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Udaykumar
Born	Bommasandra Srinivasaiah Suryanarayana Murthy (1933-03-16)16 March 1933 Palacode, Dharmapuri, Madras Presidency, British India
Died	26 December 1985(1985-12-26) (aged 52) Bangalore, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation(s)	Actor, film producer, director, writer, novelist, lyricist
Years active	1954–1985
Spouse	Kamalamma ​(m. 1953)​
Children	5

Bommasandra Srinivasaiah Suryanarayana Murthy (16 March 1933 – 26 December 1985), known by his screen name Udaykumar, was an Indian actor and producer in Kannada cinema. Along with Kalyan Kumar and Rajkumar, he was referred to as the Kumarathrayaru (meaning "the three Kumars") of Kannada cinema. He authored many dramas and books. He performed a broad range of roles and worked with all of the prominent actors of his time. Early in his carreer, he portrayed heroic characters, later transitioning to more nuanced villainous roles, often countering Rajkumar's heroic persona in historicals and mythologicals.

Early life

Udaykumar was born into a Brahmin family on 5 March 1933, although some sources indicate 16 March 1933 as an alternative date. His father was B. S. Srinivasaiah, and mother Sharadamma had four children, including Udaykumar as the second and only son alongside three sisters. The family's roots trace back to Andhra Pradesh, with their ancestors relocated to Karnataka approximately 200 years before Udaykumar's birth.

He completed his primary education in the villages of Heelalige and Muthanallur, near Sarjapura village in Bangalore, and pursued secondary education in Anekal. During this time, he actively participated in school cultural activities and contests.

After unsuccessfully attempting the matriculation exams, Udaykumar married Kamalamma at age 20. He then worked as a physical education teacher at a school in Anekal before moving to Bangalore city on the advice of a friend. There he joined the theatre company of Gubbi Veeranna, marking the beginning of his acting career.

Film career

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In 1954, while working on the script for Bhagyodaya, story and screenwriter Kanagal Prabhakar Shastry sought a lead actor for the film. During this time, Udaykumar was performing as Buddha on stage in Mandya with Gubbi Veeranna's theatre troupe. Impressed by his performance, S. K. Bhagavan, Shastry's assistant, offered him the lead role. After a successful screen test with Shastry Udaykumar was cast for the part. Shastry also gave him the screen name Udaykumar, inspired by the film's title and the production banner, Udaya Productions.

Nicknamed "Gandugali" Udaykumar appeared in 193 feature films, including 171 in Kannada, 15 in Telugu, 6 in Tamil, and one in Hindi. He received numerous regional and national awards for his performances, particularly in Kannada cinema.

Udaykumar was a vocal proponent of the unification of Kannadigas as a leader and orator. He worked alongside prominent figures such as Ma. Ramamurthy (the designer of the Kannada flag), Aa. Na. Kru (A. N. Krishna Rao), Thirumale Shriranga Tatacharya (of the Karnataka Navodaya movement), Ta. Su. Shama Rao, Dr. Ha. Ma. Nayak, Ta. Ra. Su, and others dedicated to the welfare of the Kannada language and the people of Karnataka. Through his travels, writings, and public speeches, Udaykumar contributed significantly to the cultural and linguistic pride of Karnataka.

To further his commitment to the arts, Udaykumar established Udaya Kalanikethana, a training school for Theatrical Arts and Film Acting. He also supported underprivileged profesional theatre organizations. Beginning in 1960, he devoted at least one week each month to performing plays across Karnataka, demonstrating his dedication to nurturing the performing arts.

In 2005, on Udaykumar's 73rd birthday, the registered charitable trust Pavanasutha Kesari Kalaa Shalaa was founded during a cultural event titled Udaya-73 Ondu Savinenapu. The event took place in his birthplace, Anekal, Bangalore. The trust, established by Mr. Vikram Udaykumar, focuses on social and cultural services. It has founded a formal educational institution called P.S.M. School, in Anekal and a cultural school, Kalaashaala, which provides training in classical music and performing arts, including Bharatanatyam.The trust’s activities include formal education, nurturing rural talent in performing arts, and organizing state-level drama competitions. These initiatives aim to foster cultural and artistic growth.

Filmography

• All films are in Kannada unless otherwise noted.

Awards

• 1967–68 – Best Supporting Actor
• 1977–78 – Best Supporting Actor

References

1. "TOTAL KANNADA Save Our Movieland "Kannada Cinema FAQs"". totalkannada.com. 15 September 2006. Archived from the original on 15 September 2006. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
2. "Archived copy". popcorn.oneindia.in. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. "Archive News". The Hindu. 9 March 2006. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
4. Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) . Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press. p. 486. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.
5. "Uday Kumar - Movies, Biography, News, Age & Photos". BookMyShow. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
6. ಕಲಾಕೇಸರಿ, ನಟಸಾಮ್ರಾಟ್ ಉದಯಕುಮಾರ್ ಆರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ನಟನೆ ಮಾಡಲ್ಲ ಅಂದಿದ್ರು.. | Cinema Swarasyagalu Part 34. Total Kannada. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
7. Director Bhagawan Interview / Naak Maatu / ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ ಭಗವಾನ್ ಸಂದರ್ಶನ / Kalamadhyam / about Rajkumar (in Kannada). Kalamadhyama. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
8. Kanunige Sawal-ಕಾನೂನಿಗೆ ಸವಾಲ್ | Kannada Full Movie | FEAT. Srinivas Murthy, Sujatha, Babay Rekha, retrieved 5 February 2024
9. Visha Kanya Telugu Full Movie | Sarath Babu | Jayamalini | Jyothi Lakshmi | South Cinema Hall, retrieved 20 October 2023
10. "Awards". Kalakesari Udaykumar. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2020.

External links

• http://www.kalakesariudaykumar.com/
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDPMKYRmyCOJkZ63j72aS5A
• Udaykumar at IMDb

• Male actors in Kannada cinema
• Male actors from Tamil Nadu
• 1933 births
• 1985 deaths
• 20th-century Indian male actors
• People from Dharmapuri district
• Male actors in Telugu cinema
• Indian male film actors
• Kannada film producers
• Film producers from Tamil Nadu