K. S. Ashwath | |
|---|---|
 Ashwath inNaagarahaavu (1972) | |
| Born | Karaganahalli Subbaraya Ashwathanarayana (1925-03-25)25 March 1925 |
| Died | 18 January 2010(2010-01-18) (aged 84) Mysore, Karnataka, India |
| Other names | Chammayya Meshtru |
| Spouse | Sharadamma |
| Children | 4, (Shankar Ashwath) |
Karaganahalli Subbaraya Ashwathanarayana (25 March 1925 – 18 January 2010) was an Indian veteran actor who appeared inKannada films. He appeared in over 370 films during his five-decade-long career.[1] His memorial is in theKengeri satellite town,Bengaluru. Memorial name - "K. S. Ashwath Memorial Children's Park".
Ashwath was born on 25 March 1925 inMysore city in theKingdom of Mysore ofBritish India as Karaganahalli Subbaraya Ashwathanarayana.[2] He completed his primary education from Dalvoy School,Mysore. He then attained theBachelor of Commerce degree fromMaharaja's College, Mysore with seventh rank in the university. His formal education came to an end in 1942 as he joined theIndian freedom struggle. Two years later, he got a job as a Food Inspector. He later became a stenographer in theDeputy Commissioner's office and spent ten years in Government service.
Ashwath's acting began when he started participating in radio plays produced by Mysore All India Radio. His theatre career thus took off and played major roles in plays ofA. N. Murthy Rao, Parvathavani and others. Film directorK. Subramanyam, who saw him in one of these plays, selected him for a role inStreerathna in 1956, which was Ashwath's debut as a film actor. He was associated with a theatre groupshripita .
In 1960, he played the role of aSwami inKittur Chennamma withB. Saroja Devi in the lead role. In the same year, he playedNarada in the hitBhakta Prahlada. His role inGali Gopura gave him an edge and helped shape his career as an artiste of immense calibre. Ashwath then got a role in the English filmSeven Wonders of the World and even became the first Kannada actor to appear in acolour film.
Several of his films became big hits. His character role inNaagarahaavu as Chamayya meshtru[3] (i.e., Chamayya Teacher) is still remembered and emulated.[4] Another performance in the filmGange Gauri as Narada (the mythological son of Lord Vishnu) is remarkable in the style, rendering in his inimitable style. He accepted the roles of a father to many co-artistes of around his age as long as the character he was playing was strong. In all, he appeared in 370 films, of which 98 came in supportive roles in films withRajkumar as the lead actor.[1]
Ashwath had been suffering fromVertebrobasilar insufficiency.[2] On 11 January 2010 he was admitted to the B. M. Hospital,Mysore following his return fromKashi where he had developedurinary tract infection. His health deteriorated and he subsequently died at 2:15 a.m. on 18 January following a cardiac arrest. He was cremated at the foothills ofChamundi hills in Mysore.[7]
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