Shivaprakash, known by his screen name Shani Mahadevappa (19 March 1933 – 3 January 2021), was an Indian actor who worked 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 ...

. Having made his acting debut on stage in the 1950s, he became popular for his portrayal of deity Shani in ''Shanishwara Mahatme''. His film career began with '' Sri Dharmasthala Mahathme'' (1962) and was known for his portrayal of supporting characters, notably the poet Dindima in '' Kaviratna Kalidasa'' (1983). He appeared in over 400 films.

Biography

Shani Mahadevappa was born on 19 March 1933 in Belakavadi, a village in the present-day Mandya district of India's

Karnataka Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...

State (in erstwhile

Kingdom of Mysore The Kingdom of Mysore was a geopolitical realm in southern India founded in around 1399 in the vicinity of the modern-day city of Mysore and prevailed until 1950. The territorial boundaries and the form of government transmuted substantially ...

). His father Kenchappa worked as a contactor while also staging and acting in plays in his village. Mahadevappa was drawn towards it as a youngster, but lack of steady income led him to do menial jobs. He then joined

Gubbi Veeranna Gubbi Hampanna Veeranna (1891 – 1972) was an Indian theatre director. He was one of the pioneers and most prolific contributors to Kannada theatre. He established the drama company, ''Gubbi Sree Channabasaveshwara Nataka Company'', which play ...

's theatre company and later Kannada Theatres, another stage company,where he was paid 15 a month. His first gig as a stage actor came in the play ''Raja Vikrama'', in which he played the role of deity

Surya Surya ( ; , ) is the Sun#Dalal, Dalal, p. 399 as well as the solar deity in Hinduism. He is traditionally one of the major five deities in the Smarta tradition, Smarta tradition, all of whom are considered as equivalent deities in the Panchaya ...

and then sage

Vishvamitra Vishvamitra (, ) is one of the most venerated rishis or sages of ancient India. Vishvamitra is one of the seven Brahmarshi. According to Hindu tradition, he is stated to have written most of the Mandala 3 of the Rigveda, including the Gay ...

in ''Satya Harischandra''. However, it was performances as Shani in ''Shanishwara Mahatme'' that received widespread recognition, also drawing crowds from nearby states. India's hitherto

Prime Minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...

Jawaharlal Nehru Jawaharlal Nehru (14 November 1889 – 27 May 1964) was an Indian anti-colonial nationalist, secular humanist, social democrat, and statesman who was a central figure in India during the middle of the 20th century. Nehru was a pr ...

and President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan were among those that watched the play. Mahadevappa made his film acting debut with '' Sri Dharmasthala Mahathme'' (1962) in which he played deity

Brahma Brahma (, ) is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the triple deity, trinity of Para Brahman, supreme divinity that includes Vishnu and Shiva.Jan Gonda (1969)The Hindu Trinity, Anthropos, Bd 63/64, H 1/2, pp. 212– ...

. His second appearance came years later with ''Bhageerathi'' (1968). During the period, he played mostly supporting roles. In '' Bangalore Mail'' (1968), he played a CID officer. In '' Bhakta Kumbara'' (1974), he played the saint Jnanadeva. His other appearances include films starring

Dr. Rajkumar Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj (24 April 1929 – 12 April 2006), better known by his stage name Dr. Rajkumar, was an Indian actor and singer who worked in Kannada cinema. Regarded as one of the greatest and versatile actors in the his ...

such as '' Hasiru Thorana'' (1970), '' Bangaarada Manushya'' (1972), '' Daari Tappida Maga'' (1975) and '' Shankar Guru'' (1978) among others. Mahadevappa's portrayal of poet Dindima in '' Kaviratna Kalidasa'' (1983) was well received. Mahadevappa died from complications of

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

Bengaluru Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore (List of renamed places in India#Karnataka, its official name until 1 November 2014), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the southern States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kar ...

on 3 January 2021, aged 88. He was survived by a son and daughter.

Selected filmography

* '' Sri Dharmasthala Mahathme'' (1962)...

* ''Bhageerathi'' (1968) * '' Bangalore Mail'' (1968) * '' Hasiru Thorana'' (1970) * '' Bangaarada Manushya'' (1972)...Chamaiah * '' Daari Tappida Maga'' (1975)...Police Commissioner * '' Thrimurthy'' (1975)...Rajaram's house servant * '' Premada Kanike'' (1976) * '' Shankar Guru'' (1978) * '' Kaviratna Kalidasa'' (1983)...Dindima * ''Chandi Chamundi'' (1983)...Mahadevappa * '' Nee Thanda Kanike'' (1985) * '' Nanna Prathigne'' (1985)...Somanna * '' Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu'' (1986) * '' Ee Jeeva Ninagagi'' (1986) * '' Jeevana Jyothi'' (1987) * '' Sathyam Shivam Sundaram'' (1987) * '' Jayasimha'' (1987) * ''Mathru Vathsalya'' (1988) * '' Onti Salaga'' (1989) * '' Gagana'' (1989)...Rangayya * '' Ramarajyadalli Rakshasaru'' (1990) * '' Shivashankar'' (1990) * '' Mana Mecchida Sose'' (1992) * '' Aathma Bandhana'' (1992) * '' Saptapadi'' (1992)...bridegroom's father * ''Bhagavan Sri Saibaba'' (1993)...Mallesha

Awards

* ''Varadaraju Award 2009'' * ''Rajkumar Souharda Award''

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Mahadevappa, Shani 1933 births 2021 deaths Male actors in Kannada cinema Indian male film actors Male actors from Karnataka 20th-century Indian male actors 21st-century Indian male actors Place of birth missing Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India People from Mandya district

Biography

Selected filmography

Awards

See also

References

External links