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Narasimharaju (Kannada actor)

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T. R. Narasimharaju
Born
Tipaturu Rama Raju Narasimha Raju

(1923-07-24)24 July 1923
Died11 July 1979(1979-07-11) (aged 55)
Karnataka, India
Other namesHasya chakravarthi, Hasya Rathna
OccupationActor
Years active1954–1979
Children

Tiptur Ramaraju Narasimharaju (24 July 1923 – 11 July 1979) was an Indian actor in Kannada cinema who 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.[2]

Career

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Theatre

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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 'Chandramouleshwara 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.[3]

Films

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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.[4] 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.[2]

Though known for his comic timing, Narasmimharaju unfortunately spent his last days mourning the death of his son in an accident.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] In fact, he was the first Kannada actor to own a house in Madras, even before the matinee idol Rajkumar and is even credited to have completed 100 films before Dr Rajkumar through the 1967 film, Nakkare Ade Swarga.

Filmography

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Sl No Year Title Role
1 1954 Bedara Kannapa Kashinatha Shastry
2 1955 Sodari
3 1956 Shiva Bhaktha Markandeya
4 1956 Hari Bhaktha
5 1956 Renuka Mahatme
6 1957 Bhaktha Prahalada
7 1957 Prabhulinga leale
8 1957 Nala Damayanthi
1958 School Master Puttanna
9 1958 Chori Chori Guest appearance
10 1959 Jagajyothi Basaveshwara
11 1959 Dharma Vijaya
12 1959 Abba Aa Hudugi
13 1960 Rani Honnamma
14 1960 Dashavataara
15 1960 Makkala Rajya
16 1960 Ranadheera Kanteerava
17 1961 Kaivara Mahatme
18 1961 Nagarjuna
19 1961 Kittur Chennamma
20 1961 Vijayanagarada Veera Putra
21 1962 Vidhi Vilasa
22 1962 Swarna Gowri
23 1962 Gaali Gopura
24 1962 Bhoodaana
25 1962 Ratna Manjari
26 1963 Sathi Shakthi
27 1963 Nanda Deepa
28 1963 Jenu Goodu Stage actor
29 1963 Veera Kesari
30 1963 Saaku Magalu
31 1963 Jeevana Taranga
32 1963 Vaalmiki
33 1963 Malli Maduve
34 1964 Chandra Kumara
35 1964 Chinnada Gombe
36 1964 Amara Shilpi Jakana Chari
37 1964 Shivaratri Mahatme
38 1964 Pratigne
39 1964 Nava Jeevana Supporting Actor
40 1965 Chandrahasa
41 1965 Vatsalya
42 1965 Miss Leelavati
43 1965 Nanna Karthavya
44 1965 Sathya Harichandra
45 1965 Amarajeevi
46 1965 Pathala Mohini
47 1965 Baalaraajana Kathe
48 1966 Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe
49 1966 Love in Bangalore
50 1966 Thugu Deepa
51 1967 Manassiddare Maarga
52 1967 Rajashekara
53 1967 Bhaktha Kanakadasa
54 1967 Bangaarada Hoovu
55 1967 Devara Gedda Manava
56 1967 Immadi Pulikesi
57 1967 Gange Gowri
58 1967 Nakkare Ade Swarga Hero
59 1967 Lagna Pathrike
59 1967 Black Market
60 1967 Padaveedhara
61 1967 Premakkoo Permitte
62 1968 Manasakshi
63 1968 Simha Swapna
64 1968 Jedara Bale
65 1968 Goa Dalli CID 999
66 1968 Namma Ooru
67 1968 Gandhinagara
68 1968 Bangalore Mail Supporting Actor
69 1968 Rowdi Ranganna
70 1968 Amma
71 1969 Bhale Bhasava
72 1969 Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 Supporting Actor
73 1969 Kaadina Rahasya
74 1969 Eradu Mukha
75 1970 Modala Raatri
76 1970 Hasiru Thorana
77 1970 Nadina Bhagya
78 1970 Bhoopathi Ranga
79 1970 Lakshmi Saraswathi
80 1970 Sri Krishnadevaraya Tenali Ramakrishna
81 1970 Rangamahal Rahasya
82 1971 Kula Gourava Gopu
83 1971 Kasturi Nivasa
84 1971 Anugraha
85 1971 Malathi Madhava
86 1971 Namma Badaku
87 1971 Jatakaratna Gundaa Joisa Lead Hero
88 1971 Prathidwani
89 1971 Sharapanjara
90 1972 Yava Janmumada Mythri
91 1972 Naari Munidare Maari
92 1972 Gandhada Gudi Shivaji Role
93 1973 Devaru Kotta Thangi
94 1974 Professor Hucchurya Lead Hero
95 1975 Shri Krishna Devaraya
96 1975 Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
97 1975 Aashirvaada
98 1976 Aparadhi
99 1977 Lakshmi Nivasa
100 1977 Kittu Puttu Guest Appearance
101 1977 Yella Hanakkagi
102 1978 Maathu Thappadha Maga
103 1978 Vasantha Lakshmi
104 1978 Kiladi Kittu
105 1978 Nammuru
106 1978 Sneha Sedu
107 1979 Preethi Madu Tamashe Nodu
108 1979 Asadhya Aliya
109 1979 Asadhya Aliya
110 1980 Manjina There

Sources

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  • HSK. "T. R. Narasimharaju: Humorous Actor". Star of Mysore. OurKarnataka.Com, Inc. Retrieved 25 September 2007.

References

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  1. ^ "Indian movie stars died at 55". patheticfacts.com.
  2. ^ a b A Tribute Comedian. Deccan Herald.
  3. ^ Lakshmana. Jana Maretha Nage Nata. Prajavani, Cinema Ranjane, page 3, 15 July 2011, p. 1.
  4. ^ "7 Facts About The Late Legend Hasya Chakravarthy Narasimharaju Who Would've Been 96 Today".
  5. ^ Mattur, H. "Memories of The Golden Era – An Interview with S.K Bhagavan". OurKarnataka.Com, Inc. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  6. ^ "Awards in memory of Narasimharaju". Deccan Herald. 9 June 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  7. ^ "The Raja of comedy".

University of Pennsylvania Search string: narasimha raju [1]

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