Noted music director Rajan of the famous Kannada music composer duo Rajan-Nagendra passes away at 85 - Eminent music director Rajan o- Navbharat Times Photodhamal

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Eminent music director Rajan of Rajan-Nagendra fame passed away on September 11 at his residence due to cardiac arrest, family sources said. According to his family members, 87-year old Rajan, who was the elder brother of Nagendra, had developed complications on October 10, 2020 and suffered a heart attack. Nagendra had passed away 20 years ago, they said. 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. While Rajan was a violinist, Nagendra was an expert in Jal Tarang. The brothers used to perform for Jaya Maruthi Orchestra. The brothers had a good hold over Carnatic as well as Hindustani classical music. As independent music directors, Rajan and Nagendra had debuted for the movie 'Sowbhagya Lakshmi,' which opened a vista of opportunities for them.

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The brothers ruled the southern film industry, especially Kannada and Telugu films, for over four decades starting from the 1950s to the early 1990s.

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The music composer brothers carved a niche for themselves by giving many memorable and melodious songs.

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Songs like 'Akashave beelali mele' from the movie 'Nyayave Devaru', 'Aakaashadinda Dharegilida' from 'Chandanada Gombe', 'Aakaasha Deepavu Neenu' from 'Pavana Ganga', 'Baanallu Neene Bhuviyallu Neene' from 'Bayalu Dari' and Hosa Balige Nee Joteyade' from 'Naa Ninna Bidalare' in Kannada became massive hits.

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The duo had scored music for 400-odd films in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Tulu, Hindi and Sinhala.

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