Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, May 2: Master Hirrannaiah, who was known for his impromptu dialogues and on stage hilarious but pointed jabs at politicians, and who had won numerous awards including Kala Gajasimha and Nata Ratnakara, and a skilled dramatist, passed away on Thursday May 2 morning, reports said. He was 85.
The towering actor was suffering from liver-related ailments. He was being treated in BGS Global Hospital, where his end came. He is survived by wife and five children.
The family would be bringing his mortal remains to his residence at Banashankari from the hospital. Details about further plans are yet to be received.
Master Hirannaiah was born at Mysuru as the son of Hirannaiah, a well-known actor, and Sharadamma couple on February 15, 1934. He went to the then Madras with parents and learnt Tamil, Telugu and English languages. He learnt Kannada hymns, prayers, and chants by heart from his father. After the family returned to Mysuru, he joined Banumayya middle school. When studying, he earned to pay school fee by selling Kannada publications like Sadhwi and Mysuru. For intermediate education, he joined Sharadavilasa College. He joined movies as the child artiste in the first ever film his father produced and directed in 1940 named 'Vani'. In 1948, he tried to do a small role on stage but miserably failed. He then made up his mind to overcome this failure and become an actor.
After his father's death, Hirannaiah set up a drama company with help from Kannada writers but suffered losses. He again restarted the company and staged 'Lanchavatara', the most well known play to date. He was named Narasimhamurthy but came to be fondly known as Master Hirannaiah for having inherited the acting skills of his father. He also acted in some Kannada movies, and most his roles were well appreciated. Often he used to deliver dialogues to suit the occasion and based on that day's newspaper contents. His role of Teertharoopa in 'Nadubeedi Narayana', 'Dafedar Murari' in 'Bhrashtachara', thief in 'Sadarame', George in 'Kapimushti', and Nani in 'Makmal Topi', made him immensely popular.
Lanchavatara, Makmal Topi and Sadarame were the most popular plays he had presented, and they are remembered even now after several decades. Hirannaiah also managed 'Hirannaiah Mitramandali' drama troupe which his father had founded. He always chose to target the inadequacies and unreasonable practices in the society. He never hesitated to give a thorough dressing down to even eminent politicians through his gift of gab. He faced a number of cases as a result and had to approach Supreme Court took to get justice.
He had bagged a number of awards including Gubbi Veeranna award and Rajyotsava award besides felicitations. Nadubeedi Narayana, Double Taali, Lottery Sarkara, Sanyasi Samsara, and Yechama Nayaka were some of his other plays which won over the hearts of the people from Karnataka.