Shankar Nag
| Shankar Nag | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Shankar Nagarakatte 9 November 1954 Mallapura, Honnavara, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka State, India |
| Died |
30 September 1990 (aged 35) Near Anagodu, Davanagere, India |
| Occupation | Actor, director, producer, screenwriter, television anchor |
| Years active | 1977–1990 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 1 |
| Family | Anant Nag (brother) |
Shankar Nagarakatte (9 November 1954 – 30 September 1990) was an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, and producer known for his work in Kannada cinema and television.[1][2] He directed and acted in the teleserial, Malgudi Days, based on celebrated novelist R. K. Narayan's short stories.
Shankar Nag received the inaugural IFFI Best Actor Award (Male): Silver Peacock Award" at the 7th International Film Festival of India for his work in the film Ondanondu Kaladalli.[3] He co-wrote 22 June 1897, an Indian national award-winning Marathi film. He is the younger brother of actor Anant Nag.[4][5]
Early career
Shankar Nagarkatte was born on 9 November 1954 in Mallapura, Honnavara. His parents were Anandi and Sadanand Nagarkatte. Born into a Konkani-speaking family, his family settled in Shirali, a village near Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada of Karnataka State. He had an elder sister, Shyamala, and an elder brother, actor Ananth Nag. After completing formal education, Shankar moved to Mumbai. In Mumbai, he was attracted to Marathi theatre and immersed himself in theatrical activities. Incidentally, he met his future wife, Arundhathi during a drama rehearsal. He was his mother's favourite son.
Nag then shifted base to Karnataka. His elder brother Anant had already established himself as an actor and urged Shankar to act in films. He was offered a role of a mercenary by Girish Karnad in the epic film Ondanondu Kaladalli (1978). He played Gandugali, a mercenary who earns a position in a rival army after he rescues a few wounded soldiers. He wishes to get even with his rival brother, whom he considers his enemy. He directed films like Minchina Ota (a rare example of a heist movie in Kannada), Janma Janmada Anubandha and Geetha (both of which had music by South Indian maestro Ilayaraja).[6]
Later days
Commercial film producers took notice of Shankar Nag and he began acting in typical masala movies. Seetaramu was Shankar Nag's first commercial movie. Shankar was an unconventional hero with an unshaven face, distinct swagger, dark eyes and had a rough voice. Although he had never undergone any martial arts training, he earned the sobriquet of Karate King. His popular films include Auto Raja, Geeta, S.P. Sangliana, and Minchina Ota. He had also identified himself with the Janata Party in 1980s.
Directorial debut
Shankar began his directorial with Minchina Ota. This won him seven state awards, including the best film. And then came a series of films directed by him. Janma Janmada Anubandha, Geetha, Accident (which won many state and national awards), Ondu Muttina Kathe (with Rajkumar in the lead – loosely based on John Steinbeck's novel The Pearl), Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige(which has music by the legendary composer G.K. Venkatesh) , Lalach and Hosa Theerpu (remake of Dushman – his only directorial remake).His film accident has treated as a landmark and revolutionary in the Indian Cinema.
Malgudi Days
Shankar did not limit his efforts to cinema. He was equally immersed in theatre and television. Malgudi Days is the best example of Shankar's oeuvre on television. Prior to globalisation, Doordarshan was the only broadcaster in India. In addition to programme production, Doordarshan used to invite private producers to produce television serials. Shankar accepted the offer and directed Malgudi Days, based on the collection of short stories by R.K.Narayan in 1987, under the banner of Padam Rag Films. Well known actors Vishnuvardhan and Anant Nag appeared in the serial. Master Manjunath, who played the role of impish Swami, became a household name. The music, accompanied by the nasal twang "Tananaa tana na naa" on YouTube[7] was composed by L. Vaidyanathan.[8] The teleserial was shot in Agumbe, Shimoga district, Karnataka. Shankar went to direct another teleserial, titled Swami in the same year. Malgudi Days has been rated as one of the finest serials ever to be made in the history of Indian television.[9][10]
He anchored the Parichaya program on DD1-Kannada, in its starting days. Shankar retained an interest in theatre. His brother Anant Nag and he founded SANKET, an amateur theatre group, which still produces plays. His first ever directorial effort in Kannada was Anju Mallige by Girish Karnad. He continued with productions like Barrister, Sandhya Chhaya. Sometime here he was joined by T N Narasimhan who wrote and co-directed Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige which had, apart from himself, his wife Arundhati Nag and Ramesh Bhat in the cast.
Death
Nag died in a car crash at Anagodu village on the outskirts of Davanagere town on 30 September 1990 during the shooting of his film Jokumaraswamy.[11] His wife and daughter, who were in the car with him, were injured but survived the accident.[12] His last film as an actor, Sundarakanda, was released a few days after his death.
For Sundarakanda, Nag's voice was dubbed by Murali.
Nigooda Rahasya, one of his last films also had his brother, Anant Nag, complete the voice dubbing for Shankar.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Credited as | Role | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actor | Director | Producer | Writer | ||||
| 1978 | Sarvasakshi | Yes | Marathi film | ||||
| Ondanondu Kaladalli | Yes | Gandugali | Silver Peacock for the Best Actor Award (Male)[13] National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada | ||||
| 1979 | 22 June 1897 | Yes | Marathi film National Film Award for Best Film on National Integration | ||||
| Seetharamu | Yes | Ramu | |||||
| Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu | Yes | Ravi | |||||
| Madhu Chandra | Yes | ||||||
| I Love You | Yes | ||||||
| 1980 | Minchina Ota | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Katte | Karnataka State Film Award for Second Best Film Karnataka State Film Award for Best Screenplay |
| Auto Raja | Yes | Raja | |||||
| Moogana Sedu | Yes | Nagaraja | |||||
| Haddina Kannu | Yes | ||||||
| Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu | Yes | ||||||
| Aarada Gaaya | Yes | Mohan | |||||
| Rusthum Jodi | Yes | Ramu | |||||
| Janma Janmada Anubandha | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Shiva Achari | ||
| 1981 | Thayiya Madilalli | Yes | |||||
| Kula Puthra | Yes | ||||||
| Hanabalavo Janabalavo | Yes | ||||||
| Geetha | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sanju | ||
| Devara Aata | Yes | ||||||
| Bhaari Bharjari Bete | Yes | ||||||
| Muniyana Madari | Yes | Muniya | |||||
| Jeevakke Jeeva | Yes | ||||||
| 1982 | Archana | Yes | |||||
| Benki Chendu | Yes | ||||||
| Karmika Kallanalla | Yes | ||||||
| Nyaya Ellide | Yes | ||||||
| Dharma Daari Tappithu | Yes | ||||||
| 1983 | Lalach | Yes | Hindi film | ||||
| Nyaya Gedditu | Yes | ||||||
| Hosa Theerpu | Yes | Yes | |||||
| Chandi Chamundi | Yes | ||||||
| Keralida Hennu | Yes | ||||||
| Swargadalli Maduve | Yes | ||||||
| Aakrosha | Yes | ||||||
| Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mysore Matha | Karnataka State Film Award for Third Best Film | ||
| 1984 | Nagabekamma Nagabeku | Yes | |||||
| Raktha Thilaka | Yes | ||||||
| Gandu Bherunda | Yes | Nayar | |||||
| Thaliya Bhagya | Yes | ||||||
| Benki Birugali | Yes | ||||||
| Kalinga Sarpa | Yes | ||||||
| Indina Bharatha | Yes | ||||||
| Bedaru Bombe | Yes | ||||||
| Shapatha | Yes | ||||||
| Pavithra Prema | Yes | ||||||
| Accident | Yes | Yes | Ravi | National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film | |||
| Aasha Kirana | Yes | Kiran | |||||
| Makkaliralavva Mane Thumba | Yes | Yes | |||||
| Apoorva Sangama | Yes | ||||||
| 1985 | Thayi Kanasu | Yes | |||||
| Parameshi Prema Prasanga | Yes | Yes | Guest appearance | ||||
| Manava Danava | Yes | ||||||
| Kiladi Aliya | Yes | ||||||
| Vajra Mushti | Yes | ||||||
| Kari Naga | Yes | ||||||
| 1986 | Thayiye Nanna Devaru | Yes | |||||
| Naa Ninna Preethisuve | Yes | ||||||
| The Watchman | Yes | English film National Award for Best Feature Film in a language other than those specified in the VIII Schedule to the Constitution[14] | |||||
| Agni Parikshe | Yes | ||||||
| Rasthe Raja | Yes | Raja | |||||
| Samsarada Guttu | Yes | ||||||
| 1987 | Thayi | Yes | |||||
| Ee Bandha Anubandha | Yes | ||||||
| Huli Hebbuli | Yes | ||||||
| Digvijaya | Yes | ||||||
| Lorry Driver | Yes | ||||||
| Anthima Ghatta | Yes | ||||||
| Ondu Muttina Kathe | Yes | Yes | |||||
| 1988 | Shakthi | Yes | |||||
| Sangliyana | Yes | Sangliyana | |||||
| Dharmathma | Yes | ||||||
| Mithileya Seetheyaru | Yes | Guest appearance | |||||
| 1989 | Tarka | Yes | Akshay | ||||
| Mahayuddha | Yes | ||||||
| Anthintha Gandu Nanalla | Yes | ||||||
| C.B.I. Shankar | Yes | Shankar | |||||
| Idu Saadhya | Yes | Director | Guest appearance | ||||
| Raja Simha | Yes | ||||||
| Jayabheri | Yes | ||||||
| Narasimha | Yes | Narasimha | |||||
| 1990 | S. P. Sangliyana Part 2 | Yes | Sangliyana | ||||
| Ramarajyadalli Rakshasaru | Yes | ||||||
| Maheshwara | Yes | Mahesh | |||||
| Trinetra | Yes | ||||||
| Aavesha | Yes | ||||||
| Hosa Jeevana | Yes | ||||||
| Halliya Surasuraru | Yes | ||||||
| Bhale Chathura | Yes | ||||||
| Aata Bombata | Yes | ||||||
| Nigooda Rahasya | Yes | ||||||
| 1991 | Nakkala Rajakumari | Yes | |||||
| Punda Prachanda | Yes | ||||||
| Sundara Kanda | Yes | ||||||
| Nagini | Yes | ||||||
| 1993 | Prana Snehitha | Yes | Ram | ||||
Television
| Year | Title | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Malgudi Days | Hindi | TV series |
| 1987 | Swami | Hindi | TV series |
References
- ↑ "A cyber memorial for Shankar Nag - Times of India".
- ↑ "Celebrating Shankar Nag as Auto Raja - Times of India".
- ↑ RAY, BIBEKANANDA (5 April 2017). "Conscience of The Race". Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting – via Google Books.
- ↑ "This one's for Shankar Nag - Times of India".
- ↑ Anand Chandrashekar (7 November 2009). "Shankar Nag Last Interview - Part 2" – via YouTube.
- ↑ Nag, Anant (2001). 'Nanna tamma Shankara' (My brother Shankara). Bangalore: Total Kannada. ISBN 9788192226903.
- ↑ L, Vaidyanathan. "Signature tune – Malgudi days". Retrieved 16 January 2014 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Music director L. Vaidyanathan dead". The Hindu. 20 May 2007. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ↑ "Shanker Nag's 'Malgudi Days' is back on television". IBN Live. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ↑ "Malgudi days : Reviews". IMDb. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ↑ "Shankar Nag accident: Family to get Rs 26.8 lakk". The Times of India. TNimes News Network. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
- ↑ "Ready for an encore". 28 September 2003. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ↑ Ray, Bibekananda (2017). Conscience of The Race. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. ISBN 9788123026619. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ↑ "34th National Film Festival, 1987" (PDF). International Film Festival of India. iffi.nic.in. p. 66. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2014.
External links
- Shankar Nag on IMDb