Bengaluru 17 December(H.S.):

Legendary Kannada film actor Dr Rajkumar was a fabulous singer. He was initiated to music very early in his life by his father Singanalluru Puttaswamaih who was a self taught musician.

Through the stage plays Muthuraju aka Dr Rajkumar was exposed predominantly to Carnatic style of music. Since his father was a great afficianado of Hindustani classical music he would try and imitate legendary vocalist Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. It was natural Dr Rajkumar began to like Hindusthani classical music too.

As he began to make progress in his career as a popular actor in Kannada film industry, his intention to keep in touch with contemporary Hindusthani classical music was satiated by his younger brother S. P Varadaraj.

Ace music director GK Venkatesh and film director Bhagawan were instrumental in the music progression of Dr Rajkumar.

During the late 1970s the Ghazal wave had cut across the borders. Magnetic tapes reached the nook and corner of the sub continent. Thus popular ghazals of artists like Jagjith Singh, Talat Mahmood , Mohammed Rafi and from across the borders had huge influence not only on Hindi cinema but also on South Indian film industry too.

The coming of music director Upendra Kumar was a God sent gift to Dr Rajkumar to further upgrade his skills.

It is during this period that he began to record ghazal based songs in his movies.

For example Gelati Baaradu Inta Samaya in the movie Yeradu Nakshatragalu was inspired by a ghazal based on Raag Pahadi.

The song Sada Kannali in the movie Kaviratna Kaalidasa was inspired on yet another urdu ghazal based on Raag Miya Ka Malhar.

The song Kannera Dhare ideke ideke in the movie Hosa Belaku was based on Raag Lalit.

Songs like ide taladall ide ragadalli, Idu Rama Mandira had traces of Hindustani classical music and the tracks became chart busters.

Raag Bhimpalasi, Raag Pahadi and Raag Yaman were favourite ragas of my husband. He would sing ghazals based on these ragas in his free time at home in Madras. After shifting to Bangalore he was even more relaxed and would watch ghazal programs on Television.

Doordarshan was one of his favourite channel and he liked to watch Urdu section in his leisure time. He liked Urdu channel because they used to air Ghazal genre of Music. He didn't understand a word of Urdu but the sweetness of music mesmerised him. As a matter of fact, he would switch channels for classical music. Language didn't matter to him. As a matter of fact he was introduced to legendary Bharth Ratna Bhupen Hazarika's music through Doordarshan. He was in awe of Bhupen Hazarika's magical voice. Thus , he had lot of respect and regards to the Treasure house of Doordarshan.

Post the liberalisation and open sky policy during the early 1990s , private television channels aired exclusive ghazal content. And amongst the trend setters of that era my husband liked ghazal singer Hariharan. He liked Hariharan for two reasons. One is the fact Hariharan could blend both Carnatic and Hindustani classical music to his compositions. That according to my husband was the USP of Hariharan.

It is a fact that my husband Dr Rajkumar was a great lover of Ghazal genre of music, Mrs Parvathamma Rajkumar had confessed with this writer during an interaction.

Tell me the music you listen . And I will tell you who you are is an old agade.

And Dr Rajkumar is the glaring example of the adage.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manjunath Chavan