Tirumakudalu Narasipura Balakrishna (2 November 1911 – 18 July 1995) was an Indian actor in Kannada cinema. He was said to have a hearing problem and some say that he was totally deaf. However, he would catch the lip movements of the artists and would narrate the dialogues spontaneously. He was popular for his comic and villainous roles in films like Kantheredu Nodu (1961), Muriyada Mane (1964), Bangaarada Manushya (1972), Gandhada Gudi (1973) and Kaamana Billu (1983) and appeared in numerous versatile roles over a hundred films that starred Rajkumar in the lead role.[2]

T. N. Balakrishna
Born(1911-11-02)2 November 1911
Died19 July 1995(1995-07-19) (aged 83)[1]
NationalityIndian
Other namesBalanna
OccupationActor
Spouses
  • Sathyavathi
  • Sarojamma

Balakrishna is known to have played the most roles in Kannada cinema, having appeared in over 560 films as a hero, villain, comedian, good Samaritan, loving father and lunatic.[2] Sudha Chandran is his ex-daughter in law. She was married to Balakrishna's son B.Srinivas who was the associate director of her Kannada movie Bisilu Beladingalu (1989). Sudha Chandran later produced Balakrishna's biopic Kalabhimani (1989) which was directed by B.Srinivas.

Early life

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Balakrishna was born into a poor family on 2 November 1911 in Arsikere, Kingdom of Mysore. When he was four years old, his mother sold him to a couple for just 8 in order to provide treatment for her ailing husband. He ran away from his adopted parents after having been treated badly.

In his later years Balakrishna had lung cancer and finally succumbed to it on 18 July 1995 at the age of 83. Yama Kinkara was his last film appearance.

Career

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Balakrishna first acted in the play, Shri Rama Pattabhishekha, in 1929. Following this, he worked as the painter of the stage backdrops for a drama company before becoming a professional sign painter. Later, he became a ticket collector in a drama company for a meagre salary. He returned to acting in theatre with Lakshmasana Drama Company and then with Gowrishankar Nataka Mandali. Following this, he joined the drama company of Gubbi Veeranna, a notable theatre director during the time.[3] Film director B. R. Panthulu happened to visit the drama company, saw his acting on stage and offered him a film role, beginning his career as a movie actor. He appeared as an antagonist in the film Kalachakra, a performance that was appreciated. He appeared in over a hundred Kannada films playing mostly comic roles, that starred Rajkumar.

In order to make the Kannada film industry self-reliant and save money for the producers, Balakrishna started the studio, investing all of his money and property. He built the Abhiman studio in Kengeri, Bangalore, on a 20-acre plot in 1963, but faced difficulties initially. When no Kannada films were being made, Balakrishna got together with other actors like Rajkumar and G. V. Iyer and produced the film Ranadheera Kanteerava. He even raised money from the public at 1 per person to build the studio. The studio was a failure, and Balakrishna died in penury. Television serials are still being shot at the studio today which is being looked after by Balakrishna's son, B. Ganesh and grandson Karthik.[4] His final screen appearance came in Yama Kinkara (1995).[5]

Notable filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1943 Radha Ramana
1952 Dallali
1954 Devasundari
1954 Kanyadana
1954 Muttiddella Chinna
1955 Ashaadabhooti
1955 Bhakta Mallikarjuna
1956 Daiva Sankalpa
1956 Mutthaide Bhagya Gundurao
1956 Pancharatna
1956 Sadarame
1957 Varadakshine Seetharamaiah
1958 School Master Gundappa
1959 Jagajyothi Basveshwara
1960 Ranadheera Kanteerava Appanna
1961 Kittur Chennamma Harana Setty
1962 Bhoodana
1963 Jenu Goodu Stage actor
1964 Annapoorna Kailas
1964 Thumbida Koda M .S. Ramdev
1968 Gejje Pooje
1969 Kappu Bilupu Narasimha Murthy
1969 Mayor Muthanna
1971 Sakshatkara Laksmanayya
1971 Kasturi Nivasa Bhojarajaiah
1971 Namma Samsara
1972 Bangarada Manushya Raachutappa
1973 Gandhada Gudi Venkatappa Naika
1973 Doorada Betta
1974 Bhakta Kumbara
1974 Sampathige Saval Puttayya
1974 Bangaarada Panjara
1975 Thrimurthy Seetharama
1975 Daari Tappida Maga Prasad's father-in-law
1976 Premada Kanike
1976 Badavara Bandhu Nagappa
1976 Naa Ninna Mareyalare Subbanna
1977 Sanaadi Appanna Ayyanna
1977 Devara Duddu
1978 Sneha Sedu
1978 Shankar Guru Lakshman Rao
1978 Maathu Tappada Maga Rachappa
1979 Naa Ninna Bidalaare Gayatri's father
1979 Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu Hanumantha Rao
1980 Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu
1980 Moogana Sedu
1980 Auto Raja Dr Dinakar
1980 Kulla Kulli Venkateshaiah
1981 Thayiya Madilalli Ramayya
1982 Praya Praya Praya
1982 Mullina Gulabi
1983 Kaamana Billu
1983 Kaviratna Kalidasa Gunasagara
1985 Bettada Hoovu Doddajja
1986 Preethi Constable Belliappa
1987 Ondu Muttina Kathe Narasimha Swami
1987 Thaliya Aane
1987 Shruthi Seridaaga Subbu
1990 Ashwamedha Rama
1990 Udbhava Ramachari
1992 Belliyappa Bangarappa Rajasuite Uthappa
1992 Halli Meshtru
1994 Love 94
1995 Bombat Raja Bandal Rani
1995 Yama Kinkara

References

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  1. ^ "His last days of "AU REVOIR"". Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b "100 and evergreen". The Hindu. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  3. ^ Ashish Rajadhyaksha; Paul Willemen (10 July 2014). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-135-94325-7.
  4. ^ "No Abhiman about Balanna". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 14 January 2012.
  5. ^ ನಟ ಬಾಲಣ್ಣನ ಕಷ್ಟಕ್ಕೆ ಡಾ. ರಾಜ್ ಕೊಟ್ಟ ದುಡ್ಡೆಷ್ಟು ಅಂದ್ರೆ-TN Balakrishna LIFE FULL'-GEETABALI-#param (in Kannada). 23 March 2022. Event occurs at 27:13. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
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