| ಹೊನ್ನಪ್ಪ ಭಾಗವತರ್ Honnappa Bhagavathar |
|
|---|---|
Honnappa Bhagvathar in Mahakavi Kalidasa |
|
| Born | January 15, 1916 Chowdasandra, Nelamangala, Bangalore |
| Died | October 10, 1997 Karnataka, India |
| Other names | Gaana Kalaabhushana, Gaanakalaa Gandharva |
| Occupation | Actor, Singer, Producer, Musician, Stage Artist |
| Years active | 1937-1997 |
| Parents | Chikkalingappa |
Honappa Bhagavatar/C. Honnappa Bhagavathar(born as Honappa) (Kannada: ಹೊನ್ನಪ್ಪ ಭಾಗವತರ್)(Tamil: ஹொன்னப்ப பாகவதர்) (January 15, 1916 - October 10, 1997), was a Kannada - Tamil theater artist, film actor, producer, musician, singer.[1][2] He was a renowned singer and sang many songs. He was one of the pioneers of Kannada Cinema. His son Bharath Bhagavathar was also an actor who worked in Kannada Films and serials.
Contents |
Born in 1915 at Chowdasandra, Nelamangala, weaving was his household profession. At the age of 5, he lost his father and grew up attracted to his mothers Bhajans and Music. He came to Bangalore for work. He first became a pupil of his relative Murthy then became a pupil of Harmonium Arunachalappa.
Honappa's stage play had a show in Salem. At that time, M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, a filmmaker, was searching for a cast for his film 'Ambikapathi'. Honnappa's play was a success there and people appreciated it. Honnappa was honored, and was respected by conferring him the title 'Bhagavathar'. From then, Honnappa's name became Honnappa Bhagavathar.[3]
Honnappa Bhagavathar was in many Tamil Films. Bangalore-based stage and screen star Honnappa Bhagavathar replaced M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar in Sri Murugan of 1946. He acted along MGR in the movie. Both Honnappa Bhagavathar and Jeevaratnam sung in the movie as well. S. M. Subbaiah Naidu scored the music.[1]. He founded production company named Lalithakaala Films. It produced films in Kannada and Tamil, namely Mahakavi Kaalidasa in 1955 - First Kannada Movie produced by the banner.
He made is debut in Kannada with the movie Subadra.[4] He is known for bringing actress like B. Saroja Devi and others into silver screen.[5]
Later again, in the film Valmiki Honnappa Bhagavathar substituted M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar as Valmiki, the sinner-turned-sage Valmiki. Honnappa Bhagavathar, who became a star after M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar's temporary exit, played the lead role in many Tamil movies and later in Kannada. He played the bandit-turned-sage and created a good impression, especially in the action sequences when he escapes from capture. The romantic sequences of Rajakumari with Honnappa Bhagavathar were much talked about in those days.[6]
In 1960, Bhagavathar started an organization "Nadabrahma Sangeetha Vidyalaya", and imparted music to his many pupils. He also became a member of Kannada Film Advisory Board and also worked as a member in Karnataka Sangeeta Nruthya Academy.[3]
| No | Film | Year | Director | Language | Co-star | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Krishnakumar | 1941 | S. D. S. Yogi | Tamil | T. S. Rajalakshmi | Lead Actor |
| 2 | Subhadra | 1941 | P. Pullaiah | Kannada | Gubbi Veeranna , J. Jayamma | |
| 3 | Sathi Suganya | 1942 | T. R. Sundaram & P. V. Chari | Tamil | T. R. Rajakumari | Lead Actor |
| 4 | Arunthathi | 1943 | M. L. Tandan & T. R. Sundaram | Tamil | U. R. Jeevarathinam | Lead Actor |
| 5 | Devakanya | 1943 | R. Padmanaban | Tamil | U. R. Jeevarathinam | Lead Actor |
| 6 | Prabavathi | 1944 | T. R. Raghunath | Tamil | T. R. Rajakumari | Lead Actor |
| 7 | Raja Rajeshwari | 1944 | M. L. Tandon & T. R. Sundaram | Tamil | K. L. V. Vasantha | Lead Actor |
| 8 | Burma Rani | 1945 | T. R. Sundaram | Tamil | K. L. V. Vasantha | |
| 9 | Hemareddy Mallamma | 1945 | G. R. Rao & S. Soundararajan | Kannada | Gubbi Veeranna | |
| 10 | Bhakta Kalathi | 1945 | R. Padmanaban | Tamil | Thavamani Devi | Lead Actor |
| 11 | Subhathra | 1945 | T. R. Sundaram | Tamil | K. L. V. Vasantha | |
| 12 | Kundalakesi | 1946 | Boman D. Irani | Tamil | N. C. Vasanthakokilam | Lead Actor |
| 13 | Sri Murugan | 1946 | M. Soma Sundaram & V. S. Narayanan | Tamil | MGR as support,[7] U. R. Jeevarathinam, K. Malathi | Lead Actor |
| 14 | Subathra | 1946 | T. R. Sundaram | Tamil | K. L. V. Vasantha | Lead Actor |
| 15 | Valmiki | 1946 | Sundarao Nadkarni | Tamil | U. R. Jeevarathinam, N. C. Vasanthakokilam, T. R. Rajakumari | Lead Actor |
| 16 | Bhakta Jana | 1948 | P. Pullaiah | Tamil | Chittor V. Nagaiah, P. Santha Kumari | |
| 17 | Gokuldasi | 1948 | K. Subramaniam | M. V. Rajamma | ||
| 18 | Bhakta Kumbara | 1949 | Boman D. Irani | Kannada | Pandaribai | Lead Actor & Producer |
| 19 | Devamanohari | 1949 | A. T. Krishnaswamy | Tamil | P. Bhanumathi | Lead Actor |
| 20 | Sathya Shodhanai | 1953 | H. L. N. Simha | |||
| 21 | Gunasagari | 1953 | H. L. N. Simha | Kannada | Pandaribai | Lead Actor |
| 22 | Mahakavi Kalidasa | 1955 | K. R. Seetarama | Kannada | B. Saroja Devi (Introduced) | Actor, Producer & Music Director |
| 23 | Aashadya Bhoothi | 1955 | Kannada | B. Saroja Devi | ||
| 24 | Pancharathna | 1956 | K. Vembu | Kannada | Udaykumar , T. N. Balakrishna | Actor & Music Director |
| 25 | Jagajyoti Basaweswara | 1959 | T. V. Singh Thakore | Kannada | Rajkumar , B. Saroja Devi | |
| 26 | Uzhavukkum Thozhilukkum Vandhanai Seivom | 1959 | M. A. Thirumugham | Tamil | Prem Nazir, E. V. Saroja | Producer, With M. Karunanidhi in a Role |
| 27 | Kataari Vee?ra | 1966 | Kannada | Udaykumar | ||
| 28 | Sadananda | 1979 | Ananth Hiregowder | Kannada | Actor & Producer |
In 1976, he was conferred the title "Gana Kalabhushana". Honnappa Bhagavthar's Mahakavikalidasa and Jagajyothi Basaveshwara got National Award in 1955 and 1959 respectively. In 1991, Center for Music Drama Academy awarded him for his contribution to Music. In the same year, he was also awarded for stage music. Madras Sina Pyans Associations awarded him for 'Best Actor' for the Kannada films of 1956. In 1978, Scholars of Mysore state respected him conferring the title 'Gaanakalaa Gandharva'. In 1986, he was awarded the 'Rajyothsava Award'.[3]