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. Original scores for dance and physical theatre productions. Midlands Art Centre, U.K. Chitraleka Dance Company, U.K. Smt. Indira Thiagarajah, London. Abhinava Dance Company, 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. STEM contemporary dance theatre, Bangalore Gig Payne, U.K. PAMPA, U.S.A. Sandesha, Mangalore. Smt. Padmini Ravi, Bangalore. ISKCON, Bangalore. Smt. Supriya Desai, U.S.A. Smt. Maya Rao, Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography, Bangalore. Pushpanjali, Manchester. Ramakrishna Vidyashala, Mysore. Guy Hutchins, Moby Duck Theatre Company, U.K. Sampradaya Dance Creations, Toronto North West Dance Alliance, Manchester. Threeaksha, Philadelphia, USA Performances. Rao has performed at national and international festivals including Pattadakal Festival, Navaraspur Festival, Lord Mayor's Cultural Event 1994 (Birmingham), World  Veerashaiva Conference 1997 (U.S.A.), World Konkani Conference 2002 (Texas), 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. Other Works. 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" (1996). 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 (2014-2015).