Tiptur Ramaraju Narasimharaju (24 July 1923 – 11 July 1979) was an Indian actor in Kannada cinema. He was a comedy stalwart of the Kannada film industry and specialised in roles that required ample comic timing. He acted in more than 111 Kannada films between 1954 and 1979. He was also referred to as Hasya Chakravarti.A Tribute Comedian. Deccan Herald.
Career
Theatre Narasimharaju made his stage debut 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 at the time. 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.Lakshmana. Jana Maretha Nage Nata. Prajavani, Cinema Ranjane, page 3, 15 July 2011, p. 1.
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.
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 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. 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 and is even credited to have completed 100 films before Dr Rajkumar through the 1967 film, Nakkare Ade Swarga.
Filmography
Year Title Role 1954 Bedara Kannapa Kashinatha Shastry 1955 Sodari 1956 Shiva Bhaktha Markandeya 1956 Hari Bhaktha 1956 Renuka Mahatme 1957 Bhaktha Prahalada 1957 Prabhulinga leale 1957 Nala Damayanthi 1958 School Master Puttanna 1958 Chori Chori Guest appearance 1959 Jagajyothi Basaveshwara 1959 Dharma Vijaya 1959 Abba Aa Hudugi 1960 Rani Honnamma 1960 Dashavataara 1960 Makkala Rajya 1960Aasha SundariMaithreya 1960 Ranadheera Kanteerava 1961 Kaivara Mahatme 1961 Nagarjuna 1961 Kittur Chennamma 1961 Vijayanagarada Veera Putra 1962 Vidhi Vilasa 1962 Swarna Gowri 1962 Gaali Gopura 1962 Bhoodaana 1962 Ratna Manjari 1963 Sathi Shakthi 1963 Nanda Deepa 1963 Jenu Goodu Stage actor 1963 Veera Kesari 1963 Saaku Magalu 1963 Jeevana Taranga 1963 Vaalmiki 1963 Malli Maduve 1964 Chandra Kumara 1964 Chinnada Gombe 1964 Amara Shilpi Jakana Chari 1964 Shivaratri Mahatme 1964 Pratigne 1964 Nava Jeevana Supporting Actor 1965 Chandrahasa 1965 Vatsalya 1965 Miss Leelavati 1965 Nanna Karthavya 1965 Sathya Harichandra 1965 Amarajeevi 1965 Pathala Mohini 1965 Baalaraajana Kathe 1966 Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe 1966 Love in Bangalore 1966 Thugu Deepa 1967 Manassiddare Maarga 1967 Rajashekara 1967 Bhaktha Kanakadasa 1967 Bangaarada Hoovu 1967 Devara Gedda Manava 1967 Immadi Pulikesi 1967 Gange Gowri 1967 Nakkare Ade Swarga Hero 1967 Lagna Pathrike 1967 Black Market 1967 Padaveedhara 1967 Premakkoo Permitte 1968 Manasakshi 1968 Simha Swapna 1968 Jedara Bale 1968 Goa Dalli CID 999 1968 Namma Ooru 1968 Gandhinagara 1968 Bangalore Mail Supporting Actor 1968 Rowdi Ranganna 1968 Amma 1969 Bhale Bhasava 1969 Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 Supporting Actor 1969 Kaadina Rahasya 1969 Eradu Mukha 1970 Modala Raatri Shankar 1970 Hasiru Thorana 1970Aliya GeleyaShekhar and Muniya (Double Role) 1970 Nadina Bhagya 1970 Bhoopathi Ranga 1970 Lakshmi Saraswathi 1970 Sri Krishnadevaraya Tenali Ramakrishna 1970 Rangamahal Rahasya 1971 Kula Gourava Gopu 1971 Kasturi Nivasa 1971 Anugraha 1971 Malathi Madhava 1971 Namma Badaku 1971 Jatakaratna Gundaa Joisa Lead Hero 1971 Prathidwani 1971 Sharapanjara Guest role 1972 Yava Janmumada Mythri 1972 Naari Munidare Maari 1973 Gandhada Gudi Shivaji Role 1973 Devaru Kotta Thangi 1974 Professor Huchchuraya Lead Hero & Producer 1975 Onde Roopa Eradu Guna 1975 Aashirvaada 1976 Aparadhi 1977 Lakshmi Nivasa 1977 Kittu Puttu Guest Appearance 1977 Yella Hanakkagi 1978 Maathu Thappadha Maga 1978 Vasantha Lakshmi 1978 Kiladi Kittu 1978 Nammuru 1978 Sneha Sedu 1979 Preethi Madu Tamashe Nodu 1979 Asadhya Aliya 1980 Manjina There
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