Singing career
Although his singing was greatly appreciated, his fans of the days of black-and-white movies in 1960s and 1970s, swear by the fact that his true identity was P B Srinivas, who did the playback singing for most of Rajkumar's movies, until Rajkumar himself started to sing. PBS continued singing for him in many of the movies in which Rajkumar starred in double/triple roles.
In his final years, Rajkumar had lent his voice to a few other actors and sang many background solos. One such song which holds a unique distinction was for the movie Muddina Maava wherein he had provided playback to the legendary singer S.P.Balasubramaniyam, who had acted in the movie. This is probably a rare occasion where an actor sings for a singer, which is probably unmatched in the world of cinema. He had sung many devotional songs on Hanuman and Sri.Raghavendra Swamiji. One of his most famous songs is "Huttidare Kannada naadalli hutta beku".
The theatrical background he had since childhood really helped him in acting as well as singing. Adept at rendering his voice to different moods - romantic, sentimental, devotional and semi-classical, his songs about Kannada language and culture such as Jenina holeyo, Maanavanagi huttidmele and Huttidare are immensely popular. He even sang a complete English song in one of his bond films. Interestingly, he lent voice for SPB in Muddina Mava and comedian Narasimharaju in Devasundari.
Naadamaya, a classical song in Raga Thodi, which won him the national award for best playback singing proves his versatility as a singer with its complex graces as it progresses with other ragas. He switches between ragas with ease and sings Swara patterns just like a professional.Kalidasa's shlokas, songs which are based on ghazals like Sadaa Kannali, Kanneera Dhaare, Gelathi Baradu and Yaava Kaviyu have also been very melodious and popular. Besides films, he rendered his voice for many devotional songs.
As many as 17 singers gave voice to Rajkumar before he started singing his own songs, and that was after he had been acting for over two decades. Until 1974, P.B.Srinivas was Rajkumar's most frequent singing voice in films. However, once when P.B. Srinivas was not available to sing for the movie Sampattige Sawal, Composer G.K.Venkatesh encouraged Rajkumar to sing. With the song Yaare koogadali, Rajkumar restarted his singing career, which had stopped after the movie Ohileshwara. Thus began his journey as the most famous actor-singer that the Kannada film industry has ever seen. Singers, who lent voice to Rajkumar include P.B.Srinivas and Ghantasala Venkateshwara Rao.
Later on, Rajkumar sang songs for all the movies in which he acted, and also as a playback singer he had sung many songs to others.In addition to classical, light classical and movie style singing he had also mastered 'mattuu'(free style singing in Kannada mythological dramas similar to opera singing) style. The best examples are in movies 'Bhabruvaahana' and ' Bhaktha Prahalaadda. Rajkumar was also a good harmonium player.
Popular Songs sung by Dr.Rajkumar :
1.Baani Gondu Elle Ellide Ninaasegeli Koneidhe - Premada Kanike -- Download
2.Chaluveya Nota - Shankar Guru -- Download
3.If You Come Today - Operation Diamond Racket -- Download
4.Oh Yentha Soundarya - Ravichandra -- Download
5.Beladingalaagi Baa - Huliya Haalina Mevu -- Download
6.Yaava Kaviyu - Bhagyada Lakshmi Baaramma -- Download
7.Aaradisuve Madanaari - Babruvaahana -- Download
8.Hey Dhinakara - Om -- Download
9.Halu Jenu Ondaad Mele - Halu Jenu -- Download
0 comments on "Singing career"