R. N. Jayagopal

R. N. Jayagopal Biography

R. N. Jayagopal was a leading lyricist associated with Kannada film industry who has penned over 12,000 film songs. He has also a screenwriter and directed a few movies. He is the second son of legendary film maker and theatre artist - R. Nagendra Rao. He has three brothers of whom two are associated with film field. His second brother R. N. Krishna Prasad is a cinematographer while his younger brother, R. N. Sudarshan is a film maker and actor. Associated with film scene as a screenwriter and lyricist since late 1950s, he has been associated with many films produced and directed by his father, and acted by his brother Sudarshan. He was fondly called RNJ by his fans.

Jayagopal was born on 17 August 1935 in Mysore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. His childhood and teens were spent in Bangalore where he completed his studies and later he also learnt carnatic music and violin. "Tribhuvana Janani Jaganmohini" for the 1957 film Premada Putri marked his film debut as a lyricist. The movie was produced and directed by his father. From there on, he wrote lyrics, scripts and dialogues for his father’s production house apart from other filmmakers. This versatile cine artist has also directed eight movies which include - Dhumaketu, Kesarina Kamala and Avala Antaranga.

Namma Makkalu earned him the first state award for best dialogue writer followed by Pallavi Anu Pallavi, Mani Ratnam’s maiden venture. Towards the end of his career he scripted several television serials too. As a lyricist, some of his notable songs include - Sanyaasi Sanyaasi Arjuna Sanyaasi, Haadonda Haaduve Nee Kelu Maguve, Gaganavu Ello Bhoomiyu Ello, Neerinalli Aleya Ungura, Bellimodadha Anchinindha etc. He has also acted in Kamal Hassan starrer Tamil films - Nayagan and Michael Madana Kama Rajan.

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Updated: February 05, 2016