M. Ranga Rao

M. Ranga Rao was born on 15th October 1932 in the state of Andhra Pradesh. He was a music composer who majorly worked music industry in Kannada cinema. He was widely known for his pleasant tunes interspersed with hints of classical music.

He learned how to play the musical instrument called the Veena when he was very young. His mother Rangamma was his biggest inspiration and support. He completed his college with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering.

He married Syamala Devi and is the father of two sons, M Mahakali Rao and M Rama Krishna Rao, and two lovely daughters Sathya Vani and Naga Lakshmi. M. Ranga Rao made an entry in the movie business as a small role actor in the movies Yogi Vemana in 1947 and Swarga Seema in 1945. He also contributed to the release Tyagayya in the year 1946 as a Veena player.

His big debut in the Kannada mainstream movies happened with the film Nakkare Ade Swarga Story Soon >> Read More... in the year 1967. The same film was also the first movie for the legendary S. P. Balasubramanyam. Apart from Kannada, Ranga Also composed music for songs in other languages like Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. In his illustrious career, he received many honors for the role he played towards enriching the Music industry.

These include the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music director which he received for the films Hannele Chiguridaga, Hosa Belaku A Kannada based romantic movie, Hosa Belaku was re >> Read More... , Bandhana in the years 1969, 1982 and 1984 respectively. He has been part of a long list of movies beginning in the year 1967 when the films Nakkare Ade Awarga and Manassiddare Marga released.

In 1968 Hannele Chiguridaga and Margadarshi and Gruhalakshmi in 1969 saw him work in it as a Music Director. His filmography also included Karulina Kare and Sukha Samsara in 1970, Sakshatkara, Namma Samsara and Sothu Geddavalu in 1971.

The 1980's saw Guru Sarvabhowma Sri Raghavendra Karune, Guna Nodi Hennu Kodu, Premave Balina Belaku, Kumkuma Thanda Sowbhagya, Mullallu Ondu Mallige and Shiva Bhaktha Markandeya among others. The 1990's had his films Sri Satyanarayana Pooja Phala, Sri Nanjundeshwara Mahime, Khaidi No. 407, releasing on the silver screen.

Apart from music direction he also sang as a playback singer in Bhayankara Bhasmasura in 1985 and Number Aidoo Ekka in 1981. M. Ranga Rao, unfortunately, died at the age of 58, on 2nd August 1990, due to cancer. Shortly after his death, his wife also passed away on 26th January in 1991. He was laid to rest in a Bengaluru cremation ground.