Dr. Rajkumar has sung approximately 300 songs in movies and an excess of 400 devotional (non-film) songs in Kannada. Rajkumar trained in classical music when he was with Gubbi Veeranna's theatre troupe. The track Om Namaha Shivaya from the 1956 film Ohileshwara , which he also starred in, was his first song for a film. He subsequently sang "Thumbithu Manava", a duet with S. Janaki, for the movie Mahishasura Mardini (1959). However, he became a full-fledged singer only in 1974 when he sang in place of P. B. Sreenivas for Sampathige Savaal , who had till then sung for most songs picturized on Rajkumar, fell ill. Rajkumar sang the energetic Yaare Koogadali for the film which became widely popular during the time and is considered one of his best songs. [1]
Rajkumar has been credited for having sung across various genres and each rendition according to the mood of the scene in the film. In "Yaaru Tiliyaru Ninna" for Babruvahana (1977), a prosodic form of Kannada poetry that required the tone to be a combination of sarcasm and anger, he blended the twin skills of theatrics and music. [2] For Nee Nanna Gellalare (1981), he sang two songs—"Jeeva Hoovagide" and "Anuraga Enaytu"—beginning both with the refrain "I love you", that is full of Carnatic gamakas. After the same tone in the refrain, they take on a life of their own with the form according to love and happiness in the former and love but a discord in the latter. He is known widely for his rendition of "Nadamaya" for Jeevana Chaitra (1992), a song based on the raga of Todi and with complex graces and strings other ragas as it progresses. He switches ragas with ease, and sings complex swara patterns like a professional classical artiste. [3] For the rendition, he was awarded the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. [4]
| Year | Title | Song | Composer(s) | Co-singer(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Ohileshwara | "Om Namah Shivaaya" | G. K. Venkatesh | [5] | |
| 1959 | Mahishasura Mardini | "Thumbithu Manava" | S. Janaki | [5] | |
| Year | Title | Song | Composer(s) | Co-singer(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Sampathige Savaal | "Yaare Koogadali" | G. K. Venkatesh | [6] | |
| Sri Srinivasa Kalyana | "Naane Bhagyavathi" "Cheluvina Thaare" | Rajan–Nagendra | S. Janaki | ||
| 1975 | Daari Tappida Maga | "Naariye Seere Kadda" | G. K. Venkatesh | [7] | |
| Mayura | "Naaniruvude Ninagagi" "Ee Mounava Taalenu" | S. Janaki | [8] | ||
| Thrimurthy | "Le Le Appana Magale" "Enu Maadali Naanu" "Moogana Kaadidarenu" "Hannu Maagide" | S. Janaki | |||
| 1976 | Premada Kanike | "Baanigondu Elle" "Idu Yaaru Barida" "Naguveya Henne" "Naa Bidalare" | Upendra Kumar | H. P. Geetha Vani Jayaram | [9] |
| Bahaddur Gandu | "Maanavanaaguveya" "Muthinantha Maathondu" "Hey Ninagagiye" | M. Ranga Rao | solo | [10] | |
| Raja Nanna Raja | "Thanuvu Manuvu" "Kalletigintha Naana" | G. K. Venkatesh | S. Janaki | ||
| Naa Ninna Mareyalare | "Naa Ninna" "Nannaseya Hoove" "Elleli Nodali" | Rajan-Nagendra | Vani Jayaram S. Janaki | [11] | |
| Badavara Bandhu | "Ninna Kangala" "Ninna Nudiyu" | M. Ranga Rao | solo | ||
| 1977 | Babruvahana | "Ee Samaya Anandamaya" "Aaradhisuve Madanaari" "Barasidilu Badidanthe" "Yaaru Thiliyaru Ninna" | T. G. Lingappa | S. Janaki P. B. Sreenivas | [12] |
| Bhagyavantharu | "Ninna Snehake" "Ninna Nanna Manavu" | Rajan-Nagendra | P. Susheela | ||
| Giri Kanye | "Enendu Naa Helali" "Yaaru Neenu" "Thai Thai Bangari" "Koodi Baalona" "Nagunagutha Nee Baruve" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam S. Janaki | |||
| Sanaadi Appanna | "Raaga Anuraaga" "Ninagagi Ododi Bande" | G. K. Venkatesh | S. Janaki | [13] | |
| Olavu Geluvu | "Sangeethave Nee Nudiyuva Mathella" "Naa Helalaare" "Giniye Nanna Araginiye" | S. Janaki | |||
| 1978 | Shankar Guru | "Cheluveya Nota Chenna" "Love Me Or Hate Me" "Eneno Aase" "Chinna Baalalli Ee Raatri" "Naa Benkiyanthe" | Upendra Kumar | Vani Jayaram P. B. Sreenivas | |
| Operation Diamond Racket | "If You Come Today" "Alli Illi Noduve" "Nee Naduguve Eke" | G. K. Venkatesh | S. Janaki | ||
| Thayige Thakka Maga | "Entha Sogasu" "Sooryana Kaanthige" "Vishwanathanu Thandeyadare" "Chali Chali Nadukavu" | T. G. Lingappa | Kasthuri Shankar S. Janaki | ||
| 1979 | Huliya Haalina Mevu | "Chinnada Mallige Hoove" "Aase Heluvaase" "Beladingalagi Baa" "Rajadhi Raja" | G. K. Venkatesh | S. Janaki P. Susheela | |
| Nanobba Kalla | "Kopavethake Nannali" "Araluthide Moha" "Nanobba Kallanu" "Aaseyu Kaigoodithu" | Rajan-Nagendra | S. Janaki | ||
| Year | Title | Song | Composer(s) | Co-singer(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Ravichandra | "Sathyabhame" "Naa Ninna Aase Kande" "Idu Rama Mandira" "O Entha Soundarya Kande" "Nasu Nagutha" | Upendra Kumar | S. Janaki Sulochana | |
| Vasantha Geetha | "Kannalle Eno" "Aatavenu Notavenu" "Haayada Ee Sanje" "Neenado Mathella" | M. Ranga Rao | Vani Jayaram S. Janaki | ||
| 1981 | Haavina Hede | "Bisi Bisi Kajjaya" "My Name is Raj" "Hoovinda Bareva Katheya" "Bere Enu Beda Endigu" | G. K. Venkatesh | Vani Jayaram | |
| Nee Nanna Gellalare | "Jeeva Hoovagide" "Nanna Neenu Gellalare" "Anuraga Yenaythu" | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki | ||
| Bhagyavantha | "Thilidavaro Moodaro" "Guruvara Banthamma" | T. G. Lingappa | solo | ||
| Keralida Simha | "Ondu Maathu Nanage Gotthu" "Amma Neenu Namagagi" "Thiliyade Nanage" "Eno Moha Eko Daaha" | Satyam | Sulochana P. B. Sreenivas Vani Jayaram | ||
| 1982 | Hosa Belaku | "Hosabelaku Mooduthide" "Cheluveye Ninna Nodalu" "Neenade Baalige Jyothi" "Ravi Neenu Aagasadinda" "Kanneera Dhaare Ideke" | M. Ranga Rao | Vani Jayaram S. Janaki | |
| Haalu Jenu | "Aneya Mele Ambari" "Haayagi Kulithiru" "Baalu Belakayithu" "Haalu Jenu Ondaada Haage" | G. K. Venkatesh | Sulochana Saritha | ||
| Chalisuva Modagalu | "My Lord Nanna Vaada" "Jenina Holeyo" "Chandira Thanda" "Neenello Naanalle" | Rajan-Nagendra | S. Janaki | ||
| 1983 | Kaviratna Kalidasa | "Belli Moodithu" "Albyaad Kane Sumkire" "Maanikya Veenam" "Sadaa Kannali" "O Priyathama" | M. Ranga Rao | Vani Jayaram | [14] |
| Kaamana Billu | "Baa Muthu Koduve" "Kannu Kannu Kalethaga" "Indu Ananda Naa Thalalare" | Upendra Kumar | Vani Jayaram | ||
| Bhakta Prahlada | "Priyadim Bandu" "Hey Sarasijodbhava" "Sigivem Kshanadali" "Laali Laali Sukumara" "Ela Elavo" | T. G. Lingappa | Vani Jayaram | ||
| Eradu Nakshatragalu | "Eke Malli Hange" "Gelathi Baaradu Intha Samaya" "Howdu Endare" | G. K. Venkatesh | Vani Jayaram Master Lohith | ||
| 1984 | Samayada Gombe | "Chinnada Gombeyalla" "Sankochava Bidu" "Aakasha Kelageke" "Nanna Saradara" "Kogile Haadide Kelideya" | M. Ranga Rao | S. Janaki | |
| Shravana Banthu | "Hosa Balina Hosilali" "Banina Anchinda Bande" "Mary Mary Mary" "Shravana Masa Bandaga" "Ide Raagadalli" | Vani Jayaram | |||
| Yarivanu | "Raagavo Anuraagavo" "Kaveri Eke Oduve" "Akashade Haaraduva" | Rajan-Nagendra | S. Janaki Master Lohith | ||
| Apoorva Sangama | "Thara O Thara" "Aralide Thanu Mana" "Bangari Nanna Vayyari" "Bhagya Ennale" | Upendra Kumar | S. Janaki Ramesh Chandra | ||
| 1985 | Ade Kannu | "Nayana Nayana" "Ninnee Naguve Arunodayavu" "Ide Nota Ide Aata" "Ade Kannu" | G. K. Venkatesh | Bangalore Latha P. B. Sreenivas Vani Jayaram | |
| Jwaalamukhi | "Eko Eno Ee Nanna Manavu" "Heluvudu Ondu Maaduvudu Innondu" "Nodi Nodi Ella Nodi" "Baale Prema Geethe" | M. Ranga Rao | Bangalore Latha S. Janaki | ||
| Dhruva Thare | "Aa Moda Baanalli" "Aa Rathiye Dharegilidanthe" "O Nalle Savinudiya Hele" "Nyayavelli Adagide" | Upendra Kumar | Vani Jayaram Bangalore Latha S. Janaki | ||
| 1986 | Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma | "Enu Maayavo" "Nee Atthare" "Innu Hatthira" "Yaava Kaviyu" "Ananda Ananda" | Singeetham Srinivasa Rao | Vani Jayaram B. R. Chaya P. Susheela Chi. Dattaraj | |
| Anuraga Aralithu | "Shrikanta Vishakanta" "Nee Nadedare Sogasu" "Ganga Yamuna Sangama" "Sarthakavayithu" | Upendra Kumar | S. Janaki | ||
| Guri | "Allah Allah" "Vasantha Kala Bandaga" "Thangaliyanthe" "Kallina Veeneya" | Rajan-Nagendra | Rathnamala Prakash | ||
| 1987 | Ondu Muttina Kathe | "Mutthondu Thande" "Mallige Hoovinanthe" "Ondu Eradu" "Melinda Hunnime" | L. Vaidyanathan | Rathnamala Prakash Sunil, Sowmya Shankar Nag | |
| Shruthi Seridaaga | "Bombeyattavayya" "Nagalarade" "Raaga Jeevana" "Shruthi Seride" | T. G. Lingappa | Vani Jayaram S. Janaki | ||
| 1988 | Shiva Mecchida Kannappa | "Maayeya Thereyanu" "Ellaru Maduvudu" | T. G. Lingappa | solo | |
| Devatha Manushya | "Hrudayadali Idenidu" "Ee Sogasada Sanje" "Haalalladaru Haaku" "Ninnantha Appa Illa" | Upendra Kumar | Manjula Gururaj B. R. Chaya | ||
| Ranaranga | "Jagave Ondu Ranaranga" | Hamsalekha | solo | ||
| 1989 | Nanjundi Kalyana | "Baduke Hasiru" | Upendra Kumar | solo | |
| Parashuram | "Saradara Baa Baalina" "Thandana Thandana" "Nagutha Nagutha Baalu" | Hamsalekha | Swarnalatha Manjula Gururaj | ||
| Year | Title | Song | Composer(s) | Co-singer(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Ashwamedha | "Ashwamedha" | Sangeetha Raja | solo | |
| Aasegobba Meesegobba | "Ella Burude Illi" | Upendra Kumar | solo | ||
| 1991 | Modada Mareyalli | "Manadalli Aaseye Bere" | Rajan-Nagendra | solo | |
| Kalyana Mantapa | "Ombathu Ombathu" | Upendra Kumar | solo | ||
| Hrudaya Haadithu | "Naliyuta Hrudaya Haadanu Haadide" | solo | |||
| 1992 | Jeevana Chaitra | "Ninna Cheluva Vadana" "Nannavalu Nannedeya" "Aralida Thanuvidu" "Manavanagi Huttidamele" "Lakshmi Baramma" "Nadamaya Ee Lokavella" | Manjula Gururaj | ||
| Mannina Doni | "Megha Banthu Megha" | Hamsalekha | solo | ||
| Purushotthama | "Shiva Shiva Iva Shiva" "Naanu Nimmavanu" | solo | |||
| Saptapadi | "Sapthapadi Idu Sapthapadi" | Upendra Kumar | solo | ||
| 1993 | Muddina Maava | "Deepavali Deepavali" "Kannappa Kottanu Kannanu" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | Manjula Gururaj S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | |
| Ananda Jyothi | "Amma Enuva" | Vijay Anand | solo | ||
| Aakasmika | "Anuragada Bhoga" "Ee Kannigoo Hennigoo" "Baaluvantha Hoove" "Agumbeya Prema Sanjeya" "Huttidare Kannada Nadalli" | Hamsalekha | Manjula Gururaj | ||
| Anuragada Alegalu | "Jeeva Kogile Inchara" | solo | |||
| Chirabandhavya | "Baaligu Bhoomigu" | solo | |||
| Hoovu Hannu | "Thaayi Thaayi" | K. S. Chithra | |||
| Mangalya Bandhana | "Gaandhari" | solo | |||
| Midida Hrudayagalu | "Thande Kodiso Seere" | solo | |||
| Munjaneya Manju | "Kaalada Kaiyolage" | solo | |||
| Jaga Mechida Huduga | "Ello Udurida Hoovu" | Rajan-Nagendra | solo | ||
| Navibbaru Namagibbaru | "Mai Gada Gada Naduguva" | Upendra Kumar | solo | ||
| 1994 | Odahuttidavaru | "Madhura Ee Kshana" "Nambi Kettavarillavo" "Naanu Naanu Neenu" "Sole Geluvendu Baalali" | Manjula Gururaj S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Sangeetha Katti | ||
| Megha Maale | "Megha Maale" | Hamsalekha | solo | ||
| Gandhada Gudi Part 2 | "Naavaduva Nudiye" | Rajan-Nagendra | solo | ||
| Gandugali | "Ondu Maathanaadade" | Sadhu Kokila | solo | ||
| 1995 | Karulina Kudi | "O Malle Hoove" | Rajan-Nagendra | solo | |
| Kavya | "Aasegala Lokadali" | Sadhu Kokila | solo | ||
| Dore | "Raitha Raitha Raitha" | Hamsalekha | solo | ||
| Om | "Om Brahmananda Omkara" "O Gulabiye" | solo | |||
| Samara | "Kannadada Maathe Channa" | Kousthubha | solo | ||
| Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai | "Saavirada Sharanu" | Hamsalekha | solo | ||
| Thayi Illada Thavaru | "Arishina Kumkuma" | solo | |||
| Gadibidi Aliya | "Kannadada Kuvaranu Naane" | Koti | Rajesh Krishnan | ||
| Karnataka Suputra | "Aa Vidhi Thandha" | M. M. Keeravani | solo | ||
| 1996 | Aadithya | "Kavyavu Hosa Kavyavu" | Rajesh Ramanath | solo | |
| Dhani | "Nee Kanda Aa Loka" | Sadhu Kokila | solo | ||
| Gajanura Gandu | "Yuga Yuga Sagihogi" | solo | |||
| Geluvina Saradara | "Topi Topi" | Hamsalekha | solo | ||
| Hetthavaru | "Makkalu Beku Anthare" | solo | |||
| Janumada Jodi | "Dehavendare O Manuja" "Janumada Jodi Aadaru" | V. Manohar | solo | ||
| Shreemathi Kalyana | "Ravi Illade" | Sadhu Kokila | solo | ||
| 1997 | Janani Janmabhoomi | "Bayasuvudeno Aaguvudeno" | Rajan - Nagendra | solo | |
| Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda | "Janumava Neediruve" | Upendra Kumar | solo | ||
| Simhada Mari | "Manage Ondu Baagilu" | Hamsalekha | solo | ||
| Jodi Hakki | "Hara Hara Gange" | V. Manohar | solo | ||
| Baalida Mane | "Aa Vidhi Keralithe" | Rajan-Nagendra | solo | ||
| Raaja | "Shivane Shivane" | Deva | solo | ||
| 1998 | Hoomale | "Hoomale Hoomale" | Ilaiyaraaja | solo | |
| Baro Nanna Muddina Krishna | "Devrigeno Kopa" | Rajesh Ramanath | solo | ||
| Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga | "Bhoomithayiya" | V Manohar | solo | ||
| Kurubana Rani | "Thaali Thaali" | solo | |||
| Gadibidi Krishna | "Thamma Thamma" | Hamsalekha | solo | ||
| Swasthik | "Eddelu Huduga" | V. Manohar | solo | ||
| 1999 | Janumadatha | "Aa Vidhathantha" | solo | ||
| Idu Entha Premavayya | "Yeneno Kanasu" | Gurukiran | solo | ||
| Vishwa | "Vishwa Vishwa" | Hamsalekha | solo | ||
| Hrudaya Hrudaya | "O Premada Gangeye" "Hogi Baa" | K. S. Chithra | |||
| Year | Title | Song | Composer(s) | Co-singer(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Shabdavedhi | "Thayyare Thayya" "Namma Yajamanru" "Prema Kashmira" "O Gelathi" "Janarinda Naanu Mele Bande" | Hamsalekha | K. S. Chithra Manjula Gururaj | |
| Hagalu Vesha | "Jaggadu Jaggadu" | solo | |||
| Devara Maga | "Manjanthe Ele Mele" | solo | |||
| Indradhanush | "Kelu Kelavva Kelavva" "Yara Kanasalla" | V. Manohar | solo | ||
| 2002 | Appu | "Panavidu Panavidu" "Aa Devara Haadidu" | Gurukiran | solo | [15] |
| 2003 | Abhi | "Vidhi Baraha" | Gurukiran | solo | [16] |
| Chigurida Kanasu | "Bandhuve O Bandhuve" | V. Manohar | solo | [17] | |
| 2008 | Vamshi | "Thayi Thayi" | Hamsalekha | solo | [18] |
| 2009 | Raaj – The Showman | "O Kempa O Kaala" | V. Harikrishna | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | |