Udaykumar
Udaykumar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Bommasandra Srinivasaiah Suryanarayana Murthy 16 March 1933 |
| Died | 26 December 1985 (aged 52) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, film producer, director, writer, novelist, lyricist |
| Years active | 1954–1985 |
| Spouse |
Kamalamma (m. 1953) |
| Children | 5 |
Bommasandra Srinivasaiah Suryanarayana Murthy (16 March 1933 – 26 December 1985), known professionally as Uday Kumar, was an Indian actor, writer, and film producer who worked primarily in Kannada cinema. Along with Rajkumar and Kalyan Kumar, he was part of the trio known as the Kumarathrayaru ("the three Kumars") of Kannada cinema.[1] In addition to acting, he wrote several stage dramas and books.[2]
Uday Kumar appeared in a wide variety of roles and collaborated with many notable actors of his era.[3] In the early part of his career, he was cast in heroic roles, but he later became known for portraying complex antagonists, particularly in historical and mythological films, where he was frequently cast opposite Rajkumar’s protagonist roles.[4]
Early life
[edit]Uday Kumar was born into a Brahmin family, with sources differing on his birth date—some citing 5 March 1933 and others 16 March 1933.[5] He was the second of four children and the only son of B. S. Srinivasaiah and Sharadamma. He had three sisters. The family's ancestral roots trace back to Andhra Pradesh but they had settled in Karnataka approximately two centuries prior to his birth.
He received his primary education in the villages of Helaine and Muthanallur near Sarjapura in Bangalore district and later completed his secondary education in Anekal. During his school years, he actively participated in cultural events and competitions.[6]
After an unsuccessful attempt at the matriculation examination, Uday Kumar married Kamalamma at the age of 20. He subsequently worked as a physical education teacher at a school in Anekal. On the advice of a friend, he relocated to Bangalore, where he joined the theatre troupe of Gubbi Veeranna, marking the beginning of his acting career.[7]
Film career
[edit]In 1954, while working on the script for Bhagyodaya (1956), screenwriter Kanagal Prabhakar Shastry was seeking a lead actor for the film. At the time, Uday Kumar was performing as Buddha in a stage production in Mandya with Gubbi Veeranna’s theater troupe. S. K. Bhagavan, Shastry’s assistant, observed the performance and offered Uday Kumar a screen test. Following the test, he was cast in the lead role. Shastry also gave him the screen name "Uday Kumar," inspired by the film's title and the production company, Udaya Productions.[8][9][6]
Known by the nickname "Gandugali," Uday Kumar acted in 193 films, including 171 in Kannada, 15 in Telugu, six in Tamil, and one in Hindi. He received several regional awards, particularly for his contributions to Kannada cinema.[8]
Beyond his work in film, Uday Kumar was involved in Kannada cultural and linguistic movements. He supported the unification of Kannadigas and collaborated with individuals such as Ma Ramamurthy, A. N. Krishna Rao (Aa. Na. Kru), Thirumale Shriranga Tatacharya, Ta. Su. Shama Rao, Ha. Ma. Nayak, and Ta. Ra. Su. to promote the Kannada language and culture through speeches, writings, and public events.[10]
He founded Udaya Kalanikethana, a training institute for theater and film acting, with the aim of promoting performing arts. He also supported professional theater groups across Karnataka, and beginning in 1960, regularly dedicated one week each month to stage performances.[8]
In 2005, on the occasion of what would have been his 73rd birthday, a charitable trust named Pavanasutha Kesari Kalaa Shalaa was established during a commemorative cultural event titled Udaya-73 Ondu Savinenapu in Anekal, his birthplace.[citation needed] The trust, founded by Vikram Udaykumar, runs social and cultural initiatives, including P. S. M. School and Kalaashaala—a cultural school offering training in classical music and performing arts such as Bharatanatyam. Its activities also include rural arts education and organizing state-level theater competitions.[6]
Filmography
[edit]- All films are in Kannada unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Film | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Bhagyodaya | ||
| Daiva Sankalpa | |||
| Panchratna | Ishwara | ||
| 1957 | Varadakshine | Raghu | |
| Bettada Kalla | Bhairava | ||
| Rathnagiri Rahasya | Rajkumar Chakravarthy | ||
| Premada Putri | |||
| 1958 | Bhakta Prahlada | ||
| Mane Thumbida Hennu | |||
| School Master | Ravikumar | ||
| Sengottai Singam | Singam | Tamil film | |
| 1959 | Mahishasura Mardini | Rambhesha | |
| Veer Bhaskaradu | Telugu film | ||
| 1960 | Yanai Paagan | Tamil film | |
| Dashavathara | Kamsa | ||
| Ivan Avanethan | Tamil film | ||
| Ranadheera Kanteerava | Vishwanatha Shastry | ||
| Bhakta Kanakadasa | |||
| Shivalinga Sakshi | |||
| 1961 | Mahavat | ||
| Vijayanagarada Veeraputhra | |||
| Raja Satya Vrata | |||
| Sita Rama Kalyanam | Kumbhakarna | Telugu film | |
| 1962 | Rathna Manjari | ||
| Gaali Gopura | Cameo | ||
| Vidhivilasa | |||
| Thayi Karulu | |||
| Bhoodana | Rama | ||
| Nanda Deepa | Ravi | ||
| Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu | Ranganna | ||
| 1963 | Santha Thukaram | ||
| Jenu Goodu | Rajanna | ||
| Chandra Kumara | |||
| Veera Kesari | |||
| Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha | |||
| Bevu Bella | |||
| Mana Mecchida Madadi | Devarajayya | ||
| Malli Maduve | |||
| 1964 | Amarashilpi Jakanachari | ||
| Chandavalliya Thota | Sivananjaya Gowda | ||
| Kalaavati | Suresh | ||
| Naandi | Cameo | ||
| 1965 | Miss Leelavathi | Kapanipathi Rao | Cameo |
| Veera Vikrama | |||
| Chandrahasa | Shekhara | ||
| Kavaleradu Kulavondu | |||
| Ide Mahasudina | Raja | ||
| Maduve Madi Nodu | Bheemanna | ||
| Bettada Huli | Bhairava | ||
| Sathi Savithri | |||
| Satya Harishchandra | Vishvamitra | ||
| Pathivratha | |||
| Vathsalya | Anand | ||
| 1966 | Deva Maanava | ||
| Madhu Malathi | |||
| Sandhya Raga | Rama | ||
| Katari Veera | |||
| Mohini Bhasmasura | Shiva | ||
| Badukuva Daari | |||
| Mane Katti Nodu | |||
| Mantralaya Mahatme | Thimmanna Bhat | ||
| Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam | Bhima | Telugu film | |
| 1967 | Rajadurgada Rahasya | ||
| Padavidhara | |||
| Immadi Pulakeshi | Kubja Vishnuvardhana | ||
| Parvathi Kalyana | Narada | ||
| Bangarada Hoovu | Ravi | ||
| Sathi Sukanya | |||
| Rajashekara | Jagamalla | ||
| Chakra Theertha | Kashipathaiah | ||
| Sri Purandara Dasaru | Vyasatirtha | ||
| 1968 | Hoovu Mullu | Bhima | |
| Arunodaya | |||
| Simha Swapna | |||
| Anna Thamma | |||
| Dhoomakethu | |||
| Mysore Tanga | |||
| Maneye Maha Mandira | |||
| Namma Ooru | |||
| Jedara Bale | Gopinath Kumar | ||
| Mahasathi Arundathi | |||
| Naane Bhagyavati | |||
| 1969 | Chaduranga | ||
| Bhale Basava | Basava | ||
| Maduve Maduve Maduve | |||
| Ade Hridaya Ade Mamathe | |||
| Mathrubhoomi | |||
| Madhura Milana | Ramesh | ||
| Kalpa Vruksha | |||
| Mukunda Chandra | |||
| Odahuttidavaru | Sundar | ||
| Shiva Bhakta | |||
| Makkale Manege Manikya | |||
| Bhagirathi | |||
| 1970 | Takka Bitre Sikka | ||
| Kallara Kalla | Shankar | ||
| Hasiru Thorana | Suri | ||
| Aaru Mooru Ombhatthu | |||
| Mrityu Panjaradalli Goodarachari 555 | Bhaskar | ||
| Sedige Sedu | |||
| Mukti | |||
| Rangamahal Rahasya | Kumar | ||
| Prateekaara | |||
| Modala Rathri | C.B.I. Head | ||
| 1971 | Sidila Mari | ||
| Bhale Rani | |||
| Jatakarathna Gunda Joisa | |||
| Bhale Bhaskar | |||
| Samshaya Phala | |||
| Kasidre Kailasa | Ramu | ||
| Purnima | |||
| Signalman Siddappa | |||
| Mahadimane | |||
| 1972 | Kulla Agent 000 | ||
| Kaanch Aur Heera | |||
| Nari Munidare Mari | |||
| 1973 | Bettada Bhairava | ||
| Mannina Magalu | |||
| Cowboy Kulla | |||
| Bharathada Rathna | |||
| Triveni | |||
| Prema Paasha | |||
| 1974 | Chamundeshwari Mahime | ||
| Nanu Baalabeku | Ramanath | ||
| 1975 | Sarpa Kavalu | ||
| Ashirwada | |||
| Bili Hendthi | |||
| Jagruthi | |||
| Mantra Shakti | |||
| 1976 | Sutrada Bombe | ||
| Rajanarthakiya Rahasya | |||
| 1977 | Banashankari | ||
| Shani Prabhava | |||
| Hemavathi | |||
| Shri Renukadavi Mahatme | |||
| Srimanthana Magalu | |||
| 1978 | Maathu Tappada Maga | Diamonds smuggler | |
| Madhura Sangama | |||
| Parashuraman | |||
| Bhale Huduga | |||
| Devadasi | |||
| 1979 | Putani Agent 123 | ||
| Seetharamu | |||
| 1980 | Vajrada Jalapatha | ||
| Maria My Darling | Mahadeva / "Ramdas" | ||
| Moogana Sedu | Papanna | ||
| Chitrakoota | |||
| Kaalinga | Vinayak Patil | ||
| 1981 | Kula Puthra | ||
| Garjane | |||
| Thayiya Madilalli | |||
| 1982 | Sahasa Simha | Chaudhary | Cameo |
| Mava Sose Saval | |||
| Kempu Hori | |||
| 1983 | Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige | Aparna's father | |
| Maga Maharaju | Telugu film | ||
| Bhayankara Bhasmasura | |||
| Devara Theerpu | |||
| Kalluveene Nudiyithu | |||
| 1984 | Gandu Bherunda | ||
| Agni Gundam | |||
| Kanoonige Saval[11] | Public Prosecutor | ||
| Bharyamani | Telugu film | ||
| Maryade Mahalu | |||
| Police Papanna | |||
| Ee Charitra Inkennallu | Telugu film | ||
| 1985 | Vishakanya[12] | Kapala Bhairava | |
| Pithamaha | |||
| Havu Eni Aata | |||
| Lakshmi Kataksha | Narayanadasa | ||
| 1988 | Varna Chakra |
Awards
[edit]- Karnataka State Film Awards:
- 1967-68 – Won – Best Supporting Actor – Chakra Theertha
- 1977-78 – Won – Best Supporting Actor – Hemavathi
References
[edit]- ^ "TOTAL KANNADA Save Our Movieland "Kannada Cinema FAQs"". totalkannada.com. 15 September 2006. Archived from the original on 15 September 2006. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ "Archived copy". popcorn.oneindia.in. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archive News". The Hindu. 9 March 2006. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press. p. 486. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.
- ^ "Uday Kumar - Movies, Biography, News, Age & Photos". BookMyShow. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ a b c "Kalakesari Udaykumar was an Indian film actor and producer in Kannada cinema, He was conferred with titles like 'Pavanasutha, Kala Kesari, Nata Samrat. He was a good writer, who had authored many dramas and books". www.kalakesariudaykumar.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ ಕಲಾಕೇಸರಿ, ನಟಸಾಮ್ರಾಟ್ ಉದಯಕುಮಾರ್ ಆರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ನಟನೆ ಮಾಡಲ್ಲ ಅಂದಿದ್ರು.. | Cinema Swarasyagalu Part 34. Total Kannada. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Remembering Uday Kumar, the hero with an iron voice". Asianet Newsable. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ Director Bhagawan Interview / Naak Maatu / ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ ಭಗವಾನ್ ಸಂದರ್ಶನ / Kalamadhyam / about Rajkumar (in Kannada). Kalamadhyama. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
- ^ "The Unification Movement Of Kannada-Speaking Regions: A Comprehensive Historical Overview" (PDF).
- ^ Kanunige Sawal-ಕಾನೂನಿಗೆ ಸವಾಲ್ | Kannada Full Movie | FEAT. Srinivas Murthy, Sujatha, Babay Rekha, retrieved 5 February 2024
- ^ Visha Kanya Telugu Full Movie | Sarath Babu | Jayamalini | Jyothi Lakshmi | South Cinema Hall, retrieved 20 October 2023