Praveen D. Rao


Praveen D. Rao is an Indian musician, music director and a lyricist for Kannada language songs. He is based in Bangalore, India. He plays keyboard, tabla and others.

Early life

He was trained by Pt. R. V. Sheshadri Gawai of Aravinda Sangeetha Vidyalaya and Tabla Maestro Pandit Ravindra Yavagal. Rao has composed music for theatre works, ballets, films, television and commercials.

Music direction

Serials

Films

Original scores for dance and physical theatre productions

, U.K.
, U.K.

Smt. Indira Thiagarajah, London.
, Bangalore.
Monica, Belgium.
Smt. Radha Sridhar, Bangalore.
Prabhath International, Bangalore.
Prabhat Kalavidaru, Bangalore.
Nadam Academy of Performing Arts.
Rasika Dance Academy.
Smt. Piali Ray, U. K.
SAMPAD YUVA, U. K.
Smt. M. P. Suma, Bangalore.
  • OMKAARA,
  • VIJAYA KALYANA,
  • VACHANA VYBHAVA

STEM contemporary dance theatre, Bangalore
  • CROWS - CAWS – FACADES
Gig Payne, U.K.
  • CONVERSATIONS - PERFORMING ABILITIES OF THE MULTIPLE DISABLED
PAMPA, U.S.A.
  • PRAKRITI
Sandesha, Mangalore.
Smt. Padmini Ravi, Bangalore.
  • TAMTANA
ISKCON, Bangalore.
  • CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU
Smt. Supriya Desai, U.S.A.
Smt. Maya Rao, Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography, Bangalore.
  • YASHODARA,
  • THE DUST OF BRIJ
  • SARE JAHAN SE ACCHA
, Manchester.
Ramakrishna Vidyashala, Mysore.
  • NRITYA SANGEETH BHARATHI,
  • SARVA DHARMA SAMANVAYACHARYA SRI RAMAKRISHNA
Guy Hutchins, Moby Duck Theatre Company, U.K.
  • MAZE MAKER,
  • BOPOLUCHI,
  • FIRE GIRL,
  • BLOODHANDS
  • GRANNY VAMPIRE
, Toronto
  • VIVARTA
  • SHOONYA
  • PRALAYA
North West Dance Alliance, Manchester.
  • DEVI DIVA
, Philadelphia,USA'''
Rao has performed at national and international festivals including Pattadakal Festival, Navaraspur Festival, Lord Mayor's Cultural Event 1994, World Veerashaiva Conference 1997, World Konkani Conference 2002, Soorya Festival, and Nishagandhi Festival. He has toured India and abroad performing and conducting workshops.

Lyricist

He has written many songs. His lyrics for Police Story 3–"Manassina Kavyada" for Music Director Sagar S's composition were critically acclaimed.

Other activities

He is the founder of event management NGO Prakruthi that works towards a greener India by bringing people out of hibernation into parks. Prakruthi increases awareness about Kannada literature and the culture of Karnataka through music. The Prakruthi Team organizes musical programs all over the state.

Recognition

As a composer, Rao created a style of his own. He has scored theatre, ballet, film and television productions. Rao scored the music to Sri M. S. Sathyu's short film Namak Ki Kankari. As an arranger, he is known for fusing Hindustani music, Carnatic music with western techniques and arranged background scores for various films. He worked with theatre personalities including Sri A. S. Murthy, Sri B. V. Karanth and B. Jayashri etc. Rao has been involved in theatre in various capabilities. He has worked as a musician, composer, actor and director. He has acted in quite a few soap operas on television including Asare, Tulasi, Manvantara and Muktha.
He was commissioned by SAMPAD, UK to compose music for Moving Earth, a dance and music production that was part of the 2012 London Olympics.
He toured as a part of Chakrafonics,a world music band that addresses genres from Indian classical fusion to world music. Chakrafonics toured the US, UK and Australia.