Kannada Kannadigaru: Hamsalekha-Kannada Most Popular Lyricist and Music Director

Hamsalekha (real name: Govindaraju Gangaraju) is a music director and lyricist in the Kannada film industry. He also writes screenplays and dialogues for movies. He has composed music for over 300 feature films and has written lyrics for about the same number. He has also composed for Tamil and Telugu films. His popularity in the Kannada music industry rose with his tunes and lyrics in the film Premaloka (1987). His mother tongue is Kannada and his hometown is Mysore, India.

Early career

Hamsalekha was born on 23 June 1951 as Govindaraju Gangaraju. He is married to Latha, an established playback singer. He was introduced into feature films by director M. N. Prasad, who provided an opportunity to write for the film Triveni. His debut film as a musician was the 1981 film Rahuchandra, but his popularity soared only after his association with actor-director Ravichandran. Premaloka, released in 1987, brought them together for a collaboration that would endure for over 12 years.

Hamsalekha's style includes elements of western and Hindustani music. He plays keyboards, guitar, piano, harmonium, and percussion and sings. His wife Latha is also a singer. Some of her popular songs include "Aakaaradalli sharabu thubide" from Anjada Gandu and "aa arunodaya chenda" from the movie Arunodaya. She is still popular among lovers of film music.

Family Life

Hamsalekha and his wife Latha have a son Alankar. On lines of talent in family, Alankar too is connected with Arts, Music and Films. He attempted a stint in movies. Few of his released and unreleased movies are Sugghi, Tapori, Roja. Kannada Film Star of Mungarumale fame, Golden Star Ganesh played a role in Tapori during his struggling phase with Alankar in lead role.

Later career

After working on Premaloka, Hamsalekha became one of the most prolific music directors in Kannada film, with many hits. He made occasional use of many genres of music, including Western, pop, rock, hip hop, Indian classical, folk, ghazals, Sufi, and item songs. "Chandakinta Chanda", a ghazal he composed for the film Sparsha, was a major hit. He has created songs ranging from the philosophical ("Le Le Marula" in Shaapa, a film whose story he wrote himself) to the naughty ("Kaayi Kaayi Nuggekaayi Mahimege" in Halli Maestru), the patriotic ("Huttidhare Kannada Nadalli Hutta Bekku" in Rajkumar's Aakasmika, a song which has become an unofficial anthem of Karnataka) and love songs ("Ele Hombisile..." in Halunda Tavaru). He composed the background score for one movie using a single instrument and made the music for Kona Eedaita with no instruments at all. His music in the film Hagalu Vesha had a rustic and folk feel without the use of synthetic sounds. His music in the 2010 movie Naanu Nanna Kanasu was appreciated by critics as well as audiences. He also composed for the National Award winning movie Puttakkana Highway in 2011.

Desi Vidhya Samsthe

Hamsalekha Desi Vidya Samsthe was established in 2004–2005 as a free educational institution for SC/ST and underprivileged children for 8th, 9th and 10th standard in English medium. Teaching was given using Dance, Drama and Singing. Started^{(who did?)}^] an Arts College in 2007–2008 to provide Desi degree courses. Land has been allocated near Channapatna for a Desi Degree Residential College. Hamsalekha also runs a music class, where he encourages and mentors talented young singers.

Desi Music Trust

Hamsalekha laid the foundation stone for Desi Music University on the day of Kannada Rajyotsava on November 1, 2010. The university will be built with

120 crores on 50 acres (200,000 m²) of land in Mudhigere village near Channapatna in Karnataka. The Dravidian University of Andhra Pradesh has given recognition to this Hamsalekha College of Performing Arts.

Awards

Hamsalekha has received many awards over the past three decades.

National Film Awards:

· 1995 - National Film Award for Best Music Direction - Film: Ganayogi Panchakshari Gavayi

Filmfare Awards South:

· 2005 - Filmfare Award for Best Music Director (Kannada) - Film: Nenapirali

· 2000 - Filmfare Award for Best Music Director (Kannada) - Film: Preethse

· 1998 - Filmfare Award for Best Music Director (Kannada) - Film: Yaare Neenu Cheluve

· 1994 - Filmfare Award for Best Music Director (Kannada) - Film: Halunda Tavaru

· 1993 - Filmfare Award for Best Music Director (Kannada) - film: Aakasmika

· 1991 - Filmfare Award for Best Music Director (Kannada) - Film: Ramachaari

Karnataka State Film Awards: