C. R. Simha: Difference between revisions

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{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Short description|Indian actor, director (1942 - 2014)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
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| birth_place = [[Channapatna]], [[Kingdom of Mysore]], British India
| birth_place = [[Channapatna]], [[Kingdom of Mysore]], British India
| death_date  = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2014|02|28|1942|06|16}}
| death_date  = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2014|02|28|1942|06|16}}
| death_place = [[Bangalore]], Karnataka, India
| death_place = [[Bengaluru]], Karnataka, India
| nationality = Indian
| occupation  = Actor, director
| occupation  = Actor, director
| spouse      = Sharada Simha
| spouse      = Sharada Simha
| relatives  = [[Srinath]] (brother)
| relatives  = [[Srinath (Kannada actor)|Srinath]] (brother)
}}
}}
[[File:A portrait of Shri C.R.Simha who will be presented with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Theatre - Acting (Kannada)by the President Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam in New Delhi on October 26, 2004.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Simha, 2004]]
[[File:A portrait of Shri C.R.Simha who will be presented with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Theatre - Acting (Kannada)by the President Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam in New Delhi on October 26, 2004.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Simha, 2004]]


'''Channapatna Ramaswami Simha''' (16 June 1942 – 28 February 2014), better known as '''C. R. Simha''', was an Indian actor, director, dramatist and playwright. He was best known for his work in [[Kannada language|Kannada]] films and for his work in stage shows. Starting his career in [[Prabhat Kalavidaru]], a famous theatre group based in Bangalore, he acted in numerous Kannada plays which reached the [[cult]] status. He started his own theatre group called "Nataranga" in 1972 and directed many successful plays such as ''[[Kakana Kote]]'', ''Thughlaq'' and ''Sankranthi''.
'''Channapatna Ramaswami Simha''' (16 June 1942 – 28 February 2014), better known as '''C. R. Simha''', was an Indian actor, director, dramatist and playwright. He was best known for his work in [[Kannada]] films and for his work in stage shows. Starting his career in [[Prabhat Kalavidaru]], a theatre group based in Bengaluru he acted in numerous Kannada plays which reached the [[cult]] status. He started his own theatre group called "Nataranga" in 1972 and directed many successful plays such as ''[[Kakana Kote]]'', ''Thughlaq'' and ''Sankranthi''.


Simha also directed and acted in the Kannada adaptation of [[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Midsummer Night's Dream]]'' and ''[[Othello]]''. These plays found a widespread presentation across many states in India. Following this, he directed and acted in many English plays written by eminent personalities such as [[Moliere]], [[George Bernard Shaw|Bernard Shaw]], [[Edward Albee]] and [[Neil Simon]] among others. Apart from theatre, Simha acted in more than 150 feature films in Kannada which include both artistic and commercially viable projects. He also directed about five feature films with the most prominent being his own film adaptation of ''Kakana Kote''.
Simha also directed and acted in the Kannada adaptation of [[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Midsummer Night's Dream]]'' and ''[[Othello]]''. These plays found a widespread presentation across many states in India. Following this, he directed and acted in many English plays written by eminent personalities such as [[Moliere]], [[George Bernard Shaw|Bernard Shaw]], [[Edward Albee]] and [[Neil Simon]] among others. Apart from theatre, Simha acted in more than 150 feature films in Kannada which include both artistic and commercially viable projects. He also directed about five feature films with the most prominent being his own film adaptation of ''Kakana Kote''.
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==Early life==
==Early life==
Simha was born in [[Karnataka]] on 16 June 1942 into a Hoysala Karnataka Brahmin family. His younger brother [[Srinath]] is a famous film actor who acted in several mainstream Kannada cinema as both the leading actor and supporting actor.
Simha was born in [[Karnataka]] on 16 June 1942 into a Hoysala Karnataka Brahmin family. His younger brother [[Srinath (Kannada actor)|Srinath]] is a film actor who acted in several mainstream Kannada cinema as both the leading actor and supporting actor.


Simha appeared on stage at the age of twelve. He wrote a book at the age of thirteen titled "Family Doctor" and got a publisher for a remuneration of {{INR}}15. He was a student of National College at Basavanagudi, Bangalore. In 1959, he joined the National College Histronics Club, an institution nurtured by [[Hosur Narasimhaiah|Dr. H. Narasimhaiah]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Farewell, thespian CR Simha |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/theatre/Farewell-thespian-CR-Simha/articleshow/31199429.cms |newspaper= The Times of India |date= 1 March 2014 |access-date= 2 March 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140424143618/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/theatre/Farewell-thespian-CR-Simha/articleshow/31199429.cms |archive-date= 24 April 2014 |url-status= live }}</ref> Simha then acted in many Kannada plays like "Bahaddur Ganda" and "Manavemba Markata".
Simha appeared on stage at the age of twelve. He wrote a book at the age of thirteen titled "Family Doctor" and got a publisher for a remuneration of {{INR}}15. He was a student of National College at Basavanagudi, Bangalore. In 1959, he joined the National College Histrionics Club, an institution nurtured by [[Hosur Narasimhaiah|Dr. H. Narasimhaiah]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Farewell, thespian CR Simha |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/theatre/Farewell-thespian-CR-Simha/articleshow/31199429.cms |newspaper= The Times of India |date= 1 March 2014 |access-date= 2 March 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140424143618/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/theatre/Farewell-thespian-CR-Simha/articleshow/31199429.cms |archive-date= 24 April 2014 |url-status= live }}</ref> Simha then acted in many Kannada plays like "Bahaddur Ganda" and "Manavemba Markata".


==Career==
==Career==
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===Films===
===Films===
Besides making his strong presence in theatre, Simha was also a popular mainstream character actor in numerous Kannada films. He acted in close to 150 feature films. His portrayal of roles varied from critically acclaimed award-winning films like ''[[Samskara (film)|Samskara]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prajavani.net/article/%E0%B2%B0%E0%B2%82%E0%B2%97%E0%B2%95%E0%B2%B0%E0%B3%8D%E0%B2%AE%E0%B2%BF-%E0%B2%B8%E0%B2%BF-%E0%B2%86%E0%B2%B0%E0%B3%8D-%E0%B2%B8%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%82%E0%B2%B9-%E0%B2%B5%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%A7%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%B5%E0%B2%B6|title=ರಂಗಕರ್ಮಿ ಸಿ. ಆರ್. ಸಿಂಹ ವಿಧಿವಶ|date=2014-02-28|website=Prajavani|language=kn|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=4 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404150721/https://www.prajavani.net/article/%E0%B2%B0%E0%B2%82%E0%B2%97%E0%B2%95%E0%B2%B0%E0%B3%8D%E0%B2%AE%E0%B2%BF-%E0%B2%B8%E0%B2%BF-%E0%B2%86%E0%B2%B0%E0%B3%8D-%E0%B2%B8%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%82%E0%B2%B9-%E0%B2%B5%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%A7%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%B5%E0%B2%B6|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Bara (film)|Bara]]'', ''Chithegoo Chinte'' and ''Anuroopa'' and also in commercially acclaimed films such as ''Indina Ramayana'', ''[[Nee Bareda Kadambari]]'', ''[[Parameshi Prema Prasanga]]'', ''[[Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege]]'' and ''Nee Thanda Kanike''. Simha played negative roles, against [[Anant Nag]] in [[Ramapurada Ravana]] (1984) and with [[Dr. Rajkumar]] in [[Parashuram (1989 film)|Parashuram]] (1990). Simha's villainous role in [[Parashuram (1989 film)|Parashuram]] was said to be very menacing.
Besides making his strong presence in theatre, Simha was also a popular mainstream character actor in numerous Kannada films. He acted in close to 150 feature films. His portrayal of roles varied from critically acclaimed award-winning films like ''[[Samskara (film)|Samskara]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prajavani.net/article/%E0%B2%B0%E0%B2%82%E0%B2%97%E0%B2%95%E0%B2%B0%E0%B3%8D%E0%B2%AE%E0%B2%BF-%E0%B2%B8%E0%B2%BF-%E0%B2%86%E0%B2%B0%E0%B3%8D-%E0%B2%B8%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%82%E0%B2%B9-%E0%B2%B5%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%A7%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%B5%E0%B2%B6|title=ರಂಗಕರ್ಮಿ ಸಿ. ಆರ್. ಸಿಂಹ ವಿಧಿವಶ|date=2014-02-28|website=Prajavani|language=kn|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=4 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404150721/https://www.prajavani.net/article/%E0%B2%B0%E0%B2%82%E0%B2%97%E0%B2%95%E0%B2%B0%E0%B3%8D%E0%B2%AE%E0%B2%BF-%E0%B2%B8%E0%B2%BF-%E0%B2%86%E0%B2%B0%E0%B3%8D-%E0%B2%B8%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%82%E0%B2%B9-%E0%B2%B5%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%A7%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%B5%E0%B2%B6|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Bara (1982 film)|Bara]]'', ''[[Chithegu Chinthe]]'' and ''Anuroopa'' and also in commercially acclaimed films such as ''Indina Ramayana'', ''[[Nee Bareda Kadambari]]'', ''[[Parameshi Prema Prasanga]]'', ''[[Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege]]'' and ''Nee Thanda Kanike''. Simha played negative roles, against [[Anant Nag]] in [[Ramapurada Ravana]] (1984) and with [[Dr. Rajkumar]] in [[Parashuram (1989 film)|Parashuram]] (1990). Simha's villainous role in [[Parashuram (1989 film)|Parashuram]] was said to be very menacing.


Besides acting, Simha has directed five films including ''[[Kakana Kote]]'' (1977), ''Shikaari'', ''Simhasana'', ''[[Ashwamedha (film)|Ashwamedha]]'' (1990) and ''Angayalli Apsare'' (1993).
Besides acting, Simha has directed five films including ''[[Kakana Kote]]'' (1977), ''Shikaari'', ''Simhasana'', ''[[Ashwamedha (film)|Ashwamedha]]'' (1990) and ''Angayalli Apsare'' (1993).


===Television===
===Television===
Simha made his strong presence in television too and acted in several tele-serials in Kannada, Hindi and English languages. This includes the most famous worldwide serial ''[[Malgudi Days (TV series)|Malgudi Days]]''. Another noteworthy serial was ''Goruru in America'' based on the travelogue written by the humorist [[Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kannada.filmibeat.com/celebs/c-r-simha/biography.html|title=ಸಿ ಆರ್ ಸಿಂಹ's biography and latest film release news|website=FilmiBeat|language=kn|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=4 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404150358/https://kannada.filmibeat.com/celebs/c-r-simha/biography.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Simha played the part of Gorur and the serial was shot extensively in America including New York, Washington D.C., Niagara Falls, Disneyland and Universal Studios – Hollywood.
Simha made his strong presence in television too and acted in several tele-serials in Kannada, Hindi and English languages. This includes the serial ''[[Malgudi Days (TV series)|Malgudi Days]]''. Another serial was ''Goruru in America'' based on the travelogue written by the humorist [[Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kannada.filmibeat.com/celebs/c-r-simha/biography.html|title=ಸಿ ಆರ್ ಸಿಂಹ's biography and latest film release news|website=FilmiBeat|language=kn|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=4 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404150358/https://kannada.filmibeat.com/celebs/c-r-simha/biography.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Simha played the part of Gorur and the serial was shot extensively in America including New York, Washington D.C., Niagara Falls, Disneyland and Universal Studios – Hollywood.


===Publications===
===Publications===
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==Filmography==
==Filmography==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
===Actor===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* ''[[Samskara (film)|Samskara]]'' (1970)
* ''[[Samskara (film)|Samskara]]'' (1970)
* ''[[Sankalpa]]'' (1973)
* ''Sankalpa'' (1973)
* ''[[Kanneshwara Rama]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Kanneshwara Rama]]'' (1977)
* ''[[m:kn:ಅನುರೂಪ (ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ)|Anuroopa]]'' (1977)
* ''[[m:kn:ಅನುರೂಪ (ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ)|Anuroopa]]'' (1977)
* ''[[m:kn:ಚಿತೆಗೂ ಚಿಂತೆ|Chitegu Chinte]]'' (1978) - Gajasimha
* ''[[Chithegu Chinthe]]'' (1978) - Gajasimha
* ''[[m:kn:ಭೂಮಿಗೆ ಬಂದ ಭಗವಂತ|Bhoomige Banda Bhagavanta]]'' (1981)
* ''[[m:kn:ಭೂಮಿಗೆ ಬಂದ ಭಗವಂತ|Bhoomige Banda Bhagavanta]]'' (1981)
* ''[[m:kn:ಪ್ರಾಯ ಪ್ರಾಯ ಪ್ರಾಯ|Praya Praya Praya]]'' (1982)
* ''[[m:kn:ಪ್ರಾಯ ಪ್ರಾಯ ಪ್ರಾಯ|Praya Praya Praya]]'' (1982)
* ''[[m:kn:ಅಜಿತ್ (ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ)|Ajith]]'' (1982)
* ''[[m:kn:ಅಜಿತ್ (ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ)|Ajith]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Bara (film)|Bara]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Bara (1982 film)|Bara]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Simhasana]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Simhasana]]'' (1983)
* ''[[m:kn:ಸುಖ ಸಂಸಾರಕ್ಕೆ ೧೨ ಸೂತ್ರಗಳು|Sukha Samsarakke 12 Suthragalu]]'' (1984)
* ''[[m:kn:ಸುಖ ಸಂಸಾರಕ್ಕೆ ೧೨ ಸೂತ್ರಗಳು|Sukha Samsarakke 12 Suthragalu]]'' (1984)
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* ''Madhuve Madhu Tamashe Nodu'' (1984)
* ''Madhuve Madhu Tamashe Nodu'' (1984)
* ''[[Indina Ramayana]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Indina Ramayana]]'' (1984)
* ''[[m:kn:ತಾಯಿ ಕನಸು|Thayi Kanasu]]'' (1985)
* ''[[m:kn:ತಾಯಿ ಕನಸು|Thayi Kanasu]]'' (1985)...Javaraiah
* ''[[Parameshi Prema Prasanga]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Parameshi Prema Prasanga]]'' (1985)
* ''[[m:kn:ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಗಂಟು|Brahma Gantu]]'' (1985)
* ''[[m:kn:ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಗಂಟು|Brahma Gantu]]'' (1985)
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* ''[[m:kn:ಮದುವೆ ಮಾಡು ತಮಾಷೆ ನೋಡು|Maduve Madu Tamashe Nodu]]'' (1986)
* ''[[m:kn:ಮದುವೆ ಮಾಡು ತಮಾಷೆ ನೋಡು|Maduve Madu Tamashe Nodu]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Nenapina Doni]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Nenapina Doni]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Bete (film)|Bete]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Bete (1986 film)|Bete]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Digvijaya]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Na Ninna Preetisuve]]'' (1986)...Jagadish
* ''[[Digvijaya (film)|Digvijaya]]'' (1987)...Dasayya
* ''[[m:kn:ಬೇಡಿ (ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ)|Bedi]]'' (1987)
* ''[[m:kn:ಬೇಡಿ (ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ)|Bedi]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Shiva Mecchida Kannappa]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Shiva Mecchida Kannappa]]'' (1988)
* ''[[New Delhi]]'' (1988)
* ''[[New Delhi (1988 Hindi film)|New Delhi]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Balondu Bhavageethe]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Balondu Bhavageethe]]'' (1988)
* ''[[m:kn:ಕಾಡಿನ ಬೆಂಕಿ|Kadina Benki]]'' (1988)
* ''[[m:kn:ಕಾಡಿನ ಬೆಂಕಿ|Kadina Benki]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Ranaranga]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Ranaranga]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Avane Nanna Ganda]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Avane Nanna Ganda]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Amanusha]]'' (1989)
* ''Amanusha'' (1989)
* ''[[m:kn:ಅವತಾರ ಪುರುಷ|Avathara Purusha]]'' (1989)
* ''[[m:kn:ಅವತಾರ ಪುರುಷ|Avathara Purusha]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Sharavegada Saradara]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Sharavegada Saradara]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Sankranthi]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Sankranthi]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Parashuram (1989 film)|Parashuram]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Parashuram (1989 film)|Parashuram]]'' (1989)
* ''[[m:kn:ಹೊಸ ಕಾವ್ಯ|Hosa Kavya]]'' (1989)
* ''[[m:kn:ಹೊಸ ಕಾವ್ಯ|Hosa Kavya]]'' (1989)...M.L.A. Ramachandrappa aka Thippayya
* ''[[Krishna Nee Kunidaga]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Krishna Nee Kunidaga]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Nammoora Hammera]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Nammoora Hammera]]'' (1990)
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* ''[[m:kn:ನವತಾರೆ|Navathare]]'' (1991)
* ''[[m:kn:ನವತಾರೆ|Navathare]]'' (1991)
* ''[[m:kn:ಎಸ್.ಪಿ.ಭಾರ್ಗವಿ|S. P. Bhargavi]]'' (1991)
* ''[[m:kn:ಎಸ್.ಪಿ.ಭಾರ್ಗವಿ|S. P. Bhargavi]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Ksheera Sagara (film)|Ksheera Sagara]]'' (1992)
* ''Ksheera Sagara'' (1992)
* ''[[m:kn:ಬೆಳ್ಳಿಯಪ್ಪ ಬಂಗಾರಪ್ಪ|Belliyapppa Bangarappa]]'' (1992)
* ''[[m:kn:ಬೆಳ್ಳಿಯಪ್ಪ ಬಂಗಾರಪ್ಪ|Belliyapppa Bangarappa]]'' (1992)
* ''[[m:kn:ಝೇಂಕಾರ|Jhenkara]]'' (1992)
* ''[[m:kn:ಝೇಂಕಾರ|Jhenkara]]'' (1992)
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* ''[[Himapatha]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Himapatha]]'' (1995)
* ''Emergency'' (1995)
* ''Emergency'' (1995)
* ''[[Shiva Sainya]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Shiva Sainya]]'' (1996)...Rajashekhar
* ''Choo Baana'' (1997)
* ''Choo Baana'' (1997)
* ''[[Jenina Hole]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Jenina Hole]]'' (1997)
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* ''[[Tuvvi Tuvvi Tuvvi]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Tuvvi Tuvvi Tuvvi]]'' (1999)
* ''Aaha'' (1999)
* ''Aaha'' (1999)
* ''Nannaseya Hoove'' (1999)
* ''[[Nannaseya Hoove]]'' (1999)
* ''Balarama'' (2002)
* ''Balarama'' (2002)
* ''Devara Makkalu'' (2003)
* ''Devara Makkalu'' (2003)
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* ''[[Hani Hani (film)|Hani Hani]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Hani Hani (film)|Hani Hani]]'' (2008)
* ''Aathmeeya'' (2008)
* ''Aathmeeya'' (2008)
* ''Chikkamagaloora Chikkamallige'' (2009)
* ''[[Chikkamagaloora Chikkamallige]]'' (2009)
* ''Swatantra Palya'' (2009)
* ''Swatantra Palya'' (2009)
* ''[[Savaari (2009 film)|Savaari]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Savaari (2009 film)|Savaari]]'' (2009)
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* ''[[Aidondla Aidu]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Aidondla Aidu]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Gandhi Smiles]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Gandhi Smiles]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (2012 film)|Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Veera (2013 film)|Veera]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Veera (2013 film)|Veera]]'' (2013)
{{div col end|2}}
{{div col end|2}}
===Director===
*''Shikari'' (1981)
*''Ashwamedha'' (1992)
*''Angaili Apsare'' (1993)


==Death==
==Death==
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[[Category:Kannada film directors]]
[[Category:Kannada film directors]]
[[Category:Indian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Indian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Indian People's Theatre Association people]]
[[Category:National College of Arts alumni]]
[[Category:National College of Arts alumni]]
[[Category:Kannada-language writers]]
[[Category:Kannada-language writers]]
[[Category:Indian male television actors]]
[[Category:Indian male television actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Kannada people]]
[[Category:Deaths from prostate cancer in India]]
[[Category:Deaths from prostate cancer]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in India]]
[[Category:People from Ramanagara district]]
[[Category:People from Ramanagara district]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
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[[Category:Male actors from Karnataka]]
[[Category:Male actors from Karnataka]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Karnataka]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Karnataka]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]

Latest revision as of 06:46, 10 March 2026


C. R. Simha
File:C.R.Simha-pic.jpg
Born
Channapatna Ramaswamy Simha

(1942-06-16)16 June 1942
Channapatna, Kingdom of Mysore, British India
Died28 February 2014(2014-02-28) (aged 71)
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
OccupationActor, director
Spouse(s)Sharada Simha
RelativesSrinath (brother)
Portrait of Simha, 2004

Channapatna Ramaswami Simha (16 June 1942 – 28 February 2014), better known as C. R. Simha, was an Indian actor, director, dramatist and playwright. He was best known for his work in Kannada films and for his work in stage shows. Starting his career in Prabhat Kalavidaru, a theatre group based in Bengaluru he acted in numerous Kannada plays which reached the cult status. He started his own theatre group called "Nataranga" in 1972 and directed many successful plays such as Kakana Kote, Thughlaq and Sankranthi.

Simha also directed and acted in the Kannada adaptation of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream and Othello. These plays found a widespread presentation across many states in India. Following this, he directed and acted in many English plays written by eminent personalities such as Moliere, Bernard Shaw, Edward Albee and Neil Simon among others. Apart from theatre, Simha acted in more than 150 feature films in Kannada which include both artistic and commercially viable projects. He also directed about five feature films with the most prominent being his own film adaptation of Kakana Kote.

Simha received many awards in both the cinema and theatre fields. In 2003, he was awarded with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the Government of India recognising his contribution to theatre acting and direction.[1]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Simha was born in Karnataka on 16 June 1942 into a Hoysala Karnataka Brahmin family. His younger brother Srinath is a film actor who acted in several mainstream Kannada cinema as both the leading actor and supporting actor.

Simha appeared on stage at the age of twelve. He wrote a book at the age of thirteen titled "Family Doctor" and got a publisher for a remuneration of ₹15. He was a student of National College at Basavanagudi, Bangalore. In 1959, he joined the National College Histrionics Club, an institution nurtured by Dr. H. Narasimhaiah.[2] Simha then acted in many Kannada plays like "Bahaddur Ganda" and "Manavemba Markata".

Career[edit | edit source]

Theatre[edit | edit source]

Simha, along with his friends, started a theatre group called "Nataranga" in 1972. He acted in and directed many successful plays like Kakana Kote and Tughlaq.

Simha also acted in and directed straight translations of Shakespeare's plays such as Midsummer Night's Dream and Othello, which besides Karnataka, were also performed in Delhi, Bombay (Mumbai), Madras (Chennai) & Calcutta (Kolkata). In 1960, Simha became a member of "Bangalore Little Theatre" (BLT) and since then directed some of the reputed English plays which included his portrayal of Cyrano de Bergerac which was hailed as a memorable performance. His other notable works for BLT were Utpal Dutt's Suryashikar and Girish Karnad's Thuglaq.

In 1983, Simha started another theatre group called "Vedhike" in which his one-man show Typical Kailasam became a success. It was the first amateur Kannada play to be performed abroad (in the United States of America, Canada and England). Some of the other notable plays which made news through "Vedhike" are Meese Bandoru, Bhairavi, Karna, Rasa Rishi Kuvempu, Macbeth, Maduve Maduve, Haavu Yeni and 8/15. Among these, Rasa Rishi Kuvempu, based on the life and literature of Kuvempu, was made into a film, directed by Simha's son Rithwik Simha, in which Simha plays the role of Kuvempu.

Films[edit | edit source]

Besides making his strong presence in theatre, Simha was also a popular mainstream character actor in numerous Kannada films. He acted in close to 150 feature films. His portrayal of roles varied from critically acclaimed award-winning films like Samskara,[3] Bara, Chithegu Chinthe and Anuroopa and also in commercially acclaimed films such as Indina Ramayana, Nee Bareda Kadambari, Parameshi Prema Prasanga, Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege and Nee Thanda Kanike. Simha played negative roles, against Anant Nag in Ramapurada Ravana (1984) and with Dr. Rajkumar in Parashuram (1990). Simha's villainous role in Parashuram was said to be very menacing.

Besides acting, Simha has directed five films including Kakana Kote (1977), Shikaari, Simhasana, Ashwamedha (1990) and Angayalli Apsare (1993).

Television[edit | edit source]

Simha made his strong presence in television too and acted in several tele-serials in Kannada, Hindi and English languages. This includes the serial Malgudi Days. Another serial was Goruru in America based on the travelogue written by the humorist Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar.[4] Simha played the part of Gorur and the serial was shot extensively in America including New York, Washington D.C., Niagara Falls, Disneyland and Universal Studios – Hollywood.

Publications[edit | edit source]

Simha wrote and published five plays in Kannada. He was a popular columnist, he wrote a column called "Nimma Simha" every Friday for six years in the popular daily newspaper Vijaya Karnataka and three volumes of this are published in the Book forum.

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Actor[edit | edit source]

Director[edit | edit source]

  • Shikari (1981)
  • Ashwamedha (1992)
  • Angaili Apsare (1993)

Death[edit | edit source]

In February 2014, Simha was admitted to Sevakshetra Hospital, Bangalore having been suffering from prostate cancer from over a year. He died on 28 February 2014.[5] On 1 March, his body was kept at the Samsa Bayalu Rangamandira for people to pay homage and his favourite songs were sung by theatre artists. He was cremated at the Banashankari crematorium in Bangalore the same day.[6] Simha's last public appearance was at the press meet of the film Rasarishi Kuvempu in which he played the lead role.[7]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Sangeet Natak Akademi awards for 33". The Hindu. 2 December 2003. Archived from the original on 19 January 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "Farewell, thespian CR Simha". The Times of India. 1 March 2014. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "ರಂಗಕರ್ಮಿ ಸಿ. ಆರ್. ಸಿಂಹ ವಿಧಿವಶ". Prajavani (in ಕನ್ನಡ). 28 February 2014. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  4. ↑ "ಸಿ ಆರ್ ಸಿಂಹ's biography and latest film release news". FilmiBeat (in ಕನ್ನಡ). Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  5. ↑ "Veteran actor CR Simha no more". The Times of India. 28 February 2014. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "C.R. Simha cremated". The Hindu. 2 March 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "CR Simha hospitalized". The Times of India. 27 February 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2014.

External links[edit | edit source]

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