Haage summane Audio released..

Awesome music by Mano Murthy again, very different from his earlier compsitions... hear to believe..

Mano Murthy gets FilmFare award for Milana!

This time for Milana, for song, Ninnindale.

It may be recalled that Mano Murthy got last year's filmfare award for best music for the movie Mungaru Male. Our wishes that he makes a hatrick!

Inaguration of the Joke Falls Movie website

I am passioante About Music - Mano Murthy By MIO Team Sep 02, 2008, 04:25

The silent and sensible music director Mano Murthy a resident of California has achieved a distinction with the completion of his third Kannada film 'Preethi Prema Pranaya' completing 100 days of screening at Kalpana theatre. With this he has become a hat trick music director as his earlier two films 'America America' and 'Nanna Preethiya Hudugi' both shot at USA have completed 100 days screening in Karnataka. A resident of US since 1976 is now trying out come out with a fusion from Jazz and Indian classical.

Mano Murthy who inaugurated the website of 'Joke Falls' (a remake of Hindi super hit film 'Chupke Chupke') at Green House restaurant on last Friday says he has used Spanish tunes in his fourth film and all the songs have come out very well.

Mano Murthy did not forget to add that he is not the expensive music director for Kannada films. If you take me as music director I will come on my own and go on my own and not bother the producer for my journey from California to Bangalore.

This makes it very clear for the producers to get creative tunes from Mano Murthy. All they have to make is call up Mano Murthy.

On Geleya, Ee bandhana..

Madesha film Muhurtha...

On Joke Falls, Amruthadhaare

On Mungaru Male..

On Moggina Manassu

On his entry into Kannada Movie Industry..

At Big FM

Music Director Mano Murthy with RJ Harsha & RJ Shruthi

Mano Murthy Experience about America America, Nanna Preethiya Hudugige, Preethi Prema Pranaya

On Joke Falls and Amruthadhaare

Ee Bandhana

E Bandana - Kannada Movie Review

February 16, 2008

Ee Bhandana is a neat, clean entertainer that has come from the stable of filmy couple Jai Jagadish and his actress wife Vijayalakshmi Singh. Actor Jai Jagadish has produced many films and had directed Madana last year. Now, Vijayalakshmi Singh has signed off her directorial career with a film like Ee Bhandana which proves her talents in this creative segment of film making. The major success of Ms. Singh comes from her right attitude in selecting a perfect star cast and technical team to assist her. After winning half the battle with an apt selection, she has been able to get the best out from her artists and technicians. The film is certain to please a large segment of family audience who like to see clean entertainers. The film’s slick narrative keeps the audience hooked to the film start to end. Ms. Singh is ably assisted by some top class performances from all lead artists like Dr. Vishnuvardhan, Anant Nag and Jayaprada. And a good work by behind the screen experts like cameraman Ajay Vincent, Music director Mano Murthy and Editor Kemparaj has heightened the quality of the film. The technical team has done a fantastic job. The story of the film is nothing new. The inspiration of the film comes from a Hollywood hit of fifties which had also influenced the making of B.R.Panthulu’s classic film School Master in the late fifties. The Hollywood flick influenced several films made in different languages in the Indian cinema, the latest being Amithabh Bachchan-Hema Malini starred Bhagban directed by Ravi Chopra. Thankfully Ee Bhandana has not completely borrowed from any of the flicks made with the same story, though traces of influence of School Master could be seen throughout the film. . Ee Bhandana has lot of touching emotional moments which is bound to bring tears in the eyes. It will be a big attraction for the family audience and Ms. Singh has ensured that the film is neat and clean from the first frame. The film comes on track from the first scene which surprisingly is a song sequence and continues till the end which has a most touching climax seen in Kannada films in recent times. The story relates to a loving couple who want to remain united always. The top man of the family retires from his job and the couple wants to be with their children. But circumstances lead to their physical separation. They live with their children in two distant towns. But they face lot of humiliations from their children and are emotionally upset. Finally they decide to come out from the residences of their children to be united. Thankfully one of the persons who have been benefited from the helpful attitude of the couple helps them to get reunited. Dr. Vishnuvardhan comes out with his best performance in the film. His range of emotions as seen in the film is diverse but very authentic to the situation. Anant Nag also comes out with a brilliant cameo. Jayaprada fits in to the role and she is very good and bright throughout the film. Darshan appears in a small role, but his presence lightens the screen. And Jennifer is too good in the dances. All the other character artists have filled in their roles adequately. The film stands out in the technical department with Mano Murthy giving some top tunes. His background score is full of spirits and enlivens the film. The songs Idhe Bhoomi Idhe Bhaanu, Chanda Ninna Chandramukhi and Banna Banna will certainly rock. . Ajay Vincent provides a rich look to the film and the artists of the film are presented in a lovely fashion. And Editor Kemparaj does a fine job. Ee Bhandana has some class. It is bound to be lapped up by the family audience as it has some good performance and technical content. Cast & Crew: Banner: Dakshath Combines Cast: Jayaprada, Vishnu Vardhan, Darshan, Ananthnag, Thara, Jennifer Kotwal, Doddanna, Madhu Hegde, Raghu Samarth, Arundhati Jathakara, Renuka, Kumari Vaibhavi, Master Nayanshekar, Shivaram, Shivaji Rao Jadhav, R.G.Vijayasarathy, G.K.Govindarao, Jai Jagdeesh, Sharmila Mandre, Tarun Direction: Vijayalakshmi Singh Production: Jai Jagdeesh Music: Mano Murthy

Mano Murthy to compose in Hindi for Sonu Nigam

Mano Murthy and Sonu Nigam back together!

Our very own melody maestro Mano Murthy is all set to take a big leap into the Mumbai music scene, the Indi-Pop scene to be precise! Mano Murthy, who is responsible for creating a new genre of music in Kannada movies, is busy recording songs for none other than Sonu Nigam. Sonu Nigam has hired Mano Murthy to score music for his upcoming pop album, which is due to be released by the end of the year.

True melody

HITLIST caught up with an exited Mano Murthy who is quite thrilled to work with Sonu Nigam.

“It just happened! Sonu had sung in a few Kannada movies that I had composed for. That’s how we got to know each other. It seems like a blissful co-incidence that his voice suits all my melodies. When the audience started finding a recognisable link between my music and his voice, most of those songs became super hits. That hasn’t changed even now. He is not just another singer to me, we share a special bond. And initially, even if I thought that there was nothing particularly impressive about him, I changed my mind once I heard him sing Ee Sanje Yaakagide in Gelaya,” Murthy confesses. Sandeep Chowta has been the only other music director from the Kannada Industry who has made a name in pop music industry and Murthy has his sights set on national glory now.

The album and more

“The title of the album is not yet finalised. We have plans to record eight songs for the album, and have completed only three songs so far. Every song has a different flavour from the other. That was what we had discussed from the beginning, giving each song a different theme,” adds Murthy. The music maestro is also busy with five movies for which he scoring the music this year. “It’s going to be another hectic schedule,” he concludes.

Murthy to open office in city

Mano Murthy is thinking of opening an office and recording studio in Bangalore now. For the past six years, he has been faced with some problems while recording songs in Bangalore. The tunes sent by him from California are sometimes composed differently. “I don’t want to name any movies, but it usually happens when the communication between the re-recording artist and the music composers is not good. So, I have decided to have my own office and studio in Bangalore itself,” Mano maintains.

On Moggina Manassu

2006 Filmfare award for Best Music Director

Kannada
S No	Category	Winner
1	Best Film	Mungaru Male
2	Best actor	Puneeth Raj Kumar
3	Best actress	Ramya
4	Best director	Indrajith Lokesh
5	Best music director	Mano Murthy
6	Best male playback singer	Hemanth
7	Best famele playback singer	Chitra
8	Best actor in supporting role	Rangayana Raghu
9	Best actress in supporting role	Leelavathi
10	Best lyricist	K Kalyan

After Mungaru Male Release

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Mungaru Male has all tongues wagging. We decided to check on Mano Murthy, the music director, and ask how all this success has been treating him. Here’s what he had to say…

How had the success of the film especially the music made you feel?

Quite exposed! But trying not to lose focus.

You are a highly successful corporate entrepreneur too. Having managed to follow your passion for music and achieve success, how do you manage to maintain the balance?

Quite easily now since I am no longer in the hi-tech field and am completely devoting all of my time to music and loving it!

Onde Ondu Sari & Anisithude Yako Hego, Mungaru Male are by large the favorite songs from the album. What are yours?

Invanu Galeyanalla and Mungaru Male.

Which modern day musicians do you look upto- consider your role model/godfather?

I grew up with the music of SD Burman, RD Burman and Madan Mohan, whom I consider to be my role models. Of the present day composers my favorites are Ismail Darbar and Shankar-Ehsan-Loy.

How would you rate Kannada film music today? Would you say it is modernized or has it kept its charm?

You should direct that question to the listeners.

What are your upcoming projects? With whom will you be working in the future?

Working on a handful currently.

You, like Preethi Prema Pranaya playback singer Ramprasad, have turned to a corporate career rather than pursuing music full time. After achieving success with Mungaru Male, did you consider pursuing it full time?

I am full time into music after Amrithadhaare.

You have also branched out into film production. Will be seeing Mano Murthy, the film producer soon? What has been your progress in that area?

No.

What would you like to say to your fans and listeners who have made the film’s music a success?

I would like to thank all my listeners and I will continue to do the best that I can.

Nanna Preetiya Hudugi - Anuradha Paudwal dominates..

anna Preethiya Hudugi is a love story set on an American campus. Anuradha Paudwal slips up on her enunciation, B Jayasree and Suresh Peters shine, and Ramprasad makes a comeback

Remember the song Baanalli odo megha, girigo ninthalle yoga? That was from Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar's hit Kannada movie America America. Mano Murthy's fast-track music, Rajesh Krishnan's fresh voice, and above all H S Venkatesh Murthy's lyricism turned that song into a huge success. The theme of the movie was framed within that song.

California-settled Mano Murthy is back, after America America, with a score for Nanna Preethiya Hudugi, Nagathihalli's latest film, a love story set on an American campus.

The story revolves around a Kundapura boy who falls in love with a girl settled in America. If India versus the Land of Opportunity was the theme in America America, here Nagathihalli looks at problems of adjustment within a relationship. From remarks I've heard from people who saw the movie, and the reactions I noticed at the theatres, the audiences seem to have taken quite a liking to new faces Deepali (a Chamarajpet girl who lives in the US) and Dyan (a model from Mumbai).

The flute is the hero's favourite instrument, but Mano Murthy doesn't use it as the predominant instrument in his score. Nagathihalli has penned all the songs, except the title number (credited to Shashikala Chandrashekhar). The English subtitle for Nanna Preethiya Hudugi is "My favourite girl". Shouldn't it be "The girl I love"?

The album provides a comeback song for singer Ramprasad, a software engineer who is now settled in the US. Hariharan and Anuradha Paudwal are not very impressive. Anuradha especially is not comfortable with her Kannada. She has been around in the language for a while (Was Kannada naadina jeevanadi from Jeevanadi her first Kannada film song?).

Mano Murthy uses Anuradha's voice in three songs out of six. Non-Kannadigas like Hariharan and Suresh Peters manage a decent Kannada pronunciation, while Anuradha falters, for instance, when she has to say ile (meaning the earth).

But why Anuradha in so many numbers? Sangeeta Katti, a well-known name in Kannada light music gets a chance in only one song, where she proves her mettle. Nandita, who sings frequently in Kannada films, also gets only one song.

The most familiar track in the album is Car car car. It made me dance when I first heard it. B Jayasree, a popular name in Kannada theatre, uses her high-pitched voice effectively. Suresh Peters brings in a pop punch. The song marvels at the contrasts between India and the US. A car is everything in the US but in India people make do with any transport they get, and even enjoy traveling on the tops of overcrowded buses! This number gets frequent airing on the TV channels.

Interview in eTV Kannada

His video interview in eTV Kannada

When Mungaru Male was copied into Telugu

Mano Murthy protests `plagiarisation` of his music

Bangalore, (IANS) Popular Kannada music director Mano Murthy is contemplating legal action against the producer and the music director of "Vaana" for "unabashed plagiarisation of original tunes" and denial of credit to him as the original composer. Murthy alleges that four of his original tunes for blockbuster "Mungaru Male" have been used for Telugu film "Vaana", produced and directed by M.S. Raju. The Kannada composer is sore because the makers didn't bother to give him credit for the tunes. The audio and CD albums of the songs, released recently, do not have his name on the cover. The credit is given instead to Telugu music director Karunakar. Murthy says he felt humiliated about the omission of his name in the audio publicity material. "I don't want money from the producers who have used my musical compositions. But I think they should have given me credit for all the efforts I had made to create the original tunes," an upset Murthy told IANS. "I am told all these tunes have become popular in Telugu also," he added. The four tunes are those for "Anisuthide yaako eno", "Ondhe ondhu saari", "Mungaru male", and "Nanna geleyanalla". This is not the first time that a filmmaker has been accused of using tunes without giving credit to the creator. Some time ago, music director S.A. Raj Kumar also expressed his unhappiness over alleged denial of credit for many of his tunes used in Kannada films by many other composers. Recently, composer Guru Kiran had voiced anger at similar use of his tunes for "Jogi" allegedly by producers of Tamil film "Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram", which has Dhanush in the lead.

Soon after Cheluvina Chittara

Bangalore, Nov 16 (IANS) "Cheluvina Chiththaara" is at the top in the Kannada audio market and is keeping composer Mano Murthy miles ahead of his competitors.

The top five Kannada albums are:

1. "Cheluvina Chiththaara" - All the songs of the album, including "Janumada Gelathi", for which the tune has been borrowed from the original Tamil film "Kaadal", have become hits. "Ullasada hoo male", "Kanas idhu", and "Iralaaare cheluve" continue to enthral music lovers.

2. "Krishna" - "Sathyabhama baramma" and "Neenu bandha meletthaane" have become the most popular songs and have been set to tune by Hari Krishna.

3. "Milana" - The sales of the album shot up after the film's box-office fortunes started looking up. Mano Murthy has struck again with his melodious songs "Ninnindhale ninnidhale", "Male ninthu hodha mele" and "Anthu inthu preethi banthu".

4. "Ee Bandhana" - Mano Murthy has once again proved to be a melody king in the film starring Vishnuvardhana and Jayaprada. The top song of the album is "Adhe bhoomi, adhe bhaanu", which has been written by Jayanth Kaikini. "Chanda ninna chandramukhi" has also become a popular number.

5. "Chanda" - The film is yet to be released, but the audio is doing brisk business. For the second time, director S. Narayan has composed music. The film grabbed media attention recently because of a standoff between its leading stars Vijay and Narayan. "Ninnaase Chanda" rendered by Kumar Sanu is the top song of the audio.

Mano Murthy @ BIG FM Studios

Music Director Mano Murthy at BIG FM
The popular Music Director Mano Murthy at BIG FM Studios for the RJ Marathon run for 92.7 hrs

Interview to Viggy.com

Mano Murthy, a very rare personality is an NRI who has special taste for composing good music for albums and films in Indian and Western genres. The 'car car' song of Nanna Preethiya Hudugi earned him good recognition and drove youngsters crazy. Though he hasn't scored for too many films, he has surely set himself on par with talented music directors. Being an IT professional, he is making the best of his limited opportunities as a musician and dishing out a variety of tunes with each new film of his. Staying in the United States of America for almost 28 years, Mano Murthy was one of the producers of this year's National Award winner -Preethi Prema Pranaya. 'Joke Falls' is his latest music venture that has five songs composed by him. This down-to-earth person spent some time exclusively with viggy.com in spite of his busy schedules. Excerpts:

Can you tell us about yourself?
I have been into computer networking since 1976. It was during early 90's when I felt I should do something else apart from just talking with computers. My obvious preference was music. Music is my passion. During my collage days in UVCE Bangalore, we had a pop band. I have composed some Kannada pop songs and many tunes. America America was the first film in 1995-96 to have my music. I used to work for one movie every two years and from last year I am working on one movie per year. Music is something that keeps me busy and brings freshness every moment. High tech world is routine for me but music is something that I can work on all the time.

Why music after all?
Since my childhood, I have had a flair for music. Inclination towards music budded in me when my parents used to take me to Karnataka Music Festival every summer. I know quite a few IT people who love music and play one or the other musical instrument after returning home from work… it's a great way of mental relaxation.

Do you get time to work on music?
If you want to do something you should find time for yourself, isn't it? When I'm on projects, I sleep for just three to four hours a day!

Do you have any studio set up at your place?
Yeah, I have a composing studio. I don't do recordings there. Even if I record there I have to bring them here to get the recording done by professional recording engineers. If a live orchestra is required for my composition, I record them when I come here to India.

Do you find these studios in India comfortable?
Yeah, they are very comfortable. These studios are much more comfortable than ones out there in the USA. Engineers here know how to record Indian music. In the US, the methodologies are different though equipment is the same. People behind the equipment make lots of difference.

How do you want to position yourself as a music director?
I am still learning. It's a never-ending process. I think the knowledge only comes with experience. I want to really do something different in music. For example, for background score, there is one set of formulae and everyone is following that. But I want to experiment somewhat in that area and even for songs. Right now I can't say what I want to do. But I definitely want to explore something new and innovative.

In which direction do you want to go? Either totally towards Indian music or western or some kind of combination?
Yes, I want to do a blend of both genres of music. As I know the new trends both over there and also here, I just want to mix both.

What do you say about today's trend in music industry-particularly in the Kannada film industry?
I want to tell you the truth. I don't listen to too much Kannada music. That's because I don't have time. Another thing is that when I listen to a music album, it has to be something that I can hook to, something that I can gain from. There is no point in listening to existing things. It's better listening to something different from the existing ones. I also think that if I listen to too many Kannada songs, they may reflect in my music compositions!

You can take it the other way. If you listen to existing Kannada songs, it may help you to render something better than that!
You are absolutely right. Sometimes you need to learn from examples. Yes, once in a while when people suggest that I listen to something I try them, never mind whether they are good or bad..

What do you think about film music?
Well, movie music is something that one has to make for the audience. I depend on what the audience wants and what the director wants. A lot also depends on the story. So in film music there is not much flexibility.

Music is your passion and you yourself are a filmmaker. What made you venture into the producing of films?
Well, that just happened by coincidence. I am not an intentional producer. If someone wants help I will help them!

Is there any plan to venture into the Kannada film industry?
I don't know. If something good comes my way, yes, I may venture into it. But, for music I will be there always.

Is there any specific band or person or a type of music that inspires you?
Yeah, I like lounge music, which includes all kinds of ethnic melodies from different parts of the world. I like great performers like Pandith Jasraj, Pathe Ali Khan. I like both lounge and jazz. Jazz is something that has never been explored in Indian cinema. Forget Kannada, even the Hindi film industry has never tried that!

Do you listen to Hindi film songs or albums?
Yeah, it's the same as Kannada songs like I already mentioned. Sometimes I listen to them. My wife brings Hindi DVDs and albums and in the morning while working on the treadmill, I listen. I came across some good music. Kannada film producers are not ready to take the kind of risk Hindi producers take. We do not have enough 'audience' here to receive new experiments. But in Hindi or English, that is not the case. They can risk anything as they have a broad market. Even if they reach say one percent, it can easily sustain them.

For a person like you, money is not a criteria whereas music is a passion. Don't you think the producers will encourage people like you? Do you anticipate any such producers coming up here?
I hope so. There may be such producers. I think, in Kannada, many new good directors and producers are coming up. But I haven't worked with any of them. I have worked with Kavitha, Nagathihalli and now with Nagendra. And the work has given me satisfaction.

What is your comment or suggestions about the betterment of the industry?
I think we should concentrate more on the quality of the film. Starting from story to technical aspects, we need to work hard. If we take-up a story, that can be filmed both in good and bad ways. To any given story, we should improve on technical aspects. I heard that theaters are bad here. I saw a couple of movies in Kapali and in some other theaters and it was pretty bad. Both making and delivering of a product are equally important. Yeah, I know all these require money, but once they improve all these basic parameters, people will obviously go and watch movies in theaters. Otherwise people will keep on comparing our product with other languages.

What are your future plans?
I will continue with what I am doing now. Will keep on doing better things - work hard on music and make myself better equipped!

Interview During the release of his second movie "Nanna Preetiya Hudugi"

MELODY MAKER MANO MURTHY
‘Memorable music is what he likes’

The Indian born, Bangalore brought up California living middle age Mano Murthy with the massive hit of his maiden music direction ‘America America’ has not been hasty in picking films. He is looking for a distinct stamp in music and he has ‘Music Bank’ ready in his place California ready with over 100 tunes.

The distance of Bangalore and California is not a matter of disturbance for this melody maker Mano Murthy. The only pivotal attachment he gives ‘do something worth remembering for ever’. Had it been anyone else he would have got bizarre of offers from Kannada films. He is not a person who fixes the producers for his traveling expenses which is as much as the remuneration what the present day music director takes.

Then what is he looking for? Right persons who can vibe with his concepts, who can extract a solid work from him and also give an excellent output in his films.

It is difficult to fetch him the Kannada film industry might ask – No says Mano Murthy a resident of United States of America since 1976. He keeps coming here thrice a year and he is easy to find.

We at Chitraloka traced this unsung hero at the audio launch ‘Nanna Preethiya Hudugi’ his second venture in Kannada again for director Nagathihalli Chandrasekhar.

‘I want to take Indian film Music to Hollywood’ is what Mano Murthy aims in forthcoming days. Rarely found unassuming, simple, humble and knowledgeable music director Mano Murthy brief chat is as follows:

• Could you say when did this brain drain taken place in your life?
  After completing my studies in Electrical Engineering in 1976. I did go there for further studies and proficient in Hardware and Software now. I stayed in Link Road Malleswaram studies in St.Joseph’s school and then did my Engineering in Electrical division in UVCE college, Bangalore.

• Do you possess any background in Music?
  I have a Western classical music degree - a part time course of four years from California is my basic qualification. I scored music for some dramas of Kannada Sanghas. I have brought out three albums – Prema Gaana, Bhava Malika, America Bharatha (lyrics written by N.S.Lakshminarayana Bhatta) – the third one was released as ‘Mareyalaare’ in United States. I am a percussion player learnt Tabla from internationally acclaimed Zakir Hussainji. I am a music lover of film songs and my favourities are OP Nayyar, Shanker Jaikishen, S.D.Burman, R.D.Burman and in South India I like A.R.Rehman for his pure melody capacity and in Karnataka I like the duo Rajan and Nagendra efficiency.

• How did you get in touch with director Nagathihalli Chandrasekhar?
  He keeps coming to US. It was during his Kotreshi Kanasu time I met and he saw what I possess and studied my strength and booked for America America in 1995.

• Which are the songs you liked most in ‘America America’?
  The one I struggled a lot was not my favourite. The song ‘Nooru Janmaku and Yava Mohana Murali.. I liked most.

• Is it economically viable for Kannada film producers to book you for films?
  Oh Yes. I come on my own go on my own. I won’t stress or insist on my traveling expenses. But what I require is a person like Nagathihalli Chandrasekhar who can understand.

• How did the second venture for director Nagathihalli Chandraskehar happened?
  He gave me the lyrics in November 1999. I readied in December.

• In your visits to India have you not met any director or not got any offers?
  I have spoken to some directors. It has to materialize. Till then I don’t want to say anything. Basically I want to work for clean story films. In fact I did not pursue after America America. I don’t want commercial films. Even if it is one film a year it is OK for me. It has to be good at any cost. I have rejected the offer made by producer of ‘America America’ Mr Nandakumar. It was for his film ‘Clinton’. It was a commercial venture.

• How do you prepare for scoring music?
  I prepare according to the lyrics. Most of the work I do in my studio in California. But the final product has to be done here only. The recording engineers there in US have no taste of the requirements here. Our lyrics and tunes are better for hearing. Technology wise there is not much of difference. I believe a place like Akash Audio owned by Madhu Bangarappa in Bangalore can produce the perfect sound thought out by a music director. I have my pet Stephen Dharma who helps me a lot. I like soft and music that is very melodious. I am also on the way to score music for love songs for albums.

• Are you a permanent music director for Nagathihalli Chandrasekhar?
  This is what I cannot say. He as talked to me for one Italian and German project. It is at a premature stage.

• You are settled and well off in US
  I am a CEO of a company in California. My wife Lata is a marketing manager for contract manufacturers like Printed circuit boards etc. My 9th grade studying -son Nevin is learning Piano. I have a sweet daughter Sonia studying at 8th grade in California.

• Do you keep a tab of Kannada film music?
  Off late I have not kept a track. I am raring to take up assignments provided they are clean family films.