Venkataraju known by his professional name Rajanand (1927-2004), was an Indian actor in the

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

. Some of the notable films of Rajanand as an actor include ''

Operation Diamond Racket ''Operation Diamond Racket'' is a 1978 Indian Kannada-language action spy thriller film produced and directed by Dorai–Bhagavan. The film stars Rajkumar, alongside Padmapriya, Chandralekha, Vajramuni, Thoogudeepa Srinivas, Tiger Prabhakar ...

'' (1978), '' Mayura'' (1975), and '' Eradu Kanasu'' (1974).

Career

Rajanand contributed to more than 318 Kannada films as an actor, and he directed 350 drama/theater plays. He had written thousands of Vachanas and around 3,000 poems and 9,000 '' Kavanas''. Rajanand completed a 480 feet length dialogue in one take in his debut film '' Dhana Pishachi'' (1967). Rajanand started the ''Ranga Vaibhava'' theatre group in 1965.

Selected filmography

*'' Mayor Muthanna'' (1969)...Madhu *'' Rangamahal Rahasya'' (1970) *'' Mayura'' (1975) *'' Bahaddur Gandu'' (1976) *'' Bhagyavantharu'' (1977) *''

Thayige Thakka Maga ''Thayige Thakka Maga'' ( ) is a 1978 Indian Kannada-language sports action film directed by V. Somashekhar and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar. It is based on the story written by Anjaneya Pushpanand. The film starred Rajkumar as a boxe ...

'' (1978) *'' Putani Agent 123'' (1979) *'' Nanobba Kalla'' (1979)...Rajan *'' Huliya Haalina Mevu'' (1979)... Chikka Virarajendra *'' Bhakta Siriyala'' (1980) *'' Guru Shishyaru'' (1981)...Rajaguru Poornanandaiah *'' Bhaari Bharjari Bete'' (1981)...Chowdappa Nayaka *'' Tony'' (1982)...Joseph *'' Bhaktha Prahlada'' (1983) *'' Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage'' (1983)...Ramappa Dalavayi *''Raktha Thilaka'' (1984) *'' Dhruva Thare'' (1985)...Vishwanatha Rai *'' Ranadheera'' (1988) *'' Devatha Manushya'' (1988)...Kapanipathi *'' Hongkongnalli Agent Amar'' (1989) *'' Chaitrada Premanjali'' (1992)...Manjayya *'' Mysore Jaana'' (1992)...Hulikatte Ramappa *'' Kunthi Puthra'' (1994) *'' Doni Sagali'' (1998)...Deepti's father

Award

* Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award ''( Lifetime Contribution to Kannada Cinema Award)'' ( 2001–02)

Personal life

Rajanand actively participated in theatre/drama plays at the age of 10 and received training from drama groups like Kalkoti, Samaja Vikasana, Kamala Kala, and from drama artists Sorat Ashwath, Master Hirannaiah, Yoganarasimha and A. S. Seshachar. Rajanand worked in drama companies like ''Gubbi Veeranna drama company'', and Master Hirannaiah's drama company. He was named 'Rajanand' ''(meaning: King pleasure)'', during his time in ''Gubbi Veeranna drama company''. He was married to Vimalamma (1942–2021). They had a son, Ravichandra. The family resided in

Mysore Mysore ( ), officially Mysuru (), is a city in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Mysore district and Mysore division. As the traditional seat of the Wadiyar dynasty, the city functioned as the capital of the ...

References

External links