M. Ranga Rao

M. Ranga Rao (26 April 1932 – 3 August 1990) was a prominent Indian composer who predominantly worked in Kannada cinema. Rao was known for his mellifluous scores and lilting tunes backed with strong classical nuances. Rao composed tunes for approximately 100 films in Kannada cinema.

Personal life

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 with Diploma in Mechanical Engineering stream.

Family M. Ranga Rao was married to Syamala Devi and they have two sons and two daughters. His wife, Syamala, died five months after her husband's death in 1991.

Career Rao entered the film industry as a small-time actor in the films Swarga Seema (1945) and Yogi Vemana (1947). He worked a Veena player in the 1946 released film Tyagayya.

However, he entered the Kannada film industry as a full-fledged composer of the film Nakkare Ade Swarga in 1967. This also marked the beginning of the legendary playback singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. He had a long association with noted singer Bangalore Latha.

Ranga Rao introduced Balasubramanyam to Kannada films by offering him a duet song alongside the veteran singer P. Susheela. Ranga Rao also worked as an assistant music director to veteran ace musician P. Adinarayana Rao.

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 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 1969 – Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director – Hannele Chiguridaga 1982 – Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director – Hosa Belaku 1984 – Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director – Bandhana

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

Telugu Sardar Dharmanna (1987) Tamil Kudumbam Oru Koyil (1986)