M. Ranga Rao (26 April 1932 – 3 August 1990) was a prominent Indian composer who predominantly worked in Kannada cinema.

Rao was known for his mellifluous scores and lilting tunes backed with strong classical nuances.

Rao composed tunes for approximately 100 films in Kannada cinema.

[1] Ranga Rao was born in a small village in Andhra Pradesh on 15 October 1932.

Ranga Rao introduced Balasubramanyam to Kannada films by offering him a duet song alongside the veteran singer P.