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 Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Kannada language widely spoken in the state of Karnataka. The 1934 film '' Sati Sulochana'' directe ...
. 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 the duo Dorai–Bhagavan, starring Rajkumar and Padmapriya. The supporting cast features Chandralekha, Vajramuni, Thoogudeepa Srin ...
'' (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
Vachana sahitya is a form of rhythmic writing in Kannada (see also Kannada poetry) that evolved in the 11th century and flourished in the 12th century, as a part of the Sharana movement. Madara Chennaiah, an 11th-century cobbler-saint who live ...
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
''Dhana Pishachi'' is a 1967 Indian Kannada-language film directed and produced by S. N. Singh. The film stars Sampath, K. S. Ashwath, Dikki Madhavarao and Kalpana. The film has musical score by Chellapilla Satyam
Chellapilla Satyanarayana ...
'' (1967).
Rajanand started the ''Ranga Vaibhava'' theatre group in 1965.
Selected filmography
*''
Rangamahal Rahasya'' (1970)
*''
Mayura'' (1975)
*''
Bahaddur Gandu
''Bahaddur Gandu'' () is a 1976 Indian Kannada-language swashbuckler film directed by A. V. Sheshagiri Rao, starring Rajkumar, Jayanthi, Aarathi and Vajramuni. The movie saw a theatrical run of 19 weeks. The story was penned by the celebrate ...
'' (1976)
*''
Bhagyavantharu
''Bhagyavantharu'' is a 1977 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by H. R. Bhargava, making his debut. The film featured an ensemble cast including Rajkumar, B. Saroja Devi, Ashok, Balakrishna and Ramakrishna playing the pivotal roles. ...
'' (1977)
*''
Thayige Thakka Maga
''Thayige Thakka Maga'' (''Like Mother Like Son'') 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 starr ...
'' (1978)
*''
Putani Agent 123
''Putani Agent 123'' ( kn, ಪುಟಾಣಿ ಏಜೆಂಟ್ಸ್ ೧೨೩) is a 1979 Kannada children's film directed by Geethapriya. Master Rama Krishna Hegde and Master Bhanu Prakash played the lead roles in the movie along with the hit ...
'' (1979)
*''
Bhakta Siriyala'' (1980)
*''
Guru Shishyaru'' (1981)
*''
Bhaktha Prahlada'' (1983)
*''
Ranadheera
''Ranadheera'' ( kn, ರಣಧೀರ) is a 1988 Indian Kannada language musical action film starring Ravichandran and Khushbu. Directed by Ravichandran himself, the film was produced by his father N. Veeraswamy under Eshwari Productions. Kushbo ...
'' (1988)
*''
Devatha Manushya
''Devatha Manushya'' () is a 1988 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao. The film stars Rajkumar, Geetha, K. S. Ashwath and Sudharani. The movie is famous for its evergreen songs, which were composed by Upendra K ...
'' (1988)
* ''
Kunthi Puthra
''Kunthi Puthra'' is a 1994 Indian Kannada-language film, directed and produced by Vijay. Cinematography by T. Surendra Reddy. The film stars Vishnuvardhan, Shashikumar, Sonakshi and Rajanand in lead roles. This was the debut movie of actress ...
'' (1994)
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 part of the state of Karnataka, India. Mysore city is geographically located between 12° 18′ 26″ north latitude and 76° 38′ 59″ east longitude. It is located at an altitude of ...
.
See also
*
Cinema of Karnataka
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. The 1934 film ''Sati Sulochana'' directed ...
*
List of Indian film actors
Lists of Indian actors cover actors from India, who portray characters in the theater, film, radio, or television.
The lists are organized by medium, language and type of actor.
By medium
* List of Indian male film actors
* List of Indian film ac ...
*
Cinema of India
The Cinema of India consists of motion pictures produced in India, which had a large effect on world cinema since the late 20th century. Major centers of film production across the country include Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Ko ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rajanand
Male actors in Kannada cinema
Indian male film actors
Male actors from Karnataka
20th-century Indian male actors
21st-century Indian male actors
1927 births
2004 deaths