wiki:T N Balkrishna

Version 1 (modified by Lawrence Liang, 12 years ago) (diff)

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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