R. K. Shekhar

R. K. Shekhar Biography

Rajagopala Kulasekara Shekhar, shortly known as R.K.Shekhar was a music composer of Malayalam cinema during the golden era of 70’s. He was one among those unfortunate artists of film field who didn’t receive appreciation that he actually deserved. He started his career as a music arranger and after a lot of struggle, when he began to taste the sweet of success he left the world so suddenly! Thus Keralites really lost a great artist who work was stopped like a quick thunder bolt. Any reader may be surprised to know that this great composer of Malayalam is none other than father of A. R. Rahman - great music director of present times!  He left the world at a younger age of just 43 in 1977 when Rehman was only 12 years old! Though throughout his life R.K struggled to get good opportunities, his son has reached such a position that he obtained following his father’s principles.  A surprising fact – R.K.Shekhar has included a composition created by Rehman in one of his Malayalam movies. Rehman was only 9 year old then! Father was so impressed by the tune that he didn’t alter the tune and used it as such!

Malayalam film music can never forget this music composer and his contributions to Malayalam cinema. From his first song – Chotta muthal chudala vare of Pazzassi raja (1964) to his last song – Manasu manasinte kaathil rahasyangal manthrikkum of Chottanikkara amma (1976), he was truly a master! He has arranged and conducted music for over 100 films. He has been credited as a music director for 22 movies only of which his first (Chotta muthal) and last piece (manasu manasinte were his masterpieces! No other romantic song has ever been able to recreate the magic done by “Manasu manasinte” in Malayalam music – a song which expresses the true emotions of first night and most sad part is that it was his last composition. Similar to the philosophical song of his debut movie, Chotta muthal chudala vare ("from cradle to grave"), he has created another wonderful tune for Prem Nazir movie – the title track of Aradi Manninte Janmi (Landlord of 6 feet soil).

It was R.K.Shekhar who introduced singer Brahmananthan into Malayalam music though he was not able to sustain in the world of Yesudas and Jayachandran. Balamurali Krishna and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam too were introduced to Malayalam by R.k.Shekhar. A few of his hit songs - Ushasso Sandhyayo Sundari of Sumangali,  Aashada masam from Yudhhabhoomi , aarorumilla thendi of Aradi Manninte Janmi, Thamarapoo nanichu ente  of Taxi driver, Neeyente Velicham of Miss Mary and Omana Thamara poothathano from the movie Yogamullaval. A few movies need special mention – Thiruvabharanam, Swimming pool, Aisha, Penpada, Thamara thoni and Aradi Manninte Janmi. R K Shekhar was born in Palakkad. Yet after his death, his family got shifted to Chennai and got converted to Islam as well.

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Updated: October 23, 2013