Kollur Manjunatha Bhatta Rathnakar (11 April 1931 - 21 September 2010) was an Indian actor and director, known for his work in

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 ...

. He is best known for his comic roles in movies including Kanyarathna (1963), Satya Harishchandra (1965), Guru Shishyaru (1981),

Hosa Belaku ''Hosa Belaku'' () is a 1982 Kannada-language romantic drama film directed by Dorai–Bhagavan duo. It is based on the novel of the same name by Vani. The film starred Rajkumar, Saritha, Mamatha Rao and K. S. Ashwath. The movie saw a theatrica ...

(1982) and

Halli Meshtru ''Halli Meshtru'' () is a 1992 Kannada-language romantic comedy film directed by Mohan-Manju. The film starred Ravichandran, Bindiya and Tara in key roles with Balakrishna, Thoogudeepa Srinivas and Silk Smitha playing supporting roles. The f ...

(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 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 ...

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 (1930 – 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 as both heroi ...

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'' ( en, italic=yes, Dearest Savior) is a 2010 Kannada horror film directed by P. Vasu and written by V. R. Bhaskar. The film stars Vishnuvardhan in his 200th Kannada film and posthumous film, along with an ensemble cast inclu ...

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 The Rajyotsava Prashasti or Rajyotsava Awards, the second highest civilian honor of the Karnataka state of India are conferred annually by the Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Government on the occasion of the establishment of the state on 1 ...

Government of Karnataka The Government of Karnataka, abbreviated as, GoK, or simply Karnataka Government, is a democratically-elected state body with the governor as the ceremonial head to govern the Southwest Indian state of Karnataka. The governor who is appointed ...

* ''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 film has musical sco ...

(1963) * Satya Harishchandra * ''Katari Veera'' (1966) * ''Katha Sangama'' (1976) * '' Guru Shishyaru'' (1981) * ''Nyaya Ellide'' (1982) * ''Ananda Bhairavi'' (1983) * ''Hosa Jeevana'' (1990) * ''Ganeshana Maduve'' (1990) * ''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