gedda Maanava
1968Adda Daari
1968Pravaasi Mandira
1969Mayor Muthanna
1970Aaparaajithe
1970Boregowda Bangalorige Bandha
1970Kanneeru
1970Muru Muttugalu
1971Anugraha
1971Nyayave Devaru
1971Onde Kula Onde Daiva
1972Bhale Huchcha
1972Kulla Agent 000Kishore Kumar sang for this movie
1972Naari Munidare Maari
1972Vishakanye
1973Beesida Bale
1973Cowboy Kulla
1973Dharmapatni
1973Gandhada Gudi
1973Swayamvara
1974Eradu KanasuKarnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director
1974Mahaa Thyaga
1974Prema Paasha
1974Professor Huchuraya
1974Sri Srinivasa Kalyana
1975Beluvalada Madilaali
1975Devara Gudi
1975Kalla Kulla
1975Mantra Shakthi
1976Bayalu Daari
1976Maangalya Bhagya
1976Mugiyada Kathe
1976Naa Ninna Mareyalare
1976Vijaya Vaani
1977Bayasade Banda Bhagya
1977Bhagyavantharu
1977Devara Duddu
1977Pavana Ganga
1977Taayiginta Devarilla
1978Hombisilu
1978Kiladi Jodi
1978Kittu Puttu
1978Madhura Sangama
1978Parasangada GendethimmaKarnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director
1978Phoenix
1978Singapuralli Raja Kulla
1979Chandanada Gombe
1979Maralu Sarapani
1979Naa Ninna Bidalaare
1979Naaniruvude Ninaagaagi
1979Nanobba Kalla
1979Preethi Maadu Tamashe Nodu
1979Putani Agent 123
1980Auto Raja
1980Biligiriya Banadalli
1980Kulla Kulli
1980Manku Thimma
1980Point Parimala
1980Rama Lakshmana
1980Rama-Parashurama
1981Avala Hejje
1981Chadurida Chitragulu
1981Gaali Maathu
1981Jeevakke Jeeva
1981Koodi Baalidare Swarga Sukha
1981Muniyana Maadari
1981Prema Pallavi
1981Premaanubandha
1981Yava Hoovu Yara Mudigo
1982Chalisuva Modagalu
1982Archana
1982Bettale Seve
1982Nanna Devaru
1982Paraajitha
1982Tony
1983Benkiya Bale
1983Gayathri Maduve
1983Ibbani Karagithu
1983Jaggu
1983Onde Guri
1983Prema Parva
1984Prema Saakshi
1984Kalinga Sarpa
1984Marali Goodige
1984Maryade Mahalu
1984Mooru Janma
1984Olavu Moodidaga
1984Onde Raktha
1984Preethi Vatsalya
1984Premigala Saval
1984Yarivanu
1985Bettada Hoovu
1985Bidugadeya Bedi
1985Giribaale
1985Jeevana Chakra
1985Kaadina Raja
1985Sedina Hakki
1985Shabdagalu
1986Guri
1986Mattondu Charithre
1986Mrugaalaya
1986Prema Gange
1986Seelu Nakshatra
1986Usha
1986Vishwa Roopa
1987Aapadbaandava
1987Inspector Kranti Kumar
1987Karunamayi
1988Arjun
1988Dharmathma
1988Jananayaka
1988Nammoora Raja
1988Sambhavaami Yuge Yuge
1988Suprabhatha
1989Doctor Krishna
1989Gagana
1989Hrudaya Geethe
1990Baare Nanna Muddina Raani
1990Chapala Chennigaraya
1990Ganeshana Maduve
1990Kempu Surya
1990Mathe Haditu Kogile
1990Shivashankar
1991Gandanige Takka Hendathi
1991Gauri Ganesha
1991Jagadeka Veera
1991Mangalya
1991Modada Mareyali
1991Nagu Naguta Nali
1992Aathma Bandhana
1992Hatamari Hennu Kiladi Gandu
1992Kaliyuga Seethe
1992Mysore Jaana
1992Nanna Shatru
1992Ondu Cinema Kathe
1992Prema Sangama
1992Shivanaga
1993Bahaddoor Hennu
1993Huvondu Beku Ballige
1993Jaga Mechida Huduga
1993Jeevana Sangharsha
1993Naanendu Nimmavane
1993Suryodaya
1993Urvashi Kalyana
1994Bhutaayi Makkalu
1994Gandhada Gudi Part 2
1994Poorna Satya
1994Yaarigu Haelbedi
1995Bangaarada Kalasa
1995Ganeshana Galate
1995Giddu Daada
1995Karulina Kudi
1995State Rowdy
1995Yama Kinkara
1996Bangarada Mane
1996Baalina Jyothi
1996Suryaputra
1997Choo Bhaana
1997Janani Janmabhoomi
1998Arjun Abhimanyu
1998Bayalu Deepa
1998Hrudayanjali
1998Jagat Kilaadi
1999Prema Prema Prema

Telugu

YearFilm titleRemarks
1959Pelli Meedha Pelli
1960Kanaka Durga Pooja Mahima
1960Anna Chellelu
1962Khaidhi Kannayya
1962Madhana Kaamaraju Katha
1964Aggi Pidugu
1964Navagraha Pooja Mahima
1971Varalakshmi Vratam
1975Pooja (1975 film)
1977Panthulamma
1978Sommokadidi Sokokadidi
1979Intinti Ramayanam
1980Allari Baava
1980Nagamalli
1980Thathayya Premaleelalu
1981Maa Pelli Katha
1981Pranaya Geetham
1982Manchu Pallaki
1982Vayyari Bhaamalu Vagalamaari Bharthalu
1982Naalugu Stambhalata
1982Maa Intaina Katha
1983Kotikkodau
1983Moodu Mullu
1983Puli Bebbuli
1983Lanke Bindelu
1984Raju Raani Jockey
1985Anuraga Bandham
1985Rendu Rella Aaru
1986Aadapaduchu
1987Raaga Leela
1988Choopulu Kalisina Subhavela
1987Raaga Leela
1991Prema Khaidi
1991Appula Appa Rao

Tamil

Malayalam

See also

References

  1. The Man Behind Evergreen Songs. The Hindu.
  2. "Rajan-Nagendra Childhood". tollywoodtimes.com. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  3. "Rajan Nagendra".
  4. "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
  5. "A composer signs off proudly". themusicmagazine.com. 4 November 2000. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  6. "Music director Nagendra dead". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 April 2001. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  7. "Music composer Rajan of famed duo Rajan-Nagendra, passes away". New Indian Express. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  8. [url=http://www.themusicmagazine.com/nagendraobit.html]
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