Narasimharaju

T.R.Narasimharaju was an Indian actor, who specialized in comic roles with his impeccable timing, and quick wit, in over 250 Kannada movies from 1954 to 1979. He was the ultimate choice for the role of a comedian, in almost all of the films in that era. Narasimharaju was also known as Hasya Chakravarti, among many, from the Kannada film industry.

Born in Tiptur, Karnataka, Narasimharaju lived with his father, Ramaraju, a police constable, and his mother, Venkatalakshmi Amma. The family was in destitute circumstances, and at the age of four, Narasimharaju was admitted to the “Chandramouleshwara Drama Company” by his thoughtful uncle, Lakshmipathiraju. The drama troupe was run by Shri.C.B.Mallapa, who was on a tour of Tiptur. 

Narasimharaju portrayed various roles such as that of Krishna, Lohithaswa, and Prahlada, on stage. Having worked with the drama company briefly, he went on to form his drama ensemble, where he personated roles from his previous roles viz. Harishchandra, Gora-Kumbara, among others. Unfortunately, his troupe experienced financial losses, which resulted in him joining ‘Edathorey Drama Company’. In his work with the new clan, Narasimharaju often dressed up as a lady, for his role in the mythologies such as Vishwamitra, followed by others such as Rama, and Ravana. 

The first twenty-seven years of Narasimharaju’s career was restricted to the theater and stage plays because of which he never really over-looked where he came from, even after turning into a movie star. Alongside his big screen projects, Narasimharaju continued pursuing his theater plays with drama companies such as Shri Chandramauleshwara Nataka Sabha, Bharatha Lalitha Kala Sangha, and “Gunda Joisara Company.”

In the year 1954, Narasimharaju made his big screen debut, in the film “Bedara Kannappa” where he starred alongside Dr.Rajkumar, in the role of a temple priest’s son. Both the actors were well acquainted with each other ever since they were colleagues in an earlier drama troupe. 

Narasimharaju was hailed as “one of the bests” of his era and during the 1960s, there used to be a time where people flocked to the theaters, in big numbers, to watch movies that featured him. He was once quoted as saying that the legendary Charlie Chaplin Charles Chaplin popularly known as Charlie Chaplin >> Read More... was his idol and inspiration. The 1950s marked his roles in films such as Sodari, Haribhakta, Bhakta Prahalada, and Dharma Vijaya among many others. In the 1960s, he appeared in a staggering number of 53 movies, which include Dashavatara, Rani Honnamma, Nakkare Adu Swarga, Nagarjuna, Patala Mohini, right up to Eradu Mukha in 1969. Modala Ratri, Kula Gowrava, Anugraha, Sharapanjara, Gandhada Gudi, Professor Hucchurya constituted some of his movies in the 70s.

Sadly, Narasimharaju passed away on 11th July 1979, as the result of a cardiac arrest. However, Manjina There, Rahasya Rathri and Minchina Belakkalli are some films that were released after his death. In his remembrance, an award titled “Narasimharaju Prashasti” is annually conferred upon the stars of Kannada Film Industry. “Haasyachakravarti.com” has been developed as a tribute to Narasimharaju, which consists of details and stories of his life, and his involvement with various people around the globe.