Rajkumar has been credited for having sung across various genres and each rendition according to the mood of the scene in the film. In "Yaaru Tiliyaru Ninna" for "Babruvahana" (1977), a prosodic form of Kannada poetry that required the tone to be a combination of sarcasm and anger, he blended the twin skills of theatrics and music. For "Nee Nanna Gellalare" (1981), he sang two songs — "Jeeva Hoovagide" and "Anuraga Enaytu"— beginning both with the refrain "I love you", that is full of Carnatic gamakas. After the same tone in the refrain, they take on a life of their own with the form according to love and happiness in the former and love but a discord in the latter. He is known widely for his rendition of "Nadamaya" for "Jeevana Chaitra" (1992), a song based on the raga of Todi and with complex graces and strings other ragas as it progresses. He switches ragas with ease, and sings complex swara patterns like a professional classical artiste. For the rendition, he was awarded the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. His frequent collaboration with the composer duo of Rajan–Nagendra gave musical hits such as "Bangarada Hoovu" (1967), "Nyayave Devaru" (1971), "Swayamvara" (1973), "Sri Srinivasa Kalyana" (1974), "Nanobba Kalla" (1979) and "Chalisuva Modagalu" (1982).