Shankar Nag
Encyclopedia
Shankar Nagarkatte 9 November 1954 - 30 September 1990) popularly known as Shankar Nag (Kannada: ಶಂಕರ ನಾಗ್) was a popular actor and director of Kannada cinema
. He also directed and acted in the teleserial, Malgudi days
, based on celebrated novelist R.K.Narayan's short stories. Besides these, he was actively involved in Kannada theater activities. He co-wrote "22 June 1897
", an India
n National award winning Marathi
film.
-speaking Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family. His parents were Anandi and Sadanand Nagarkatte. His elder brother is the popular Kannada actor Anant Nag
. Apart from his mother-tongue Konkani
, Shankar was fluent in Kannada
and Marathi
. After completing formal education, Shankar moved to Mumbai
. In Mumbai, he was attracted to Marathi theater and immersed himself in theatrical activities. Incidentally, he met his future wife, Arundhathi during a drama rehearsal.
Shankar Nag then shifted base to Karnataka. His elder brother Anant Nag
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 movie, Ondanondu Kaladalli
, which was loosely based on Akira Kurosawa
's masterpiece, Seven Samurai. His debut film as actor fetched him a national award at the Delhi International Film Festival. Thus began his film career, where, in a span of 12 years (from 1978 to 1990) he acted in some 90 Kannada movies, as a leading man, besides co-producing (with actor-brother Anant Nag
) and directing some 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)
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.
(which won many state and national awards), Ondu Muttina Kathe
(with Dr. Rajkumar in the lead), Nodi Swami Naavirodu Heege, Hosa Teerpu, Lalach
.
is the best example of Shankar's oeuvre on television. Prior to globalization, 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 Ananth Nag appeared in the serial. Master Manjunath
, who essayed the role of impish Swami became a household name.
The music, accompanied by the nasal twang "Tananaa tana na naa" was composed by L. Vaidyanathan
. 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.
It is noteworthy that he was anchoring the Parichaya program on DD1-Kannada, in its starting days.
Though a busy star in his own rights, Shankar always had time for theatre. That was almost his second nature. In fact he brought a kind of commercial viability to the Kannada Amateur Theatre. He and his brother Ananth Nag 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 Swami Navirodhu Heege. which had, apart from himself, his wife Arundhati Nag and Ramesh Bhat in the cast. The two directed Aata Bombat. Shankar's last production was Naaga Mandala, a play by Girish Karnad. He co-directed with Surendra Nath.
, he was not much into active politics. However he had a great vision for Bangalore. Way back in 1990, before his untimely death, he had proposed a Metro for Bangalore city, based on what he had seen in London. He started the first ever electronic recording studio, in Karnataka, Sanket Electronics.
Cinema of Karnataka
The cinema of Karnataka , sometimes colloquially referred to as Sandalwood and as Chandanavana in Kannada, encompasses movies made in the Indian state of Karnataka based in Bangalore. Most of the movies are made in Kannada, with a handful of them in Konkani or Tulu. Today more than 100 films are...
. He also directed and acted in the teleserial, Malgudi days
Malgudi Days
Malgudi Days is an Indian television series based on the works of R.K. Narayan. The series was directed by the late Kannada actor and director, Shankar Nag and Carnatic musician L. Vaidyanathan composed the score. R. K Narayan's brother and acclaimed cartoonist R. K. Laxman was the sketch artist....
, based on celebrated novelist R.K.Narayan's short stories. Besides these, he was actively involved in Kannada theater activities. He co-wrote "22 June 1897
22 June 1897
22 June 1897 is a 1979 Marathi film, co-written by Shankar Nag and Nachiket Patwardhan and directed by the husband and wife team of Jayoo Patwardhan and Nachiket Patwardhan. The duo are also practising architects. It is based on the true life story of the assassination of British Government...
", an India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n National award winning Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
film.
Early career
Shankar Nagarkatte was born on 9 November 1954 in Mallapur village in Honnavar (uttara kannada), Karnataka to a KonkaniKonkani language
KonkaniKonkani is a name given to a group of several cognate dialects spoken along the narrow strip of land called Konkan, on the west coast of India. This is, however, somewhat an over-generalisation. Geographically, Konkan is defined roughly as the area between the river Damanganga to the north...
-speaking Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family. His parents were Anandi and Sadanand Nagarkatte. His elder brother is the popular Kannada actor Anant Nag
Anant Nag
Anant Nagarkatte popularly known as Anant Nag is an actor and politician from Karnataka, India. He is considered to be one of the all time greatest actors in the Kannada film industry with a vast number of commercially successful movies. As a result, he is popularly known as an actor with...
. Apart from his mother-tongue Konkani
Konkani language
KonkaniKonkani is a name given to a group of several cognate dialects spoken along the narrow strip of land called Konkan, on the west coast of India. This is, however, somewhat an over-generalisation. Geographically, Konkan is defined roughly as the area between the river Damanganga to the north...
, Shankar was fluent in Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
and Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
. After completing formal education, Shankar moved to Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. In Mumbai, he was attracted to Marathi theater and immersed himself in theatrical activities. Incidentally, he met his future wife, Arundhathi during a drama rehearsal.
Shankar Nag then shifted base to Karnataka. His elder brother Anant Nag
Anant Nag
Anant Nagarkatte popularly known as Anant Nag is an actor and politician from Karnataka, India. He is considered to be one of the all time greatest actors in the Kannada film industry with a vast number of commercially successful movies. As a result, he is popularly known as an actor with...
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
Girish Karnad
Girish Raghunath Karnad is a contemporary writer, playwright, screenwriter, actor and movie director in Kannada language...
in the epic movie, Ondanondu Kaladalli
Ondanondu Kaladalli
Ondanondu Kaladalli is a 1978 film by Girish Karnad with music by Bhaskar Chandavarkar, starring Shankar Nag. The movie has influences of the early Samurai films of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, to whom Karnad has reportedly acknowledged his indebtedness...
, which was loosely based on Akira Kurosawa
Akira Kurosawa
was a Japanese film director, producer, screenwriter and editor. Regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers in the history of cinema, Kurosawa directed 30 filmsIn 1946, Kurosawa co-directed, with Hideo Sekigawa and Kajiro Yamamoto, the feature Those Who Make Tomorrow ;...
's masterpiece, Seven Samurai. His debut film as actor fetched him a national award at the Delhi International Film Festival. Thus began his film career, where, in a span of 12 years (from 1978 to 1990) he acted in some 90 Kannada movies, as a leading man, besides co-producing (with actor-brother Anant Nag
) and directing some films like 'Minchina Ota
Minchina ota
Minchina ota is a Kannada film directed by actor,director Shankar Nag starring his brother Anant Nag and himself.Its a heist movie.Minchina ota illustrates the life of a criminal. The age old saying that crime does not pay is portrayed in this feature. Katte and Thatha are petty thieves who can’t...
' (a rare example of a heist movie in Kannada), "Janma Janmada Anubandha" and "Geetha" (both of which had music by South Indian maestro Ilayaraja)
Later Days
Commercial film producers took notice of Shankar Nag and he began acting in typical masala movies. Shankar was an unconventional hero with an unshaven face, distinict swagger, dark eyes and a rough voice. Although he had never undergone any martial artsMartial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
training, he earned the sobriquet of Karate King. His popular films include Auto Raja, Geeta, S.P.Sangliana, and Minchina ota
Minchina ota
Minchina ota is a Kannada film directed by actor,director Shankar Nag starring his brother Anant Nag and himself.Its a heist movie.Minchina ota illustrates the life of a criminal. The age old saying that crime does not pay is portrayed in this feature. Katte and Thatha are petty thieves who can’t...
.
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, AccidentAccident
An accident or mishap is an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance, often with lack of intention or necessity. It implies a generally negative outcome which may have been avoided or prevented had circumstances leading up to the accident been recognized, and acted upon, prior to its...
(which won many state and national awards), Ondu Muttina Kathe
Ondu Muttina Kathe
Ondu Muttina Kathe which literally means 'Story of a Pearl' is an Indian movie which is directed by actor/director Shankar Nag, starring the legendary Dr. Rajkumar in the lead role. It is loosely based on John Steinbeck's book The Pearl. It is considered as the cult classic in the history of...
(with Dr. Rajkumar in the lead), Nodi Swami Naavirodu Heege, Hosa Teerpu, Lalach
Lalach
Lalach is 1983 Hindi language Movie directed by Shankar Nag and starring Vinod Mehra, Bindiya Goswami, Ranjeet,Pran, Kajal Kiran, Anant Nag.-Soundtrack listing:...
.
Malgudi days
Shankar did not limit his creativity to cinema. He was equally immersed in theatre and television. Malgudi daysMalgudi Days
Malgudi Days is an Indian television series based on the works of R.K. Narayan. The series was directed by the late Kannada actor and director, Shankar Nag and Carnatic musician L. Vaidyanathan composed the score. R. K Narayan's brother and acclaimed cartoonist R. K. Laxman was the sketch artist....
is the best example of Shankar's oeuvre on television. Prior to globalization, Doordarshan
DoorDarshan
Doordarshan is an Indian public service broadcaster, a division of Prasar Bharati. It is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in India in terms of the infrastructure of studios and transmitters. Recently, it has also started Digital Terrestrial Transmitters. On September 15, 2009,...
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
R. K. Narayan
R. K. Narayan , shortened from Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami Tamil: ) , Madras Presidency, British India. His father was a school headmaster, and Narayan did some of his studies at his father's school...
in 1987, under the banner of Padam Rag Films. Well known actors Vishnuvardhan, and Ananth Nag appeared in the serial. Master Manjunath
Master Manjunath
Manjunath Nayaker better known by his screen name Master Manjunath or Swami for his lead role in the television series Malgudi Days directed by Shankar Nag and subsequently in its film version, Swami And Friends....
, who essayed the role of impish Swami became a household name.
The music, accompanied by the nasal twang "Tananaa tana na naa" was composed by L. Vaidyanathan
L. Vaidyanathan
Lakshminarayana Vaidyanathan was an acclaimed musicologist, music director and composer, trained in the classical Carnatic music tradition. Vaidyanathan was born to V.Lakshminarayana, and Seethalakshmi, both accomplished musicians; he was also the elder brother of accomplished violinist duo L....
. The teleserial was shot in Agumbe
Agumbe
Agumbe is a village located in the Shimoga district in the state of Karnataka, India. Lying in the Thirthahalli taluk and the Malnad region, Agumbe is among the places in India that receive very heavy rainfall earning it the sobriquet, "Cherrapunji of the South". It is also the home of the 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.
It is noteworthy that he was anchoring the Parichaya program on DD1-Kannada, in its starting days.
Though a busy star in his own rights, Shankar always had time for theatre. That was almost his second nature. In fact he brought a kind of commercial viability to the Kannada Amateur Theatre. He and his brother Ananth Nag 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 Swami Navirodhu Heege. which had, apart from himself, his wife Arundhati Nag and Ramesh Bhat in the cast. The two directed Aata Bombat. Shankar's last production was Naaga Mandala, a play by Girish Karnad. He co-directed with Surendra Nath.
Death
Shankar Nag died in a car crash at Anagodu village on the outskirts of Davanagere town on the morning of 30 September 1990, while proceeding to Lokapur in Bagalkot district of Karnataka with his wife Arundhati Nag and daughter Kavya, for the shooting of his film Jokumaraswamy.Other Projects
Shankar Nag left many unfinished projects like the Country Club at his farm near Bangalore, a ropeway to Nandi Hills and a low cost prefab housing scheme. An admirer of Ramakrishna HegdeRamakrishna Hegde
Ramakrishna Mahabaleshwar Hegde was an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of Karnataka for three terms and as Minister of Commerce and Industry in the Union government.-Early life:...
, he was not much into active politics. However he had a great vision for Bangalore. Way back in 1990, before his untimely death, he had proposed a Metro for Bangalore city, based on what he had seen in London. He started the first ever electronic recording studio, in Karnataka, Sanket Electronics.
As a Director
- Minchina otaMinchina otaMinchina ota is a Kannada film directed by actor,director Shankar Nag starring his brother Anant Nag and himself.Its a heist movie.Minchina ota illustrates the life of a criminal. The age old saying that crime does not pay is portrayed in this feature. Katte and Thatha are petty thieves who can’t...
1980 - Janma Janmada Anubandha - 1980
- Geetha - 1980
- Nodi Swamy Navirodu HigeNodi Swamy Navirodu HigeNodi Swamy Navirodu Heege was an Indian film directed and starring filmmaker Shankar Nag, known for directing the Malgudi Days TV series. He has others like Master Manjunath and Ramesh Bhat accompanying him....
- 1983 - LalachLalachLalach is 1983 Hindi language Movie directed by Shankar Nag and starring Vinod Mehra, Bindiya Goswami, Ranjeet,Pran, Kajal Kiran, Anant Nag.-Soundtrack listing:...
- 1983 - Accident (1985 film)Accident (1985 film)Accident is a 1985 Kannada movie directed by Shankar Nag, starring his elder brother Anant Nag, wife Arundhati Nag, Ramesh Bhat, T. S. Nagabharana.-Plot:...
- Swami (TV Series) - 1989
- Ondu Muttina KatheOndu Muttina KatheOndu Muttina Kathe which literally means 'Story of a Pearl' is an Indian movie which is directed by actor/director Shankar Nag, starring the legendary Dr. Rajkumar in the lead role. It is loosely based on John Steinbeck's book The Pearl. It is considered as the cult classic in the history of...
- 1987 - Malgudi daysMalgudi DaysMalgudi Days is an Indian television series based on the works of R.K. Narayan. The series was directed by the late Kannada actor and director, Shankar Nag and Carnatic musician L. Vaidyanathan composed the score. R. K Narayan's brother and acclaimed cartoonist R. K. Laxman was the sketch artist....
(TV Series) - 1987 - Hosa Teerpu
As an Actor
Year | Film | Language | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1978 | Ondanondu Kaladalli Ondanondu Kaladalli Ondanondu Kaladalli is a 1978 film by Girish Karnad with music by Bhaskar Chandavarkar, starring Shankar Nag. The movie has influences of the early Samurai films of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, to whom Karnad has reportedly acknowledged his indebtedness... |
Kannada | Gandugali | |
1979 | I Love You | Kannada | with negative shade | |
Seetharamu | Kannada | |||
1980 | Moogana Sedu | Kannada | ||
Haddina Kannu | Kannada | |||
Preeti Madu Tamashe Nodu | Kannada | |||
Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu | Kannada | |||
Rustum Jodi | Kannada | |||
Janma Janmada Anubandha | Kannada | Directed by himself, With Ananth Nag | ||
1981 | Thayiya Madilalli | Kannada | ||
Maha Prachandaru | Kannada | |||
Kari Naga | Kannada | |||
Minchina Ota Minchina ota Minchina ota is a Kannada film directed by actor,director Shankar Nag starring his brother Anant Nag and himself.Its a heist movie.Minchina ota illustrates the life of a criminal. The age old saying that crime does not pay is portrayed in this feature. Katte and Thatha are petty thieves who can’t... |
Kannada | Katte | Directed by himself | |
Hana Balavo Jana Balavo | Kannada | |||
Muniyana Maadari | Kannada | |||
Jeevakke Jeeva | Kannada | with Anant Nag Anant Nag Anant Nagarkatte popularly known as Anant Nag is an actor and politician from Karnataka, India. He is considered to be one of the all time greatest actors in the Kannada film industry with a vast number of commercially successful movies. As a result, he is popularly known as an actor with... |
||
Geetha | Kannada | |||
Bhari Barjari Bete | Kannada | |||
1982 | Benki Chendu | Kannada | ||
Nyaya Ellide | Kannada | |||
Karmika Kallanalla | Kannada | with Vishnuvardhan | ||
Auto Raja | Kannada | with Leelavathi Leelavathi (actress) Leelavathi is a Kannada film actress who predominantly worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu. She has acted with legends such as Rajkumar, M. G. Ramachandran, N. T. Rama Rao, Sivaji Ganeshan, Shankar Nag, Kamal Hassan, Vishnuvardhan, Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi and various popular artists in her films... |
||
Archana | Kannada | |||
1983 | Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige Nodi Swamy Navirodu Heege was an Indian film directed and starring filmmaker Shankar Nag, known for directing the Malgudi Days TV series. He has others like Master Manjunath and Ramesh Bhat accompanying him.... |
Kannada | MysoremaTa | |
Raktha Thilaka | Kannada | |||
Chandi Chamundi | Kannada | |||
Nagabekkamma Nagabeku | Kannada | |||
Gedda Maga | Kannada | |||
1984 | Ganda Bherunda | Kannada | with Ambareesh Ambareesh Malavallii Huche Gowda Amarnath or M.H.Amarnath born 29 May 1952 at Maddur Taluk in Mandya District of Karnataka State is a Kannada film actor... |
|
Utsav Utsav Utsav is a 1984 Hindi film, produced by Shashi Kapoor and directed by Girish Karnad.The film stars Shashi Kapoor, Rekha, Amjad Khan, Anuradha Patel, Shekhar Suman, Anupam Kher, Shankar Nag, Neena Gupta, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Annu Kapoor, Sanjana Kapoor and Kunal Kapoor.The role played by Shashi... |
Hindi Hindi Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi... |
Sajjal, the thief | ||
Apoorva Sangama | Kannada | with Dr.Rajkumar | ||
Benki Birugali | Kannada | with Vishnuvardhan | ||
Thaliya Bhagya | Kannada | |||
Asha Kirana | Kannada | |||
1985 | Maanava Danava | Kannada | ||
Parameshi Prema Prasanga Parameshi Prema Prasanga Parameshi Prema Prasanga is an Indian Kannada film directed and starring Ramesh Bhat, with Arundhati Nag, Manjunath, C R Simha as cast.The movie won a national award in 1983... |
Kannada | |||
Thayiya Kanasu | Kannada | |||
Accident Accident (1985 film) Accident is a 1985 Kannada movie directed by Shankar Nag, starring his elder brother Anant Nag, wife Arundhati Nag, Ramesh Bhat, T. S. Nagabharana.-Plot:... |
Kannada | Ravi (Journalist) | ||
1986 | Na Ninna Preetisuve | Kannada | ||
Rasthe Raja | Kannada | |||
1987 | Antima Ghatta | Kannada | ||
Digvijaya | Kannada | with Ambareesh Ambareesh Malavallii Huche Gowda Amarnath or M.H.Amarnath born 29 May 1952 at Maddur Taluk in Mandya District of Karnataka State is a Kannada film actor... and Srinath |
||
Ee Banda Anubandha | Kannada | |||
Lorry Driver | Kannada | |||
Huli Hebulli | Kannada | |||
Thaayi | Kannada | |||
1988 | Sangliana | Kannada | Sangliana | with Ambareesh Ambareesh Malavallii Huche Gowda Amarnath or M.H.Amarnath born 29 May 1952 at Maddur Taluk in Mandya District of Karnataka State is a Kannada film actor... |
Mitheleya Seetheyaru | Kannada | |||
1989 | Anthintha Gandu Nannalla | Kannada | with Ambareesh Ambareesh Malavallii Huche Gowda Amarnath or M.H.Amarnath born 29 May 1952 at Maddur Taluk in Mandya District of Karnataka State is a Kannada film actor... |
|
Tharka | Kannada | |||
CBI Shankar | Kannada | |||
1990 | Ramarajyadalli Rakshasaru | Kannada | ||
Maheshwara | Kannada | Directed by Dineshbaboo | ||
SP Sangliana | Kannada | Sangliana | ||
Nighooda Rahasya | Kannada | Last film | ||
Hosa Jeevana | Kannada | |||
1991 | Punda Prachanda | Kannada | With Ramesh Aravind Ramesh Aravind Ramesh Aravind or Ramesh is a popular Kannada, Tamil and Telugu movie actor. He is considered one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema.-Early days:... |
|
Sundara Kanda | Kannada | With Director K.V.Raju | ||
Nagini | Kannada | |||
1993 | Prana Snehitha | Kannada | with Ramakrishna | |
Unknown | JayaBheri Jayabheri Jayabheri is a 1959 Telugu musical hit film directed by P. Pullaiah and starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi in lead roles. The film is based on the 1947 production by V. Shantaram, titled Lokshahir Ram Joshi in Marathi and Matwala Shayar Ram Joshi in Hindi.-The plot:The story setting... |
Kannada | with Ambareesh Ambareesh Malavallii Huche Gowda Amarnath or M.H.Amarnath born 29 May 1952 at Maddur Taluk in Mandya District of Karnataka State is a Kannada film actor... |
|
Unknown | Halliya Surasuraru | Kannada | ||
2012 | Pravaadi | Kannada |