'''Balkrishna, T. N. (1913-1995)''' Phenomenally successful Kannada comedian. Born in Arasikere, Karnataka. Was sold as a child to adoptive parents to pay his father’s medical bills. Lost his hearing as a youth and dropped out of school. Acted in the play Shri Rama Paduka Pattabhishekha (1929); then apprenticed to painter of [[stage backdrops]] and later a professional sign painter. Returned to the stage as an actor in Harmonium Master Giri Gowda’s group, the Lakshmasani Nataka company, and in Neelkantappa’s Gowrishankar Nataka Mandali before joining [[Gubbi Veeranna]]’s theatre company. His presence was almost mandatory in Kannada films from the early 40s where, adapting the folk form Yakshagana, he formed a bumbling comedy duo with his constant sidekick Narasimhraju. Redefined the tone of ‘comedy relief’ by adding his own brand of ineffectual villainy. Also wrote some plays and scripts; started the Abhimana Studio in Bangalore (1968). Also starred in some Tamil films but did not succeed because of his difficulty with the language. '''FILMOGRAPHY:''' 1943: Radha Ramana; 1952: Dallali; 1954: Devasundari; Kanyadana; Muttidella Chinna; 1955: Ashadabhooti; Bhakta Mallikarjuna; 1956: Daiva Sankalpa; Muttaide Bhagya; Pancharathna; Sadarame; 1957: Mahiravana; Ratnagiri Rahasya; Shukradeshe; Chintamani; 1958: Anna Thangi; Mane Thumbida Hennu; Mangalya Yoga; School Master; 1959: Mangalsutra; Jagajyothi Basaveshwara; 1960: Shivalinga Sakshi; Ranadheera Kanteerava; Rani Honamma; 1961: Intiki Deepam Illale; Kaivara Mahatme; Kantheredu Nodu; Kittur Chanamma; Raja Satya Vrata; Shrishaila Mahatme; 1962: Bhoodana; Daiveleele; Tejaswini; 1963: Kanya Ratna; Mana Mechhida Madadi; Sant Tukaram; 1964: Chandavalliya Tota; Muriyada Mane; Mane Aliya; Nandi; 1965: Mahasati Ansuya; Satya Harishchandra; 1966: Mohini Bhasmasura; 1967: Bellimoda; Chakra Teertha; Immadi Pulakesi; 1968: Arunodaya; Gandhinagara; Manku Dinne; Bhagya Devathe; Mysore Tonga; Bhagyada Bagilu; Rowdy Ranganna; Attegondukala Sosegondukala; Hoovu Mullu; 1969: Margadarshi; Gandondu Hennaru; Mallammanna Pavada; Kappu Bilapu; Shiva Bhakta; Bhagirathi; Madhuve Madhuve Madhuve; Punarjanma; Kalpa Vruksha; Uyyale; Chikamma; Manashanti; 1970: Bhale Kiladi; Anirikshita; Aparajithe; Mrityu Panjaradalli Goodachari 555; Muru Muttugalu; Bhale Jodi; Sedige Sedu; Nanna Thamma; Sukha Samsara; 1971: Signalman Siddappa; Hoo Bisilu; Kulagaurava; Namma Samsara; Amara Bharathi; Jatakarathna Gunda Joisa; Anugraha; Namma Baduku; Bhale Adrushtavo Adrushta; Pratidhwani; Sakshatkara; Mahadimane; Sothu Geddavalu; 1972: Bangarada Manushya; Nanda Gokula; Mareyada Deepavali; 1973: Devaru Kotta Thangi; Sahadharmini; Swayamvara; Bharathada Rathna; Cowboy Kulla; Seetheyalla Savithri; Doorada Betta; Jaya Vijaya; Mane Belagida Sose; Gandhadagudi; Bangarada Panjara; Mannina Magalu; Bettada Bhairava; 1974: Gruhini; Urvashi; Nanu Baalabeku; Boothayyana Maga Ayyu; Eradu Kanasu; Sampathige Saval; Bhakta Kumbhara; Professor Huchuraya; Anna Attige; Mahadeshwala Poojaphala; Namma Ura Devaru; 1975: Jagruthi; Nanjuda Nakkaga; Kasturi Vijaya; Mane Belaku; Koodi Balona; Kaveri; Viplava Vanithe; Onderupa Eradu Guna; Hennu Samsarada Kannu; Trimurthi; Devaru Kotta Vara; Hosilu Mettida Hennu; Hoysala; Bangalore Bhootha; 1976: Premada Kanike; Punaradatta; Bahadur Gandu; Mugiyada Kathe; Chiranjeevi; Raja Nanna Raja; Bayalu Dari; Na Ninna Mareyalare; Badavara Bandhu; Sutrada Bombe; Aparadhi; Devara Duddu; 1977: Deepa; Bayasade Banda Bhagya; Bhagyavantharu; Lakshmi Nivasa; Pavanaganga; Manasinante Mangalya; Srimanthana Magalu; Sanadhi Appanna; Sahodarara Saval; Olavu Gelavu; Galate Samsara; Ganda Hendthi; 1978: Halli Haidha; Shankar Guru; Vamsa Jyothi; Matu Tappada Maga; Sneha Sedu; Balu Aparupa Nam Jodi; Thayige Takka Maga; Jagan Mohini; 1979: Balina Guri; Na Ninna Bidalare; Asadhya Aliya; Na Niruvude Ninagangi; Huliya Halina Mevu; Nentaro Gantu Kallaro; Preeti Madu Tamashe Nodu; 1980: Kulla Kulli; Auto Raja; Vajrada Jalapata; Mugana Sedu; Swamiji; Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu; Biligiriya Bandalalli; Mayeya Musuku; Pattanakke Banda Patniyaru; Anveshane; Mithuna; Nadurathri; Triloka Sundari; 1981: Tirada Bayake; Thayiya Madilalli; Anupama; Nee Nanna Gellalare; Bhagyavantha; Number Aidu Uyekka; Chadurida Chitragalu; Guru Shishyaru; Lakshmi Prasanna;1982: Gunanodi Hennu Kodu; Mullina Gulabi; Praya Praya Praya; 1983: Devara Tirpu; Kavirathna Kalidas; Benkiya Bale; Kamana Billu; Premave Balina Belaku; 1984: Gajendra; Kaliyuga; Makkaliravva Mane Thumba; Ahuti; 1985: Thayi Kanasu; Bettada Hoovu; Dhruva Tare; Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma; Hosa Baalu; Lancha Lancha Lancha; Netra Pallavi; Savira Sullu; Shabash Vikrama; Tulasi Dala; 1986: Hennina Koogu; Henne Ninagenu Bandhana; Brahmastra; Satya Jyothi; Bete; Aparoopada Kathe; 1987: Oluvina Udugore; Shruti Seridaga; Athiratha Maharatha; Thayikotta Thali; 1988: Oorigittakolli; Dada; Ondu Muthina Kathe; Devatha Manushya; 1989: Indrajit; Kalabhimani; Yuddhakanda; Hridaya Geethe; Avatara Purusha; Rudra; Samsara Nauka; Deva; 1990: Tiger Gangu; Ashwamedha; Love Letter; Udbhava; Chakravarthi; Haliya Surasuraru; Prema Taranga; 1991: Garuda Dhwaja; Kalyana Mantapa; Puksatte Ganda Hotte Thumba Unda; 1992: Halli Mestru; 1994: Odahuttidavaru; Love 94; Poornasatya; Hethakaralu. [[Actor]]