From Hamsalekha to Upendra: Top lyricists in Sandalwood

While there are a lot of things behind the success of a movie, the importance of songs in it simply cannot be ruled out. Lyrics are the major part of the songs and sometimes it is the songs and its lyrics that make a movie successful. Here we take a look at some lyricists who have created wonders with their lyrics.

Hamsalekha is popularly known as ‘Nadha Brahma’ in Sandalwood. Hamsalekha is one of the popular composer and lyric writer, who has worked for more than 300 movies since 1980. Hamsalekha started his career in his Balakrishna Orchestra Group. Hamsalekha made his debut from the movie ‘Triveni’ in 1973 as a lyric writer and in 1986 he became a music director for the movie ‘Henne Ninagenu Bandhana’. He officially entered the film industry as a lyric and dialogue writer for the movie ‘Nanu Nanna Hendati’ in 1985. He is not only a famous music director by also a great lyric writer. Later in the years Hamsalekha associated with Ravichandran and produced music and lyrics for the movie ‘Premaloka’ which was a musical super hit movie. Premaloka, Ranadheera, Avane Nanna Ganda, Yuga Purusha, Halli Meshtru, and Gandharva are his known works in the industry. He has written lyrics for more than 500 movies and he is known for his writing in the industry.

V. Nagendra Prasad is one of the famous lyricists of this ear, and he is known as ‘Kaviratna’ means ‘Gem of Poets’. Nagendra who is from a poor background family completed post graduate in Kannada Literature at Manasagangotri Mysore University. Nagendra who was assisting for Hamsalekha made his debut as a Kannada lyric written from the movie ‘Gajina Mane’ in 2000 and went on to become one of the successful lyric writers in Kannada film industry. He has written more than 3000 songs in his career for movies, devotional albums, and TV Serials. Nagendra is not only a lyricist but also director, music director, actor and teacher.

V. Manohar is one of the most notable music directors in Kannada and Tulu, he is not only a music composer but also a lyric writer. He started his lyric writing career from the movie ‘Anubhava’ by writing the song ‘Hodeya Doora Oh Jothegaara’ which went on to become super hit song for the lyrics. Manohar is very much active in Kannada and Tulu film industry. He has written lyrics for more than 1000 songs in his career. He has won many awards for his lyrics contribution to the industry.

Kaviraj os one of the famous lyric writer in Kannada film industry. He is not only a lyric writer but also a director and writer. Kaviraj made is debut has a lyric writer from the movie ‘Kariya’ in 2003 which went on to become a super hit movie because of its story and songs. After ‘Kariya’ has written lyrics for more than 1000 movies and went on to become one of the most demanding lyricists in the Kannada film industry.

Yogaraj Bhat is the most famous director come lyricist in Kannada film industry. He is known for his lyric in the movie, his lyrics have made many movies successful. Yogaraj Bhat started his career as a director from the movie ‘Mani’ after assisting under Girish Kasaravalli. He went on to become famous after producing ‘Mungaru Male’ he has also written lyrics for this movie. 'Mungaru Maleye', 'Kathlalli Karadi', 'Doora Swalpa Doora', 'Shiva Antha Hoguthide', 'Pancharangi' are some of his notable songs in Kannada.

Real star Upendra is a famous director and actor in Sandalwood. It's surprising to know that he is not only an actor but also a lyricist, writer and playback singer. He started his career as a writer and assistant director under Kashinath. He made his debut in Kannada film industry by writing lyrics for the movie ‘Anantana Avantara’.