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{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2016}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Indian name|Kulashekharan or Shekhar|Rajagopala}}{{Infobox musical artist
| name = R. K. Shekhar
| name = R. K. Shekhar
| image = R. K. Shekhar.jpg
| image = R. K. Shekhar.jpg
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| birth_name = Rajagopala Kulashekharan
| birth_name = Rajagopala Kulashekharan
| birth_date = {{birth date|1933|06|21|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1933|06|21|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1976|09|30|1933|06|21|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1976|09|09|1933|06|21|df=y}}
| origin = [[Gudiyatham -Vellore]], [[British India]] (presently [[Tamil Nadu]])
| origin = [[Tiruvallur]], [[British India]]
| instrument = [[Pump organ|Harmonium]]
| instrument = [[Pump organ|Harmonium]]
|children = 3, including [[A. R. Rahman]] and [[A. R. Reihana]]
| genre = [[Film score]], [[Classical music|classical]]
| genre = [[Film score]], [[Classical music|classical]]
| occupation = [[Film composer]], [[music director]], [[Arranger]], [[Music conductor]]
| occupation = [[Film composer]], [[music director]], [[Arranger]], [[Music conductor]]
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| past_members =
| past_members =
}}
}}
⚫
'''Rajagopala Kulashekharan''' or '''R. K. Shekhar''' (21 June 1933 – 09 September 1976) was an Indian music [[composer]] who worked mainly for [[Malayalam]] movies. He composed music for 52 films (23 in [[Malayalam]] with 127 songs), and was the music conductor for more than 100 films. He is the father of music composers and singers [[A. R. Rahman]] and [[A. R. Reihana]]. His grandsons [[G. V. Prakash Kumar]] and [[A. R. Ameen]] are also involved in music production.<ref name="scroll">{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/897662/his-fathers-son-how-ar-rahmans-father-rk-shekhar-made-his-mark-as-a-composer-and-arranger|title=His father's son: How AR Rahman's father RK Shekhar made his mark as a composer and arranger|website=[[Scroll.in]]|date=11 October 2018 }}</ref>

⚫
'''Rajagopala Kulashekharan''' (21 June 1933 – 30 September 1976) was an Indian music [[composer]] who worked mainly for [[Malayalam]] movies. He composed music for 52 films (23 in [[Malayalam]] with 127 songs), and was the music conductor for more than 100 films. He is the father of music composer [[A. R. Rahman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/897662/his-fathers-son-how-ar-rahmans-father-rk-shekhar-made-his-mark-as-a-composer-and-arranger|title=His father's son: How AR Rahman's father RK Shekhar made his mark as a composer and arranger|publisher=Scoll.in}}</ref>


His debut song as a music director was "Chotta Muthal Chudala Vare" ("from cradle to grave"), which was a big hit in [[Kerala]]. This was composed for the film ''[[Pazhassi Raja (1964 film)|Pazhassi Raja]]'' (1964).
His debut song as a music director was "Chotta Muthal Chudala Vare" ("from cradle to grave"), which was a big hit in [[Kerala]]. This was composed for the film ''[[Pazhassi Raja (1964 film)|Pazhassi Raja]]'' (1964).


==Early life==
==Early life==
⚫
He was born to a Tamil [[Thuluva Vellala|Thuluva vellala]] [[Mudaliar]] family in [[Gudiyatham]] to K. Rajagopalan also known as ''Rajagopalan'' [[Bhagavata|''Bhagavathar'']], a [[harikathai]] exponent.<ref name="scroll"/> His entry into film music was opened through his extraordinary performances on harmonium for theatre plays. He started his career in the film industry as an assistant to [[music director]] [[M. B. Sreenivasan]]. Later on he conducted and arranged music for famous Malayalam music directors [[M. K. Arjunan]] and [[V. Dakshinamoorthy]]. He was so fascinated by the tunes created by these legends, that he would work very hard single-handedly to create the BGM of the songs they tuned to match their purity and standard, thus making the songs evergreen and on par. Their association lasted till his death.

⚫
He was born to Rajagopalan, a [[harikathai]] exponent born in Tamil Paraiyar family in Tamil Nadu. His entry into film music was opened through his extraordinary performances on harmonium for Theatre Plays. He started his career in the film industry as an assistant to music director [[M. B. Sreenivasan]]. Later on he conducted and arranged music for famous Malayalam Music directors [[M.K. Arjunan]] and [[V. Dakshinamoorthy]]. He was so fascinated by the tunes created by these legends, that he would work very hard single-handedly to create the BGM of the songs they tuned to match its purity and standard, thus making the songs evergreen on par. Their association lasted till his death.


==Career==
==Career==
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He composed tunes for his last film '' [[Chottanikkara Amma]]'' when he was in bed for treatment and he died leaving the project incomplete. Later on, M.K. Arjunan completed the project by arranging and recording the songs that Shekhar composed.
He composed tunes for his last film '' [[Chottanikkara Amma]]'' when he was in bed for treatment and he died leaving the project incomplete. Later on, M.K. Arjunan completed the project by arranging and recording the songs that Shekhar composed.


==Personal life==
==Family==
R. K. Shekhar was married to Kasthuri. Their marriage took place in the most prominent shrine in India, the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] located in [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] in [[Southern India]]. Shekhar and Kasthuri had four children, [[A. R. Reihana]], [[A. R. Rahman]], Fathima Rafiq and Ishrathqadhre.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/isshrathquadhre {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref> Shekhar died on 30 September 1976 at the young age of 43. [[G.V. Prakash Kumar]] is R.K. Shekher's grandson through A. R. Reihana
R. K. Shekhar was married to Kasthuri Shekhar (later Kareema Begum; d. 2020).<ref>[https://thefederal.com/news/ar-rahmans-mother-has-died/ AR Rahman's mother Kareema Begum dies in Chennai]. ''thefederal.com''.</ref> Their marriage took place in the most prominent Hindu shrine in India, the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] located in [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]]. Shekhar and Kasthuri had four children, [[A. R. Reihana]], [[A. R. Rahman|Allah Rakha Rahman]] (born A. S. Dileep Kumar), Fathima Rafiq and Ishrath Qadri. Shekhar died on 9th September 1976 at the young age of 43. His grandchildren include Reihana's children [[G.V. Prakash Kumar]] and [[Bhavani Sre]] and Rahman's children [[Khatija Rahman]] and [[A. R. Ameen]].

The family fell on hard times after Shekhar's death and came under the guidance of [[Sufi]] [[Pir (Sufism)|peer]] Karimullah Shah Qadri, later converting to Islam with Rahman's name being suggested by a Hindu astrologer.<ref>[https://scroll.in/article/699665/why-i-converted-the-transformation-of-dilip-kumar-into-ar-rahman Why I converted the transformation of Dilip Kumar into AR Rahman] . [[Nasreen Munni Kabir]]. ''[[Scroll.in]]''.</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==

* [[Pazhassi Raja (1964 film)|''Pazhassi Raja'']] (1964)
* [[Pazhassi Raja (1964 film)|''Pazhassi Raja'']] (1964)
* ''Ayish''
* ''[[Aayisha]]''
* ''Anadha Shilpangal''
* ''[[Anadha Shilpangal]]''
* ''Yogamullaval''
* ''[[Yogamullaval]]''
* ''Sumangali''
* ''[[Sumangali (1971 film)|Sumangali]]''
* ''Akashaganga''
* ''Akashaganga''
* ''Aradi Manninte Janmi''
* ''[[Aaradimanninte Janmi|Aradi Manninte Janmi]]''
* ''Kandavarundo?''
* ''[[Kandavarundo|Kandavarundo?]]''
* ''[[Taxi Car]]'' (1972)
* ''[[Taxi Car]]'' (1972)
* ''[[Miss Mary (1972 film)|Miss Mary]]''
* ''[[Miss Mary (1972 film)|Miss Mary]]''
* ''Thottilla''
* ''[[Thottilla]]''
* ''Thiruvabharanam''
* ''[[Thiruvabharanam (film)|Thiruvabharanam]]''
* ''Kapalika''
* ''[[Kaapalika|Kapalika]]''
* ''Chithariya Pookkal''
* ''Chithariya Pookkal''
* ''Pattabhishekham''
* ''Pattabhishekham''
* ''Nadeenadanmare Avashyamundu''
* ''[[Nadeenadanmare Avasyamundu|Nadeenadanmare Avashyamundu]]''
* ''Thamarathoni''
* ''[[Thaamarathoni|Thamarathoni]]''
* ''Pen Pada''
* ''[[Pennpada|Pen Pada]]''
* ''Priyae Ninakku Vendi''
* ''[[Priye Ninakku Vendi|Priyae Ninakku Vendi]]''
* ''Velicham Akale''
* ''[[Velicham Akale]]''
* ''[[Kuttichathan]]''
* ''[[Kuttichathan]]''
* ''[[Yudhabhoomi]]''
* ''[[Yudhabhoomi]]''
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[[Category:Indian male film score composers]]
[[Category:Indian male film score composers]]
[[Category:20th-century male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century male musicians]]
[[Category:A. R. Rahman]]

Latest revision as of 13:41, 3 December 2024

In this Indian name, the name Rajagopala is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Kulashekharan or Shekhar.
R. K. Shekhar
Photo of R. K. Shekhar
Photo of R. K. Shekhar
Background information
Birth nameRajagopala Kulashekharan
Born(1933-06-21)21 June 1933
OriginTiruvallur, British India
Died9 September 1976(1976-09-09) (aged 43)
GenresFilm score, classical
Occupation(s)Film composer, music director, Arranger, Music conductor
InstrumentHarmonium
Years active1964 – 1976

Rajagopala Kulashekharan or R. K. Shekhar (21 June 1933 – 09 September 1976) was an Indian music composer who worked mainly for Malayalam movies. He composed music for 52 films (23 in Malayalam with 127 songs), and was the music conductor for more than 100 films. He is the father of music composers and singers A. R. Rahman and A. R. Reihana. His grandsons G. V. Prakash Kumar and A. R. Ameen are also involved in music production.[1]

His debut song as a music director was "Chotta Muthal Chudala Vare" ("from cradle to grave"), which was a big hit in Kerala. This was composed for the film Pazhassi Raja (1964).

Early life

[edit]

He was born to a Tamil Thuluva vellala Mudaliar family in Gudiyatham to K. Rajagopalan also known as Rajagopalan Bhagavathar, a harikathai exponent.[1] His entry into film music was opened through his extraordinary performances on harmonium for theatre plays. He started his career in the film industry as an assistant to music director M. B. Sreenivasan. Later on he conducted and arranged music for famous Malayalam music directors M. K. Arjunan and V. Dakshinamoorthy. He was so fascinated by the tunes created by these legends, that he would work very hard single-handedly to create the BGM of the songs they tuned to match their purity and standard, thus making the songs evergreen and on par. Their association lasted till his death.

Career

[edit]

His career as an independent music composer started with the 1964 film Pazhassi Raja, of which the philosophical song "Chotta Muthal Chudala Vare" became a big hit. After his next work in Aisha, he turned back to arranging and conducting for other composers.

After a gap of 7 years, he returned to music composing through the film Anaathashilpangal in 1971. Apart from arranging the hits like Ninmaniarayile and Neela Nishidhini C.I.D. Nazir 1971 for director P. Venu, he composed music for his next film Taxi Car in 1972. Then he went on to compose music for about 20 films. Due to the failure of these films in the box office, his songs went unnoticed and he lacked to get more opportunities for composing. His close friend in the industry was composer M. K. Arjunan. Starting from Arjunan master's first film, Shekhar assisted him in all his films till his death. Continuous hard work made Shekhar's health condition worse. In all these days, Arjunan master was the caretaker of him and his family.

He composed tunes for his last film Chottanikkara Amma when he was in bed for treatment and he died leaving the project incomplete. Later on, M.K. Arjunan completed the project by arranging and recording the songs that Shekhar composed.

Family

[edit]

R. K. Shekhar was married to Kasthuri Shekhar (later Kareema Begum; d. 2020).[2] Their marriage took place in the most prominent Hindu shrine in India, the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple located in Tirupati. Shekhar and Kasthuri had four children, A. R. Reihana, Allah Rakha Rahman (born A. S. Dileep Kumar), Fathima Rafiq and Ishrath Qadri. Shekhar died on 9th September 1976 at the young age of 43. His grandchildren include Reihana's children G.V. Prakash Kumar and Bhavani Sre and Rahman's children Khatija Rahman and A. R. Ameen.

The family fell on hard times after Shekhar's death and came under the guidance of Sufi peer Karimullah Shah Qadri, later converting to Islam with Rahman's name being suggested by a Hindu astrologer.[3]

Filmography

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "His father's son: How AR Rahman's father RK Shekhar made his mark as a composer and arranger". Scroll.in. 11 October 2018.
  2. ^ AR Rahman's mother Kareema Begum dies in Chennai. thefederal.com.
  3. ^ Why I converted the transformation of Dilip Kumar into AR Rahman . Nasreen Munni Kabir. Scroll.in.
[edit]
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