Early Life

Upendra Kumar originally hailed from Digapahandi, a town in Odisha. He was born in 1941 in Madras (now Chennai) in British India to a Telugu-speaking brahmin family. His father, Lakshman Swamy was an astrologer. Kumar studied up to seventh Grade and shifted towards music learning with the help of his uncle, Apparao. Upendra Kumar learned music from gurus like Bhubaneswar Mishra & Balakrushna Dash. He underwent rigorous training in Hindustani classical, Western instrumental and Indian string instruments. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Indian classical music, Odissi music and sitar from the Utkala College of Music and Dance. Upon completion of his graduation, he left for Madras looking for opportunities.

Career

Once in Madras, Kumar took music classes in vocals and the sitar. An impressed film director Y. R. Swamy, with his “teaching methodology and his flair for music”, signed him to score for his 1966 film Katari Veera, which had Rajkumar playing the lead role. Two tracks from the soundtrack album, “Chengu Chengendu Haaruva” and “Haayaada Ee Sangama” became popular.

Work in Odia films

Alongside Kannada, Kumar notably worked also in Odia films and scored for more than 25 films. Those included Dharitri (1972), Mana Akasha (1974), Punarmilana (1977), Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja (1978) and Alibha Daga (1980). His music became very popular in Odisha. A book titled Sajala Smruti was released in 2009 in memory of Kumar’s work in Odia films.

Upendra Kumar’s Odia Discography

Manika
Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja
Samarpana
Pipasha
Kula Chandrama
Ae Nuhen Kahani
Mana Akasha
Dharitri
Alibha Daga
Paribara
Palataka
Pati Patni
Punar Milana