Narasimharaju (Kannada actor)

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]

T. R. Narasimharaju
Born	Tipaturu Rama Raju Narasimha Raju (1923-07-24)24 July 1923 Tiptur, Mysore State, British India
Died	11 July 1979(1979-07-11) (aged 55) Karnataka, India
Other names	Hasya chakravarthi, Hasya Rathna
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1954–1979
Children	Narahari Raju (Son) Sudha Narasimharaju (Daughter) Dharmavathi Narasimharaju (Daughter)[1]

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 '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

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

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

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

References

1. "Indian movie stars died at 55". patheticfacts.com.
2. 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

External links

• Narasimharaju at IMDb