G. K. Venkatesh

Gurusala Krishnadas Venkatesh (GKV) (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.

G. K. Venkatesh
Background information
Born(1927-09-21)21 September 1927
OriginHyderabad, Hyderabad State, British India
Died13 November 1993(1993-11-13) (aged 66)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation(s)Film score, music director, playback singer, actor, film producer
InstrumentsVeena
Years active1946 to 1993

Early life

Born in a Telugu family, 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 Veena 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 Bangalore All India Radio. He had done chorus under S. V. Venkatraman for Meera.

Career

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 Viswanathan Ramamoorthy.[1]

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. 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 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.

Work with Rajkumar

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 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. Sreenivas wasn't enthusiastic to sing it. GKV proposed to Rajkumar to sing the song. It marked the re-emergence of the singer in Rajkumar. [Not correct. PBS was unwell on that day 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.]

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.

Style of composing

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.

Ilaiyaraaja's guru

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.[2] Later Ilaiyaraaja went on to become one of the most prominent film music composers in India.[3]

Acting

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

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.

Works

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:

Filmography

Music direction

Year Film Language Notes
1950 Chechi Malayalam
1951 Nadigai Tamil
1955 Sodari Kannada (with H. R. Padmanabha Shastry)
1955 Ohileshwara Kannada
1956 Hari Bhakta Kannada
1958 Anna Thangi Kannada
1959 Jagajyothi Basveshwara Kannada
1959 Dharma Vijaya Kannada
1959 Mahishasura Mardini Kannada
1960 Ranadheera Kanteerava Kannada
1960 Dashavathara Kannada
1960 Sree Shaila Mahatme Kannada
1961 Kanntheredu Nodu Kannada
1961 Kaivaara Mahaatme Kannada
1961 Arappavan Malayalam (with P. S. Diwakar)
1962 Bhoodana Kannada
1962 Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu Kannada
1962 Mahatma Kabir Kannada
1963 Ananda Bashpa Kannada
1963 Bangari Kannada
1963 Chandra Kumaara Kannada
1963 Gowri Kannada
1963 Kalitaaru Henne Kannada
1963 Kanya Ratna Kannada
1963 Kulavadhu Kannada
1963 Law-year Magalu Kannada
1963 Malli Madhuve Kannada
1964 Magale Un Samathu Tamil
1964 Naanum Manithan Thaan Tamil
1964 Kalaavati Kannada
1964 Kavaleredu Kulavandu Kannada
1964 Thumbida Koda Kannada
1965 Thayin Karunai Tamil
1965 Nanna Kartavya Kannada
1965 Sarvagyanamoorthi Kannada
1965 Sati Savitri Kannada
1966 Killadi Ranga Kannada
1966 Madhumaalathi Kannada
1966 Sandhya Raga Kannada
1966 Sri Kannika Parameshwari Katha Kannada
1967 Dhana Pichachi Kannada
1967 Immadi Pulikeshi Kannada
1967 Jaanara Jaana Kannada
1967 Muddu Meena Kannada
1967 Parvathi Kalyana Kannada
1967 Rajshekhara Kannada
1967 Rajadurgada Rahasya Kannada
1968 Dial 2244 Malayalam
1968 Jedara Bale Kannada
1968 Manasakshi Kannada
1968 Goa Dalli CID 999 Kannada
1969 Bageerathi Kannada
1969 Kannamucchale Kannada
1969 Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 Kannada
1969 Natakala Rayudu Telugu
1970 Devara Makkalu Kannada
1971 Kasturi Nivasa Kannada
1971 Naguva Hoovu Kannada
1971 Sabatham Tamil
1971 Baala Bandana Kannada
1971 Thayi Devaru Kannada
1971 Pratidwani Kannada
1971 Thandhe Makkalu Kannada
1972 Bangarada Manushya Kannada
1972 Karmika Kallanalla Kannada
1973 Doorada Betta Kannada
1973 Ponnukku Thanga Manasu Tamil
1973 Shrivaaru Maavaaru Telugu
1974 Anna Attige Kannada
1974 Bhakta Kumbara Kannada Won - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director
1974 Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu Kannada
1974 Chitegu Chinte Kannada
1974 Sampathige Saval Kannada
1974 Murugan Kaattiya Vazhi Tamil
1975 Yarukkum Vetkam Illai Tamil
1975 Thennankeetru Tamil
1975 Daari Tappida Maga Kannada
1975 Piriyavidai Tamil
1975 Mayura Kannada
1975 Mayura Hindi
1975 Nireekshe Kannada
1975 Thrimurthy Kannada
1976 Bangarada Gudi Kannada
1976 Raja Nanna Raja Kannada
1976 Zamindarugari Ammayi Telugu
1976 Baalu Jenu Kannada
1976 America Ammayi Telugu
1977 Galate Samsara Kannada
1977 Sanaadi Appanna Kannada
1977 Olavu Geluvu Kannada
1977 Tharam Marindi Telugu
1977 Sose Thandha Sowbhagya Kannada
1977 Chakradhari Telugu
1978 Bhale Huduga Kannada
1978 Devadaasi Kannada
1978 Operation Diamond Racket Kannada
1979 Malligai Mohini Tamil
1979 Ravanude Ramudythe Telugu
1979 Asadhya Aliya Kannada
1979 Huliya Haalina Mevu Kannada
1979 Kamala Kannada
1979 Mutthu Ondu Mutthu Kannada
1979 Nentaro Gantu Kallaro Kannada
1980 Kannil Theriyum Kathaigal Tamil (with K. V. Mahadevan, T. R. Pappa, Ilaiyaraja & Shankar Ganesh)
1980 Dhairya Lakshmi Kannada
1980 Chinnanchiru Kiliye Tamil
1980 Rusthum Jodi Kannada
1981 Pennin Vaazhkkai Tamil
1981 Deiva Thirumanangal Tamil (with K. V. Mahadevan & M. S. Viswanathan)
1981 Nenjil Oru Mul Tamil
1981 Antha Kannada
1981 Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha Kannada
1981 Havina Hede Kannada
1981 Mareyada Haadu Kannada
1981 Hanabalavo Janabalavo Kannada
1982 Bhakta Gnanadeva Kannada
1982 Haalu Jenu Kannada
1982 Shankar Sundar Kannada
1982 Maro Malupu Telugu
1983 Aasha Kannada
1983 Eradu Nakshatragalu Kannada
1983 Kashmir Kaadhal Tamil
1983 Hosa Theerpu Kannada
1983 Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige Kannada
1984 Azhagu Tamil
1984 Gajendra Kannada
1984 Guru Bhakti Kannada
1984 Jiddu Kannada
1984 Kaliyuga Kannada
1984 Makkaliralavva Mane Thumba Kannada
1984 Male Banthu Male Kannada
1985 Ade Kannu Kannada
1985 Chaduranga Kannada
1985 Guru Jagadguru Kannada
1985 Inaindha Kodugal Tamil
1985 Parameshi Prema Prasanga Kannada
1985 Shabhash Vikram Kannada
1986 Hosa Neeru Kannada Won - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director
1986 Preethi Kannada
1987 Poornachandra Kannada
1987 Yaarigagi Kannada
1989 Gandandre Gandu Kannada

Playback singer

YearFilmLanguageSongMusicCo-singer
1950ChechiMalayalamVarika Varika SahachareG. K. VenkateshKaviyoor Revamma
1952PanamTamilEzhayin Kovilai NaadinaenViswanathan-RamamoorthyM. L. Vasanthakumari
1953JatagamTamilAandavan NamakkuR. GovardhanamA. G. Rathnamala
1954Vaira MalaiTamilNadana Kalaa RaaniViswanathan-RamamoorthyP. Leela & A. P. Komala
1955GulebakavaliTamilVillenthum VeerannellamViswanathan RamamoorthyThiruchi Loganathan & P. Leela
1955SanthoshamTeluguTeeyani Eenati ReyiViswanathan-RamamoorthyP. Susheela
Nilupara
1956OhileshwaraKannadaOm Namaha ShivayaG. K. Venkatesh
1959Mangaiyin SabathamTamilNee Yaro Aval YaroViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1959Raja Malaiya SimmanTamilMaaligaiyilae VasikkumViswanathan-RamamoorthySeerkazhi Govindarajan & P. B. Sreenivas
1959Raja Malaya SimhaTeluguOranna MosappukaalamViswanathan-RamamoorthyMadhavapeddi Satyam & P. B. Sreenivas
1960Kavalai Illaadha ManithanTamilKannodu Vin Pesum JaadaiViswanathan-RamamoorthyK. Jamuna Rani, T. S. Bagavathi & A. L. Raghavan
1961Kantheredu NoduKannadaKannadada MakkalellaG. K. Venkatesh
1961Pava MannippuTamilNilai Maarinaal Gunam MaaruvaanViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1962SenthamaraiTamilKanavae Kaathal VaazhvaeViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1962Thendral VeesumTamilYaen Mama KovamaViswanathan-RamamoorthyL. R. Eswari
1962VeerathirumaganTamilAzhivadhu Pol ThondrumViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1963BangariKannadaNaa Hutti BeledaaduG. K. Venkatesh
1963KanyarathnaKannadaKanya RathnaG. K. Venkatesh
1963Malli MaduveKannadaNaguve Naaka Aluve NarakaG. K. VenkateshP. B. Sreenivas
1964Padithaal Mattum PodhumaTamilKalam Seidha KomalithanathilViswanathan-RamamoorthyP. B. Sreenivas & A. L. Raghavan
1965Hello Mister ZamindarTamilSondhamumillai Oru Bandhamum IllaiViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1965Thayin KarunaiTamilPonnu Mannu Pennum MoonumG. K. Venkatesh
1967Rajadurgada RahasyaKannadaRajadurgada RahasyaG. K. Venkatesh
1971Kasturi NivasaKannadaAadisidaata Besara MoodiG. K. Venkatesh
1971SabathamTamilAatathai Aadu Puliyudan AaduG. K. VenkateshA. L. Raghavan & L. R. Eswari
1974Bhakta KumbaraKannadaGuru BramhamG. K. Venkatesh
1974Bhootayyana Maga AyyuKannadaVirasavemba VishakeG. K. Venkatesh
Maariye GathiyenduP. B. Srinivas
1975PiriyavidaiTamilKarunaikkadalae KaarmugilvannaG. K. VenkateshP. Susheela
1977Kakana KoteKannadaKari HaidanemboruC. AshwathB. V. Karanth & C. Ashwath
1977KavikkuyilTamilMaanathilae Meenirukka.... Udhayam VarugindratheIlayarajaS. Janaki
1979Ravanude Ramudayithe?KannadaRavanude Ramudayithe?G. K. Venkatesh
1981Nenjil Oru MulTamilVaazhkkaiyenum PaadhaithanileG. K. Venkatesh

See also

References

  1. Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy#Other collaborations
  2. Vijayakar, R. "The prince in Mumbai". Screen. 21 July 2006. Accessed 6 February 2007.
  3. "About GK Venkatesh".
  • GKV. tfmpage.com.
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