R. N. Jayagopal (1935 – 19 May 2008) was an
Indian film
The Cinema of India consists of motion pictures produced in India, which had a large effect on world cinema since the late 20th century. Major centers of film production across the country include Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Ko ...
director and lyricist in
Kannada cinema
Kannada cinema, also known as Sandalwood, or Chandanavana, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Kannada language widely spoken in the state of Karnataka. The 1934 film ''Sati Sulochana'' directed ...
. He had written over 12,000 film songs.
Early life and education
R. N. Jayagopal, known to friends and fans as RNJ, was born in 1935 to
R. Nagendra Rao, another great of Kannada cinema. He did his primary and college education in Bangalore. He learnt
Carnatic music
Carnatic music, known as or in the Dravidian languages, South Indian languages, is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, an ...
from B. S. Raj Iyengar and was good at playing the violin.
Jayagopal was one of four sons of his parents. His other famous siblings were older brother
R. N. K. Prasad
Rattihalli Nagendra Rao Krishna Prasad (c. 1929 – 15 February 2012) was an Indian cinematographer, actor, director and producer. He was the eldest son of R. Nagendra Rao considered one of the foremost figures of Kannada cinema.
Career
Born ...
, who was a cinematographer, and younger brother R. N. Sudarshan, a veteran film actor and producer.
Career
Jayagopal entered the film industry by writing the lyrics of "Tribhuvana Janani Jaganmohini" for the 1957 film ''
Premada Putri'' produced by his father. From then on, he wrote script, dialogue and lyrics for hundreds of films. He had directed eight films, including ''Dhumaketu'', ''Kesarina Kamala'' and ''Avala Antaranga''. He won the State award as best dialogue writer for ''
Namma Makkalu
''Namma Makkalu'' (Kannada: ನಮ್ಮ ಮಕ್ಕಳು) is a 1969 Indian Kannada film, directed by R. Nagendra Rao and produced by Harini. The film stars Chandrashekar, K. S. Ashwath, Pandari Bai, KM Jayashree, and Amarnath in the lead rol ...
'' and ''
Pallavi Anu Pallavi
''Pallavi Anu Pallavi'' is a 1983 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film written and directed by Mani Ratnam in his debut. The film stars Anil Kapoor, Lakshmi, and Kiran Vairale. It revolves around a young man falling in love with a sligh ...
'', which was
Mani Ratnam
Gopala Ratnam Subramaniam (born 2 June 1956), known professionally as Mani Ratnam, is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema and few Hindi, Telugu and Kannada films. Ratnam has won six Nat ...
's first film.
He did direct many serials as well, but he remained preoccupied by writing lyrics for Kannada films. His lyrics were meaningful and had a high degree of lyrical value. Many of his songs have been hugely successful not only for the tune composition, but as well for the quality of the songs.
Jayagopal worked in the company of other great writers like
Chi. Udaya Shankar
Chitnahalli Udayashankar (18 February 1934 – 2 July 1993; born in Chitnahalli) was an Indian lyricist and dialogue writer in the Kannada film industry for over three decades, who penned more than 3000 songs for films and devotional songs. H ...
,
Vijaya Narasimha
Vijaya Naarasimha (ಕನ್ನಡ:ವಿಜಯ ನಾರಸಿಂಹ)(16th January 1927 – 31 October 2001) was an Indian lyricist who worked in Kannada cinema.
Career
Vijaya Naarasimha's first Kannada film song was "Yee Dehadinda Dooranaa ...
, Sarot Aswath, Hunsur Krishnamurthy and others.
Jayagopal started the first school in Chennai to offer Kannada as a second language - Vidya Vinaya Vinoda Mat. Hr. Sec. School. He also made his mark in the Tamil film industry with his well acclaimed roles in movies like ''
Nayakan
''Nayakan'' (; ) is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language gangster film written and directed by Mani Ratnam. Produced by Muktha Srinivasan, the film stars Kamal Haasan, Saranya (in her feature debut) and Karthika, with Janagaraj, Vijayan, M. V. Vasu ...
'' and ''
Michael Madana Kama Rajan
''Michael Madana Kama Rajan'' is a 1990 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and written by Kamal Haasan, with Crazy Mohan penning the dialogues. The film stars Haasan in four roles alongside Urvasi, Rupini an ...
''.
Notable lyrics
* "Haadonda Haaduve Nee Kelu Maguve"
* "Neerinalli Aleya Ungura"
* "Sanyaasi Sanyaasi Arjuna Sanyaasi"
* "Bellimodadha Anchinindha"
* "Gaganavu Ello Bhoomiyu Ello"
* "Nee Bandu Nintaga Nintu Neenu Nakkaga"
* "Nagu Endhidhe Manjina Bindu"
* "Naguva Nayana Madhura Mouna"
* "Raagake Swaravagi, Swarake Padavaagi"
* "Noorondu Nenapu Yedeyaaladinda"
* "Premada Kaadambari Baredanu Kanneerali"
Filmography
As lyricist
As director
Awards
Karnataka State Film Awards
Karnataka State Film Awards are the most notable and prestigious film awards given for Kannada film industry in Karnataka, India. These are considered the highest awards for Kannada language films. They are given annually by the Government ...
* 1968-69 :
Best Dialogue – ''
Namma Makkalu
''Namma Makkalu'' (Kannada: ನಮ್ಮ ಮಕ್ಕಳು) is a 1969 Indian Kannada film, directed by R. Nagendra Rao and produced by Harini. The film stars Chandrashekar, K. S. Ashwath, Pandari Bai, KM Jayashree, and Amarnath in the lead rol ...
'' (1969)
* 1982-83 :
Best Dialogue – ''
Pallavi Anu Pallavi
''Pallavi Anu Pallavi'' is a 1983 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film written and directed by Mani Ratnam in his debut. The film stars Anil Kapoor, Lakshmi, and Kiran Vairale. It revolves around a young man falling in love with a sligh ...
'' (1983)
* 1985-86:
Special Award
Special or specials may refer to:
Policing
* Specials, Ulster Special Constabulary, the Northern Ireland police force
* Specials, Special Constable, an auxiliary, volunteer, or temporary; police worker or police officer
Literature
* ''Specia ...
(Lyrics) – ''
Swabhimana
''Swabhimana'' () is a 1985 Kannada-language romantic drama film directed by D. Rajendra Babu and written by K. S. Satyanarayan. The film stars V. Ravichandran and Mahalakshmi with Tiger Prabhakar and Aarathi in extended guest appearances. The ...
'' (1985)
Death
He died on 19 May 2008 at the age of 72 following a cardiac arrest. His wife Lalita Jayagopal died two years later, on 13 June 2010.
References
External links
*
RNJayagopal.com
Indian male songwriters
2008 deaths
1935 births
Kannada-language lyricists
Kannada film directors
Musicians from Mysore
Film musicians from Karnataka
20th-century Indian composers
21st-century Indian composers
20th-century male musicians
21st-century male musicians
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