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GANGADHAR
NO MORE
He
Was Leading Pathetic Life
Report
by - CNB
Photos - K.M. VEERESH
Date - 28th December 2003
 Veteran
Kannada film actor Gangadhar (67) died of kidney failure
and sugar complaint in Bangalore at 11.15 pm on Saturday.
He leaves behind wife Kausalya and two sons Ravikumar
and Subramnya. He has acted in over 80 films in a span
of 35 years. Gangadhar’s life itself was almost similar
to one of his film’s title ‘Jeevana Jokali’. The loss
of eye sight due to sugar complaint 10 years ago has put
him down to a life in the four walls. It was in a film
‘Aata Hudugata’ he accepted out of compulsion the strong
lights applied on the sets taken away the strength of
retina in the eyes. Ever since he lost his eyes he had
attended only two or three film functions. One memorable
was KANFIDA awards ceremony in 2001.
 As
young boy with Diploma in Mechanical he joined the Hindustan
Aeronautical Limited. In HAL he staged plays like Samsare
Nauke, HM Nayaka and Vijayotsava. The Make up man Madhavayya
in G.V.Iyer camp asked him to meet Iyer. He has already
proved his mettle in theatre groups like Prabhat Kalavidaru
and lyricist Bashir camp. He met G.V.Iyer (who died very
recently) and without much fuss he was selected for ‘Chowkada
Deepa’ of Sharada Films in 1969. He was Rajendra Kumar
then. Indrani, Varalakshmi and Ananthram Machcheri also
figured as co artistes in that film. Gangadhar got fame
and name from Puttanna Kanagal’s ‘Gejje Pooje’, ‘Sharapanjara’
and ‘Muni Thayi’. Gangadhar co starred in Dr.Rajkumar’s
‘Nanna Thamma’. He acted in B.R.Panthuluji’s ‘Aliya Gelaya’
in a prominent role. The professional career of Gangadhar
dipped when he accepted a second hero role in ‘Pavitra
Bandhana’ with Ramgopal and Vijayakala in 1976. Gangadhar
was not seen in the films after 80s’. He had quit his
HAL job by then. At this time for 12 years the theatre
groups gave the requires push for Gangadhar.
Gangadjar
also acted in films like Jagruthi, Sotu Gedavalu, Bangadradha
Gudi, Ruthugana, Devaru Kotta Vara, Balu Jenu, Attege
Thakka Sose, Subhadra Kalyana, Seetha Bale Adrushatavo
Adrushtava, Yava Janmadha Maithri, Jeevana Jokali, Jaya
Vijaya and Kalyani.
He
was honored by Karantaka State with Rajyotsava award.
It was a touching function of Kannada Film Directors Association
(KANFIDA) in its 16th annual event at Chowdaiah Memorial
Hall in April 2001. It was a packed auditorium. Gangadhar
cursing his fate wept in his speech. I have lost both
my eyes. I am looking forward for my death. I don’t know
when the God has fixed the date he had told.
Ambarish came to his rescue to console him.
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