Shankar Nag
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| Shankar Nag - ಶಂಕರ್ ನಾಗ್ | |
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| Born | Shankar Nagarakatte (ಶಂಕರ್ ನಾಗರಕಟ್ಟೆ) November 9, 1954 Honnavar, Karnataka |
| Died | September 30, 1990 (aged 35) Near Davanagere, Karnataka |
| Other name(s) | Karate King |
| Years active | 1977 to 1990 |
| Spouse(s) | Arundathi Nag |
Shankar Nag (Kannada : ಶಂಕರ್ ನಾಗ್),(9 November 1954-30 September 1990) originally known as Shankar Nagarakatte (ಶಂಕರ್ ನಾಗರಕಟ್ಟೆ), along with his elder brother Anant Nag (ಅನಂತ್ ನಾಗ್) was a popular actor and director of Kannada cinema. He also directed and acted in the teleserial, Malgudi days (ಮಾಲ್ಗುಡಿ ಡೇಸ್), based on celebrated novelist R.K.Narayan's (ಆರ್.ಕೆ.ನಾರಾಯನ್) short stories. Besides these, he was actively involved in Kannada theatre activities.
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[edit] Early career
Shankar Nag was born on November 09, 1954 in Karnataka (in Mallapur village from Honnavar taluk (Near Kumta) of Uttara Kannada district). After completing formal education, Shankar moved to Bombay (now Mumbai). In Mumbai he was attracted to Marathi theatre and immersed himself in theatrical activities. Incidentally, he met his future wife, Arundathi (ಅರುಂಧತಿ) during a drama rehearsal.
Shankar Nag then shifted base to Karnataka. His elder brother Anant Nag had already established himself as an actor and urged Shankar to act in films. He was offered a role of a mercenary by Girish Karnad in the epic movie, Ondanondu Kaaldalli, which was loosely based on Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece, Seven Samurai. Shankar won the Best Actor Award at an International Film Festival held in New Delhi[citation needed].
[edit] Later Days
Commercial film producers took notice of Shankar Nag and he began acting in typical masala movies. Shankar was an unconventional hero with an unshaven face, distinict swagger, dark eyes and a rough voice. Although he had never undergone any martial arts training, he earned the sobriquet of Karate King. His popular films include Auto Raja, Geeta, S.P.Sangliana, and Minchina Ootaa.
He had also identified himself with the Janata Party in 1980s.
[edit] Directorial Debut
Shankar began his directorial debut from the movie Januma Janumada Anubandha. Buoyed by its success, Shankar directed and starred in the movies Ondu Muthina Kathe, Accident, Hosa Theerpu, Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige, Minchina Ota and Geetha.
[edit] Malgudi days
Shankar did not limit his creativity to cinema. He was equally immersed in theatre and television. Malgudi days is the best example of Shankar's oeuvre on television. Prior to globalisation, Doordarshan was the only broadcaster in India. In addition to programme production, Doordarshan used to invite private producers to produce television serials. Shankar accepted the offer and directed Malgudi days, based on the collection of short stories by R.K.Narayan in 1987, under the banner of Padam Rag Films. Well known actors Vishnuvardhan, and Anant Nag appeared in the serial. Master Manjunath, who essayed the role of impish Swami became a household name.
The music, accompanied by the nasal twang "Tananaa tana na naa" was composed by L.Vaidyanathan. The teleserial was shot in Agumbe, Shimoga district, Karnataka. Shankar went to direct another teleserial, titled Swami in the same year. Malgudi days has been rated as one of the finest serials ever that could be made in the history of Indian Television.
It is noteworthy that he was anchoring the Parichaya program on DD1-Kannada, in its starting days.
[edit] Theatre
Despite dabbling in cinema and later television, Shankar devoted considerable time towards theatre. He envisioned a platform for theatre, folk and performing arts. His vision was fulfilled by his wife, Arundathi Nag in the form of Ranga Shankara. Rang Shankara, located in the heart of Bangalore, provides opportunities for theatre artists, directors and technicians to showcase their skills.
[edit] Death
Shankar Nag, with his wife and daughter, met with a terrible accident along the NH-4 on September 30, 1990. He was travelling to Bangalore to discuss his upcoming movie Jokumara Swamy, directed by T.S. Nagabharana. The Kannada film industry was shocked and film stars, technicians, directors, producers collectively grieved Shankar's untimely demise. Though his daughter, Kaavya and Arundhati survived, Shankar Nag breathed his last in the hospital.
Shankar Nag is widely acknowledged not just as a maverick film-maker, but also for his other projects. He had partly started[citation needed]:
- Ropeway to Nandi Durga (Nandi Hills)
- Sanketh Recording Studio
- Country Club (Sold to Manipal Group)
However, they couldn't be materialized during his lifetime. Also, he's known to be a hyper-active person, whose day spanned in Industry-Theatre-Feature Films-Politics-Construction and Social Service.
[edit] Selected Filmography
[edit] As a Director
- Minchina ota 1980
- Janma Janmada Anubandha - 1980
- Geeta - 1980
- Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige - 1983
- Lalach - 1983
- Hosa Theerpu - 1983
- Accident - 1985
- Swami (TV Series) - 1989
- Ondu Muttina Kathe - 1987
- Malgudi days (TV Series) - 1987
- Idu Sadya - a film shot in one day
[edit] As an Actor
- Ondanondu Kaladalli
- Seetharamu
- Minchina Ootaa
- Auto Raja
- Utsav
- Sangliana I
- Sangliana II
- CBI Shankar
- Rakth Thilaka
- Mooganasedu
- Nodiswamy naviroduhege
- geetha
- accident
- barjari bete
- gedha maga
- benki chandu
- huli hebulli
- tharka
- mugana sedu
- manava danava
- hosajeevana
- Nyaya Ellide
- apoorva sangama with dr.rajkumar
- chandi chamundi
- thayi
- haliyali sura sura suraru
- sundarakaanda the last film
[edit] References
- http://www.ourkarnataka.com/Articles/sreesha/shankarnag.htm
- http://www.viggy.com/english/current_rangashankara.asp
