Sandalwood is facing another blow with the demise of legendary music composer Rajan of Rajan-Nagendra fame. Rajan was 85 when he breathed his last at a hospital in Bengaluru. Speaking to an English news website, Rajan’s son R Anant Kumar said, “He was very healthy and was taking an online music class. He was having indigestion for the last two days. He breathed his last at home around 11 pm on Sunday night.” Rajan’s brother Nagendra had passed away 20 years ago.
Rajan and Nagendra were born in a middle-class musical family at Shivarampet in Mysuru. Their father Rajappa was a harmonium and flute player who played background music for silent movies. The brothers used to perform for Jaya Maruthi Orchestra.
They debuted as music directors in the year 1952 with the Kannada film Soubhagya Lakshmi. The brothers soon went on to carve a niche for themselves in Sandalwood. The duo went on to compose music for over 375 films in all southern languages including Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Tulu, and Sinhala. The brothers were called Kalyanji-Anandji of Kannada films.
Their popular work includes ‘Akashave beelali mele’, ‘Aakaashadinda Dharegilida’, ‘Aakaasha Deepavu Neenu’,’Baanallu Neene Bhuviyallu Neene’, Hosa Balige Nee Joteyade’ in Kannada. Some of the hit songs in Telugu are ‘Pujaluseya’, ‘Intinti Ramayanam’, and ‘Manasa veena madhugeetam’.
Condoling Rajan’s death, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said, “I am deeply pained to learn about the demise of Sri Rajan. May his soul rest in eternal peace. And May God gives strength to the bereaved family members, relatives, and fans to bear the loss.”
May His Soul Rest In Peace.
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