G. K. Venkatesh

G. K. Venkatesh
File:G.K.VenkateshPic.jpg
Background information
Born	(1927-09-21)21 September 1927
Origin	Hyderabad, Hyderabad State, British India
Died	13 November 1993(1993-11-13) (aged 66) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation(s)	Film score, music director, playback singer, actor, film producer
Instruments	Veena
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.

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.

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

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:

• "Kannadati taaye baa" from Sandhya Raga by Bhimsen Joshi
• "Nambide ninna naadadevateye" from Sandhya Raga sung in three different versions (Hindustani and Carnatic) by Bhimsen Joshi, M. Balamuralikrishna and S. Janaki respectively.
• "Aaha Mysuru Mallige" from Bangarada Manushya by P. B. Sreenivas and P.Susheela
• "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 & P.Susheela
• "Kannadada makkalella ondaagi banni" from Kantheredu Nodu by himself
• "Ravivarmana kunchaa kale" from Sose Tanda Soubhagya by P. B. Sreenivas and S. Janaki
• "If you come today, it's too early" from "Operation Diamond Racket" by Rajkumar
• "Baalu belakaayitu.." from Haalu Jenu by Rajkumar
• "Ninade nenapu dinavu manadalli.." from Raja Nanna Raja by P. B. Sreenivas
• "Naariya seere kadda, radheya manava gedda.." from Daari Tappida Maga by Rajkumar
• "Karedaroo kelade" and "Ninagaagi ododi bande" from Sanaadi Appanna by S. Janaki and 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 Swamy Navirodu Hige by Bhimsen Joshi
• "Gelati baaradu intha samaya" in Eradu Nakshatragalu by 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. Sreenivas & S. Janaki
• "Poonthendral Isaipaada" from Thaayin Karunai by P. B. Sreenivas
• "Netru Nadanthathu" from Thaayin Karunai by A. L. Ragavan & S. Janaki
• "Thoduvathenna Thendralo Malargalo" from Sabatham by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
• "Then Sindhudhe Vaanam"from Ponukku Thanga Manasu by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki
• "Naan Paartha Rathidevi Enge" from Kannil Theriyum Kathaigal by A. L. Raghavan
• "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

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, [[Agathiyar<ref]], 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

Year	Film	Language	Song	Music	Co-singer
1950	Chechi	Malayalam	Varika Varika Sahachare	G. K. Venkatesh	Kaviyoor Revamma
1952	Panam	Tamil	Ezhayin Kovilai Naadinaen	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	M. L. Vasanthakumari
1953	Jatagam	Tamil	Aandavan Namakku	R. Govardhanam	A. G. Rathnamala
1954	Vaira Malai	Tamil	Nadana Kalaa Raani	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	P. Leela & A. P. Komala
1955	Gulebakavali	Tamil	Villenthum Veerannellam	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	Thiruchi Loganathan & P. Leela
1955	Santhosham	Telugu	Teeyani Eenati Reyi	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	P. Susheela
			Nilupara
1956	Ohileshwara	Kannada	Om Namaha Shivaya	G. K. Venkatesh
1959	Mangaiyin Sabatham	Tamil	Nee Yaro Aval Yaro	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1959	Raja Malaiya Simman	Tamil	Maaligaiyilae Vasikkum	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	Seerkazhi Govindarajan & P. B. Sreenivas
1959	Raja Malaya Simha	Telugu	Oranna Mosappukaalam	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	Madhavapeddi Satyam & P. B. Sreenivas
1960	Kavalai Illaadha Manithan	Tamil	Kannodu Vin Pesum Jaadai	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	K. Jamuna Rani, T. S. Bagavathi & A. L. Raghavan
1961	Kantheredu Nodu	Kannada	Kannadada Makkalella	G. K. Venkatesh
1961	Pava Mannippu	Tamil	Nilai Maarinaal Gunam Maaruvaan	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1962	Senthamarai	Tamil	Kanavae Kaathal Vaazhvae	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1962	Thendral Veesum	Tamil	Yaen Mama Kovama	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	L. R. Eswari
1962	Veerathirumagan	Tamil	Azhivadhu Pol Thondrum	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1963	Bangari	Kannada	Naa Hutti Beledaadu	G. K. Venkatesh
1963	Kanyarathna	Kannada	Kanya Rathna	G. K. Venkatesh
1963	Malli Maduve	Kannada	Naguve Naaka Aluve Naraka	G. K. Venkatesh	P. B. Sreenivas
1964	Padithaal Mattum Podhuma	Tamil	Kalam Seidha Komalithanathil	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	P. B. Sreenivas & A. L. Raghavan
1965	Hello Mister Zamindar	Tamil	Sondhamumillai Oru Bandhamum Illai	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1965	Thayin Karunai	Tamil	Ponnu Mannu Pennum Moonum	G. K. Venkatesh
1967	Rajadurgada Rahasya	Kannada	Rajadurgada Rahasya	G. K. Venkatesh
1971	Kasturi Nivasa	Kannada	Aadisidaata Besara Moodi	G. K. Venkatesh
1971	Sabatham	Tamil	Aatathai Aadu Puliyudan Aadu	G. K. Venkatesh	A. L. Raghavan & L. R. Eswari
1974	Bhakta Kumbara	Kannada	Guru Bramham	G. K. Venkatesh
1974	Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu	Kannada	Virasavemba Vishake	G. K. Venkatesh
			Maariye Gathiyendu		P. B. Srinivas
1975	Piriyavidai	Tamil	Karunaikkadalae Kaarmugilvanna	G. K. Venkatesh	P. Susheela
1977	Kakana Kote	Kannada	Kari Haidanemboru	C. Ashwath	B. V. Karanth & C. Ashwath
1977	Kavikkuyil	Tamil	Maanathilae Meenirukka.... Udhayam Varugindrathe	Ilayaraja	S. Janaki
1979	Ravanude Ramudayithe?	Kannada	Ravanude Ramudayithe?	G. K. Venkatesh
1981	Nenjil Oru Mul	Tamil	Vaazhkkaiyenum Paadhaithanile	G. K. Venkatesh

See also

• Rajan–Nagendra
• Upendra Kumar
• Cinema of Karnataka

References

• Masreo G.K.Venkatesh

External links

• GKV. tfmpage.com.