Rajan and Nagendra were musicians who were prominent composer of film music in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.Rajan was born in Shivarampet of Mysore in a middle-class family. Rajan-Nagendra has given hundreds of melodious tunes for 375 films and composed innumerable hits in their career spanning four decades.

Childhood

Their Father Rajappa was a musician himself, well versed in playing harmonium

Harmonium

A harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...

 and the flute. He was a playing artiste for the silent movies. But once the talkie movies came he got busy with his other music performances. This musical atmosphere had a profound effect on the two young minds. Within a short time, each of them attained proficiency in playing a different instrument – Rajan in violin

Violin

The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....

 and Nagendra in Jal tarang

Jal tarang

The Jal Tarang , Jaltarang, Jal-tarang, Jal-yantra, Jalatarangam or Jalatharangam, is an Indian melodic percussion instrument. It consists of a set of ceramic bowls tuned with water...

. Rajan used to listen to musical performances of eminent musicians at choudayya ramamandiram
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

At Bangalore Rajan studied in S.L.N. School in the K.R. Market area, Later in central high school. Rajan learnt the violin

Violin

The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....

 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

P. Kalinga Rao

Pandeshwara Kalinga Rao was a Bhavageete and Sugama Sangeetha singer and composer in the Kannada language who was known as the "Monarch of light music in Kannada" He popularised Kannada Bhavageete, a form of music which derives lyrics from popular poetry and devotional works...

 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.

Music 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.

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 manny 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 Gantasala, Kala Govindarajan, P.B.Srinivas, late Kishore Kumar, Balasubramanyam, 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.

Their first award film in kannada was "Eradu Kanasu" in 1973-74 and "Parasangada Gende Thimma" in 1978-79, they were the first recipient of best music director award for the telugu film "Panthulamma" in 1979 and 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.

Naa Ninna Mareyalaare, Gandhada Gudi

Gandhada Gudi

Gandhada Gudi is a 1973 Kannada movie. Starring Dr. Rajkumar, directed by Vijay and produced by M.P. Shankar. Its the 150th movie of Dr. Rajkumar. Similar movie was then made in Telugu as Adavi Ramudu , starring N. T. Rama Rao. Because of the film's success, there was a sequel made called Gandhada...

, 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)

Rajan-Nagendra were in the same class as Hindi cinema's popular composing duo Laxmikanth Pyarelal. They had the same flair for composing technically flawless and violin-rich orchestral interludes, and enjoyed an equally long innings in the industry.

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

Hundreds of Rajan-Nagendra songs were sung by Legendary singers P.B.Shreenivas, S. Janaki

S. Janaki

S. Janaki is an Indian female playback singer. Renowned for her voice modulation abilities, she has sung in many Indian languages, most frequently in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, she has won four National Film Awards and 35...

, SPB

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam is a multilingual Indian playback singer, actor, music director, voice actor and a film producer. He is referred to as S. P. B. or Balu by the media. He has won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer six times closely following K. J. Yesudas...

. 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 a 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.

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

Manjula

- The arts :* Manjula , a Kannada film actress* Manjula Ghattamaneni, an Indian film producer and actress* Manjula Padmanabhan an Indian playwright, artist and author* Manjula Vijayakumar, a Tamil film actress...

 and Kalpana

Kalpana

Kalpana is a Sanskrit word that means "creativity" and "imagination" in Marathi, Hindi and Nepali. It is also a popular female Hindu name.It may also refer to:* Kalpana , at NASAs Ames Research Center...

.

The pair directed music for about 400 films in Tamil

Tamil language

Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...

, Telugu

Telugu language

Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...

, Tulu

Tulu language

The Tulu language |?]]]) is a Dravidian language spoken by 1.95 million native speakers mainly in the southwest part of Indian state Karnataka known as Tulu Nadu. In India, 1.72 million people speak it as their mother tongue , increased by 10 percent over the 1991 census...

 and Sinhalese

Sinhalese people

The Sinhalese are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group,forming the majority of Sri Lanka,constituting 74% of the Sri Lankan population.They number approximately 15 million worldwide.The Sinhalese identity is based on language, heritage and religion. The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language and the...

 including 200 in Kannada.

Hombisilu

Hombisilu

Hombisilu is a super hit Kannada movie starring Vishnuvardhan and Arati. Vishnuvardhan won the best actor award for this film.-Synopsis:...

, starring Vishnuvardhan, was another big hit. In the '80s, they made the music for some Telugu

Telugu language

Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...

 films, including Maa Intayana Katha, Puli Bebbuli and Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bharathulu. They composed the music for about 35 Telugu

Telugu language

Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...

 films.

Rajan-Nagendra also did a series of films starring Anant Nag

Anant Nag

Anant Nagarkatte popularly known as Anant Nag is an actor and politician from Karnataka, India. He is considered to be one of the all time greatest actors in the Kannada film industry with a vast number of commercially successful movies. As a result, he is popularly known as an actor with...

, and Lakshmi

Lakshmi

Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...

, notable among them being Benkiya Bale and Chandanada Gombe etc.

Some unforgettable Rajan-Nagendra numbers:

• Aakaasha deepavu neenu
• Aaseya bhaava olavina jeeva
• Baanallu neene bhuviyallu neene
• Bandeya baalina belakaagi
• Beladinglondu hennagi bandanthe kande
• Beluvalda madilalli bevara hani biddaga
• Dundu mallige mathaadeya
• Endendu ninnanu maretu
• Jeeva veene
• Kanasalu neene manasalu neene
• Kangalu vandane helide
• Kumkumaviruvude hanegaagi
• Mathu chenna mauna chenna
• Modalane dinave olide
• Muthina hanigalu
• Tam nam tam nam nannee manasu midiyutide
• Thareyu baanige thaavare neerige
• Indu enage govinda
• Naavaduva nudiye Kannada nudi
• Naa ninna mareyalaare
• Neera bittu nelada mele
• Ee bhaavageete ninagaagi haadide

Nagendra's death

Nagendra, passed away in Bowring hospital at Bangalore on November 4, 2000.He is survived by his wife Nagarathna,who was a school teacher.At present Nagarathna stays with her brothers and sisters at Mysore.Another lady Jayalakshmi also claims to be Nagendra's wife.

current status

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.

Partial discography

• Aapadbaandava (1987)
• Aaparaajithe (1970)
• Adda Daari (1968)
• Annapoorna (1964)
• Anugraha (1971)
• Anuraadha (1967)
• Anuraaga Bandhana (1978)
• Archana (1982)
• Arjun (1988)
• Arjun Abhimanyu (1998)
• Atma Bandhana (1992)
• Auto Raja (1980)
• Avala Hejje (1981)
• Baa Nanna Preethisu (1992)
• Baalina Jyothi (1996)
• Baare Nanna Muddina Raani (1990)
• Bahaddoor Hennu (1993)
• Bangaarada Hoovu (1967)
• Bangaarada Kalasa (1995)
• Bangaarada Mane (1996)
• Bayalu Daari (1976)
• Bayalu Deepa (1998)
• Bayasade Banda Bhagya (1977)
• Beesida Bale (1973)
• Beluvalada Madilaali (1975)
• Benkiya Bale (1983)
• Bettada Hoovu (1985)
• Bettale Seve (1982)
• Bhagyavantharu (1977)
• Bhale Huccha (1972)
• Bhutaayi Makkalu (1994)
• Bidugadeya Baedi (1985)
• Biligiriya Banadalli (1980)
• Boregowda Bangalorige Bandha (1970)
• Chadurida Chitragulu (1981)
• Chalisuva Modagalu
  Chalisuva Modagalu
  Chalisuva Modagalu is an Indian Kannada language movie starring Dr.Rajkumar.The movie is famous for its evergreen songs which is rendered by music duo Rajan-Nagendra.It was superhit when released....
  
   (1982)
• Chanchala Kumari (1953)
• Chandanada Gombe (1979)
• Chapala Chennigaraya (1990)
• Choo Bhaana (1997)
• Cowboy Kulla (1973)
• Devara Duddu (1977)
• Devara Gedda Maanava (1967)
• Devara Gudi (1975)
• Dharmaatma (1988)
• Dharmapatni (1973)
• Dr. Krishna (1989)
• Eendu Ninnavane (1966)
• Eradu Kanasu (1974)
• Gaalimathu (1981)
• Gagana (1989)
• Gandada Gudi (1973)
• Gandanige Takka Hendathi (1991)
• Gandhada Gudhi 2 (1994)
• Ganeshana Galate (1995)
• Ganeshana Maduve
  Ganeshana Maduve
  Ganeshana Maduve is a 1990 Kannada romantic comedy-drama film directed by Phani Ramachandra. It stars Anant Nag, Vinaya Prasad, Mukhyamantri Chandru, Ramesh Bhat among others...
  
  (1990)
• Gayathri Maduve (1983)
• Giddu Daada (1995)
• Giribaale (1985)
• Girikanye (1977)
• Gauri Ganesha
  Gauri Ganesha
  Gauri Ganesha is a 1991 Kannada comedy-drama film directed by Phani Ramachandra. It stars Anant Nag, Vinaya Prasad, Mukhyamantri Chandru, Ramesh Bhat among others.-Cast:*Anant Nag as Lambodhara*Vinaya Prasad...
  
   (1991)
• Guri (1986)
• Hatamaari Hennu Kilaadi Gandu (1992)
• Hombisilu
  Hombisilu
  Hombisilu is a super hit Kannada movie starring Vishnuvardhan and Arati. Vishnuvardhan won the best actor award for this film.-Synopsis:...
  
   (1978)
• Hrudaya Geethe (1989)
• Hrudayanjali (1998)
• Huvondu Beku Ballige (1993)
• Ibbani Karagithu
• Inspector Kranti Kumar (1987)
• Jaga Mecchida Huduga (1993)
• Jagadeka Veera (1991)
• Jagat Kilaadi (1998)
• Jaggu (1983)
• Jananayaka (1988)
• Janani Janmabhoomi (1997)
• Jeevakke Jeeva (1981)
• Jeevana Chakra (1985)
• Jeevana Sangharsha (1993)
• Kaadina Raja (1985)
• Kalinga Sarpa (1984)
• Kaliyuga Seethe (1992)
• Kalla Kulla (1975)
• Kanneeru (1970)
• Kanyaa Daana (1954)
• Karulina Kudi (1995)
• Karunaamaye (1987)
• Kempu Surya (1990)
• Kilaadi Jodi (1978)
• Kittu-Puttu (1977)
• Koodi Baalidare Swarga Sukha (1981)
• Kulla Agent 000 (1972)
• Kulla-Kulli (1980)
• Maangalya (1991)
• Maangalya Bhagya (1976)
• Maangalya Yoaga (1958)
• Madhura Sangama (1978)
• Mahaa Thyaga (1974)
• Manchu Pallaki
  Manchu Pallaki
  Manchu Pallaki is a 1982 Telugu film directed by Vamsy. The film stars Chiranjeevi, Suhasini Mani Ratnam, Rajendra Prasad, and Narayan Rao in important roles. This film was director Vamsy's debut film as director...
  
   (1982)
• Mane Thumbida Hennu (1958)
• Manege Banda Mahalakshmi (1959)
• Mangala Muhurta (1964)
• Manku Thimma (1980)
• Manthralaya Mahatme (1966)
• Mantra Shakthi (1975)
• Marali Goodige (1984)
• Maralu Sarapali (1979)
• Maryade Mahalu (1984)
• Matthe Haadithu Kogile (1990)
• Mattondu Charithre (1986)
• Mayor Muttanna (1969)
• Modada Mareyali (1991)
• Mooru Janma (1984)
• Mrugaalaya (1986)
• Mugiyada Kathe (1976)
• Muniyana Maadari (1981)
• Muru Muttugalu (1970)
• Muthaide Bhagya (1956)
• Mysuru Jaana (1992)
• Na Ninna Bidalaare (1979)
• Na Ninna Mareyalaare (1976)
• Naagaarjuna (1961)
• Naanendu Nimmavane (1993)
• Naaniruvude Ninaagaagi (1979)
• Naari Munidare Maari (1972)
• Nagu Naguta Nali (1991)
• Nammura Raja (1988)
• Nanna Devaru (1982)
• Nanna Shatru (1992)
• Nanobba Kalla (1979)
• Navajeevana (1964)
• Nyayave Devaru (1971)
• Olavu Moodidaaga (1984)
• Onde Kula Onde Daiva (1971)
• Onde Raktha (1984)
• Ondea Guri (1983)
• Ondu Cinema Kathe (1992)
• Paathala Mohini (1965)
• Paavana Ganga (1977)
• Panthulamma
  Panthulamma
  Panthulamma or Pantulamma is a 1977 Telugu Drama film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The film won Nandi Award for Best Music direction for Rajan-Nagendra and Lyricist for Veturi Sundararama Murthy and also Laksmi for best actress.-Cast:* Ranganath * Lakshmi * Deepa* Sarath...
  
   (1978)
• Paraajitha (1982)
• Parasangada Genddetimma (1978)
• Phoenix (1978)
• Point Parimala (1980)
• Pooja (1975)
• Poorna Satya (1994)
• Pravaasi Mandira (1968)
• Preethi Maadu Tamashe Nodu (1979)
• Preethi Vatsalya (1984)
• Prema Gange (1986)
• Prema Paasha (1974)
• Prema Pallavai (1981)
• Prema Parva (1983)
• Prema Prema (1999)
• Prema Saakshi (1984)
• Prema Sangama (1992)
• Premaanubandha (1981)
• Premigala Sawaal (1984)
• Professor Huchurayya (1974)
• Putaani Agent 123 (1979)
• Rajalakshmi (1954)
• Rama Lakshmana (1980)
• Rama-Parashurama (1980)
• Ratnamanjari (1962)
• Saedina Hakki (1985)
• Sambhavaami Yuge Yuge (1988)
• Sathi Sukanya (1967)
• Seelu Nakshatra (1986)
• Shabdagalu (1985)
• Shivanaaga (1992)
• Shivashankar (1990)
• Singapuralli Raja Kulla (1978)
• Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi
  Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi
  Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi is a 1978 Telugu-language Indian feature film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, starring Kamal Haasan in a dual role for the first time in his career.-Plot:...
  
   (1978)
• Sowbhagya Lakshmi (1953)
• Sri Kannika Parameshwari Katha (1966)
• Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1974)
• State Rowdy (1995)
• Suprabhatha (1996)
• Suryaputra (1996)
• Suryodaya (1993)
• Swayamvara (1973)
• Taayiginta Devarilla (1977)
• Tony (1982)
• Urvashi Kalyana (1993)
• Usha (1986)
• Veera Sankalpa (1964)
• Vijaya Vaani (1976)
• Vishakanye (1972)
• Vishwa Roopa (1986)
• Yaarigu Haelbedi (1994)
• Yaarivanu (1984)
• Yama Kinkara (1995)
• Yara Hoovu Yara Mudigo (1981)

See also

• Dr. Rajkumar
• G K Venkatesh
  G K Venkatesh
  Gurjada Krishnadas Venkatesh , was a prominent composer of film music in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and until the late 1980s. He also composed music for Tamil and Telugu movies. He produced numerous master pieces of Kannada film music...
  
  
• Vijaya bhaskar
  Vijaya Bhaskar
  Vijaya Bhaskar was a Kannada Music director. He was known for his songs composed in association with Puttanna Kanagal.-Career:...
  
  
• Cinema of Karnataka
  Cinema of Karnataka
  The cinema of Karnataka , sometimes colloquially referred to as Sandalwood and as Chandanavana in Kannada, encompasses movies made in the Indian state of Karnataka based in Bangalore. Most of the movies are made in Kannada, with a handful of them in Konkani or Tulu. Today more than 100 films are...