Manjula Gururaj
 Her
captivating voice can render a whole range of songs, can portray
myriad emotions. Manjula Gururaj, the melody queen of
Karnataka, has made her mark on the South Indian music scenario.
Her name is synonymous with the song 'Olage seridare Gundu…'
from the film Nanjundi Kalyana, that made her an overnight
star. The drunken voice in the song was so natural that it enthralled
Kannada cine-fans all over the state.
Born in a family of musicians, Manjula took up music as a matter
of worship and even to this day, music remains her first love.
She has rendered her voice for more than 1500 film songs in
nine languages including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam,
Tulu, Konkani and even Persian.
She is a 'A' grade artiste of AIR and television
and a senior grade vocalist in Carnatic music. With an
in depth knowledge of Hindustani and Western music,
she has composed music for Bhagaveethas, jingles and
documentaries.
In 1983, she appeared on Kannada Doordarshan channel
as a newsreader. For 14 years, her apt voice and pleasing mannerisms
made her popular among the masses.
In 1995, she was honoured with the 'Best Playback Singer'
award from the State Government for the classic song
in the film Chinnara Mutha. In the movie Beladingala
Bale, she established herself by lending her appealing voice
for the heroine, who never appears on the screen. And for this
effort, she got the 'Best Voice' award from the State.
Awards
Tharangini Berkely Award, 1989-90
Chitra Premigala Award, 1991 and 1993
Kannada Prabha Award, 1992
Chitra Rasikara Award, 1993
Aryabhatta Prashasti, 1995 |
Besides being a busy playback singer, she has given more than
3000 live performances in India, U.S.A, U.A.E, Malaysia
and Singapore.
In order to spread the divine art of music and encourage
people to learn the art, she started her own music school -
Sadhana Music School.
She is married to Gururaj, who also has a deep interest
in music. They have two children - Sangeetha and Sagar.
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Dr RAJKUMAR
Actor, Singer
 Dr
Rajkumar, a stalwart of Kannada cinema, is a living legend
of the Kannada Cinema World. His father was a noted theatre
personality and encouraged his interest in theatre. Making his
debut on the silver screen with Bedara Kannappa,
he has acted in over 300 films with genres as varied as historical,
theological, social and detective movies. Endowed with a good
voice, he has taken a keen interest in playback singing. His
movie, Bangarada Manushya
created history by running for nearly 2 years
in the state. Shabdhavedi, released on 10th Feb.
2000, was a movie he starred in after a hiatus of 5 years. India's
most prestigious award - Dada Saheb Phalke Award
was conferred on him in 1995. Other awards include the
Padmabhushan and Karnataka Ratna award.
His wife, Parvathamma Rajkumar is a film producer. Sons,
Shivraj, Raghavendra and Puneet Rajkumar are
also popular actors in Kannada cinema.
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