Narasimharaju (Kannada actor)

T. R. Narasimharaju
Born Tiptur Ramaraju Narasimharaju
(1923-07-24)24 July 1923
Tiptur, Kingdom of Mysore, British India
Died 11 July 1979(1979-07-11) (aged 55)
Karnataka, India
Nationality Indian
Other names Hasya chakravarthi, Hasya Rathna
Occupation Actor
Years active 1954–1979
Spouse(s) Sharadamma (1949–1979)

Tiptur Ramaraju Narasimharaju (Kannada: ನರಸಿಂಹರಾಜು) (24 July 1923 – 11 July 1979) was a very popular Kannada actor specialised in roles that required ample comic timing. He was the comedy stalwart of the Kannada film industry. He acted in more than 250 Kannada films between 1954 and 1979. He was also referred to as Hasya Chakravarti.[1]

Early life

Narasimharaju was born to Ramaraju, a police constable from Tiptur and Venkatalakshmi Amma on 24 July 1923, in Tiptur.

Career

Theatre

Narasimharaju's stage debut happened when he was 4 years old. The poverty prevailing in the house made his uncle Lakshmipathiraju take the young lad to the 'Chandra-moul-eshwara drama company' run by C. B. Mallappa who happened to be touring Tiptur during that period. He played the roles of Prahlada, Lohithaswa, Krishna, Markanda among others. After some time, Narasimharaju left that company and formed his own troupe and enacted his roles from his now previous performances – Gora-Kumbara, and Harischandra. He soon joined "Edathorey Drama Company" after his troupe sustained losses. He took on the garb of a lady in the mythological Vishvamitra, Rama, Ravana, and Bharata among others. He spent the first 27 years of his acting career in professional drama companies. He donned different roles in the plays of different companies like "Shri Chandramauleshwara Nataka Sabha", "Hirannaiah Mitra Mandali", "Bharatha Lalitha Kala Sangha", "Gunda Joisara Company" of Belur, and Gubbi "Channabasaveshwara Nataka Company". He did not neglect these drama companies even after becoming hugely popular as a film actor.[2]

Films

He made his film debut in 1954 when he acted in the film Bedara Kannappa alongside Rajkumar in the role of the son of the temple priest. Both were colleagues from the time they were in Gubbi Veeranna's drama company. Narasimharaju took inspiration from Charlie Chaplin. He is referred to by some as one of the greatest comedians of his time. It is also said that people would not have watched Kannada films in the 1960s if he did not star in them.[3]

Though known for his comic timing, Narasmimharaju unfortunately spent his last days mourning the death of his son in an accident.[4] He died aged 56 on 11 July 1979 at around 4.30 a.m. due to severe heart attack. After his death, an annual cine award, the Narasimharaju Prashasti was established in his memory.[5] He was the busiest actor in the Kannada film industry, even actors like Rajkumar used to wait for his callsheet, and used to adjust to his dates. However, despite his iconic status among Kannadigas, it is ironic that he was not awarded even once either by the state or the central governments.

A comedian by profession, Narasimharaju was a family man and knew what he had to do for his family. Narasimharaju intelligently invested his earnings into building houses in the then Madras city and Bangalore. In fact, he was the first Kannada actor to own a house in Madras, even before the matinee idol Rajkumar.

Filmography

Narasimha Raju in Makkala Rajya
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Sl No Year Title Role
1 1954 Bedara Kannapa Comedian
2 1955 Sodari Comedian
3 1956 Shiva Bhaktha Markandeya Comedian
4 1956 Hari Bhaktha Comedian
5 1956 Renuka MAhatme Comedian
6 1957 Bhaktha Prahalada Comedian
7 1957 Prabhulinga leale Comedian
8 1957 Nala Damayanthi Comedian
9 1958 Chori Chori Guest appearance
10 1959 Jagajyothi Basaveshwara Comedian
11 1959 Dharma Vijaya Comedian
12 1959 Abba Aa Hudugi
13 1960 Rani Honnamma Comedian
14 1960 Dashavataara Comedian
15 1960 Makkala Rajya
16 1960 Ranadheera Kanteerava Comedian
17 1961 Kaivara Mahatme Comedian
18 1961 Nagarjuna Comedian
19 1961 Kittur Chennamma Comedian
20 1961 Vijayanagarada Veera Putra
21 1962 Vidhi Vilasa Comedian
22 1962 Swarna Gowri Comedian
23 1962 Gaali Gopura
24 1962 Bhoodaana
25 1962 Ratna Manjari Comedian
26 1963 Sathi Shakthi Comedian
27 1963 Nanda Deepa Comedian
27 jenu goodu
28 1963 Vaalmiki
29 1964 Chandra Kumara Comedian
30 1964 Chinnada Gombe Comedian
31 1964 Amara Shilpi Jakana Chari Comedian
32 1964 Shivaratri Mahatme Comedian
33 1964 Pratigne Comedian
34 1964 Nava Jeevana Supporting Actor
35 1965 Chandrahasa Comedian
36 1965 Vatsalya Comedian
37 1965 Miss Leelavati Comedian
38 1965 Nanna Karthavya Comedian
39 1965 Sathya Harichandra Comedian
40 1965 Pathala Mohini Comedian
41 1965 Baalaraajana Kathe
42 1966 Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe Comedian
43 1966 Love in Bangalore
44 1966 Thugu Deepa Comedian
45 1967 Manassiddare Maarga Comedian
46 1967 Rajashekara Comedian
47 1967 Bhaktha Kanakadasa Comedian
48 1967 Bangaarada Hoovu Comedian
49 1967 Devara Gedda Manava Comedian
50 1967 Immadi Pulikesi Comedian
51 1967 Gange Gowri Comedian
52 1967 Nakkare Ade Swarga Hero
53 1967 Lagna Pathrike Comedian
54 1967 Black Market
55 1967 Padaveedhara
56 1968 Manasakshi Comedian
57 1968 Simha Swapna Comedian
58 1968 Jedara Bale Comedian
59 1968 Goa dalli CID 999 Comedian
60 1968 Namma Ooru Comedian
61 1968 Gandhinagara Comedian
62 1968 Bangalore Mail Supporting Actor
63 1968 Rowdi Ranganna Comedian
64 1968 Amma
65 1969 Bhale Bhasava Comedian
66 1969 Operation Jackpotnalli CID 999 Supporting Actor
67 1969 Kaadina Rahasya Comedian
68 1969 Eradu Mukha Comedian
69 1970 Modala Raatri Comedian
70 1970 Hasiru Thorana Comedian
71 1970 Nadina Bhagya Comedian
72 1970 Bhoopathi Ranga Comedian
73 1970 Lakshmi Saraswathi Comedian
74 1970 Sri Krishnadevaraya
75 1970 Rangamahal Rahasya
76 1971 Kula Gowrava Comedian 77 1971. Kasturi nivas 77 1971 Anugraha Comedian
78 1971 Malathi Madhava Comedian
79 1971 Namma Badaku Comedian
80 1971 Jatakaratna Gundaa Joisa
81 1971 Sharapanjara Comedian
82 1972 Yava Janmumada Mythri Comedian
83 1972 Naari Munidare Maari
84 1972 Gandhada Gudi Shivaji Role
85 1973 Devaru Kotta Thangi Comedian
86 1974 Professor Hucchurya Lead Hero
87 1975 Onde Roopa Eradu Guna Comedian
88 1975 Aashirvaada
89 1976 Aparadhi Comedian
90 1977 Lakshmi Nivasa Comedian
91 1977 Kittu Puttu Guest Appearance
92 1977 Yella Hanakkagi
93 1978 Maathu Thappadha Maga Comedian
94 1978 Vasantha Lakshmi Comedian
95 1978 Kilaadi Kittu Comedian
96 1978 Nammuru
97 1978 Sneha Sedu
98 1979 Preethi Madu Tamashe Nodu Comedian
99 1979 Asadhya Aliya Comedian
100 1980 Manjina There Comedian

Sources

References

  1. ↑ http://www.deccanherald.com/content/268044/a-tribute-comedian.html
  2. ↑ Lakshmana. Jana Maretha Nage Nata. Prajavani, Cinema Ranjane, page 3, 15 July 2011, p. 1.
  3. ↑ http://www.deccanherald.com/content/268044/a-tribute-comedian.html
  4. ↑ Mattur, H. "Memories of The Golden Era – An Interview with S.K Bhagavan". OurKarnataka.Com, Inc. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  5. ↑ "Awards in memory of Narasimharaju". Deccan Herald. 9 June 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2007.

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