G. K. Venkatesh | |
Birth Date: | 1927 9, df=yes[1] |
Origin: | Hyderabad, Hyderabad State, India |
Death Place: | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Instrument: | Veena |
Occupation: | Film score, music director, playback singer, actor, film producer |
Years Active: | 1946 to 1993 |
Gurusala Krishnadas Venkatesh (21 September 1927 – 17 November 1993) was an Indian film score composer who primarily worked in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and until the late-1980s. He also composed music for Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films. He produced numerous master pieces of Kannada film music and also brought in Western background score into Kannada films and scored music for all Bond movies of Rajkumar in the 1960s to 1970s.
Born in a Telugu family, Venkatesh began to learn music very young and was talented. Even as a child, he was appreciated by Ramakrishna Ranga Rao of Bobbili. He learned veena from his elder brother G. K. S. Pathi. As a teenager, he played Veena for the great music directors such as S. V. Venkatraman, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and C. R. Subbaraman.
GKV was also a talented singer. Before entering to cinema, he was singing in the Bangalore All India Radio. He had done chorus under S. V. Venkatraman for Meera.
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 Genoa. 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 Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy.[2]
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) until Kalitaaroo Henne (1963) in a row. GKV launched P. B. Sreenivas as a successful singer 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 Kannada and Tamil films.
In the late-1960s, it is notable that Ilaiyaraja and L. Vaidyanathan were playing instruments under GKV's troupe, assisting to compose music.
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. Sreenivas, to sing for him.
In 1974, P. B. Sreenivas was unwell on the day of recording of song "Yare Koogadali" in the movie Sampathige Saval.GKV proposed Rajkumar to sing the song and Rajkumar reluctantly recorded the song. Once PBS came back, they wanted to re-record the song, but PBS, being generous minded, suggested they keep the song as-is, because Rajkumar had done a phenomenal job.Thus 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 Swamy Navirodu Hige (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.
GKV was a technical wizard and one of the finest composer in India, He brought in the western background score first into Kannada cinema, His re-recording played a vital role in each and every movie he did, his use of instruments in his songs and background scores still feels fresh and advanced even today.[3]
His granddaughter Vani Harikrishna is an playback singer.[4]
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 Kannada film projects.[5] Later Ilaiyaraaja went on to become one of the most prominent film music composers in India.[6] [7] [8] [9]
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.
During the fledgling days of Kannada film movement, he produced movies such as Ranadheera Kantheerava (1960), Immadi Pulikeshi (1968) in partnership with other artists. In 1987, he produced the Ramarajan and Revathi starrer Gramathu Minnal Tamil film.
Prominent compositions of G. K. Venkatesh in Kannada include:
Some compositions of G. K. Venkatesh in Tamil, include:
Some compositions of G. K. Venkatesh in Telugu include:
Year | Film | Language | Director | Banner | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1950 | Chechi | T. Janaki Ram | |||
1951 | Nadigai | T. Janaki Ram | |||
1955 | Ohileshwara | T. V. Singh Tagore | Viswakala Chitra | ||
1955 | Sodari | Kannada | T. V. Singh Tagore | Viswakala Chitra | with H. R. Padmanabha Shastry |
1956 | Hari Bhakta | Kannada | T. V. Singh Tagore | Viswakala Chitra | |
1958 | Anna Thangi | Kannada | Ku. Ra. C. Shastri | Girija Productions | |
1959 | Dharma Vijaya | Kannada | N. Jaganath | H. M. Baba Production | |
1959 | Jagajyothi Basveshwara | Kannada | T. V. Singh Tagore | Shashikala Chitra | |
1959 | Mahishasura Mardini | Kannada | Vikram Productions | ||
1959 | Mahishasura Mardini | Vikram Productions | |||
1960 | Dashavathara | Kannada | P. G. Mohan | Vikram Productions | |
1960 | Ranadheera Kanteerava | Kannada | N. C. Rajan | Kannada Chalanachitra Kalavidara Sangha | |
1960 | Sanchari | Telugu | N. C. Rajan | Kannada Chalanachitra Kalavidara Sangha | |
1960 | Shri Shaila Mahathme | Kannada | Aroor Pattabhi | Sri Shaila Pictures | |
1961 | Arappavan | Malayalam | Seva Films | with P. S. Diwakar | |
1961 | Kaiwara Mahathme | Kannada | T. V. Singh Tagore | Kaiwara Films (Pvt) Ltd | |
1961 | Kantheredu Nodu | Kannada | T. V. Singh Tagore | Aranachelam Studios | |
1962 | Bhoodana | Kannada | Ananthlakshmi Pictures | ||
1962 | Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu | Kannada | T. V. Singh Takur | Shilashree Productions | |
1962 | Mahathma Kabir | Kannada | P. Srinivas | Sarvodaya Chithra | |
1962 | Prayaschittam | Telugu | Saravana Films | with Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | |
1962 | Thayi Karulu | Kannada | |||
1963 | Ananda Bashpa | Kannada | |||
1963 | Bangari | Kannada | |||
1963 | Gowri | Kannada | S. K. A. Chari | Kalabharathi | |
1963 | Kalitharu Henne | Kannada | N. C. Rajan | ||
1963 | Kanyarathna | Kannada | J. D. Thotan | DBN Productions | |
1963 | Kulavadhu | Kannada | T. V. Singh Takur | Shilashree Productions | |
1963 | Lawyer Magalu | Kannada | |||
1963 | Malli Maduve | Kannada | G. R. Nathan | Jupiter Pictures Ltd | |
1963 | Vijayanagara Veeraputhruni Katha | Telugu | RNR Pictures | with Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | |
1964 | Naanum Manithan Thaan | Tamil | A. Sheshagiri Rao | Anandan Movies | |
1964 | Kalaavati | Kannada | T. V. Singh Takur | Krishnodya Chithra | |
1964 | Kavaleradu Kulavandu | Kannada | T. V. Singh Takur | Shilashree Productions | |
1964 | Magale Un Samathu | Tamil | D. S. Rajagopal | Thirumagal Films | |
1964 | Thumbida Koda | Kannada | N. C. Rajan | Sri Venkatesh Chithra | |
1965 | Thayin Karunai | Tamil | |||
1965 | Nanna Kartavya | Kannada | Movie Makers | ||
1965 | Sarvagna Murthy | Kannada | Aruru Pattabhi | ||
1965 | Sathi Savithri | Kannada | P. R. Kaundanya | K V M Pictures | |
1966 | Kiladi Ranga | Kannada | Vasantha Pictures | ||
1966 | Madhu Malathi | Kannada | S. K. A. Chari | Trimurthy Films | |
1966 | Sandhya Raga | Kannada | Shailashree Productions | ||
1966 | Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe | Kannada | Evergreen Productions | ||
1967 | Dhana Pishachi | Kannada | S. N. Singh | Mohini Productions | |
1967 | Immadi Pulikeshi | Kannada | N. C. Rajan | ||
1967 | Jaanara Jaana | Kannada | B. Satyam | ||
1967 | Muddu Meena | Kannada | |||
1967 | Parvathi Kalyana | Kannada | Vikram Productions | ||
1967 | Rajadurgada Rahasya | Kannada | Rajadurgada Rahasya | ||
1967 | Rajashekara | Kannada | Vasanth Pictures | ||
1968 | Attagaru Kotha Kodalu | Telugu | Akkineni Sanjeevi | Kalpanachitra | |
1968 | Dial 2244 | Malayalam | R. M. Krishnaswamy | ||
1968 | Goa Dalli CID 999 | Kannada | Anupam Movies | ||
1968 | Jedara Bale | Kannada | Manthralaya Movies | ||
1968 | Manassakshi | Kannada | S. K. A. Chari | ALS Productions | |
1969 | Bageerathi | Kannada | T. V. Singh Takur | ||
1969 | Kannamucchale | Kannada | |||
1969 | Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 | Kannada | Golden Studio | ||
1969 | Natakala Rayudu | Telugu | Akkineni Sanjeevi | Harihara Films | |
1969 | Ratha Paei | Tamil | Mooban | Golden Studio | Malaysian Film |
1970 | Devara Makkalu | Kannada | Bharath Enterprises | ||
1970 | Goa CID 999 | Telugu | Anupam Movies | with T. V. Raju | |
1970 | Jackpotlo Gudachari | Telugu | Golden Studio | ||
1970 | Kiladi C I D 999 | Telugu | Manthralaya Movies | ||
1970 | Sridevi | Telugu | |||
1971 | Baala Bandana | Kannada | ALS Productions | ||
1971 | Kasturi Nivasa | Kannada | Anupam Movies | ||
1971 | Maa Ilavelpu | Telugu | G. V. R. Seshagiri Rao | Kamakshi Agencies | |
1971 | Naguva Hoovu | Kannada | R. N. K. Prasad | Sri Sudarshan Chitralaya | |
1971 | Pratidwani | Kannada | Vikram Studios & Sharada Studios | ||
1971 | Sabatham | Tamil | Devanayaki Films | ||
1971 | Tande Makkalu | Kannada | Srikanth | ||
1971 | Thayi Devaru | Kannada | Jain Movies | ||
1972 | Bangarada Manushya | Kannada | |||
1972 | Kodalupilla | Telugu | M. Mallikarjuna Rao | Jai Shankar and Company | |
1972 | Somaripotu | Telugu | V. Ramachandra Rao | Sri Kalpana Chitra | |
1973 | Devi Lalithamba | Telugu | |||
1973 | Doorada Betta | Kannada | KCN Movies | ||
1973 | Pasi Hrudayalu | Telugu | M. Mallikarjuna Rao | Navachitra Productions | |
1973 | Ponnukku Thanga Manasu | Tamil | Arun Prasad Movies | ||
1973 | Srivaru Maavaru | Telugu | B. S. Narayana | Mahavishnu Productions | |
1973 | Tallikodukulu | Telugu | P. Chandrasekhara Reddy | Gauri Shankar Pictures | |
1974 | Anna Attige | Kannada | M R Sri Productions | ||
1974 | Bhakta Kumbara | Kannada | Lakshmi Film Combine | Won – Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director | |
1974 | Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu | Kannada | Jain Combines | ||
1974 | Chitegu Chinte | Kannada | |||
1974 | Murugan Kaattiya Vazhi | Tamil | Arun Prasad Movies | ||
1974 | Sampathige Saval | Kannada | Padmashree Enterprises | ||
1975 | Daari Tappida Maga | Kannada | Jayaprabha Productions | ||
1975 | Koodi Balona | Kannada | |||
1975 | Mayura | Kannada | Ramesh Movies | ||
1975 | Mayura | Ramesh Movies | |||
1975 | Nireekshe | Kannada | Kovi Manisekharan | ||
1975 | Piriya Vidai | Tamil | Srikanth | Prasad Productions | |
1975 | Thennangkeetru | Tamil | K. V. Manisekaran | Goodwin Enterprises | |
1975 | Thrimurthy | Kannada | Poornima Enterprises | ||
1975 | Yarukkum Vetkam Illai | Tamil | Narmada Arts | ||
1975 | Zamindarugari Ammayi | Telugu | |||
1976 | Aadavallu Apanindhalu | Telugu | B. S. Narayana | Subha Chitralaya | |
1976 | America Ammayi | Telugu | Navata Arts | ||
1976 | Baalu Jenu | Kannada | S G S Films | ||
1976 | Bangarada Gudi | Kannada | Venus Mahija Pictures | ||
1976 | Raja Nanna Raja | Kannada | Madhu Art Films | ||
1977 | Chakradhari | Telugu | Lakshmi Films Combines | ||
1977 | Galate Samsara | Kannada | |||
1977 | Kartavyada Kare | Kannada | Sunand | ||
1977 | Olavu Geluvu | Kannada | Seenu Creations | ||
1977 | Sanaadi Appanna | Kannada | Anandalakshmi Enterprises | ||
1977 | Shrimanthana Magalu | Kannada | |||
1977 | Sose Tanda Soubhagya | Kannada | Bhuvaneshwari Arts Productions | ||
1977 | Tharam Marindi | Telugu | Vishwabharati Movies | ||
1978 | Bhale Huduga | Kannada | Royal Pictures | ||
1978 | Devadaasi | Kannada | C. V. Raju | ||
1978 | Kaamam Kaatesindi | Telugu | V. M. Pictures | with Purnachandra Rao | |
1978 | Operation Diamond Racket | Kannada | Anupam Movies | ||
1978 | Vamsha Jyothi | Kannada | |||
1979 | Malligai Mohini | Tamil | Pallavi Enterprises | ||
1979 | Asadhya Aliya | Kannada | Chandrika Films | ||
1979 | Huliya Haalina Mevu | Kannada | Rajkamal Arts | ||
1979 | Kamala | Kannada | |||
1979 | Mutthu Ondu Mutthu | Kannada | Bhagya Kalamandir | ||
1979 | Nentaro Gantu Kallaro | Kannada | Savan Movies | ||
1979 | Ravanude Ramudayithe? | Telugu | Lakshmi Film Combines | ||
1980 | Chinnajiru Kiliye | Tamil | K. Chandra Bose | Sunrise Enterprises | |
1980 | Dhairya Lakshmi | Kannada | Gopu | ||
1980 | Jathara | Telugu | Soumya Cine Arts | ||
1980 | Kannil Theriyum Kathaikal | Tamil | Raja Meenakshi Films | (with K. V. Mahadevan, Agathiyar, Ilaiyaraja & Shankar–Ganesh) | |
1980 | Navvutu Bratakali | Telugu | P. Chandrasekhara Reddy | Narendra Productions | |
1980 | O Inti Bhagotham | Telugu | Devadas Kanakala | Navata Arts | |
1980 | Rakta Bandham | Telugu | Aluri Ravi | Ricoh Films | |
1980 | Rusthum Jodi | Kannada | N V R Productions | ||
1980 | Sannayi Appanna | Telugu | Lakshmi Deepak | Sri Ramana Chitra | |
1980 | Usha Swayamvara | Kannada | |||
1981 | Antha | Kannada | Parimala Arts | ||
1981 | Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha | Kannada | Jain Movies | ||
1981 | Deiva Thirumanangal | Tamil | Solar Combines | with K. V. Mahadevan & M. S. Viswanathan | |
1981 | Devathala Kalyanamu | Telugu | Solar Combines | with K. V. Mahadevan & M. S. Viswanathan | |
1981 | Hanabalavo Janabalavo | Kannada | |||
1981 | Havina Hede | Kannada | Poornima Enterprises | ||
1981 | Mareyada Haadu | Kannada | K V S Movies | ||
1981 | Nenjil Oru Mull | Tamil | Mathi Oli Shanmugam | Santosh Art Films | |
1982 | Nepal Gudachari 999 | Telugu | Anupam Movies | ||
1981 | Pennin Vaazhkkai | Tamil | Annapoorna Art Pictures | ||
1982 | Bhakta Gnanadeva | Kannada | |||
1982 | Haalu Jenu | Kannada | Poornima Enterprises | ||
1982 | Karmika Kallanalla | Kannada | Madhu Art Films | ||
1982 | Bhakta Gnanadeva | Telugu | |||
1982 | Inspector Jagan | Telugu | |||
1982 | Maro Malupu | Telugu | V. Satyanarayana | Ruby Movies | |
1982 | Shankar Sundar | Kannada | |||
1982 | Taghubothu Thirugubothu | Telugu | Thota Ramamohana Rao | Natesh Films | |
1983 | Aasha | Kannada | Varuna Productions | ||
1983 | Digivachina Devudu | Telugu | Ravi | with Lakshmi Kiran | |
1983 | Eradu Nakshatragalu | Kannada | Kamakshi Cine Enterprises | ||
1983 | Hosa Theerpu | Kannada | NVR Pictures | ||
1983 | Kashmir Kadhali | Tamil | Mathi Oli Shanmugam | Chithra Priya Cine Arts | |
1983 | Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige | Kannada | Gayathri Chithralaya | ||
1983 | Urumulu Merupulu | Telugu | K. S. Satyanarayana | with A. A. Raj | |
1984 | Azhagu | Tamil | Seshasayee Films | ||
1984 | Gajendra | Kannada | |||
1984 | Guru Bhakti | Kannada | K. N. Chandrashekar Sharma | ||
1984 | Jiddu | Kannada | |||
1984 | Kaliyuga | Kannada | Raja Chandra | ||
1984 | Makkaliralavva Mane Thumba | Kannada | Durga Dattha Enterprises | ||
1984 | Male Banthu Male | Kannada | P. S. Prakash | ||
1984 | Manthrikudu Siva Bhakthudu | Telugu | |||
1984 | Rakasi Nagu | Telugu | D. Rajendrababu | ||
1985 | Ade Kannu | Kannada | Chi. Dattaraj | Hayavadana Movies | |
1985 | Chaduranga | Kannada | |||
1985 | Guru Jagadguru | Kannada | |||
1985 | Inaintha Kodugal | Tamil | P. S. Prakash | Prasanna Creations | |
1985 | Parameshi Prema Prasanga | Kannada | |||
1985 | Shabhash Vikram | Kannada | |||
1986 | Hosa Neeru | Kannada | K. V. Jayaram | Panchama Movie Makers | Won – Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director |
1986 | Preethi | Kannada | |||
1987 | Jaganmatha | Telugu | |||
1987 | Poornachandra | Kannada | |||
1987 | Yaarigagi | Kannada | Pradeep Kumar | ||
1989 | Chattaniki Kallunte | Telugu | with A. A. Raj | ||
1989 | Gandandre Gandu | Kannada | Sri Prasanna Lakshmi Combines | ||
Year | Film | Language | Song | Music | Co-singer | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1950 | Malayalam | Varika Varika Sahachare | G. K. Venkatesh | Kaviyoor Revamma | ||
1952 | Tamil | Ezhayin Kovilai Naadinaen | M. L. Vasanthakumari | |||
1953 | Tamil | Aandavan Namakku | R. Govardhanam | |||
1954 | Tamil | Nadana Kalaa Raani | P. Leela & A. P. Komala | |||
1955 | Tamil | Villenthum Veerannellam | Thiruchi Loganathan & P. Leela | |||
1955 | Telugu | Teeyani Eenati Reyi | ||||
Nilupara | ||||||
1956 | Kannada | Om Namaha Shivaya | G. K. Venkatesh | |||
1959 | Mangaiyin Sabatham | Tamil | Nee Yaro Aval Yaro | |||
1959 | Tamil | Maaligaiyilae Vasikkum | ||||
1959 | Telugu | Oranna Mosappukaalam | ||||
1960 | Tamil | Kannodu Vin Pesum Jaadai | K. Jamuna Rani, T. S. Bagavathi & A. L. Raghavan | |||
1961 | Telugu | Ela Marachao Isha | ||||
1961 | Kannada | Kannadada Makkalella | G. K. Venkatesh | |||
1961 | Tamil | Nilai Maarinaal Gunam Maaruvaan | ||||
1962 | Telugu | Paduchupilla Valachenayya | ||||
Avanilo Yedhi Nashinchadu | ||||||
1962 | Tamil | Kanavae Kaathal Vaazhvae | ||||
1962 | Tamil | Yaen Mama Kovama | L. R. Eswari | |||
1962 | Tamil | Azhivadhu Pol Thondrum | ||||
1963 | Kannada | Naa Hutti Beledaadu | G. K. Venkatesh | |||
1963 | Kannada | Kanya Rathna | G. K. Venkatesh | |||
1963 | Kannada | Naguve Naaka Aluve Naraka | G. K. Venkatesh | P. B. Sreenivas | ||
1964 | Tamil | Kalam Seidha Komalithanathil | P. B. Sreenivas & A. L. Raghavan | |||
1965 | Tamil | Sondhamumillai Oru Bandhamum Illai | ||||
1965 | Tamil | Ponnu Mannu Pennum Moonum | G. K. Venkatesh | |||
1967 | Kannada | Rajadurgada Rahasya | G. K. Venkatesh | |||
1970 | Sridevi | Telugu | Gundemalli Chenduchoosi | G. K. Venkatesh | Ramola | |
1971 | Kannada | Aadisidaata Besara Moodi | G. K. Venkatesh | |||
1971 | Tamil | Aatathai Aadu Puliyudan Aadu | G. K. Venkatesh | A. L. Raghavan & L. R. Eswari | ||
1974 | Kannada | Guru Bramham | G. K. Venkatesh | |||
1974 | Kannada | Virasavemba Vishake | G. K. Venkatesh | |||
Maariye Gathiyendu | P. B. Srinivas | |||||
1975 | Piriyavidai | Tamil | Karunaikkadalae Kaarmugilvanna | G. K. Venkatesh | P. Susheela | |
1977 | Kannada | Kari Haidanemboru | B. V. Karanth & C. Ashwath | |||
1977 | Tamil | Maanathilae Meenirukka.... Udhayam Varugindrathe | S. Janaki | |||
1979 | Kannada | Ravanude Ramudayithe? | G. K. Venkatesh | |||
1981 | Nenjil Oru Mul | Tamil | Vaazhkkaiyenum Paadhaithanile | G. K. Venkatesh | ||
1982 | Telugu | Pranchabhushana Bahumuloolarucito Paalindlu | G. K. Venkatesh | |||
Vetalan Pettakuminka Nannanchu | ||||||