Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai

Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai is a 1995 Indian Kannada-language biographical film, directed by Chindodi Bangaresh and produced by Chindodi Leela. Starring Lokesh in the title role, the film also featured Girish Karnad and Vijay Raghavendra in other pivotal roles. The film is based on the life of Panchakshara Gawai (1892 - 1944), who was a blind singer from Karnataka who made a great difference to the life of many blind people in Indian society.

The film, upon release was critically acclaimed and won multiple awards both at the National and State levels. The musical score composed and written by Hamsalekha was highly acclaimed.

Cast

 * Lokesh as Panchakshara Gawai
 * Vijay Raghavendra as young Panchakshara Gawai
 * Girish Karnad as Hanagal Kumaraswamiji
 * Kalyan Kumar
 * Dheerendra Gopal
 * Gavai
 * N. Basavaraj
 * Enagi Balappa
 * C. T. Savithri
 * Madhuri
 * Theresamma

Soundtrack
The music of the film was composed by Hamsalekha. The soundtrack features 10 tracks which include a poetry compilation of Purandara Dasa and Tansen. While Hamsalekha won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction, singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam won National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the year 1995.

Awards
The film has won the following awards since its release.

National Film Awards 1995
 * Won – National Film Award for Best Music Direction - Hamsalekha
 * Won - National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam ("Umandu Ghamandu")

Karnataka State Film Awards 1995-96
 * Won – Karnataka State Film Award for First Best Film
 * Won – Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director – Hamsalekha
 * Won – Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor – Girish Karnad