R. K. Shekhar: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Indian composer (1933–1976)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2016}}
{{Indian name| Shekhar|Rajagopala or Kulashekharan}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name           = R. K. Shekhar
| name             = R. K. Shekhar
| image           = R. K. Shekhar.jpg
| image             = R. K. Shekhar.jpg
| caption         = Photo of R. K. Shekhar
| caption           = Photo of R. K. Shekhar
| image_size      =
| birth_name       = Rajagopala Kulashekharan Shekhar
| birth_name     = Rajagopala Kulashekharan
| birth_date       = 7 November 1933{{efn|Some sources list his birth date as 21 June 1933; however, authoritative biographical sources state 7 November 1933.}}<ref name="scroll"/><ref name="cinemaazi"/>
| birth_date     = {{birth date|1933|06|21|df=y}}
| education        = [[Carnatic music]]
| death_date     = {{death date and age|1976|09|30|1933|06|21|df=y}}
| death_date       = {{death date and age|1976|09|10|1933|10|df=y}}
| origin         = [[Gudiyatham -Vellore]], [[British India]] (presently [[Tamil Nadu]])
| origin           = [[Tiruvallur]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[British Raj|British India]]<ref name="cinemaazi"/>
| instrument     = [[Pump organ|Harmonium]]
| instrument       = [[Pump organ|Harmonium]]
|children        = 3, including [[A. R. Rahman]] and [[A. R. Reihana]]
| genre             = [[Film score]], [[Classical music|classical]]
| genre           = [[Film score]], [[Classical music|classical]]
| occupation       = [[Film composer]], [[music director]], [[Arranger]], [[Music conductor]]
| occupation     = [[Film composer]], [[music director]], [[Arranger]], [[Music conductor]]
| years_active     = 1964–1976
| years_active   = 1964 &ndash; 1976
| spouse            = Kareema Begum (Kasthuri)
| label          =
| label            = [[Saregama]]
| associated_acts =
| website        =
| current_members =
| past_members    =  
}}
}}


'''Rajagopala Kulashekharan''' (21 June 1933 – 30 September 1976) was an Indian music [[composer]] who worked mainly for [[Malayalam]] movies. He composed music for 52 films (23 in [[Malayalam]] with 127 songs), and was the music conductor for more than 100 films. He is the father of music composer [[A. R. Rahman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/897662/his-fathers-son-how-ar-rahmans-father-rk-shekhar-made-his-mark-as-a-composer-and-arranger|title=His father's son: How AR Rahman's father RK Shekhar made his mark as a composer and arranger|publisher=Scoll.in}}</ref>
'''Rajagopala Kulashekharan Shekhar''' (7 November 1933{{efn| 7 November 1933.}}<ref name="scroll">{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/897662/his-fathers-son-how-ar-rahmans-father-rk-shekhar-made-his-mark-as-a-composer-and-arranger|title=His father's son: How AR Rahman's father RK Shekhar made his mark as a composer and arranger|work=Scroll.in|date=11 October 2018|access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref> – 10 September 1976) was an [[India]]n [[music composer]] who worked primarily for [[Malayalam cinema]].<ref name="mathai">{{cite book|last=Mathai|first=Kamini|year=2009|title=A. R. Rahman: The Musical Storm|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=9788184758238}}</ref> Shekhar served as a music conductor for over 100 films and composed scores for 52 films.<ref name="cinemaazi">{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/r-k-shekhar|title=R K Shekhar|work=Cinemaazi|access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref> He pioneered the early integration of [[Western classical music]] orchestration techniques into South [[Indian film music]]. He is the father of [[A. R. Rahman]] and [[A. R. Reihana]].


His debut song as a music director was "Chotta Muthal Chudala Vare" ("from cradle to grave"), which was a big hit in [[Kerala]]. This was composed for the film ''[[Pazhassi Raja (1964 film)|Pazhassi Raja]]'' (1964).
His grandchildren [[A. R. Ameen]], [[Khatija Rahman]], [[G. V. Prakash Kumar]], and [[Bhavani Sre]] are involved in the music and film industries.


==Early life==
His debut song as a music director was "Chotta Muthal Chudala Vare" ("from cradle to grave"), which was a big hit in [[Kerala]]. This was composed for the film ''[[Pazhassi Raja (1964 film)|Pazhassi Raja]]'' (1964).<ref name="tributes">{{cite web|url=https://rkshekhar.tributes.in/|title=Mr. Rajagopala Kulashekhara, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu Tribute|work=Tributes.in|access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>
 
He was born to Rajagopala Bhagavathar, a [[harikathai]] exponent born in Tamil Mudaliyar family in Tamil Nadu. His entry into film music was opened through his extraordinary performances on harmonium for Theatre Plays. He started his career in the film industry as an assistant to music director [[M. B. Sreenivasan]]. Later on he conducted and arranged music for famous Malayalam Music directors [[M.K. Arjunan]] and [[V. Dakshinamoorthy]]. He was so fascinated by the tunes created by these legends, that he would work very hard single-handedly to create the BGM of the songs they tuned to match its purity and standard, thus making the songs evergreen on par. Their association lasted till his death.
 
==Career==
 
His career as an independent music composer started with the 1964 film ''[[Pazhassi Raja (1964 film)|Pazhassi Raja]]'', of which the philosophical song "Chotta Muthal Chudala Vare" became a big hit. After his next work in ''Aisha'', he turned back to arranging and conducting for other composers.
 
After a gap of 7 years, he returned to music composing through the film ''Anaathashilpangal'' in 1971. Apart from arranging the hits like ''Ninmaniarayile'' and ''Neela Nishidhini'' [[C.I.D. Nazir]] 1971 for director [[P. Venu]], he composed music for his next film [[Taxi Car]] in 1972. Then he went on to compose music for about 20 films. Due to the failure of these films in the box office, his songs went unnoticed and he lacked to get more opportunities for composing. His close friend in the industry was composer [[M. K. Arjunan]]. Starting from Arjunan master's first film, Shekhar assisted him in all his films till his death. Continuous hard work made Shekhar's health condition worse. In all these days, Arjunan master was the caretaker of him and his family.
 
He composed tunes for his last film '' [[Chottanikkara Amma]]'' when he was in bed for treatment and he died leaving the project incomplete. Later on, M.K. Arjunan completed the project by arranging and recording the songs that Shekhar composed.
 
==Personal life==
R. K. Shekhar was married to Kasthuri. Their marriage took place in the most prominent shrine in India, the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] located in [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] in [[Southern India]]. Shekhar and Kasthuri had four children, [[A. R. Reihana]], [[A. R. Rahman]], Fathima Rafiq and Ishrathqadhre.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/isshrathquadhre</ref> Shekhar died on 30 September 1976 at the young age of 43. [[G.V. Prakash Kumar]] is R.K. Shekher's grandson through A. R. Reihana
 
==Filmography==
 
* [[Pazhassi Raja (1964 film)|''Pazhassi Raja'']] (1964)
* ''Ayish''
* ''Anadha Shilpangal''
* ''Yogamullaval''
* ''Sumangali''
* ''Akashaganga''
* ''Aradi Manninte Janmi''
* ''Kandavarundo?''
* ''[[Taxi Car]]'' (1972)
* ''[[Miss Mary (1972 film)|Miss Mary]]''
* ''Thottilla''
* ''Thiruvabharanam''
* ''Kapalika''
* ''Chithariya Pookkal''
* ''Pattabhishekham''
* ''Nadeenadanmare Avashyamundu''
* ''Thamarathoni''
* ''Pen Pada''
* ''Priyae Ninakku Vendi''
* ''Velicham Akale''
* ''[[Kuttichathan]]''
* ''[[Yudhabhoomi]]''
* ''[[Thiruvonam (film)]]  (Background score)
* ''[[Chottanikkara Amma]]'' (1976)
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
 
==External links==
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/23791015.cms Interview with A R Rahman]
 
{{authority control}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shekhar, R. K.}}
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:1976 deaths]]
[[Category:Malayalam film score composers]]
[[Category:Tamil film score composers]]
[[Category:Tamil musicians]]
[[Category:Musicians from Chennai]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian composers]]
[[Category:Indian male film score composers]]
[[Category:20th-century male musicians]]

Latest revision as of 11:38, 11 September 2026

In this Indian name, the name Rajagopala or Kulashekharan is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Shekhar.
R. K. Shekhar
Photo of R. K. Shekhar
Photo of R. K. Shekhar
Background information
Birth nameRajagopala Kulashekharan Shekhar
Born7 November 1933[lower-alpha 1][1][2]
OriginTiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, British India[2]
Died10 September 1976(1976-09-10) (aged 42)
GenresFilm score, classical
Occupation(s)Film composer, music director, Arranger, Music conductor
InstrumentsHarmonium
Years active1964–1976
LabelsSaregama

Rajagopala Kulashekharan Shekhar (7 November 1933[lower-alpha 2][1] – 10 September 1976) was an Indian music composer who worked primarily for Malayalam cinema.[3] Shekhar served as a music conductor for over 100 films and composed scores for 52 films.[2] He pioneered the early integration of Western classical music orchestration techniques into South Indian film music. He is the father of A. R. Rahman and A. R. Reihana.

His grandchildren A. R. Ameen, Khatija Rahman, G. V. Prakash Kumar, and Bhavani Sre are involved in the music and film industries.

His debut song as a music director was "Chotta Muthal Chudala Vare" ("from cradle to grave"), which was a big hit in Kerala. This was composed for the film Pazhassi Raja (1964).[4]


Cite error: <ref> tags exist for a group named "lower-alpha", but no corresponding <references group="lower-alpha"/> tag was found

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "His father's son: How AR Rahman's father RK Shekhar made his mark as a composer and arranger". Scroll.in. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "R K Shekhar". Cinemaazi. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  3. ↑ Mathai, Kamini (2009). A. R. Rahman: The Musical Storm. Penguin Books Limited. ISBN 9788184758238.
  4. ↑ "Mr. Rajagopala Kulashekhara, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu Tribute". Tributes.in. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
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