G.K. Venkatesh

Gurjada Krishnadas Venkatesh (GKV) (Kannada : ಗುರ್ಜದ ಕೃಷ್ಣದಾಸ ವೆಂಕಟೇಶ, Telugu గురజాడ కృష్ణదాసు వెంకటేష్, Tamil: ஜி.கே. வெங்கடேஷ்) (b. 1927-09-21; d. November 1993) 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. He also brought in Western background score into Kannada films and scored music for all Bond movies of Dr.Raj in 60-70's. V Harikrishna, popular Kannada film music director, is GK Venkatesh's son-in-law. , Early life edit: He learned music since young and was very talented. Even as a child, he was appreciated by the Raja of Bobbili. He learned veena from his elder brother G. K. S. Pathi. As a teenager, he played veenai for the great music directors such as S. V. Venkatraman, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and C. R. Subburaman. GKV was also a talented singer. Before entering to cinema, he was singing in the in Bangalore All India Radio. He had done chorus under S. V. Venkatraman for Meera. Career edit: This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2011) He became a close friend to M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) while working under S. M. Subbaiah Naidu during the late 1940s. They shared the same room in Jupiter Lodge, Madras when MSV was offered to compose some songs for Genova. When N. S. Krishnan offered an opportunity to M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy to compose music for Panam (1952) for Madras Pictures, GKV became a part of their troupe. He had a chance to sing Ezhayin Kovilai Naadinaen in Panam which was also Sivaji Ganesan's second film. He was named as their assistant by M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy. In 1952, he composed music independently for a Malayalam film, which was also dubbed in Tamil as Nadigai. In 1955, he started to compose music for a Kannada film named Sodari starring Rajkumar (his second film) and Pandaribai along with H. R. Padmanabha Shastry. Since then he became a much sought after and one of the successful music directors in Kannada films along with T. G. Lingappa and Vijaya Bhaskar. He was showered with offers where he composed music from Ohileshwara (1955) till Kalitaaru Henne (1963) in a row. GKV launched P. B. Sreenivos as a successful in Kannada films. He came back to Tamil films in 1964 for Thirumagal Films movie Magale Un Samathu. Since then he began to compose music for both Tamil and Kannada films. In the late 1960s, it is notable that Ilaiyaraja and L. Vaidyanathan were playing instruments under GKV's troupe, assisting to compose music. Work with Rajkumar edit: This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2011) GKV composed music for 51 films in which Dr. Rajkumar played the lead role. He launched Dr. Rajkumar as a singer in the film Ohileshwara (song: Sharanu Shambho) and also recorded Dr.Rajkumar's first duet in Mahishasura Mardhini (song: Tumbitu Manava with S. Janaki). GKV would insist Dr. Rajkumar to sing regularly, owing to his grooming in the Gubbi Company. Rajkumar, however preferred P. B. Sreenivos, to sing for him. In 1974, P. B. Sreenivos, was hesitant to sing the song (song: Yare Koogadali) in the movie Sampattige Saval. The song had the hero singing praises of a buffalo and the conservative-minded P. B. Sreenivos wasn't enthusiastic to sing it. GKV proposed to Rajkumar to sing the song. It marked the re-emergence of the Singer in Rajkumar. A versatile music director, GKV used elaborate Western-style orchestration in his songs, be they of any genre. He successfully brought Master singer Dr. Bhimsen Joshi to sing for films Sandhyaraga (1966). Bhimsen Joshi sang again in the movie Nodi Swami Navirodu Heege (1983). Ustad Bismillah Khan was reluctant to play Shehnai for films during his later part of years. GKV got the Maestro to play Shehnai for lead character Appanna, enacted by Dr.Rajkumar in Sanadi Appanna (1977). The songs became chartbusters and are aired regularly on the Kannada Radio. Work with Ilaiyaraaja edit: This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2011) Ilaiyaraaja was hired as an assistant by GKV, an event that marked the entry of Ilaiyaraaja into film music composition and direction. Ilaiyaraaja assisted GKV in 200 film projects. Later Ilaiyaraaja went on to become one of the most prominent film music composers in India. When Venkatesh was left with no films and after his failure as a film producer, Ilaiyaraaja took him into his fold, and GKV remained an essential element of Ilaiyaraaja's ensemble till 1993. Acting edit: This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2011) GKV had a small part to play in AVM Productions's Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu in 1986 in which he acted in the role of Mohan's musician father. His dialogues were dubbed by V. Gopalakrishnan. The music directors were M. S. Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraja. He had appeared on-screen in the Kannada movie Kanteredu Nodu in 1961 in the song Kannadada Makkalella Ondagi Banni, composed and sung by himself. Film producer edit: This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2011) During the fledgling days of Kannada film movement, he produced movies such as Ranadheera Kantheerava, Immadi Pulikeshi in partnership with other artists. In 1987, he produced the Ramarajan and Revathi starrer Gramathu Minnal Tamil film. Works edit: Prominent compositions of G. K. Venkatesh in Kannada include: Kannadati taaye baa from Sandhyaaraaga by Pt Bhimsen Joshi, Nambide ninna naadadevateye from Sandhyaaraaga sung in three different versions (Hindusthani and Carnatic) by Pt Bhimsen Joshi, M. Balamuralikrishna and S. Janaki respectively., Aaha Mysuru Mallige from Bangarada Manushya by P. B. Sreenivas, Aadisi nodu, beelisi nodu from Kasturi Nivasa by P. B. Sreenivas, Aadisidaata besara moodi from Kasturi Nivasa by G. K. Venkatesh himself., Elli Mareyaade from Bhakta Kumbara by P. B. Sreenivos, Preetine aa dyaavru tanda aasti namma baalige from Doorada betta by P. B. Sreenivas & S. Janaki, Kannadada makkalella ondaagi banni from kanteredu nodu by himself, Ilidu baa taayi from Arisina Kumkuma by P. B. Sreenivas, Ravivarmana kunchaa kale from Sose tanda soubhagya by P. B. Sreenivas, If you come today, it's too early from Operation Diamond Rocket by Dr Rajkumar, Baalu belakaayitu.. from Haalu Jenu by Dr Rajkumar, Ninade nenapu dinavu manadalli.. from Raja nanna raja by Dr Rajkumar, Naariya seere kadda, radheya manava gedda.. from Daari Thappida Maga by Dr Rajkumar, Karedaroo kelade and Ninagaagi ododi bande from Sanadi Appanna by S. Janaki and Dr Rajkumar with Bismillah Khan on the Shehanai., Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar's Kannada composition in the raaga Mohanakalyani Bhuvaneshwariya nene maanasave in Mareyada Haadu by S. Janaki., Bhagyada lakshmi baaramma in Nodi swami naavirodu heege by Pt Bhimsen Joshi, Gelati baaradu intha samaya in Eradu Nakshatragalu by Dr Rajkumar, Some compositions of G. K. Venkatesh in Tamil, include: Unga Manasu Oru Dhinusu from Magale Un Samathu by K. Jamuna Rani, Vaa Vaa Vaa En Thalaiva from Naanum Manithan Thaan by T. A. Mothi & S. Janaki, Kaatru Varum Kaalamondru from Naanum Manithan Thaan by P. B. Sreenivos & S. Janaki, Poonthendral Isaipaada from Thaayin Karunai by P. B. Sreenivos, Netru Nadanthathu from Thaayin Karunai by A. L. Ragavan & S. Janaki, Thoduvathenna Thendralo Malargalo from Sabatham by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Then Sindhudhe Vaanamfrom Ponukku Thanga Manasu by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki, Naan Paartha Rathidevi Enge from Kannil Theriyum Kathaigal by A. L. Ragavan, Maasi Maadham Muhurtha Neram Medai Mangalam from Pennin Vaazhkkai by Jayachandran & P. Suseela, Azhagiya Sennira Vaanam from Kashmir Kadhali by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki, Azhagiya Malarkkodi Pazhagiya Manikkili from Inaindha Kodugal by K. J. Yesudas & Vani Jairam, Some compositions of G. K. Venkatesh in Telugu include: Paadana Tenugu Paata Paravasanai Mee Eduta Ee Paata from America Ammayi by P. Susheela, Raasanu Premalekhalenno Daachanu Aashalenno Neelo from Sridevi by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S.Janaki, Ravi Varmake Andani Oke Oka Andanivo from Ravanude Ramudaite by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Filmography edit: Music direction edit: Year Film Language 1952 Nadigai Malayalam 1952 Nadigai Tamil 1955 Sodari (with H.R. Padmanabha Shastry) Kannada 1955 Ohileshwara Kannada 1956 Haribhaktha Kannada 1958 Anna Thangi Kannada 1959 Jagajyothi Basaveshwara Kannada 1959 Dharma Vijaya Kannada 1959 Mahishasura Mardini Kannada 1960 Ranadhira Kanteerava Kannada 1960 Dasavathara Kannada 1960 Sree Shaila Mahatme Kannada 1961 Kanntheredu Nodu Kannada 1961 Kaivaara Mahaatme Kannada 1962 Bhoodaana Kannada 1962 Karuneye Kudumbada Kannu Kannada 1963 Kanya Ratna, Kannada 1963 Gowri Kannada 1963 Kulavadhu Kannada 1963 Malli Madhuve Kannada 1963 Kalitaaru Henne Kannada 1964 Magale Un Samathu Tamil 1964 Naanum Manithan Thaan Tamil 1964 Thumbida Koda Kannada 1964 Nanna Kartavya Kannada 1965 Thaayin Karunai Tamil 1965 Sarvagyanamoorthi Kannada 1965 Sati Savitri Kannada 1966 Killadi Ranga Kannada 1966 Madhumaalathi Kannada 1966 Sandhya Raga Kannada 1967 Parvathi Kalyana Kannada 1967 Rajshekhara Kannada 1967 Rajadurgada Rahasya Kannada 1967 Immadi Pulikesh Kannada 1968 Jedare Bale Kannada 1968 Manasakshi Kannada 1968 Goa Dalli CID 999 Kannada 1969 Operation Jackpot Nalli CID 999 Kannada 1969 Natakala Rayudu Telugu 1970 Devara Makkalu Kannada 1970 Kasturi Nivasa Kannada 1970 Naguva Hoovu Kannada 1971 Sabatham Tamil 1971 Bala Bandhana Kannada 1971 Taayi Devaru Kannada 1971 Pratidhwani Kannada 1971 Thandhe Makkalu Kannada 1972 Bangarada Manushya Kannada 1972 Karmika Kallanalla Kannada 1973 Doorada Betta Kannada 1973 Sampathige Savaal Bhakta Kannada 1973 Kumbhara Kannada 1973 Ponukku Thanga Manasu Tamil 1974 Murugan Kaatiya Vazhi Tamil 1975 Yaarukkum Vetkamillai Tamil 1975 Thennankeetru Tamil 1975 Piriyavidai Tamil 1975 Mayura Kannada 1975 Mayura Hindi 1975 Daari Tappida Maga Kannada 1975 Trimoorti Kannada 1976 Raja Nanna Raja Kannada 1975 Zamindarugari Ammayi Telugu 1976 Baalu Jenu Kannada 1976 America Ammayi Telugu 1977 Olavu Geluvu Kannada 1977 Galatte Samsara Kannada 1977 Tharam Marindi Telugu 1977 Sose Thandha Sowbhagya Kannada 1977 Chakradhari Telugu 1977 Sanaadi Appanna Kannada 1978 Operation Diamond Rocket Kannada 1979 Malligai Mohini Tamil 1980 Kannil Theriyum Kathaigal (with K. V. Mahadevan, T. R. Papa, Ilaiyaraja & Shankar Ganesh) Tamil 1980 Chinnanchiru Kiliye Tamil 1981 Pennin Vaazhkkai Tamil 1981 Deiva Thirumanangal (with K. V. Mahadevan & M. S. Viswanathan) Tamil 1981 Nenjil Oru Mul Tamil 1981 Haavina Hede Kannada 1981 Hanabalavo Janabalavo Kannada 1982 Haalu Jenu Kannada 1982 Maro Malupu Telugu 1983 Eradu Nakshatragalu Kannada 1983 Kashmir Kaadhal Tamil 1984 Azhagu Tamil 1985 Adhe Kannu Kannada 1985 Inaindha Kodugal Tamil Playback Singing In Tamil edit: Year Film Language Song Music Co-Singer 1952 Panam Tamil Ezhayin Kovilai Naadinaen M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy M. L. Vasanthakumari 1954 Vairamalai Tamil Nadana Kalaa Raani M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy P. Leela & A. P. Komala 1955 Gulebakavali Tamil Villenthum Veerannellam M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy Thiruchi Loganathan & P. Leela 1959 Tamil Nee Yaro Aval Yaro M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy 1959 Raja Malaiya Simman Tamil Maaligaiyilae Vasikkum M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy Sirkazhi Govindarajan & P.B. Sreenivas 1960 Kavalai Illaadha Manithan Tamil Kannodu Vin Pesum Jaadai M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy K. Jamuna Rani, T. S. Bhaghavathi & A. L. Raghavan 1961 Pava Mannippu Tamil Nilai Maarinaal Gunam Maaruvaan M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy 1962 Senthamarai Tamil Kanavae Kaathal Vaazhvae M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy 1962 Thendral Veesum Tamil Yaen Mama Kovama Diwakar L. R. Eswari 1964 Padithaal Mattum Podhuma Tamil Kalam Seidha Komalithanathil M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy P. B. Sreenivas & A. L. Raghavan 1965 Hello Mr.Zamindar Tamil Sondhamumillai Oru Bandhamum Illai M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy 1971 Sabatham Tamil Aatathai Aadu Puliyudan Aadu G. K. Venkatesh A. L. Ragavan & L. R. Eswari 1975 Piriyavidai Tamil Karunaikkadalae Kaarmugilvanna G. K. Venkatesh P. Suseela 1977 Kavikkuyil Tamil Maanathilae Meenirukka Ilaiyaraja S. Janaki 1981 Nenjil Oru Mul Tamil Vaazhkkaiyenum Paadhaithanile G. K. Venkatesh

Source: Wikipedia

Text from this biography licensed under creative commons license