Narasimharaju
Encyclopedia
T. R. Narasimharaju ( 1923–1979 ) was an India
n Kannada popular actor specialising in roles that required ample comic timing. He has acted in more than 250 Kannada movies between 1954 and 1979. He had the necessary looks and voice needed by a comedian. A successful Kannada film of that period always had the recipe of four main things: the hero, the heroine, a villain, and an equally illustrious role of a comedian. Narasimharaju was the default choice for the comedian's role. It was impossible to conceive the idea of a Kannada film
without all of these.
. Venkata Lakshmi Amma was his mother's name. His stage debut happened when he was 4 years old. The poverty prevailing in the house made his uncle Lakshmipatiraju take the young lad to the 'Chandra-moul-eshwara drama company' run by Shri C.B. Mallappa who happened to be touring Tiptur during that period. After some time, Narasimharaju left that company and formed his own troupe and enacted his roles from his now previous performances - 'Gora-kumbara,' and 'Harishchandra'. 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 film actor .
He made his film debut in 1954 when he acted in the film Bedara Kannappa alongside Dr. Raj Kumar
in the role of the son of the temple priest. Both were colleagues from the time they were in Gubbi Veeranna's drama company. Narasimha Raju took inspiration from Charlie Chaplin
. He had somewhat slightly protruding upper jaw teeth, which gave him a comic appearance. He made use of his natural abilities to the full extent possible.
Though known for his comic timing, Narasmimharaju unfortunately spent his last days mourning the death of his son in an accident. He died aged 56 on the 11th of 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.. 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. Till date, no road/memorial exists commemorating this great actor.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n Kannada popular actor specialising in roles that required ample comic timing. He has acted in more than 250 Kannada movies between 1954 and 1979. He had the necessary looks and voice needed by a comedian. A successful Kannada film of that period always had the recipe of four main things: the hero, the heroine, a villain, and an equally illustrious role of a comedian. Narasimharaju was the default choice for the comedian's role. It was impossible to conceive the idea of a Kannada film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
without all of these.
Biography
Narasimharaju was the son of a police constable Ramaraju, from TipturTiptur
Tiptur is a town in Tumkur district in the Indian state of Karnataka.Tiptur is famous for its copra. There are several educational institutions in Tiptur...
. Venkata Lakshmi Amma was his mother's name. His stage debut happened when he was 4 years old. The poverty prevailing in the house made his uncle Lakshmipatiraju take the young lad to the 'Chandra-moul-eshwara drama company' run by Shri C.B. Mallappa who happened to be touring Tiptur during that period. After some time, Narasimharaju left that company and formed his own troupe and enacted his roles from his now previous performances - 'Gora-kumbara,' and 'Harishchandra'. 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 film actor .
He made his film debut in 1954 when he acted in the film Bedara Kannappa alongside Dr. Raj Kumar
Raj Kumar
Raj Kumar may refer to:* Rajkumar , actor in Kannada films* Raaj Kumar , Indian actor* Rajkumar Santoshi, Indian producer and director* Rajkumar Hirani , Indian producer and director...
in the role of the son of the temple priest. Both were colleagues from the time they were in Gubbi Veeranna's drama company. Narasimha Raju took inspiration from Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
. He had somewhat slightly protruding upper jaw teeth, which gave him a comic appearance. He made use of his natural abilities to the full extent possible.
Though known for his comic timing, Narasmimharaju unfortunately spent his last days mourning the death of his son in an accident. He died aged 56 on the 11th of 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.. He was the busiest actor in the Kannada Film Industry, even actors like Rajkumar
Rajkumar
Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...
used to wait for his Callsheet
Daily call sheet
The daily call sheet is a filmmaking term for a sheet of paper issued to the cast and crew of a film production, created by an assistant director, informing them where and when they should report for a particular day of shooting. Call sheets also include other useful information such as contact...
, 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. Till date, no road/memorial exists commemorating this great actor.
Filmography
- 1954: Bedara Kannappa
- 1956: Renuka Mahatme
- 1957: Prabhulinga Leale
- 1957: Nala Damayanthi
- 1958: Chori Chori guest appearance
- 1959: Dharma Vijaya
- 1960: Ranadheera Kanteerava
- 1961: Kittur Raani Chennamma
- 1961: Vijayanagarada Veera Putra
- 1962: Gaaligopura
- 1963: Vaalmiki
- 1963: Amarashilpi jakkana
- 1964: Navajeevana
- 1965: Satya Harischandra
- 1965: Paathala Mohini
- 1965: Baalaraajana Kathe
- 1966: Love in Bangalore
- 1966: Thugu Deepa
- 1967: Black Market
- 1967: Devara Gedda Maanava
- 1967: Lagnapatrike
- 1967: Padaveedhara
- 1968: Bangalore Mail
- 1968: Amma
- 1968: Govadalli CID 999
- 1968: Manasaakshi
- 1970: Shri Krishnadevaraya
- 1970: Rangamahal Rahasya
- 1970: Bhupati Ranga
- 1971: Jatakaratna Gundaajoisa
- 1972: Naari Munidare Maari
- 1972: Yaava Janmada Maithri
- 1972: Gandhada GudiGandhada GudiGandhada Gudi is a 1973 Kannada movie. Starring Dr. Rajkumar, directed by Vijay and produced by M.P. Shankar. Its the 150th movie of Dr. Rajkumar. Similar movie was then made in Telugu as Adavi Ramudu , starring N. T. Rama Rao. Because of the film's success, there was a sequel made called Gandhada...
- role Shivaji - 1974: Professor Huchurayya
- 1975: Aashirvaada
- 1977: Lakshmi Nivasa
- 1977: Yella Hanakkagi
- 1980: Preethi Maadu Tamashe Nodu
- 1966: sathya harishchandra