Dr. Rajkumar has sung approximately 300 songs in movies and an excess of 400 devotional (non-film) songs in Kannada. Rajkumar trained in classical music when he was with Gubbi Veeranna's theatre troupe. The track Om Namaha Shivaya from the 1956 film Ohileshwara, which he also starred in, was his first song for a film. He subsequently sang "Thumbithu Manava", a duet with S. Janaki, for the movie Mahishasura Mardini (1959). However, he became a full-fledged singer only in 1974 when he sang in place of P. B. Sreenivas for Sampathige Savaal, who had till then sung for most songs picturized on Rajkumar, fell ill. Rajkumar sang the energetic Yaare Koogadali for the film which became widely popular during the time and is considered one of his best songs.
Rajkumar has been credited for having sung across various genres and each rendition according to the mood of the scene in the film. In "Yaaru Tiliyaru Ninna" for Babruvahana (1977), a prosodic form of Kannada poetry that required the tone to be a combination of sarcasm and anger, he blended the twin skills of theatrics and music. For Nee Nanna Gellalare (1981), he sang two songs—"Jeeva Hoovagide" and "Anuraga Enaytu"—beginning both with the refrain "I love you", that is full of Carnatic gamakas. After the same tone in the refrain, they take on a life of their own with the form according to love and happiness in the former and love but a discord in the latter. He is known widely for his rendition of "Nadamaya" for Jeevana Chaitra (1992), a song based on the raga of Todi and with complex graces and strings other ragas as it progresses. He switches ragas with ease, and sings complex swara patterns like a professional classical artiste. For the rendition, he was awarded the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
Film songs 1950s + Year Title Song Composer(s) Co-singer(s) Ref 1956 Ohileshwara "Om Namah Shivaaya" G. K. Venkatesh 1959 Mahishasura Mardini "Thumbithu Manava" S. Janaki
1970s + Year Title Song Composer(s) Co-singer(s) Ref 1974 Sampathige Savaal "Yaare Koogadali" G. K. Venkatesh Sri Srinivasa Kalyana "Naane Bhagyavathi" "Cheluvina Thaare" Rajan–Nagendra S. Janaki 1975 Daari Tappida Maga "Naariye Seere Kadda" G. K. Venkatesh Mayura "Naaniruvude Ninagagi" "Ee Mounava Taalenu" S. Janaki Thrimurthy "Le Le Appana Magale" "Enu Maadali Naanu" "Moogana Kaadidarenu" "Hannu Maagide" S. Janaki 1976Premada Kanike "Baanigondu Elle" "Idu Yaaru Barida" "Naguveya Henne" "Naa Bidalare" Upendra Kumar H. P. Geetha Vani Jayaram Bahaddur Gandu "Maanavanaaguveya" "Muthinantha Maathondu""Hey Ninagagiye" M. Ranga Rao solo Raja Nanna Raja "Thanuvu Manuvu" "Kalletigintha Naana" G. K. Venkatesh S. Janaki Naa Ninna Mareyalare "Naa Ninna" "Nannaseya Hoove" "Elleli Nodali" Rajan-Nagendra Vani Jayaram S. Janaki Badavara Bandhu "Ninna Kangala" "Ninna Nudiyu" M. Ranga Rao solo 1977Babruvahana "Ee Samaya Anandamaya" "Aaradhisuve Madanaari" "Barasidilu Badidanthe" "Yaaru Thiliyaru Ninna" T. G. Lingappa S. Janaki P. B. Sreenivas Bhagyavantharu "Ninna Snehake" "Ninna Nanna Manavu" Rajan-Nagendra P. Susheela Giri Kanye "Enendu Naa Helali" "Yaaru Neenu" "Thai Thai Bangari" "Koodi Baalona" "Nagunagutha Nee Baruve" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam S. Janaki Sanaadi Appanna "Raaga Anuraaga" "Ninagagi Ododi Bande" G. K. Venkatesh S. Janaki Olavu Geluvu "Sangeethave Nee Nudiyuva Mathella" "Naa Helalaare" "Giniye Nanna Araginiye" S. Janaki 1978 Shankar Guru "Cheluveya Nota Chenna" "Love Me Or Hate Me" "Eneno Aase" "Chinna Baalalli Ee Raatri" "Naa Benkiyanthe" Upendra Kumar Vani Jayaram P. B. Sreenivas Operation Diamond Racket "If You Come Today" "Alli Illi Noduve" "Nee Naduguve Eke" G. K. Venkatesh S. Janaki Thayige Thakka Maga "Entha Sogasu" "Sooryana Kaanthige" "Vishwanathanu Thandeyadare" "Chali Chali Nadukavu" T. G. Lingappa Kasthuri Shankar S. Janaki 1979 Huliya Haalina Mevu "Chinnada Mallige Hoove" "Aase Heluvaase" "Beladingalagi Baa" "Rajadhi Raja" G. K. Venkatesh S. Janaki P. Susheela Nanobba Kalla "Kopavethake Nannali" "Araluthide Moha" "Nanobba Kallanu" "Aaseyu Kaigoodithu" Rajan-Nagendra S. Janaki
1980s + Year Title Song Composer(s) Co-singer(s) Ref 1980 Ravichandra "Sathyabhame" "Naa Ninna Aase Kande" "Idu Rama Mandira" "O Entha Soundarya Kande" "Nasu Nagutha" Upendra Kumar S. Janaki Sulochana Vasantha Geetha "Kannalle Eno" "Aatavenu Notavenu" "Haayada Ee Sanje" "Neenado Mathella" M. Ranga Rao Vani Jayaram S. Janaki 1981 Haavina Hede "Bisi Bisi Kajjaya" "My Name is Raj" "Hoovinda Bareva Katheya" "Bere Enu Beda Endigu" G. K. Venkatesh Vani Jayaram Nee Nanna Gellalare "Jeeva Hoovagide" "Nanna Neenu Gellalare" "Anuraga Yenaythu" Ilaiyaraaja S. Janaki Bhagyavantha "Thilidavaro Moodaro" "Guruvara Banthamma" T. G. Lingappa solo Keralida Simha "Ondu Maathu Nanage Gotthu" "Amma Neenu Namagagi" "Thiliyade Nanage" "Eno Moha Eko Daaha" Satyam Sulochana P. B. Sreenivas Vani Jayaram 1982 Hosa Belaku "Hosabelaku Mooduthide" "Cheluveye Ninna Nodalu" "Neenade Baalige Jyothi" "Ravi Neenu Aagasadinda" "Kanneera Dhaare Ideke" M. Ranga Rao Vani Jayaram S. Janaki Haalu Jenu "Aneya Mele Ambari" "Haayagi Kulithiru" "Baalu Belakayithu" "Haalu Jenu Ondaada Haage" G. K. Venkatesh Sulochana Saritha Chalisuva Modagalu "My Lord Nanna Vaada" "Jenina Holeyo" "Chandira Thanda" "Neenello Naanalle" Rajan-Nagendra S. Janaki 1983 Kaviratna Kalidasa "Belli Moodithu" "Albyaad Kane Sumkire" "Maanikya Veenam" "Sadaa Kannali" "O Priyathama" M. Ranga Rao Vani Jayaram Kaamana Billu "Baa Muthu Koduve" "Kannu Kannu Kalethaga" "Indu Ananda Naa Thalalare" Upendra Kumar Vani Jayaram Bhakta Prahlada "Priyadim Bandu" "Hey Sarasijodbhava" "Sigivem Kshanadali" "Laali Laali Sukumara" "Ela Elavo" T. G. Lingappa Vani Jayaram Eradu Nakshatragalu "Eke Malli Hange" "Gelathi Baaradu Intha Samaya" "Howdu Endare" G. K. Venkatesh Vani Jayaram Master Lohith 1984 Samayada Gombe "Chinnada Gombeyalla" "Sankochava Bidu" "Aakasha Kelageke" "Nanna Saradara" "Kogile Haadide Kelideya" M. Ranga Rao S. Janaki Shravana Banthu "Hosa Balina Hosilali" "Banina Anchinda Bande" "Mary Mary Mary" "Shravana Masa Bandaga" "Ide Raagadalli" Vani Jayaram Yarivanu "Raagavo Anuraagavo" "Kaveri Eke Oduve" "Akashade Haaraduva" Rajan-Nagendra S. Janaki Master Lohith Apoorva Sangama "Thara O Thara" "Aralide Thanu Mana" "Bangari Nanna Vayyari" "Bhagya Ennale" Upendra Kumar S. Janaki Ramesh Chandra 1985 Ade Kannu "Nayana Nayana" "Ninnee Naguve Arunodayavu" "Ide Nota Ide Aata" "Ade Kannu" G. K. Venkatesh Bangalore Latha P. B. Sreenivas Vani Jayaram Jwaalamukhi "Eko Eno Ee Nanna Manavu" "Heluvudu Ondu Maaduvudu Innondu" "Nodi Nodi Ella Nodi" "Baale Prema Geethe" M. Ranga Rao Bangalore Latha S. Janaki Dhruva Thare "Aa Moda Baanalli" "Aa Rathiye Dharegilidanthe" "O Nalle Savinudiya Hele" "Nyayavelli Adagide" Upendra Kumar Vani Jayaram Bangalore Latha S. Janaki 1986 Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma "Enu Maayavo" "Nee Atthare" "Innu Hatthira" "Yaava Kaviyu" "Ananda Ananda" Singeetham Srinivasa Rao Vani Jayaram B. R. Chaya P. Susheela Chi. Dattaraj Anuraga Aralithu "Shrikanta Vishakanta" "Nee Nadedare Sogasu" "Ganga Yamuna Sangama" "Sarthakavayithu" Upendra Kumar S. Janaki Guri "Allah Allah" "Vasantha Kala Bandaga" "Thangaliyanthe" "Kallina Veeneya" Rajan-Nagendra Rathnamala Prakash 1987 Ondu Muttina Kathe "Mutthondu Thande" "Mallige Hoovinanthe" "Ondu Eradu" "Melinda Hunnime" L. Vaidyanathan Rathnamala Prakash Sunil, Sowmya Shankar Nag Shruthi Seridaaga "Bombeyattavayya" "Nagalarade" "Raaga Jeevana" "Shruthi Seride" T. G. Lingappa Vani Jayaram S. Janaki 1988 Shiva Mecchida Kannappa "Maayeya Thereyanu" "Ellaru Maduvudu" T. G. Lingappa solo Devatha Manushya "Hrudayadali Idenidu" "Ee Sogasada Sanje" "Haalalladaru Haaku" "Ninnantha Appa Illa" Upendra Kumar Manjula Gururaj B. R. Chaya Ranaranga "Jagave Ondu Ranaranga" Hamsalekha solo 1989 Nanjundi Kalyana "Baduke Hasiru" Upendra Kumar solo Parashuram "Saradara Baa Baalina" "Thandana Thandana" "Nagutha Nagutha Baalu" Hamsalekha Swarnalatha Manjula Gururaj
1990s + Year Title Song Composer(s) Co-singer(s) Ref 1990 Ashwamedha "Ashwamedha" Sangeetha Raja solo Aasegobba Meesegobba "Ella Burude Illi" Upendra Kumar solo 1991 Modada Mareyalli "Manadalli Aaseye Bere" Rajan-Nagendra solo Kalyana Mantapa "Ombathu Ombathu" Upendra Kumar solo Hrudaya Haadithu "Naliyuta Hrudaya Haadanu Haadide" solo 1992 Jeevana Chaitra "Ninna Cheluva Vadana" "Nannavalu Nannedeya" "Aralida Thanuvidu" "Manavanagi Huttidamele" "Lakshmi Baramma" "Nadamaya Ee Lokavella" Manjula Gururaj Mannina Doni "Megha Banthu Megha" Hamsalekha solo Purushotthama "Shiva Shiva Iva Shiva" "Naanu Nimmavanu" solo Saptapadi "Sapthapadi Idu Sapthapadi" Upendra Kumar solo 1993 Muddina Maava "Deepavali Deepavali" "Kannappa Kottanu Kannanu" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Manjula Gururaj S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Ananda Jyothi "Amma Enuva" Vijay Anand solo Aakasmika "Anuragada Bhoga" "Ee Kannigoo Hennigoo" "Baaluvantha Hoove" "Agumbeya Prema Sanjeya" "Huttidare Kannada Nadalli" Hamsalekha Manjula Gururaj Anuragada Alegalu "Jeeva Kogile Inchara" solo Chirabandhavya "Baaligu Bhoomigu" solo Hoovu Hannu "Thaayi Thaayi" K. S. Chithra Mangalya Bandhana "Gaandhari" solo Midida Hrudayagalu "Thande Kodiso Seere" solo Munjaneya Manju "Kaalada Kaiyolage" solo Jaga Mechida Huduga "Ello Udurida Hoovu" Rajan-Nagendra solo Navibbaru Namagibbaru "Mai Gada Gada Naduguva" Upendra Kumar solo 1994 Odahuttidavaru "Madhura Ee Kshana" "Nambi Kettavarillavo" "Naanu Naanu Neenu" "Sole Geluvendu Baalali" Manjula Gururaj S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Sangeetha Katti Megha Maale "Megha Maale" Hamsalekha solo Gandhada Gudi Part 2 "Naavaduva Nudiye" Rajan-Nagendra solo Gandugali "Ondu Maathanaadade" Sadhu Kokila solo 1995 Karulina Kudi "O Malle Hoove" Rajan-Nagendra solo Kavya "Aasegala Lokadali" Sadhu Kokila solo Dore "Raitha Raitha Raitha" Hamsalekha solo Om "Om Brahmananda Omkara" "O Gulabiye" solo Samara "Kannadada Maathe Channa" Kousthubha solo Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai "Saavirada Sharanu" Hamsalekha solo Thayi Illada Thavaru "Arishina Kumkuma" solo Gadibidi Aliya "Kannadada Kuvaranu Naane" Koti Rajesh Krishnan Karnataka Suputra "Aa Vidhi Thandha" M. M. Keeravani solo 1996 Aadithya "Kavyavu Hosa Kavyavu" Rajesh Ramanath solo Dhani "Nee Kanda Aa Loka" Sadhu Kokila solo Gajanura Gandu "Yuga Yuga Sagihogi" solo Geluvina Saradara "Topi Topi" Hamsalekha solo Hetthavaru "Makkalu Beku Anthare" solo Janumada Jodi "Dehavendare O Manuja" "Janumada Jodi Aadaru" V. Manohar solo Shreemathi Kalyana "Ravi Illade" Sadhu Kokila solo 1997 Janani Janmabhoomi "Bayasuvudeno Aaguvudeno" Rajan - Nagendra solo Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda "Janumava Neediruve" Upendra Kumar solo Simhada Mari "Manage Ondu Baagilu" Hamsalekha solo Jodi Hakki "Hara Hara Gange" V. Manohar solo Baalida Mane "Aa Vidhi Keralithe" Rajan-Nagendra solo Raaja "Shivane Shivane" Deva solo 1998 Hoomale "Hoomale Hoomale" Ilaiyaraaja solo Baro Nanna Muddina Krishna "Devrigeno Kopa" Rajesh Ramanath solo Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga "Bhoomithayiya" V Manohar solo Kurubana Rani "Thaali Thaali" solo Gadibidi Krishna "Thamma Thamma" Hamsalekha solo Swasthik "Eddelu Huduga" V. Manohar solo1999 Janumadatha "Aa Vidhathantha" solo Idu Entha Premavayya "Yeneno Kanasu" Gurukiran solo Vishwa "Vishwa Vishwa" Hamsalekha solo Hrudaya Hrudaya "O Premada Gangeye" "Hogi Baa" K. S. Chithra
2000s + Year Title Song Composer(s) Co-singer(s) Ref 2000 Shabdavedhi "Thayyare Thayya" "Namma Yajamanru" "Prema Kashmira" "O Gelathi" "Janarinda Naanu Mele Bande" Hamsalekha K. S. Chithra Manjula Gururaj Hagalu Vesha "Jaggadu Jaggadu" solo Devara Maga "Manjanthe Ele Mele" solo Indradhanush "Kelu Kelavva Kelavva" "Yara Kanasalla" V. Manohar solo 2002 Appu "Panavidu Panavidu" "Aa Devara Haadidu" Gurukiran solo 2003 Abhi "Vidhi Baraha" Gurukiran solo Chigurida Kanasu "Bandhuve O Bandhuve" V. Manohar solo 2008 Vamshi "Thayi Thayi" Hamsalekha solo 2009 Raaj – The Showman "O Kempa O Kaala" V. Harikrishna S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
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