M. Ranga Rao


M. Ranga Rao was a prominent Indian composer who predominantly worked in Kannada cinema. He was known for his mellifluous scores and lilting tunes backed with strong classical nuances.

Biography

Early life

Ranga Rao was born in a small village in Andhra Pradesh on 15 October 1932. He learnt the art of playing Veena instrument at a very young age. His inspiration was his mother, Rangamma. He graduated in Diploma in Mechanical Engineering stream.

Family

M. Ranga Rao was married to Syamala Devi and they have 2 sons and 2 Daughters. His wife, Syamala, died five months after her husband's death, on Republic Day in 1991.

Career

Rao entered the film industry as a small-time actor in the films Swarga Seema and Yogi Vemana. He worked as a veena player in the 1946 released film Tyagayya.
However, he entered the Kannada film industry as a full-fledged composer from the film Nakkare Ade Swarga in 1967. This also marked the beginning of the legendary playback singer S. P. Balasubramanyam, who went on to rule the playback industry for many more decades. Ranga Rao introduced Balasubramanyam to Kannada films by offering him a duet song alongside the veteran singer P. Susheela.
Along with composing numerous songs in Kannada, he also composed a few in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam languages, most of them being the dubbed works of his Kannada songs.

Death

Ranga Rao died of cancer on 2 August 1990, aged just 58. He was cremated in a crematorium in Bengaluru. He and his wife are survived by their four children, children-in-law and grandchildren.

Awards

;Kannada
YearFilmNotes
1967Nakkare Ade Swarga
1967Manassiddare Marga
1968Hannele ChiguridagaWon - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director
1969Margadarshi
1969Gruhalakshmi
1970Karulina Kare
1970Sukha Samsara
1971Sakshatkara
1971Namma Samsara
1971Sothu Geddavalu
1972Janma Rahasya
1972Utthara Dakshina
1973Bidugade
1973Edakallu Guddada Mele
1974Gruhini
1974Maga Mommaga
1974Bhale Bhatta
1975Mane Belaku
1975Kaveri
1975Viplava Vanithe
1976Devaru Kotta Vara
1976Hudugaatada Hudugi
1976Baduku Bangaravayitu
1976Punardhatta
1976Bahaddur Gandu
1976Badavara Bandhu
1976Kanasu Nanasu
1977Dhanalakshmi
1977Geddavalu Naane
1977Punarmilana
1977Shani Prabhava
1977Shubhashaya
1978Halli Haida
1978Anubandha
1978Sridevi
1979Aliya Devaru
1979Atthege Thakka Sose
1980Shree Raghavendra Karune
1980Vasantha Geetha
1980Prema Jwala
1980Pattanakke Banda Pathniyaru
1981Mane Madadi Makkalu
1981Ranganayaki
1981Naga Kala Bhairava
1981Number Aidu Ekka
1982Kempu Hori
1982Hosa BelakuWon - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director
1982Swarna Mahal Rahasya
1982Guna Nodi Hennu Kodu
1982Kalasapurada Hudugaru
1982Kannu Theresida Hennu
1982Raga Thala
1982Raja Maharaja
1983Kaviratna Kalidasa
1983Kalluveene Nudiyithu
1983Swargadalli Maduve
1983Naavu Yarigenu Kadime
1983Kranthiyogi Basavanna
1983Mududida Tavare Aralithu
1983Samarpane
1984Samayada Gombe
1984Aparanji
1984Rudranaga
1984Shravana Banthu
1984Premave Balina Belaku
1984Benki Birugali
1984BandhanaWon - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director
1984Bedaru Bombe
1984Avala Antharanga
1984Olave Baduku
1984Bilee Gulabi
1985Goonda Guru
1985Aahuti
1985Veeradhi Veera
1985Jwaalamukhi
1985Pithamaha
1985Kumkuma Thanda Soubhagya
1985Bhayankara Bhasmasura
1985Hendthi Beku Hendthi
1986Madhura Bandhavya
1986Karna
1986Hennina Koogu
1986Kathanayaka
1986Nannavaru
1986Prema Jaala
1986Mouna Geethe
1986Aruna Raaga
1986Maneye Manthralaya
1987Olavina Udugore
1987Shiva Bhakta Markandeya
1987Mullalu Ondu Mallige
1987Shubha Milana
1987Kurukshetra
1987Thayi Kotta Thali
1987Hrudaya Pallavi
1987Vijay
1988Shanthi Nivasa
1988Olavina Aasare
1988Oorigitta Kolli
1988Mutthaide
1989Bidisada Bandha
1989Bisilu Beladingalu
1989Thayigobba Tharle Maga
1989Samsara Nouke
1989Rajasimha
1989Abhimana
1990Prema Tharanga
1990Nambidre Nambi Bitre Bidi
1990Sri Satyanarayana Pooja Phala
1990Golmaal Radhakrishna
1990Ramarajyadalli Rakshasaru
1990Policena Hendthi
1990Halliya Surasuraru
1991Sri Nanjundeshwara Mahime
1991Varagala Bete
1991Giri Mallige
1991Antharangada Mrudanga
1991Kaala Chakra
1993Khaidi No.407
1993Prana Snehitha
1996Manasa Veene

;Telugu
;Tamil