Y. R. Swamy ( – 21 October 2002) was an Indian

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...

and

screenwriter A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. ...

who worked primarily

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. The 1934 film ''Sati Sulochana'' directed ...

. He directed over 35 films in his career, 17 of which came in films that stars Rajkumar in the lead role. He also holds the record for directing Rajkumar for the highest no. of times- seventeen. His first film as a director came in the 1953

Telugu film Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Telugu cinema is based in Film Nagar, Hy ...

, ''Pratigna''. Since then, Swamy directed films in the

Kannada language Kannada (; ಕನ್ನಡ, ), originally romanised Canarese, is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in southwestern India, with minorities in all neighbouring states. It has around 47 million native sp ...

and mostly in the mythological genre and with a social connect. His popular films include ''

Bhakta Kanakadasa ''Bhakta Kanakadasa'' ( kn, ಭಕ್ತ ಕನಕದಾಸ) is a 1960 Indian Kannada language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy. It depicts the spiritual journey of Kanakadasa, who was a devotee of the Hindu deity Krishna, and a poet belonging t ...

'' (1960), ''Katari Veera'' (1966), '' Paropakari'' (1970), ''

Sipayi Ramu ''Sipayi Ramu'' is 1972 Indian Kannada language film directed by Y. R. Swamy, based on the novel ''Barale Innu Yamune?'' by Nuggehalli Pankaja. It stars Rajkumar, Leelavathi and Aarathi. The supporting cast includes K. S. Ashwath, Shivaram, ...

'' (1972) and ''

Bhale Huchcha ''Bhale Huchcha'' is a 1972 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by Gopal Lakshman. It stars Rajkumar and Aarathi. This film was dubbed into Telugu as ''Dasara Picchodu'' and released in 1973. Cast * Rajkumar a ...

'' (1972). Recognizing his contribution to Kannada cinema, he was awarded the 1990–91

Puttanna Kanagal Award The following is the list of Award winners for the Karnataka State Puttanna Kanagal award. Kanagal was among the front runners in Kannada cinema's most successful film directors. In his memory and honor, this award is presented to the directors ...

Career

Swamy's role as

Prahlada Prahlada () is an asura king in Hindu mythology. He is known for his staunch devotion towards the preserver deity, Vishnu. He appears in the narrative of Narasimha, the man-lion avatar of Vishnu, who rescues Prahlada by slaying his wicked fa ...

, a mythological Indian boy-saint, marked his entry into films in the early 1950s. Around the time, he worked as an assistant to his adoptive father and filmmaker

H. M. Reddy Hanumappa Muniappa Reddy (12 June 1892 – 14 January 1960), known as H. M. Reddy, was an Indian film director and producer, known for his works in Telugu cinema. He directed the first Indian multilingual sound film ''Kalidas'' (1931), shot in ...

, who directed films in

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode S ...

and

Tamil language Tamil (; ' , ) is a Dravidian language natively spoken by the Tamil people of South Asia. Tamil is an official language of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the sovereign nations of Sri Lanka and Singapore, and the Indian territory of Pudu ...

s. Swamy's directorial debut came in the 1953

film ''Pratigna'', a film that Reddy produced, starring

Kanta Rao Tadepalli Lakshmi Kantha Rao (16 November 1923 – 22 March 2009) was an Indian actor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rao starred in more than four hundred feature ...

(debut as a hero) and Savitri with Rajanala debuting as a villain. Following this, he directed

Vaddante Dabbu ''Vaddante Dabbu'' () is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language screwball comedy film directed by Y. R. Swamy. It was produced by Moola Narayana Swamy and presented by H. M. Reddy on Rohini Pictures banner. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Sowcar Janaki ...

starring NTR,

Peketi Sivaram Peketi Sivaram (Telugu: పేకేటి శివరాం) (8 October 1918 – 30 December 2006) was an Indian actor and director.http://www.cinegoer.com/archives/december2006/peketi.htm Life sketch He was born on 8 October 1918 in Pekeru ...

, Jamuna and

Sowcar Janaki Sankaramanchi Janaki (born T. Janaki; 12 December 1931), popularly known as Sowcar Janaki (Tamil) or Shavukaru Janaki (Telugu) or Sahukar Janaki (Kannada), is an Indian actress who has appeared in over 300, films, predominantly in Tamil, Telug ...

and other films before entering Kannada cinema as an independent director with the 1956 film ''Renuka Devi''. His next directorial was the 1960 film ''

'' that had Rajkumar playing the lead role of

Kanakadasa Kanaka Dasa (1509–1609) was a Haridasa saint and philosopher, popularly called Daasashreshta Kanakadasa (ದಾಸಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಕನಕದಾಸ). He was a renowned composer of Carnatic music, poet, reformer and musician. He is kn ...

, a 16th-century Kannada poet. The film was a massive success during its time and is seen as a landmark film in Kannada cinema. Alongside directing, Swamy also wrote the screenplay to films such as ''Swarna Gowri'' (1962), ''Katari Veera'' (1966) and ''Bhale Raja'' (1969), also producing the latter. He would go on to direct other films such as ''

'' (1972), ''

'' (1972), ''Mooruvare Vajragalu'' (1973), ''Devara Kannu'' (1975), ''

Pavana Ganga Pavana Ganga is a 1977 Kannada-language film directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by C. Jayaram. It is based on the novel of the same name by Krishnamoorthy Puranik. The film stars Srinath, Aarathi and Ashok. Ashok and Arathi were paired as ...

'' (1977) and '' Apoorva Sangama'' (1984). The 1991 film ''Bangaradantha Maga'' marked his last as director.

Filmography

* '' Pratigna'' (1953) * ''

Vanjam ''Vanjam'' () is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Y. R. Swamy. The film stars Kantha Rao, Gummadi, Savithri and Girija. Cast List adapted from the database of Film News Anandan. ;Male cast *Kantha Rao * Gummadi * K. Saranga ...

'' (1953) * ''

'' (1954) * '' Panam Paduthum Paadu'' (1954) * '' Renuka Mahatme'' (1956) * ''

'' (1960) * '' Swarna Gowri'' (1962) * ''

Jenu Goodu ''Jenu Goodu'' () is a 1963 Indian Kannada film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by T. Vasanna and S. Heera. The film stars K. S. Ashwath, Udaykumar, Rajashankar and Pandari Bai in lead roles. Jayanthi and Chandrakala both made their Kan ...

'' (1963) * ''

Muriyada Mane ''Muriyada Mane'' is a 1964 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by G. H. Veeranna, C. R. Basavaraju and S. Gurunath. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath and Balakrishna. The film has musical score b ...

'' (1964) * ''

Vathsalya ''Vathsalya'' is a 1965 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Narasimharaju and Shivaraj. The film has musical score by Vijaya Krishnamurthy. The film was a remake of the Tamil film '' Pas ...

'' (1965) * ''

Katari Veera ''Katari Veera'' is a 1966 Indian Kannada-language swashbuckler film directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by T. Vasanna and S. Heera. The film stars Dr. Rajkumar, Udaya Chandrika, Udaykumar, Narasimharaju , Balakrishna and Vanisri . This is ...

'' (1966) * ''

Sathi Sukanya ''Sathi Sukanya'' is a 1967 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by D. Puttaswamy. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath and Rajashankar. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. Cast * Rajkum ...

'' (1967) * '' Muddu Meena'' (1967) * '' Mamathe'' (1968) * '' Atthegondu Kala Sosegondu Kala'' (1968) * '' Bhale Raja'' (1969) * '' Bhale Jodi'' (1970) * ''

Devara Makkalu ''Devara Makkalu'' () is a 1970 Indian Kannada language drama film directed by Y. R. Swamy based on the novel ''Meena'' by Ma. Na. Murthy. It stars Rajkumar along with Jayanthi, Kalpana and Rajesh in other lead roles. The film stars a soundt ...

'' (1970) * '' Paropakari'' (1970) * ''

'' (1972) * ''

'' (1972) * '' Nanda Gokula'' (1972) * ''

Bidugade ''Bidugade'' is a 1973 Indian Kannada language drama film directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by T. P. Venugopal. It starred Rajkumar, Rajesh and Bharathi along with a host of supporting actors. Minugutare Kalpana made a special appearance ...

'' (1973) * '' Swyamvara'' (1973) * ''

Mooruvare Vajragalu ''Mooroovare Vajragalu'' () is a 1973 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy. The film stars Rajkumar, Srinath, Jayanthi, Aarathi and Manjula. Rajkumar played a dual role in the movie. The film was Rajkumar's last full-fledg ...

'' (1973) * ''

Maga Mommaga ''Maga Mommaga'' is a 1974 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by R. Panduranga Naidu and D. R. Raghavendra Naidu. The film stars Dwarakish, K. S. Ashwath, Vajramuni and Balakrishna in the lead roles. The film has ...

'' (1974) * '' Mane Belaku'' (1975) * ''

Devara Kannu ''Devara Kannu'' () is a 1975 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy. The film stars Lokesh, Aarathi, Anant Nag and Ambarish, who were relative newcomers, in supporting roles. The film has musical score by T. G. Lingappa. The fil ...

'' (1975) * '' Aparadhi'' (1976) * ''

'' (1977) * ''

Thayigintha Devarilla ''Thayigintha Devarilla'' is a 1977 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by Lakshmi Vajramuni. The film stars Srinath, Jayanthi, Manjula and Lokanath. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. Cast * Jayan ...

'' (1977) * ''Kudure Mukha'' (1978) * '' Muyyige Muyyi'' (1978) * '' Pakka Kalla'' (1979) * '' Atthege Thakka Sose'' (1979) * '' Savathiya Neralu'' (1979) * ''

Jari Bidda Jana ''Jari Bidda Jana'' is a 1980 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by J. Chandulal Jain, B. Deepak Chand, Naveenchand Shah and A. Krishnamurthy. The film stars Lokesh, Jayanthi, Ashok and Rekha Rao. The film has ...

'' (1980) * '' Apoorva Sangama'' (1984) * '' Bangaradantha Maga'' (1991)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Swamy Y. R. 1920s births 2002 deaths Kannada screenwriters Kannada film directors Date of birth missing 20th-century Indian film directors Tamil film directors People from Chitradurga district 20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights Screenwriters from Karnataka 20th-century Indian screenwriters