R. N. Jayagopal (1935 – 19 May 2008) was an Indian film director and lyricist in Kannada cinema. He had written over 12,000 film songs.
Early life and education R. N. Jayagopal, known to friends and fans as RNJ, was born in 1935 to R. Nagendra Rao, an influential figure of Kannada cinema. He did his primary and college education in Bangalore. He learnt Carnatic music from B. S. Raj Iyengar and was good at playing the violin. Jayagopal was one of four sons of his parents. His other famous siblings were older brother R. N. K. Prasad, who was a cinematographer, and younger brother R. N. Sudarshan, a veteran film actor and producer.
Career Jayagopal entered the film industry by writing the lyrics of "Tribhuvana Janani Jaganmohini" for the 1957 film Premada Putri produced by his father. From then on, he wrote script, dialogue and lyrics for hundreds of films. He had directed eight films, including Dhumaketu, Kesarina Kamala and Avala Antaranga. He won the State award as best dialogue writer for Namma Makkalu and Pallavi Anu Pallavi, which was Mani Ratnam's first film.
He did direct many serials as well, but he remained preoccupied by writing lyrics for Kannada films. His lyrics were meaningful and had a high degree of lyrical value. Many of his songs have been hugely successful not only for the tune composition, but as well for the quality of the songs.
Jayagopal worked in the company of other great writers like Chi. Udaya Shankar, Vijaya Narasimha, Sorat Ashwath, Hunsur Krishnamurthy and others.
Jayagopal started the first school in Chennai to offer Kannada as a second language - Vidya Vinaya Vinoda Mat. Hr. Sec. School. He also made his mark in the Tamil film industry with his well acclaimed roles in movies like Nayakan and Michael Madana Kama Rajan.
Notable lyrics "Haadonda Haaduve Nee Kelu Maguve" "Neerinalli Aleya Ungura" "Sanyaasi Sanyaasi Arjuna Sanyaasi" "Bellimodadha Anchinindha" "Gaganavu Ello Bhoomiyu Ello" "Nee Bandu Nintaga Nintu Neenu Nakkaga" "Nagu Endhidhe Manjina Bindu" "Naguva Nayana Madhura Mouna" "Raagake Swaravagi, Swarake Padavaagi" "Noorondu Nenapu Yedeyaaladinda" "Premada Kaadambari Baredanu Kanneerali"
Filmography As lyricist Year Movie Language Songs 2010 Gubbi Kannada 2008 Psycho Kannada 1996 Jeevanadhi Kannadaall songs 1994 Mandyada Gandu Kannada 1992 Sindhoora Thilaka Kannada 1991 Lion Jagapathi Rao Kannada 1990 Shruti Kannada 1989 Rudra Kannada 1988 Krishna Rukmini Kannada1998 Dharmathma Kannada 1988 Jananayaka Kannada 1988 Dada Kannada 1988 Anjada Gandu Kannada 1987 Sathyam Shivam Sundaram Kannada 1986 Malaya Marutha Kannada 1986 Africadalli Sheela Kannada 1986 Kathanayaka Kannada 1985 Swabhimana Kannada 1985 Bidugadeya Bedi Kannada 1985 Sedina Hakki Kannada 1984 Rudranaga Kannada 1984 Bandhana Kannada 1983 Sididedda Sahodara Kannada1983AashaKannada all songs1983Nyaya GeddituKannadaall songs 1983 Pallavi Anu Pallavi Kannadaall songs 1982 Tony Kannada 1982 Sahasa Simha Kannada 1981 Maha Prachandaru Kannada 1980 Makkala Sainya Kannada 1978 Kiladi Kittu Kannada 1978 Maathu Tappada Maga Kannada all songs 1978 Madhura Sangama Kannada 1977 Chinna Ninna Muddaduve Kannadaall songs 1976 Baalu Jenu Kannada 1976 Raja Nanna Raja Kannada 1976 Premada Kaanike Kannada 1975 Onde Roopa Eradu Guna Kannada 1975 Kalla Kulla Kannada 1973 Edakallu Guddada Mele Kannada 1972 Bangarada Manushya Kannada 1972 Mareyada Deepavali Kannada 1972 Naagarahaavu Kannada 1972 Naa Mechida Huduga Kannada 1972 Sipayi Ramu Kannada 1971 Kulagaurava Kannada 1971 Kasturi Nivasa Kannada 1970 Seetha Kannada1968DhoomakethuKannada all songs except Eko Ee dina 1965 Sathi Saavitri Kannadaall songs
As director Year Film Notes 1968 Dhoomakethu Also wrote screenplay, dialogues and lyrics 1972 Naa Mechida Huduga Also wrote screenplay, dialogues and lyrics 1973 Kesarina Kamala Also wrote screenplay, dialogues and lyrics 1979 Mutthu Ondu Mutthu Also wrote screenplay, dialogues and lyrics 1981 Mareyada Haadu Also wrote story, screenplay, dialogues and lyrics 1983 Makkale Devaru Also wrote dialogues and lyrics 1984 Avala Antharanga 1987 Hrudaya Pallavi Also wrote screenplay, dialogues and lyrics
As actor Nayagan (1987; Tamil) Michael Madhana Kamarajan (1990; Tamil) Jeevanadhi (1996; Kannada)
Awards Karnataka State Film Awards 1968-69 : Best Dialogue – Namma Makkalu (1969) 1982-83 : Best Dialogue – Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983) 1985-86: Special Award (Lyrics) – Swabhimana (1985)
Death He died on 19 May 2008 at the age of 72 following a cardiac arrest. His wife Lalita Jayagopal died two years later, on 13 June 2010.
References
External links
RNJayagopal.com