Gangadhar

Gangadhar (1936–2003) was an Indian actor known for his work in Kannada cinema. A character actor who transitioned from stage to films in the mid-1960s, he had a brief period of success when his performances in social-dramas such as Gejje Pooje, Sharapanjara (1971) and Seetha (1970) were noted. In addition to the former two, he starred in Katha Sangama (1975) and Ranganayaki (1981), all of which were directed by Puttanna Kanagal. Other films he starred in include Nanna Thamma (1970), Aliya Geleya (1971) and Bhale Adrushtavo Adrushta (1972). Gangadhar appeared in a total of 80 Kannada-language films and was awarded the Rajyotsava Award by the government of Karnataka in recognition of his contribution to Kannada cinema. He died in 2003, aged 67. He had achieved considerable success during his time at the theatre group Prabhat Kalavidaru.

Career A makeup artist, Mahadevaiah, introduced Gangadhar to filmmaker G. V. Iyer, who cast him in Chowkada Deepa (1969) in the lead role. The film was an attempt to blend into the hitherto onset of Parallel cinema, but failed to perform well. However, Gangadhar's first release was the Rajkumar-starrer Lagna Pathrike (1967). He played a stage actor in the film. After Chowkada Deepa, he starred in Puttanna Kanagal's successful film, Gejje Pooje (1969), alongside Kalpana. In 1972, Gangadhar had a total of four releases. He played Chennappa in Kanagal's anthology film Katha Sangama (1975), as the husband of a blind woman (played by Aarathi). Based on the novel Munithaayi, the plot follows Chennappa's struggle after knowing that his wife is raped by Rajinikanth's character. The remainder of the 1970s and 1980s saw less opportunities coming Gangadhar's way. Film historian Hariharapura Manjunath attributes it to the emergence of other leading men during the time such as Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh and Shankar Nag among others. Gangadhar made occasional screen appearances in the 1980s; one notable role came in Bhakta Prahlada (1983), in which he played the Hindu deity Indra. In Mutthu Ondu Mutthu (1979), he played the father of female lead's character; in Jeevakke Jeeva (1981), a negative-shaded character; and in Karna (1986), the brother of Vishnuvardhan's character. During this time, Gangadhar returned to theatre and worked for a period of 12 years.

Personal life The 1990s saw worsening health condition of Gangadhar as he was ailing from diabetes, kidney-related illness and deteriorating eyesight. This was evident during the film of Aata Hudugata (1995), which was his last screen appearance. In one of his last public appearances, the annual Kannada Film Directors Association event at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bangalore, in April 2001, he teared up lamenting his deteriorating eyesight stating he was looking forward for his death. After prolonged illness, Gangadhar died at 11:15 p.m. (IST) on 27 December 2003 in Bangalore, aged 67.

Partial filmography

Year Title Role Notes 1967 Lagna Pathrike Stage actor 1969 Chowkada Deepa Raghu Credited as Rajendra Kumar Gejje Pooje Somu 1970 Nanna Thamma Seetha Ramnath Kalyani Ranganath 1971 Sotu Geddavalu Shankara Murthy Sharapanjara Sathish Aliya Geleya Mohan Bhale Bhaskar Ramesha 1972 Bandhavya Raja Yaava Janmada Maitri Krishna Murthy Bhale Adrushtavo Adrushta Krishna Subhadra Kalyana Malathi Madhava Jeevana Jokali 1973 Jaya Vijaya Mane Belagida Sose 1974 Mannina Magalu 1975 Viplava Vanithe 1976 Katha Sangama Chennappa Makkala Bhagya Baalu Jenu Ravi Bangarada Gudi Shankar Devaru Kotta Vara Shivu Mugiyada Kathe Guest appearance Bangalore Bhootha 1977 Shani Prabhava Sri Renukadevi Mahathme Ruthugana Manassinanthe Mangalya 1979 Atthege Thakka Sose Khandavideko Mamsavideko 1980 Nyaya Neethi Dharma Shekhar Guru Sarvabhowma Sri Raghavendra Karune 1981 Ranganayaki Seth Cameo Jeevakke Jeeva Santosh 1983 Bhakta Prahlada Indra 1986 Karna 1988 Mithileya Seetheyaru 1990 Ekalavya Sri Sathyanarayana Pooja Phala 1991 Central Rowdy 1992 Harakeya Kuri 1994 Rashmi 1995 Aata Hudugata Rajashekhar 1996 Palegara