G K Venkatesh

Gurjada Krishnadas Venkatesh ( Kannada : ಗುರ್ಜದ ಕೃಷ್ಣದಾಸ ವೆಂಕಟೇಶ ) (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 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.

Venkatesh and Dr. Rajkumar

Venkatesh composed music for 51 films in which Dr. Rajkumar played a lead role. He launched Dr. Rajkumar as a singer in the film Ohileshwara(song:Sharanu Shambho) and also recorded Dr.Raj's first duet in Mahishasura Mardhini(song:Tumbitu Manava with S.Janaki) before launching him as a full-time singer in Sampattige Saval(song:Yare Koogadali).

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 (60's) and Nodi Swami Navirodu Heege(80's).Ustad Bismillah Khan was reluctunt to play Shehnai for films during his later part of years. GKV was lucky to direct the Maestro play Shehnai for lead character Appanna, played brilliantly by Dr.Rajkumar in Sanadi Appanna(70's).

Venkatesh and Ilaiyaraaja

Ilaiyaraaja was hired as an assistant by Venkatesh, an event that marked the entry of Ilaiyaraaja into film music composition and direction. Ilaiyaraaja assisted Venkatesh 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 Venkatesh remained an essential element of Ilaiyaraaja’s ensemble till 1993.

Partial discography - Kannada

*Aasha,
*Adhey Kannu,
*Anna Thangi (1958),
*Antha (1981),
*Asadhya Aliya (1979),
*Baala Bandhana ,
*Baalu Jenu,
*Bangaarada Manushya,
*Bhaktha Kumbara,
*Bhoothayyana Maga Ayyu,
*Dari Thappida Maga,
*Dashaavataara (1960),
*Devadaasi,
*Devara Makkalu,
*Doorada Betta (1973),
*Eradu Naksharagalu,
*Gajendra,
*Galaate Samsara (1977),
*Gauri,
*Haalu Jenu,
*Haavina Hede (1978),
*Hanabalavo Janabalavo,
*Hosa Theerppu,
*Jackpotnalli C I D 999,
*Kanntheredu Nodu (1961),
*Kanyaa Rathna (1963)
*Karmika Kallanalla (1972)
*Kasthuri Nivasa (1970)
*Kiladi Ranga
*Kulavadhu (1963)
*Madhu Malathi
*Mahishaasura Mardhini (1959)
*Male Banthu Male
*Malli Maduve (1963)
*Manasakshi
*Mannina Maga
*Naguva Hoovu (1970)
*Namma Kartavya
*Nanna Kartavya
*Nodi Swamy Navirodu Heege
*Ohileshwara (1956)
*Olavu Gelavu (1977)
*Operation Diamond Racket
*Parvathi Kalyana (1967)
*Prathidhwani
*Raja Nanna Raja (1976)
*Rajadurgada Rahasya (1967)
*Ranadheera Kanteerava (1960)
*Sampatthige Savaal
*Sanaadi Appanna (1977)
*Sandhyaa Raaga (1966)
*Sathi Saavitri (1965)
*Shrimanthana Magalu (1977)
*Sose Thanda Sowbhagya (1977)
*Sree Shaila Mahaatme (1961)
*Thaayi Karulu (1962)
*Thande Makkalu
*Thrimoorthy (1975)
*Thumbida Koda
*Vamsha Jyothi

Partial discography - Tamil

*Kashmir Kaadhali
*Ponnukku Thanga Manasu
*Sabatham (1971)
*Yaarukum Vetkamillai
*Magale Un Samathu
*Naanum Manithan Thaan
*Thaayin Karunai
*Murugan Kaatiya Vazhi-1974
*Thennankeetru
*Piriyavidai
*Malligai Mohini
*Chinnanchiru Kiliyae
*Pennin Vaazhkkai
*Deiva Thirumanangal
*Nenjil Oru Mul
*Kashmir Kaadhali
*Azhagu- 1984
*Inaindha Kodugal - 1985 (GKV’s last film in Tamil)

Venkatesh as an actor

Venkatesh had a small part to play in AVM’s Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu-1986 in which he acted in the role of Mohan’s musician father.He also appeared on-screen in Kanteredu Nodu in the song Kannadada Makkalella Ondagi Banni, composed and sung by himself.

Venkatesh as film producer

During the fledgling days of Kannada film movement, he produced movies such as Ranadheera Kantheerava, Immadi Pulikeshi in partnership with other artists.Venkatesh produced Gramathu Minnal in Tamil starring Ramarajan-Revathi.

External links

* http://www.tfmpage.com/my/md/gkvsara.html