Srinivasa Murthy

Jadalathimmanahalli Krishnappa Srinivasa Murthy (born 15 May 1949), known popularly as Srinivasa Murthy, is an Indian actor and television director. He is mostly known for his work as a director having made many television series in Kannada, beginning in 2001, based on the lives of various Kannada philosophers and poets, and adaptations of the works of popular Kannada writers. As an actor, he is known for his work in Kannada cinema, appearing often in supporting roles. He began his career as a stage artiste in both professional and amateur theatre, before taking to films in 1977. Known for his graceful acting, he is a disciplined actor who has carved out a niche in historical and emotional roles, and is a two-time recipient of the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. His elder son Naveen Krishna is also an actor in Kannada films.

Career

Films

Srinivasa Murthy debuted under the tutelage of director Siddalingaiah in the movie Hemavati. The movie was based on an inter-caste love story between a high-caste girl with a lower-caste boy. His acting was lauded by the Kannada Industry and he was warmly welcomed into the industry. He did not immediately get more Hero offers, but was called in supporting characters to the heroes. But he accepted what he was offered and displayed extreme range and grace in his acting. He has acted in close to 300 Kannada movies. His roles in Mane Mane Ramayana, Guru Shishyaru, Kaviratna Kalidasa are remembered for his excellent acting. In Kaviratna Kalidasa he played the role of Raja Bhoja, along with Kannada actor Rajkumar playing the role of Kalidasa. The camaraderie the two actors shared was a grand success. Even Rajkumar praised his efforts in that role. Siddalingaiah presented him as a conventional hero opposite the ruling heroine Aarathi in Parajitha (1982). The movie was a moderate success. Somehow Srinivasa Murthy continued to get offers for strong supporting roles rather than conventional hero roles at that time.

Srinivasa Murthy became a producer of Kannada films quite early. He started off producing films with his friend Jai Jagadish. He made films like Maathru Devo Bhava and a comedy film Thaayigobba Tharlemaga with Kashinath and cast struggling actress Chandrika (Kannada actress) who went on to become a popular heroine after the film. Followed by Nambidare Nambi Bittare Bidi directed by Umesh which introduced Shruthi and Hosamane Aliya with Anant Nag and Bhavya. He then became a director with the children film Devara Makkalu that won lot of appreciation from critics. It also won an award for Best Children Film from the State government of Karnataka.

Television

Parallel to his career in films, Murthy directed and starred in many television soaps. He made his debut as a director in 2001, with a Kannada series Anna Basavanna, also starring as the eponymous lead role Basava, a 12th-century philosopher and Kannada poet. The 70-episode series concluded in April 2002, and was aired on ETV Kannada. Following this, in the same year, he directed Pathala Bhairavi, a children fantasy series consisting of 52 episodes, based on the 11th-century Kashmiri poet Kshemendra's work of the same. Murthy appeared in the role of a Mantrik in the series. In 2007, he directed Triveni Sangama, a series based on the works of Anasuya Shankar (pen name, Triveni). He also starred in the series alongside C. R. Simha. In 2014, he made a series based on the life of Kanaka Dasa, a 16th-century philosopher and Kannada poet.

Personal life

Srinivasa Murthy was born on 15 May 1949 to Krishnappa and Nagamma in a village, Jadalathimmanahalli, in the Kolar district of the erstwhile Mysore State (in present-day Chikkaballapura district in Karnataka). Murthy served in the Survey Department under the Government of Karnataka, before entering films in 1977 with ''Hemavathi''. He is married to Pushpa and they have four children together—two sons, Naveen Krishna and Nitil Krishna, both of whom are actors—and two daughters—Yogithaa Naag and Santhoora Naag (deceased).

Filmography

As actor

* ''Hemavathi'' (1977)
* '' Guru Shishyaru'' (1981)
* ''Keralida Simha'' (1981)
* ''Hosa Belaku'' (1982)
* '' Parajitha'' (1982)
* ''Kaviratna Kalidasa'' (1983) as Bhoja
* '' Bhaktha Prahlada'' (1983)
* '' Marali Gudige'' (1984)
* '' Avala Antharanga'' (1986)
* ''Thayi Karulu'' (1988)
* '' Shabarimale Swamy Ayyappa'' (1990)
* '' Kaliyuga Seethe'' (1992)
* '' Dore'' (1995)
* ''Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata

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