He
is one of the very few music directors to have carved
a niche of his own in all three fields that demand
music as an element of expression, namely theatre,
sugam sangeet and films. Since 1980, he has released
58 audio cassettes based on the works of many great
poets like Kuvempu, Bendre, Narasimhaswamy
and others. Ashwath takes the credit of writing
the first ever book on sugam sangeet, which has
earned him the prestigious Karnataka Sangeetha
Nritya Academy award. He was also conferred
the Rajyotsava award in 1986. His contribution
to theatre music was very much appreciated in plays
like Kakana Kote, Girish Karnad's Tughlaq,
Nagamandala, Taledanda, Brecht's Caucasian Chalk
Circle and Lankesh's Sankranthi. He earned a Fellowship
from the Karnataka Nataka Academy in 1994.
He has scored music for more than 20 films. In 1992
he won the Filmfare award for 'Mysooru Mallige'.
Ashwath founded 'Dhwani' - an organisation
to bring poets, music directors and singers under
one roof. Perhaps, Ashwath is the only music director
and singer from Karnataka to have given more than
25 concerts in the United States.
Hamsalekha
(G. Gangaraju), Composer - Lyricist
Born in 1951 in Bangalore, Hamsalekha initially
played musical instruments in his brother's orchestra.
Later. he trained in Carnatic, Hindustani and western
music. His first song for the film "Triveni'
in 1970, won laurels. In 1974 he formed 'Vivekaranga'
- a theatre group, to produce musical plays. His
lyrics for films 'Naanu Nanna Hendathi', 'Rahu
Chandra', 'Premaloka', Ranadheera, etc., set
a new trend. He has penned lyrics and scored classical,
folk and popular music for over 250 films in his
own distinctive style. He has won many state and
national awards in his career. Awards:- Best Music
Director for: 'Ramachari' (1991), 'Akasmika'
(1992), 'Gyanayogi Panchakshara Gavai' (1995).
His 'Panchsheela' - an art institute, trains
singers and musicians. 'Hamsaloka' - his
cultural institute produces audio, video cassettes
and tele-serials. He lives in Bangalore with wife
Latha and son Alankar.
10:25:23 PM 
He
is one of the very few music directors to have carved
a niche of his own in all three fields that demand
music as an element of expression, namely theatre,
sugam sangeet and films. Since 1980, he has released
58 audio cassettes based on the works of many great
poets like Kuvempu, Bendre, Narasimhaswamy
and others. Ashwath takes the credit of writing
the first ever book on sugam sangeet, which has
earned him the prestigious Karnataka Sangeetha
Nritya Academy award. He was also conferred
the Rajyotsava award in 1986. His contribution
to theatre music was very much appreciated in plays
like Kakana Kote, Girish Karnad's Tughlaq,
Nagamandala, Taledanda, Brecht's Caucasian Chalk
Circle and Lankesh's Sankranthi. He earned a Fellowship
from the Karnataka Nataka Academy in 1994.
He has scored music for more than 20 films. In 1992
he won the Filmfare award for 'Mysooru Mallige'.
Ashwath founded 'Dhwani' - an organisation
to bring poets, music directors and singers under
one roof. Perhaps, Ashwath is the only music director
and singer from Karnataka to have given more than
25 concerts in the United States. 
