M. P. Shankar (20 August 1935 – 17 July 2008) was an Indian actor in

Kannada cinema Kannada cinema, also known as Sandalwood, or Chandanavana, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Kannada language widely spoken in the state of Karnataka. Kannada cinema is based in Gandhi Nagar ...

. He acted in films like Satya Harishchandra as 'Veera Baahu',

Naagarahaavu ''Naagarahaavu'' ( ) is a 1972 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Puttanna Kanagal, based on T. R. Subba Rao's three novels ''Nagarahavu'', ''Ondu Gandu Eradu Hennu'' and ''Sarpa Mathsara'', and starring Vishnuvardhan, Aarathi, K. S. A ...

as 'Pailwan Basanna', ''

Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu ''Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu'' ( ) is 1974 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by Siddalingaiah, who co-wrote the screenplay with Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar, based on Iyengar's short story of the same name from his novel, ''Vayyari.'' The film ...

as Bhootayya'', ''Ratnamanjari'' etc. He produced the film ''

Gandhada Gudi ''Gandhada Gudi'' ( ) is a 1973 Indian Kannada-language action drama film directed by Vijay and produced by M. P. Shankar. Rajkumar in his 150th film portrays an honest forest officer Kumar and Vishnuvardhan plays the antagonist, Anand, th ...

'' starring Rajkumar in which Shankar also acted as forest dept. driver Johnny. He died on 17 July 2008 in Mysore.

Early life

Shankar was the third son of Puttalingappa and Gangamma. His father ran a handloom textile industry. Shankar had his primary and secondary education in Dalvoy School and higher secondary education in Banumaiah's High School. His family got into financial crisis due to losses at textile industry. He could not even appear for SSLC exams because of financial problems. He worked as a daily wager in the then Mysore Electricity Board.

Career

Shankar started his career as a foundry man in the railway workshop at Mysore in 1955 on a monthly wage of Rs. 80. This iron grinding work affected his body. Shankar, who practised

wrestling Wrestling is a martial art, combat sport, and form of entertainment that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves di ...

, participated in the Dasara wrestling competition in 1956 and received title from the then Chief Minister B. D. Jatti. He dreamt of winning the "Sri Mysore" wrestling title. But the wrestling competition was suspended for three years from 1957, following the violence which broke out during the competition that year. His acting talent came to light when he played the role of Kadu Kuruba in the diamond jubilee celebration of Banumaiah's Institutions and received a prize from Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar. He formed a drama troupe under the banner Bharani Kalavidaru and enacted plays such as Gadayuddha, Yechchama Nayaka, Yelahanka Bhoopala and Raja Gopichand throughout the State. M. P. Shankar made his entry into films in 1962 as a villain in the film Ratnamanjari, directed by

Hunsur Krishnamurthy Hunsur Krishnamurthy (9 February 1914 – 13 February 1989) was an Indian playwright, film director, producer, actor, screenwriter and lyricist in Kannada cinema. He worked with noted theatre personalities early in his career; Gubbi Veeranna, ...

and made a name for himself in the cine industry. He earned the distinction of acting in 108 films. Shankar acted as a villain in films such as

Veera Sankalpa ''Veera Sankalpa'' () is a 1964 Indian Kannada-language film, directed and produced by Hunsur Krishnamurthy. The film stars Hunsur Krishnamurthy, B. M. Venkatesh, B. S. Dwarakanath and Seetharam. The movie declares before the start that it is ...

Kadina Rahasya ''Kadina Rahasya'' () is a 1969 Indian Kannada film, directed by Geethapriya and produced by R. Rangappa and M. P. Shankar. The film stars Yashraj, Sudarshan, K. S. Ashwath and Narasimharaju in the lead roles. The film has musical score by ...

, Naari Munidare Maari,

Rama Lakshmana Rama (; , , ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the seventh and one of the most popular avatars of Vishnu. In Rama-centric Hindu traditions, he is considered the Supreme Being. Also considered as the ideal man (''maryāda'' ...

and

. Shankar started his own production unit in 1968 under the banner "Bharani Chitra". He began creating awareness about environment and wildlife through his films like Kaadina Rahasya,

, Rama Lakshmana, Mrugalaya.

Partial filmography

Death

He died on 17 July 2008 after a prolonged illness at his residence Manjunatha Nilaya in Vijayanagar in Mysore city. He is survived by his wife Manjula, son Tilak and daughter Shobha. The last rites were held with full state honours in Mysore on 18 July.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Shankar, M. P. 1935 births 2008 deaths Male actors in Kannada cinema Indian male film actors Male actors from Mysore Deaths from bone cancer 20th-century Indian male actors Kannada film producers Film producers from Karnataka Businesspeople from Mysore