L. N. Shastri

L. N. Shastri (also credited as Chaitanya; 30 August 1971 – 30 August 2017) was an Indian playback singer and music composer who primarily worked in Kannada cinema. Starting his career as a playback singer in the film Ajagajantara (1991), Shastri went on to sing for more than 3000 songs. Upon his friends' suggestion, he renamed himself as Chaitanya and composed music for over 25 films starting with Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene (1998). However, he dropped the name due to the identity crisis for the film Bellary Naga (2009) Shastri was fighting cancer and died on 30 August 2017.[1]

L. N. Shastri
Also known asChaitanya
Born(1971-08-30)30 August 1971
Died30 August 2017(2017-08-30) (aged 46)
GenresPlayback singing
Occupation(s)Singer, Composer
Years active1991–2017

His biggest hit song as a singer has been "Kolumande Jangamadevaru" from the film Janumada Jodi (1996) which gave him a career break and also fetched him the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. He was closely associated with prominent music directors in Kannada film industry including Hamsalekha, V. Manohar, V. Harikrishna, Gurukiran, Arjun Janya and Anoop Seelin who have been the main support for his growing career since his initial days.

L. N. Shastri was married to fellow singer Suma. Suma Shastri has sung for more than 50 films.[2]

Career

In the early 1990s, Shastri was mainly seen singing track songs for major playback singers like S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and others. The film Ajagajantara (1991) composed by Hamsalekha offered him a chance to share the mic with Balasubrahmanyam for the song "Love Love Loveah". Following this, Shastri teamed up with composer V. Manohar and sung many songs for the films that featured actor Jaggesh in the lead. The songs "Anthintha Gandu Naanalla" from Bhanda Nanna Ganda (1992), "Priya Priya" from Super Nanna Maga (1992), "Dagar Dagar" from Tharle Nan Maga (1992), "Avanalli Ivalilli" from Shhh (1993) were some of his early hits which appealed to the masses. In the meantime, Shastri was working as an assistant composer to both Hamsalekha and V. Manohar for all their films.

In 1996, the folk song "Kolumande Jangamadevaru" composed by V. Manohar and picturized on actor Shiva Rajkumar for the film Janumada Jodi turned his fortunes. The song became an ultimate hit and his rendition was widely acclaimed by critics and masses. He was awarded with the Karnataka State Award for this song. Following this, he recorded many songs for all the music directors of the 1990s through 2000s. Many of his songs have been received extremely well by the masses.

In 1998, Shastri turned into a complete music director with the film Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene. Though the songs were received well, the film's dismal performance at the box-office could not help boost the songs. His next composition for the V. Ravichandran starrer Ravimama (1999) was also appreciated. Following this, he composed for about 25 feature films which could not help him to be among the top ranking music directors. His rechristened name Chaitanya was familiar only inside the film fraternity and the audience could not relate his new name with his original name.

On insistence of actor Dr. Vishnuvardhan, his original name was credited for his compositions for the film Bellary Naga (2009) which proved to be the last feature film of the legendary actor. After a brief hiatus, Shastri returned to composing for the films Flop (2015) and Melody (2015) which marked his reunion with director Nanjunda who gave him the first break as a composer.[3]

Discography

As composer

YearFilm titleNotes
1998Kanasalu Neene Manasalu NeeneDebut film
Credited as Chaitanya
1999Ravimama
2000Maava Maava Maduve Maado
2001Amma Ninna Tholinalli
2001Aunty Preethse
2001Haalu Sakkare
2002Ninagoskara
2003Mooru Manasu Nooru Kanasu
2003Nagabharana
2003Ay Naan Bheeshma Kano
2003Preethisale Beku
2004Preethi Nee Illade Naa Hegirali
2004Ayyo Pandu
2004Sakhi
2008Hogi Baa Magale
2009Bellary NagaCredited as L. N. Shastry
2010Deadly-2
2015Flop
2015Melody

As singer (selected)

YearFilmSong NameMusic DirectorCo-Singer(s)Notes
1991Ajagajantara"Love Love Loveah"HamsalekhaDebut song
1992Bhanda Nanna Ganda"Yaarigu Endigu"
"Preethiya Theranu"
V. Manohar
1992Alli Ramachari Illi Brahmachari"Achu Mechu"
"Banda Banda Ramayya"
"Entha Sundara"
"Jumma Jumma"
V. Manohar
1993Sshhh"Avanalli Ivalilli"Sadhu Kokila
1993Gejje Naada"Somavara Santhege"V. Manohar
1994Panjarada Gili"Naana Naana"V. Manohar
1996Janumada Jodi"Kolumande Jangamadevaru"V. ManoharKarnataka State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer
1996Sipayi"Vanditha Kirana"
"Odo Chandira"
"Karago Chandira"
Hamsalekha
1997O Mallige"O Mallige Ninnade Haadidu"V. Manohar
1997Jodi Hakki"Laali Suvvali"V. Manohar
1998A"Chandini"
"Helkollakonduru"
"Idu One Day Match"
Gurukiran
1998Preethsod Thappa"Ondu Moda"Hamsalekha
1999Naanu Nanna Hendthiru"Ready 123"
"Ee Jagave Namadu"
"Ee Bhoomige"
V. Ravichandran
2001Ekangi"Ee Chitte Thara"V. Ravichandran
2004Malla"Karunade"
"Mangalyam"
"Angada Angada"
V. Ravichandran
2005Aham Premasmi"Yadha Yadhahi"
"Oh Premave"
"Eshwar"
V. Ravichandran
2007Dheemantha Manushya"Jeevarashiya Amara"A. Karthik Raja
2007Right Adre"Kudkondu Thooradkondu"Neel
2007Chanda"Gundene Dyavru"S. Narayan
2009Bhagyada Balegara"Budu Budu Kavya"Ilaiyaraaja
2013B3"Bitthri"Anoop Seelin
2014Adyaksha"Adyaksha Adyaksha"Arjun JanyaPuneeth Rajkumar
2014Love in Mandya"Lo Maava"Anoop Seelin
2016Neer Dose"Neer Dose, Neer Dose"Anoop Seelin

Awards

Karnataka State Film Awards

Death

L. N. Shastri died on 30 August 2017, after a brief battle with intestinal cancer.[4]

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References

  1. "Singer Shastri drops 'composer' Chaitanya". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  2. "L N Shastri Wiki: Death, Wife, Family, Songs & Facts to Know". SocioFreak. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  3. "Melody Grand Audio". Indiaglitz. 12 August 2014.
  4. "Playback singer L N Shastry passes away". The Times of India. 30 August 2017.
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