K. R. Seetharama Sastry

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K. R. Seetharama Sastry
KR Seetharama Sastry.jpeg
Born22 September 1922
Died12 November 1977
NationalityIndian
Occupations
  • Actor
  • film director
  • lyricist
  • producer
  • screenwriter
  • composer

K. R. Seetharama Sastry (Kannada : ಕು. ರಾ. ಸೀತಾರಾಮ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಿ) popularly known as Ku. Ra. Seetharama Sastry or simply Ku. Ra. Si was an Indian actor, writer, lyricist and director in Kannada film industry. After a career in theatre, Sastry's career in films was those of an actor, director, producer, screenwriter, lyricist and an occasional composer. He is considered one of the most influential personalities in the history of Kannada cinema.

Contents

Sastry began his film career as an actor in the mythological film, Rajasuya Yaaga (1937). After a brief stint as an actor, he turned into director, lyricist, writer and music composer for the film Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955) which emerged as a biggest commercial and critical success of the year. The film won the President's silver medal for Best feature film for the year.

Ku.Raa.See. was offered the lead role of the 1954 movie Bedara Kannappa by Gubbi Veeranna. However, he rejected it owing to the opportunity he got to work in the direction department of Shaw Brothers Studio, Hong Kong. The role was subsequently played by Rajkumar who went on to be the matinee idol of Kannada cinema.

Apart from Kannada language, Sastry directed 2 movies in Malay language: Kuraana Kaav and Iman (1954) - both of which were selected for the international film festival of Japan - thereby making him the first director from Karnataka whose movies were exhibited in an international platform. He also won international award for his direction.

Early life

Seetharama Sastry hailed from the Mysore Kingdom and was very active in theater during his early age. He found tutelage under Gubbi Veeranna, who is considered the pioneer of Kannada cinema. All his initial movies as an actor was directed by Veeranna.

Filmography

YearFilmLanguageFunctioned asNotes
Director Composer Writer (Screenplay/ Lyrics) Actor
1937 Rajasuya Yaaga Kannada Yes
1945 Hemareddy Mallamma KannadaYes
1953 Gunasagari KannadaYesAlso assistant director
1954 Iman Malay Yes
1955 Mahakavi Kalidasa KannadaYesYesYesYes National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada
1956 Sadaarame KannadaYes
1956 Ohileshwara KannadaYes
1956 Hari Bhakta KannadaYes
1958 Anna Thangi KannadaYesYes
1958 Bhookailasa KannadaYes
1960 Rani Honnamma KannadaYesYes
1962 Thejaswini KannadaYes
1963 Veera Kesari KannadaYes
1963 Mana Mecchida Madadi KannadaYesYes
1963 Jenu Goodu KannadaYes
1963 Kanyarathna KannadaYes
1963 Gowri KannadaYes
1964 Thumbida Koda KannadaYes
1964 Shivarathri Mahathme KannadaYes
1964 Muriyada Mane KannadaYes
1965 Mavana Magalu KannadaYes
1965 Beratha Jeeva KannadaYesYesYesAlso producer
1966 Madhu Malathi KannadaYes
1968 Manassakshi KannadaYes
1969 Suvarna Bhoomi KannadaYes
1969 Mallammana Pavaada KannadaYes
1969Madhura MilanaKannadaYes
1969KalpavrukshaKannadaYes
1970Takka Bitre SikkaKannadaYes
1970 Nadina Bhagya KannadaYesYes
1971Sothu GeddavaluKannadaYes
1971 Samshaya Phala KannadaYesYes
1971 Baala Bandhana KannadaYes
1972TriveniKannadaYes
1973 Devaru Kotta Thangi KannadaYes
1974 Professor Huchuraya KannadaYes
1974Anna AtthigeKannadaYes
1975 Onde Roopa Eradu Guna KannadaYes
1975NireeksheKannadaYes
1978DevadaasiKannadaYes

Awards

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