Shankar Nag

Shankar Nagarakatte (9 November 1954 – 30 September 1990) was an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, and producer known for his work in Kannada-language films and television. A popular cultural icon of Karnataka, Nag is often referred to as Karate King''.'' He directed the teleserial '' Malgudi Days'', based on novelist R. K. Narayan's short stories and acted in some episodes as well. He won two National Film Awards, four Karnataka State Film Awards and two Filmfare Award South.

Nag received the inaugural IFFI Best Actor Award (Male): Silver Peacock Award" at the 7th International Film Festival of India for his work in the film '' Ondanondu Kaladalli''. He co-wrote '' 22 June 1897'', a National award-winning Marathi film. He is the younger brother of actor Anant Nag. Vincent Canby, the chief film critic of ''The New York Times'' had opined that Shankar's performance in '' Ondanondu Kaladalli'' had the force and humor of the younger Toshiro Mifune.

Early career

Shankar Nagarkatte was born on 9 November 1954 in Honnavar, then a part of North Canara (now Uttara Kannada district), in Bombay State (now in Karnataka). His parents were Anandi and Sadanand Nagarkatte. Born into a Konkani speaking Brahmin family, his family settled in Shirali, a village near Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka State. He had an elder sister, Shyamala, and an elder brother, actor Anant Nag. After completing formal education, Nag moved to Bombay. There, he was attracted to Marathi theatre and immersed himself in theatrical activities. Incidentally, he met his future wife, Arundhathi during a drama rehearsal. Nag then shifted base to Bangalore where his elder brother Anant Nag had already established himself as a popular actor.

In 1978 Nag made his debut with Girish Karnad's epic film '' Ondanondu Kaladalli,'' where he played a mercenary who earns a position in a rival army to get even with his brother, whom he considers his enemy.

Acting and directing

Following the modest success of '' Ondanondu Kaladalli'' and the critical accolades he garnered, Nag started appearing in mainstream films. '' Seetharamu'', '' Auto Raja'' and Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu were amongst his early movies. He eventually became known for his action films, and while he had never undergone any martial arts training, he earned the nickname "Karate King". Some of his popular commercial movies as an actor include '' Nyaya Ellide'', '' Nyaya Gedditu'', ''Gedda Maga'', Sangliyana, '' S. P. Sangliyana Part 2'' and '' C.B.I. Shankar''. He formed a popular pair with top actress '' Bhavya'' who acted with him in 11 films.

Nag made his directorial debut with '' Minchina Ota'', one of the earliest heist movies of Kannada cinema. This won him seven state awards, including that for best film. '' Janma Janmada Anubandha'' and '' Geetha'' followed. There was no looking back after that. His directorial ventures include '' Lalach'' (Hindi remake of '' Minchina Ota''), '' Hosa Theerpu'' (remake of '' Dushman''), '' Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige'', ''Ondu Muttina Kathe'' (loosely based on John Steinbeck's novel '' The Pearl'') and the critically acclaimed ''Accident'', which won many state and national awards.

Television and theatre

In 1987, Nag directed the Doordarshan series '' Malgudi Days'', which was based on a collection of short stories by R.K. Narayan. The series featured Vishnuvardhan and Anant Nag, with music by was composed by L. Vaidyanathan. The series was shot in Agumbe, Shimoga district, Karnataka. Nag went to direct another teleserial, ''Swami'', in the same year. ''Malgudi Days'' has been rated as one of the finest serials ever to be made in the history of Indian television.

He anchored the ''Parichaya'' program on DD1-Kannada, in its starting days. Nag retained an interest in theatre. His brother Anant Nag and he founded Sanket, an amateur theatre group, which still produces plays. His first directorial effort in Kannada theatre was ''Anju Mallige'' by Girish Karnad. He continued with productions like ''Barrister'', ''Sandhya Chhaya''. He was later joined by T. N. Narasimhan, who wrote and co-directed ''Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige'' which had, apart from himself, his wife Arundhati Nag and Ramesh Bhat in the cast.

Social work

Shankar Nag, was multi-faceted person, involved in various aspects of Karnataka's Infrastructure. He is credited with pioneering efforts in initiating
* Rope Way/Cable Car to heighten the tourist experience at Nandi Hills
* Metro Train for Bengaluru
* Low Cost Houses that could be built in 8 days
* Club for Amusement
* Theater for performing Arts, including Drama

Death

Nag died in a car collision at Anagodu village on the outskirts of Davanagere town on 30 September 1990 during the pre-production work for his film ''Jokumaraswamy''. The last film he did as an actor, ''Sundarakanda'', was released a few days after his death for which Nag's voice was dubbed by Murali. Anant Nag completed the dubbing for '' Nigooda Rahasya.'' Nag's last release was Bhargava's '' Prana Snehitha,'' which had been completed fully but was delayed.

Legacy

Many of the films on which he worked went on to win National Film Awards and various state awards. His films highlighted the lifestyle and issues of working-class society. Even after 33 years of his demise, his photographs are still found in the auto rickshaws of Karnataka.

Filmography

Awards

National Film Awards

* National Film Award for Best Children's Film ( 1986-87) for '' Swamy''
* National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues (1984–85) for ''Accident''32nd National Film Festival (1985)
. Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF).

Karnataka State Film Awards

* Best Second Film (1979–80) along with Anant Nag for '' Minchina Ota''
* Best Screenplay (1979–80) along with Mariyam Jetpurwala for '' Minchina Ota''
* Best First Film (1984–85) for ''Accident''
* Best Director (1984–85) for ''Accident''

Filmfare Awards South

* Best Director (1980) for ''Minchina Ota''
* Best Film (1984) for ''Accident''

IFFI Award for Best Actor

* Silver Peacock Award for Best Actor (1979) for '' Ondanondu Kaladalli''

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nag, Shankar
1954 births
1990 deaths
Indian male film actors
Male actors in Kannada cinema
Male actors in Marathi cinema
Kannada film directors
Kannada film producers
Road incident deaths in India
People from Uttara Kannada
IFFI Best Actor (Male) winners
Filmfare Awards South winners
Kannada male actors
20th-century Indian male actors
Male actors from Karnataka
Male actors in Hindi television
Indian male television actors
Film producers from Karnataka
Film directors from Karnataka
20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
Screenwriters from Karnataka
Kannada screenwriters
Directors who won the Best Children's Film National Film Award
Directors who won the Best Film on Other Social Issues National Film Award
20th-century Indian screenwriters
Indian male karateka