Vishnuvardhan (actor)

Vishnuvardhan

Vishnuvardhan in his last film, Aptha Rakshaka (2010)
Born Sampath Kumar
(1950-09-18)18 September 1950
Mysore, Mysore State, India
Died 30 December 2009(2009-12-30) (aged 59)
Mysore, Karnataka, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actor, Singer
Years active 1972–2009
Spouse(s) Bharathi Rao (1975–2009)

Vishnuvardhan (born Sampath Kumar 18 September 1950 – 30 December 2009), was an Indian film actor known for his works predominantly in Kannada cinema.[1] He has appeared in over 220 films in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam.[2] He was called 'The Phoenix of Indian Cinema'.[3][4][5] He made his debut in the 1972 film, Vamsha Vriksha, in a supporting role. The same year he played the lead role in Puttanna Kanagal's Naagarahaavu, and was recognized as the Angry young man of Kannada cinema.[6] He has played a variety of roles in different genres.[7][8][9][10]

In 2008, A poll conducted by CNN-IBN listed Vishnuvardhan as the most popular star in the Kannada Film Industry.[11] A road stretching 14.5 km from Banashankari Temple to Kengeri in Bengaluru has been named after the superstar. It is the longest road in Asia to be named after a celebrity.[12][13] He was a martial artist, In an interview with The Hindu, he had said that it was the era of Bruce Lee and it was only Kamal Haasan and himself who had learnt martial arts in his generation.[14] He was also the story writer of the 1997 movie Ganesha I Love You directed by Phani Ramachandra.[15]

Early life

Vishnuvardhan was born in Mysore to H. L. Narayana Rao and Kamakshamma. His ancestors are from Hallegere, Mandya district of Karnataka. His father was an artist, music composer and a scriptwriter who was known for his collection of musical instruments. His sister Rama was a Kathak dancer at the Mysore Palace. He had six siblings. He was educated first in Mysore's Gopalswamy School and then at Bangalore's Kannada Model High School. He attended high school and obtained a degree from National College, Basavanagudi, Bangalore.[16][17]

Personal life

Vishnuvardhan married actress Bharathi on 17 February 1975 in Bangalore. They have adopted two children, Keerthi and Chandana.[18]

Early career

Vishnuvardhan started his career with the National Award-winning movie Vamshavruksha (1972) directed by Girish Karnad based on the novel written by S. L. Bhyrappa. His first lead role was in Naagarahaavu, directed by Puttanna Kanagal and based on a novel by T. R. Subba Rao. It was the first in Kannada film history to complete 100 days in three main theatres of Bangalore. In his 35-year career, he has played a variety of roles in more than 200 films.[19]

Television

He appeared on television for the first time in the 1980s. Shankar Nag directed Malgudi Days and introduced Vishnuvardhan as the main character Venkat Rao, in an episode called "Rupees Forty-five a Month". Here, his co-star was Gayatri Nag.[20][21][22]

Philanthropy

Vishnuvardhan started an organisation called Sneha Loka to promote harmony and to help during calamities like floods. He conducted a 'padayatra' to collect funds for the flood-affected people in the northern part of the state. Vishnuvardhan and his wife Bharathi had adopted the Melukote town in Mandya district where he had dug borewells in the water-starved temple town. Many of his other charitable donations were revealed only when the beneficiaries came forward and spoke about it.[23] In January 2005, Vishnuvardhan, cricketer Syed Kirmani and Shivram participated in a Cancer Awareness Walkathon organised by Bangalore Institute of Oncology (BIO) to commemorate its 15 years of public service in Bangalore.[24]

Film score

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam is record-holder for having sung more than 40,000 songs in Indian languages including Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi. SPB's voice suited Vishnuvardhan, and people felt it was a perfect combination.[25] He started singing for Vishnuvardhan in the 1972 film Naagarahaavu. Balasubrahmanyam as music director, composed all the songs for Vishnuvardhan's Sowbhagyalakshmi. Vishnuvardhan never missed any of the birthdays of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. In every film of the actor, he had to sing couple of songs and Vishnu would insist. Balasubrahmanyam has sung all the five songs in his last Kannada film. Aptharakshaka and was awarded the Best Playback Singer Filmfare Award for the song Gharane Ghara Gharane. He dedicated his award to Vishnuvardhan. After Vishnuvardhan's death, Balasubrahmanyam paid tribute to him in musical nights and one such show happened in Bengaluru and Mysuru.

As singer

He started singing in movies occasionally and later went on to singing devotional songs for albums. The first song he sang was in the movie Nagarahole and he has recorded some duet songs with the notable legendary singers S. Janaki and P. Susheela. The first devotional album sung by him was on Lord Ayappa and the title of the album was Jyothiroopa Ayappa. His other albums were "Thayi Bhanashankari" (on goddess Banashankari) and Vishwapremi Ayappa. He also sang devotional songs on Dharmastala's Lord Manjunathaswamy, Malemadeshwara and Ranachandi Chamundi.[26] [27] [28][29]

Some of his renderings are:

Later years and death

On 30 December 2009, Vishnuvardhan died due to a massive cardiac arrest at King's Court Hotel in Mysore. He was survived by his wife, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, and two adopted daughters, Keerthi and Chandana. He was cremated with full state honours.[30][31]

Books

There have been many books about the life, career, achievements, philanthropy of this versatile actor.

Some important books about Dr. Vishnuvardhan are listed below.

Name of Book Author(s)
Vishnu - Noorondu Nenapu Sadashiva Shenoy
Sahasa Simhayana S. Jagannath Rao Bahule
Hrudayavantha Vishnu: Avadootharu B. Vinod Kumar
Kala Jnani Dr. Vishnuvardhan H. Krishnappa
Sneha Sampatthu H. Narasimha Murthy
Kannadada Sampatthu Manjunath Alde
Dr. Vishnuvardhana - Nanna Haadu Nannadu Nandakumar
Mareyada Maanikya - Yajamanru Dr. Vishnuvardhan Janardhan Rao Salanke
Simha Gharjane Janardhan Rao Salanke
Karunamayee Dr. Vishnuvardhan Janardhan Rao Salanke
Anna - Nammanna Babu Dinakar
Naagarahaavu: Nenapu - Meluku Babu Dinakar
Naagarahaavu Janardhan Rao Salanke
Bhava Shilpi Dr. Vishnuvardhan B. Vinod Kumar
Nenapina Mutthina Haara S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu

Awards and honors

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ "Vishnuvardhan – Indian Film Actor from Mysore". Mysorehub.com. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "Vishnuvardhan comes alive as a comic character". The Times Of India.
  3. ↑ http://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Vishnuvardhan-comes-alive-as-a-comic-character/articleshow/27909206.cms
  4. ↑ http://www.moviemint.com/a-final-tribute-to-the-phoenix-of-indian-cinema-nagarahavu/
  5. ↑ https://our-karnataka.blogspot.in/2010/02/dr-vishnuvardhan.html?m=1
  6. ↑ "'Angry young man' of Sandalwood bids adieu". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  7. ↑ "Girish Kasarvalli pays tribute to Vishnuvardhan". Rediff. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  8. ↑ " Naagarahaavu 1972". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 18 October 2008.
  9. ↑ "Vishnuvardhan : Kannada Actor| Singer Movies, Biography, Pictures". Chiloka.com. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  10. ↑ "Vishnuvardhan News | Bollywood Actors on Newsaajtak | Newsaajtak | News Aajtak". Newsaajtak.in. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  11. ↑ Published: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 15:47 [IST] (2008-06-24). "Dr.Vishnu the most popular star". Filmibeat. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  12. 1 2 "Dr Vishnuvardhan Road is the longest road to have an actor's name? - The Times of India". The Times Of India.
  13. 1 2 "14-km long road to be named after Vishnu". Bangaloremirror. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  14. ↑ "An actor by accident". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 11 May 2007.
  15. ↑ https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/ganesha-i-love-you-1997/
  16. ↑ rk@brainstormindia.com. "Suhasini to direct Kannada movie". Teluguboxoffice.com.
  17. ↑ SHARADHA SRINIDHI, TNN (9 July 2010). "Suhasini not directing with Ash!". The Times of India.
  18. ↑ "Vishunuvardhan's life in pics". NDTV.com. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  19. ↑ "Vishnuvardhan helped me to get stardom: Rajinikanth". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 7 January 2010.
  20. ↑ "Suhasini on her last movie with the late Kannada actor". Rediff.com. 20 January 2010.
  21. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  22. ↑ "Ambareesh's top five films". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  23. ↑ "Dr Vishnu was more than a movie icon". Rediff. 30 December 2009.
  24. ↑ "Many turn up for 'Cancer walkathon'". The Hindu. 10 January 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2005.
  25. ↑ Sandesh (September 17, 2013). "Remembering Sahasasimha Vishnuvardhan On His Birthday". Greynium Information Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  26. ↑ "Vishnu still tells me what to do". Bangalore Mirror.
  27. ↑ "Welcome to". Sify.com. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  28. ↑ "Movies List". Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  29. ↑ "Suhasini to direct Kannada film! – Telugu Movie News". Indiaglitz.com. 30 May 2009.
  30. ↑ "Dr Vishnuvardhan to be cremated with state honours". Rediff.com. 30 December 2009.
  31. ↑ "Dr Vishnuvardhan to be cremated with state honours". Megamedianews.in.
  32. ↑ "Karnataka govt moots film city named after Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan". Indiantelevision.com. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  33. ↑ "dr vishnuvardhan - Latest news on dr vishnuvardhan - dr vishnuvardhan photos - Rediff Realtime News Search". Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  34. ↑ "A stamp for Dr Vishnuvardha". The Times of India. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  35. ↑ "Driving directions from Vidya Peetha Circle to Dr Vishnuvardhan Road, hyderabad – Locate in". Latlong.in. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  36. ↑ "Road and park to be named after Dr.Vishnuvardhan". Deccan Chronicle. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  37. ↑ Hooli, Shekhar H. (2 January 2010). "Karnataka Govt to build Dr Vishnuvardhan film city". Oneindia Entertainment. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  38. ↑ "Fans mourn Vishnuvardhan's death". Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  39. ↑ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/karnataka-mourns-vishnuvardhan-s-death/561732
  40. ↑ Rajendra (3 March 2012). "ΰ²²ΰ²Ύΰ² ΰ²Ώ ಚಾರ್ಚ್ ನ಑ುಡೆ ಑ಾ.ಡಿಷ್ಣು ΰ²ͺುಀ್ΰ²₯ΰ²³ΰ²Ώ ಅನಾಡರಣ- 03 dr vishnuvardhan statue gowri palya". Oneindia Entertainment. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  41. ↑ Hooli, Shekhar (7 April 2011). "Dr. Vishnuvardhan's statue unveiled by Dwarakish". Oneindia Entertainment. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  42. ↑ "Dr Vishnuvardhan to be cremated with state honours". Rediff.com. 30 December 2009.
  43. ↑ "'Apthamithra' Dr Vishnu cremated! – Kannada Movie News". Indiaglitz.com. 31 December 2009.
  44. ↑ "Dr.Vishnuvardhan(Sahasasimha)'s Photos - Dr.Vishnuvardhan(Sahasasimha) - Facebook". Retrieved 1 April 2015.
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