Udaya Kumar (1930-86)
Kannada actor, originally named Suryanarayana, born in Palkad, Salem. Worked for several years in the Gandhian Bharat Seva Dal. Employed as a physical training teacher. Joined Gubbi Veeranna’s stage company. Early heroic roles in Kannada films later became more nuanced villainous characters, often counterpointing Rajkumar’s heroic persona in historicals and mythologicals. Produced Ide Mahasudina and scripted C.S. Rao’s Shri Renukadevi Mahatme. Also known as playwright (e.g. Bhakta Kanakadasa, Tapasvi Ravana, Inspector Taranath, etc.), novelist and essayist with 8 prose anthologies (e.g. Akshara Brahma, Kavi Charithre). Started the Udaya Kala Niketan acting school (1983).
FILMOGRAPHY: 1956: Bhagyodaya; Daiva Sankalpa; Panchrathna; 1957: Bettada Kalla; Premada Putri/Preme? Daivam; Ratnagiri Rahasya; Varadakshine; 1958: Bhakta Prahlada; Mane Thumbida Hennu; School Master/Badi? Pantalu; 1959: Mahishasura Mardini; Veer Bhaskaradu; 1960: Shivalinga Sakshi; Bhakta Kanakadasa; Dashavatara; Ivan Avanethan; Yanai Pagan; 1961: Raja Satya Vrata; Vijayanagarada Veeraputra; Mahout; 1962: Bhoodana; Ratnamanjari; Thayi Karulu; Vidhi Vilasa; 1963: Nanda Deepa; Malli Madhuve; Bevu Bella; Veera Kesari/Bandhipotu?; Mana Mechhida Madadi; Chandrakumara; Sant Tukaram; Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddha; 1964: Chandavalliya Tota; Kalavati; Amarashilpi Jakanachari; Nandi; 1965: Kavaleradu Kulavondu; Chandrahasa; Vatsalya; Satya Harishchandra; Veera Vikrama; Ide Mahasudina; Bettada Huli; Sati Savitri; Miss Leelavathi; Madhuve Madi Nodu; Pativrata; 1966: Mane Katti Nodu; Mantralaya Mahatme; Kathari Veera; Badukuva Daari; Deva Manava; Madhu Malathi; Mohini Bhasmasura (K); Sandhya Raga; 1967: Padavidhara; Parvathi Kalyana; Sati Sukanya; Rajashekhara; Rajadurgada Rahasya; Bangarada Hoovu; Chakra Teertha; Immadi Pulakesi; 1968: Jedara Bale; Matheye Maha Mandira; Arunodaya; Mahasati Arundhati; Mysore Tonga; Anna Thamma; Namma Ooru; Nane Bhagyavati; Dhumketu; Simha Swapna; Hoovu Mullu; 1969: Odahuttidavaru; Madhura Milana; Shiva Bhakta; Bhagirathi; Makkale Manege Manikya; Madhuve! Madhuve!! Madhuve!!!; Kalpa Vruksha; Ade Hridaya Ade Mamathe; Mathru Bhoomi; Chaduranga; Mukunda Chandra; Bhale Basava; 1970: Mukti; Rangamahal Rahasya; Pratikara; Kallara Kala; Hasiru Thorana; Takka! Bitre Sikka!!; Mrityu Panjaradalli Goodachari 555; Modala Rathri; Sedige Sedu; Aaru Mooru Ombattu; 1971: Sidila Mari; Purnima; Signalman Siddappa; Samshayaphala; Jatakarathna Gunda Joisa; Kasidre Kailasa; Bhale Bhaskar; Mahadimane; Bhale Rani; 1972: Nari Munidare Mari; Kulla Agent 000; Kaanch Aur Heera; 1973: Triveni; Bharathada Rathna; Cowboy Kulla; Mannina Magalu; Premapasha; Bettada Bhairava; 1974: Chamundeshwari Mahime; Nanu Baalabeku; 1975: Jagruthi; Sarpa Kavalu; Mantra Shakti; Ashirwada; Bili Hendthi; 1976: Sutrada Bombe; Rajanarthakiya Rahasya; 1977: Shri Renukadevi Mahatme; Girikanye; Srimanthana Magalu; Hemavathi; Shani Prabhava; Banashankari; 1978: Devadasi; Matu Tappada Maga; Bhale Huduga; Madhura Sangama; Parasuraman; 1979: Putani Agents 1-2-3/Agent 1-2-3; Bhoolokadalli Yamaraja; 1980: Maria My Darling; Vajrada Jalapata; Mugana Sedu; 1981: Thayiya Madilalli; Kulaputra; Garjane; 1982: Kempu Hori; Sahasa Simha; Mava Sose Saval; Chellida Rakta; 1983: Devara Tirpu; Kalluveene Nudiyitu; Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige; Maha Maharaju; Bhayankara Bhasmasura; 1984: Maryade Mahalu; Agni Gundam; Bharyamani; 1985: Pitamah; Vish Kanya; Lakshmi Kataksha.