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) Mysore, Mysore State, British India
Died	October 11, 2020(2020-10-11) (aged 87) (Rajan) November 4, 2000(2000-11-04) (aged 65) (Nagendra)
Occupation	Music composers
Years active	1952–1999

Childhood

Rajan (1933–2020) and Nagendrappa (1935–2000) 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.

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 Mareyalare, Naa Ninna Bidalaare, Hombisilu, Bayalu Daari, Pavana 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.

Tribute Concert and Felicitation to Rajan in 2018 in Hyderabad:

6 decades of Rajan- Nagendra's Cine music glory and full fledged concert was organized by Vamsee International along with singer Sarada Akunuri USA in Hyderabad on March 1st, 2018. Golden era director Rajan was felicitated with Ghantasala gold medal and music concert. Sri Rajan graced the event along with his son Ananth Rajan. At the age of 85, it was amazing to see Sri Rajan to sit and listen so intently for almost 4 hours.

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)
• Mallelu poose Vennela kaase (Intinti Ramayanam)
• 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.

Their first award film in Kannada was

• Eradu Kanasu in 1973–74 – State Award for Best Music Director
• Parasangada Gendethimma in 1978–79 – State Award for Best Music Director
• He won Nandi Award for Best Music Director - "Panthulamma" (1979)

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.

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

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

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

Telugu

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

Tamil

• Ellorum Vazhavendum (1962)
• Veettukku Veedu Vaasapadi (1979)

Malayalam

• Kaattu Rani (1985)
• Lady Teacher (1982)

See also

• Cinema of Karnataka

External links

• Rajan Nagendra at Gaana
• Rajan Nagendra at Raaga.com
• Rajan–Nagendra discography at Discogs