Kandula Mallikarjuna Rao

Kandula Mallikharjuna Rao, better known as Mallik (1921–1996) was an Indian popular music composer and singer.

He was born in Machilipatnam, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, to K. Venkatachalam and Lakshmi Narasamma. His initial training in music was under the guidance of the late Krovi Satyanarayana. He served as a music composer and singer at All India Radio (AIR), Madras, for 30 years before transferring to AIR,Vijayawada. During his tenure at Akashvani, he composed numerous songs, including dance dramas, Bhakthi Ranjani pieces, and folk melodies. He was the first composer of many reputed Tallapaka Annamacharya Keerthanas. Examples of his notable compositions include 'Adigo Alladigo,' 'Thandhanana Aahi,' and 'Narayanathae Namo Namo.' He also created the renowned 'Raja Rajeshwari Astakam' and 'Hanuman Manjari.' The Kuchipudi dance drama Chandalika, choreographed by Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam with music composed by Mallik, gained international acclaim for its exceptional musical score.

In addition to being a composer, he was also a playback singer for Telugu movies, including the films Sampoorna Ramayanam, Charana Daasi, Bhagya Rekha (1957), and Bangaru Papa.

He was awarded Nada Kaumudi by ex-Prime Minister P. V. Narsimha Rao and ex-Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao for his excellence.

He accompanied as a singer for many dance ballads for Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam, Smt. Shobha Naidu, and Smt. Raja Sulochana. He also performed many individual programs.

He participated in T.T.D. Brahmotsavams for 50 years.

Filmography

Composer Year Film Language Director Banner Notes 1955 Sri Jagannatha Mahatyamu Telugu Katuri Mohan Rao Union Pictures with B. Gopalam 1957 Sati Savitri Telugu K. B. Nagabhushanam Varalakshmi Pictures with M. Balamuralikrishna, P. Suribabu, S. Rajeswara Rao, Babu Rao, J. Lakshminarayana, H. R. Padmanabha Sastry & Master Venu 1961 Madanamanjari Telugu Jasubhai Trivedi Srikrishna Balaji Films with Pamarthi

Singer

Year Film Language Song Co-singers Music director 1953 Manjari Telugu O Yuvaraja Tivarapatu Tagadoi Y. Rukmini H. R. Padmanabha Sastry1955 Bangaru PapaTelugu Ghal Ghalluna Gajjala Addepalli Rama Rao Bratuku Svapnamu Kaadhu 1955 Sri Jagannatha MahatyamuTelugu Choopulathote Krishna Kumar, V. Lakshmi, J. V. Raghavulu, Rama Rao, Govinda Rao, Padma Priya & Renuka Sr. Mallik & B. Gopalam Jagannatha Swamy A. M. Rajah, B. Gopalam, Venkatraju, Krishna Kumar, V. Lakshmi, Padma Priya & Renuka Sr. Jayajagadeesha Hare Prakash Rao, Venkateswarlu, V. Lakshmi, Padma Priya & Renuka Sr. Navaiparthyam Radharoodo Gacchin Vandanamayya Sowmitri, Krishna Kumar, J. V. Raghavulu, P. S. Vaidehi, V. Lakshmi, Padma Priya & Renuka Sr. 1956 Charana Daasi Telugu Are Beta.... Bommalaata S. Rajeswara Rao 1957 Bhagya Rekha Telugu Thirumala Mandhira Pendyala Nageswara Rao1958 Sri Krishna GaradiTelugu Gaduchu Bhayambu Dheenini Pendyala Nageswara Rao Gandeevam Devadatta Ananyaschinta Yantho Mamyejanah Gadusu Hayambuna Dheenini 1958 Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham Telugu Bhandanabheemu Dartajanabandhu Pendyala Nageswara Rao1958 Veettukku Vandha VaralakshmiTamil Thirupathi Meviya Sundhara Pendyala Nageswara Rao Ennasai Raaja Evandaa Jikki1959 Sampoorna RamayanamTelugu Thaponidhi Vishwamitruni Venuka K. V. Mahadevan Sriramachandruni Pattabhisheka Mahotsavam Madhavapeddi Satyam, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao, Jikki, Udutha Sarojini & K. Jamuna Rani Annavu Pitruswamivai Nanu Odharchu Paadukale Paadukale Paadukalae Kolichemu P. B. Sreenivas Chakkani Lanka Nagaramu 1959 Sati Tulasi Telugu Sri Ramana Hey Shritha Karuna Pamarthi1960 Bhakta SabariTelugu Challanga Mammelu Sabari Gangamma Pendyala Nageswara Rao Pandina Dehamandu Paripakvata Bhavataraka Tarakanamahare P. Susheela 1960 Raja Makutam Telugu Kanta Paini Aasa Master Venu 1961 Sampoorna Ramayana Telugu Abhayamuma Dayaseyumachalavasa Vasant Desai & Vijaya Bhaskar 1963 Lava Kusa Telugu Jagadabhi Ramudu Sriraamude Ghantasala, P. Leela & P. Susheela Ghantasala 1964 Babruvahana Telugu Durjaya Rajamandala Pamarthi 1964 Ramadasu Telugu Adigo Badradri Idigo Choodandi Ghantasala, P. B. Sreenivas & A. P. Komala G. Ashwathama 1967 Rahasyam Telugu Ambaparaku Devi Paraku J. V. Raghavulu, P. Susheela, P. Leela, Ghantasala, A. P. Komala, P. S. Vaidehi & M. S. Padma Ghantasala