Hamsalekha: The Writer who Writes like a Swan

Gangaraju, a songwriter widely known as Hamsalekha, adopted an intriguing pen name inspired by a pen brand. Hamsalekha is a highly regarded composer and lyricist, whose name carries immense significance for millions of music enthusiasts, especially in Karnataka, South India. With a career spanning over four decades, Hamsalekha's name continues to resonate within the Kannada film industry.

Gangaraju, aka Hamsalekha. Image Credit: Saavn

“If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.” -Martin Luther

Many writers, amateurs and professionals likewise, resort to using pen names for various reasons. These can include concealing their identity to express their views, embrace safety and well-being or delve into new genres without affecting their existing readership. When a story written under a pen name resonates with readers, it is the story's appeal that leads to its success, rather than the author's fame.

Benjamin Franklin, when he was a teenager, took the name Mrs Silence Dogoodso that his letters couldn’t be turned off by newspaper publications. JK Rowling, an influential author of the 21st century, used the pen name Robert Galbraith to write crime fiction. Even the legend Stephen King wrote under the pen name Richard Bachman early in his career.

There’s a similar personality in India as well. A songwriter named Gangaraju, also known as Hamsalekha, had an interesting pen name inspired by a pen.

Hamsalekha is a revered composer and lyricist whose name holds great significance for millions of music lovers in South India, especially in Karnataka. For over four decades, his name has reverberated within the Kannada film industry. Apart from crafting melodies out of his pen, under his pen name, he is also a talented screenwriter, dialogue writer and instrumentalist. With his involvement in over 500 music albums, it comes as no surprise that his name is firmly etched (with his pen name, of course, no pun intended) in the history of Kannada music.

Hamsalekha, originally named Gangaraju, was born on June 23, 1951, in Tulasikatte near Akkipete, Bangalore. His father, K.H. Govindaraju, worked as a printer, and his mother, Rajamma, was a homemaker. He grew up with a brother named Balakrishna, who was a prominent orchestra leader.

"When I came into films, I found a vacuum in the field of lyricists, writers and composers." Gangaraju later recounts.

He joined his brother's orchestra group. Under the influence of his brother, Hamsalekha started to venture out and wrote poems and songs for local magazines and radio programs.

Hamsalekha, at a Chairing Convention in Bangalore. Image Credit: India Times

His teacher, Lavani Neelakantappa, recognised his talent early on. Just like any other teacher, he encouraged Gangaraju to pursue his passion for songwriting and composing. Neelakantappa gave him a pen as a gift. The pen was from the popular brand Swan, with which he asked Gangaraju to write songs. Gangaraju was inspired by this gesture. Owing to this, he adopted the pen name 'Hamsalekhani', meaning 'the one who writes with a swan'. Later, his teacher modified his name to 'Hamsalekha'. Gangaraju, thus, got his new identity.

Hamsalekha got his first break in 1973 with a film directed by M.N. Prasad. He was offered to write a song for the film Triveni (1973). The song Neena Bhagavantha was picturised by actor Udaykumar, and it soon became popular among the audience.

His official entry into the film industry was as a dialogue and lyric writer for the iconic film Naanu Nanna Hendthi (1985).

While he worked on many projects, in various different films, the turning point in his career came in the late 80s. He had a successful collaboration with actor-director, V. Ravichandran, for the film Premaloka (1987). The film was a blockbuster, both in terms of the musical component and the film as a whole.

Premaloka (1987) Poster. Image Credit: Imdb

All 12 songs of the movie were composed and written by Hamsalekha. They were all catchy, trendy and romantic; and the audience loved it. Apart from the dialogues and music, Hamsalekha also wrote the screenplay and dialogues for the film, which were witty and humorous. His hard work paid off, and the songs became chartbusters. It created a new wave of music in Kannada cinema.

A flexible artist of his kind, he has also experimented with different genres. This included genres like world music, fusion, jazz and rock.

He has won many awards and accolades for his work, including one National Film Award, six Filmfare Awards, and seven Karnataka State Film Awards. For his achievements, he received an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University.

Hamsalekha is a living legend who has enriched the Kannada music and film industry with his creativity and versatility. As someone who is acclaimed to write like ‘a swan’, with grace, beauty and elegance, he indeed left a celebrated legacy in his songwriting career. He composed his songs like a swan, with melody, harmony and rhythm.

He is Hamsalekha, a legendary writer whose pen name was named after the brand of a pen.