At a time when a large number of authors were writing for films, Hamsalekha made his debut as a lyricist. His first film song was 'Neena Bhagavanta' for the film Triveni in 1973. He also wrote the song Savige Bisi Bisi Hani Beke for the same film. Thus Govindaraju Gangaraju made his entry into films, but it was not until 10 years later that his talent was recognised. In 1983, he wrote the dialogues and lyrics for Naanu Nanna Hendati.

The song, Yaare Neenu Cheluve became a big hit. Premaloka marked the beginning of the Hamsalekha era in Sandalwood. He was unique for the reason that he was a lyricist as well as a music composer, which no one else in any industry could match. His films with Ravichandran like Ranadheera, Anjadagandu, Ramachari, Halli Meshtru, Putnanja and others are classics of writing as well as music. Even in films for other makers, Hamsalekha has excelled like Muttinahara, Hrudaya Haaditu, Chaitrada Premanjali, Kaurava, Ganayogi Panchakshari Gawai and others. He has won three state awards for lyrics and one national award for music for Panchakshari Gawai. With over 300 films, Hamsalekha's contribution is nothing short of a revolution.

It is interesting to note that people who followed him like V Manohar and K Kalyan also began to write lyrics as well as compose music.