Kollur Manjunatha Bhatta Rathnakar (11 April 1931 - 21 September 2010) was an Indian actor and director, known for his work in Kannada film industry. He is best known for his comic roles in movies including

Kanyarathna ''Kanyarathna'' () is a 1963 Indian Kannada language film directed by J. D. Thotan in his directorial debut. It stars Dr. Rajkumar and Leelavathi. The supporting cast features Rajashankar, Balakrishna, Dikki Madhava Rao, Rathnakar and Sowca ...

(1963), Satya Harishchandra (1965), Guru Shishyaru (1981), Hosa Belaku (1982) and Halli Meshtru (1992).

Personal life

Rathnakar was born in Kollur in a family of priests. His father Manjunatha Bhatta was one of the priests at Mookambika Temple, Kollur. Being the only child in the family, Rathnakar refused the job of priest and came to

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 ...

Career

Early days & theatre life

Rathnakar left home at the age of 12 and came to Mysore. He worked in a Choultry on Seethavilasa road and used to sing near temples in Mysore. Sorat Ashwath and

Dikki Madhava Rao Dikki Madhava Rao (born Murali Madhava Rao; 15 January 1919 – 14 July 1985) was an Indian actor and singer known for his work as a character actor in Kannada-language films. He spent much of his early years as a stage actor in the 1920s and 193 ...

who heard his singing, introduced him to theatre personality H.L.N. Simha. Rathnakar became a permanent member of Simha's troupe and went on to act plays with Rajkumar and

Pandari Bai Pandari Bai (18 September 1928 – 29 January 2003) was an Indian actress who worked in South Indian cinema, mostly in Kannada cinema during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. She is considered Kannada cinema's first successful heroine. She has acted ...

Entry to films

Rathnakar made his debut in the 1955 movie ''Vichitra Prapancha''. Apart from comic roles, he also worked as assistant director in many movies. He is famous for his squeaky trembling trademark voice. In his five decade career, Rathnakar has played variety of roles as teacher, singer, priest, palm reader, vendor in more than 300 films. His last movie was Vishnuvardhan's

Aptharakshaka ''Aaptharakshaka'' () is a 2010 Indian Kannada-language horror film directed by P. Vasu and written by V. R. Bhaskar. The film stars Vishnuvardhan (actor), Vishnuvardhan in his 200th Kannada cinema and posthumous work, posthumous film, along wi ...

in 2010.

Death

Rathnakar died on 21 September 2010 in Mysore, due to respiratory problems and other age related ailments. Survived by his 3 sons, Rathnakar donated his eyes to JSS hospital eye bank.

Awards

* 2005 - Karnataka Rajyotsava Award by

Government of Karnataka The Government of Karnataka, abbreviated as GoK or GoKA, formerly known as Government of Mysore (1956–1974), is a democratically elected state body with the governor as the ceremonial head to govern the Southwest Indian state of Karnataka ...

* ''Aryabhata Award''

Selected filmography

As actor * ''Vichitra Prapancha'' (1955) * ''Dharma Vijaya'' (1959) * ''Dashavatara'' (1960) * ''

Veera Kesari ''Veera Kesari'' () is a 1963 Indian Kannada-language swashbuckler film directed by B. Vittalacharya and produced by Sundarlal Nahatha and Doondi. The film stars Rajkumar, T. N. Balakrishna, Udaykumar and R. Nagendra Rao. The musical score ...

'' (1963) * '' Satya Harishchandra'' * ''Katari Veera'' (1966) * ''Katha Sangama'' (1976) * '' Guru Shishyaru'' (1981) * ''Nyaya Ellide'' (1982) * '' Ananda Bhairavi'' (1983) * ''Onde Goodina Hakkigalu'' (1987)...Subba Rao * '' Hosa Jeevana'' (1990) * '' Ganeshana Maduve'' (1990) * '' Prathap'' (1990)...priest * '' Lankesha'' (2001) * '' Ondagona Baa'' (2003) * ''

'' (2010) As director * ''Shani Prabhava'' (1977) * ''Bandhavya'' (1972) * ''Bhagya Devathe'' (1968)

References

External links

* {{IMDb name, id=6120755 Male actors in Kannada cinema Male actors in Kannada theatre People from Karnataka People from Udupi district 20th-century Indian male actors 21st-century Indian male actors 2010 deaths 1931 births