Shankar Nag - Memories Recalled

Shankar Nag - noted Kannada film director, actor was born on Nov 9 - 1954 in Mallapur Village near Kumta, Uttara Kannada (present karwar) district in karnataka, India. His elder Brother is Ananth Nag - a noted kannada film actor.

Being born in a orthodox Brahmin family - these two brothers were not the ones who tread an orthodox path. However they were good in their studies. Shankar Nag shifted to Mumbai along with his elder brother Ananth Nag after completing his education. Ananth Nag got him a job in the same bank where he was working. Similarly both of them had keen interest in Theatre and Plays. Having seen the plays and yakshaganas in their native palce since childhood- it is no surprise they somewhere had a desire in them to do it in a diffrent way!! Both of them started acting career in Marathi and Hindi plays after their office hours.

Whenever we start to talk about Shankar Nag - the discussion will be half complete without mentioning his elder brother Ananth Nag. It is by seeing, learning and being influenced by Ananth Nag - Shankar ventured into the art of theatre plays and cinemas. The elder Anath Nag was the first to catapult in cinemas with noted director Shyam Benegal with hindi movie "Ankur". The movie was well received by the industry and audience. Ananth rose to a stardom soon - he initially chose to proceed into subject cinemas rather than the mainstream ones. He acted in many more hindi films - especially with Shyam Benegal. Very soon Kannada Film industry noticed a kannada guy doing well in Hindi Film Industry and chose to bring him to Kannada films which it is believed ananth was not so keen initially. He opted to do mainstream movies in Kannada as an experiment - and to his surprise he became a hit soon. That is when he decided to shift his base to Bangalore from Bombay. He asked his brother to resign from his bank job and join him to shift to bangalore. Ananth Nag wanted his brother to be actor, and he wanted him to start acting in Kannada movies - Ananth was confident that his brother was a "SOLID HERO MATERIAL".

Shankar had his own plans - to be a film director rather than be a actor. He had his own complexities. He started working in few film units - assisting the directorial team. Girish Karnad had planned a new film with story of a mercenary, and he was looking for a fresh young actor who can take off the role well. Without much difficulty he found the actor for this lead role - a guy who was working with his directorial team - Shankar Nag. But Shankar Nag was adamant that he will not do it, instead he offered Girish to be his Assistant Directo . It was Ananth Nag and Girish Karnad who forced him a lot to agree. The movie was named "Ondanondu Kaaladalli" - means once upon a time. Reluctantly the guy acted in this Movie and went on to win National Award at Dehli International Film Festival!! This film brought lot of recognition for the kannada film industry and the complete film team as well. Shot in Turmari and Hunasikatti Villages near Belgaum - its a story about a mercenary played by Shankar Nag who is gets involved in the feudal battle. The turmuri vade (waa-de) of the film is another highlight, which can be seen even today

Shankar Nag made his directorial debut with movie "Minchina Ota" - a story of 3 thieves who escape from Hindalga Jail of Belgaum and their life thereafter. It won 7 state awards along with best film. Shankar's life was completely different from there after. The commercial film producers and directors flocked him - and he became a hit in them too and rose to Stardom to be known as "Karate King - Shankar Nag". There was a time in Kannada Film Industry when elder brother Ananth Nag was a hit in Social, romantic and drama movies where as younger brother Shankar Nag was a hit in Mass movies. This carreid on for almost a decade!! 

The involvement in commercial films did not deter the creative thinker in Shankar Nag. While being involved with commercial cinema he finalized his next move - through which the whole India remembers him till today along with the tune "tananaa tana na na naa..." . Yes, I am talking about Malgudi Days. Through "Malgudi Days" Shankar Nag became a household name in India. Till today "Malgudi Days" CD-DVD set is one of the highest sold CD-DVD set year on year!!

Many of us do not know that Veteran Actor Dr.Vishnuvardhan has acted in Malgudi days, that was also the time when he was at another peak of Career after his movie "Bandhana". Many of them discouraged him from doing a serial at peak of his career - but he did not care for what they said like a true Lion. Dr.Rajkumar's 200th Movie "Ondu muttina kathe" was directed by Shankar Nag. Both of these senior actors always loved to work with him - that was the trust they had on Shankar Nag.

When we recall these all we become so happy - this was our own guy. His untimely death disturbed most of the citizens of Karnataka. Because everybody knew that if this guy would have been till today he would have shot to international fame with his work and creativity. Not only as a film industry person, he thought about the society as well. A small example about this to you guys:-  "Shankar Nag had dreamt of having a bangalore metro and he had initial discussions with govt in late 80's. This proposal was left soon after his death. And Bangalore got its metro running only in 2011 after 20 long years!!

   

Today you go to any town or city in Karnataka - you will find atleast few autos with Shankar Nag's painting on it. Even after so many years of his demise - Its not only the autowallas, but each and every kannadaiga has special place in their hears only for Shankar Nag. 

There are many times where I have thought Dr Rajkumar, Dr Vishnuvardhan, and Shankar Nag should have been in our Kannada Film Industry at this time. Sometimes I also feel that they all were at the right times - except Shankar Nag who should have been here for more time.

Today we all carry his memories and his contributions with his creativity with us only to share this to our future generations to come. Definately we all have much to say about him.

I am putting in front of you the rare collection of Shankar Nag's snaps from his first movie "Ondanondu Kaaladalli" - I am sure you will be spellbound to see the youngest Shankar Nag.

Shankar Nag - life short lived with many achievments of his own kind, is really a motivation for every individual as to how anybody can live life KING size even if the time you have is less.

Your's lovingly

Raju Hiremath


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