R. Nagarathnamma | |
---|---|
Born | 1926 |
Died | 6 October 2012 |
Occupation | Theatre personality |
Years active | since 1938 |
Children | two daughters and a son |
Awards |
Padma Shri Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Kannada Rajyotsava Prashasti Tagore Ratna Award Gubbi Veeranna Award |
Website | Official web site |
R. Nagarathnamma (1926–2012) was an Indian theatre personality and the founder of Stree Nataka Mandali, an all-women theatre group based in Bengaluru. A recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, [1] she was honored by the Government of India, in 2012, with the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri. [2]
Nagarathnamma was born in 1926 [3] in a family with moderate financial means, in Mysore, [4] in the South Indian state of Karnataka. [5] She started working in professional theatre at the age of 12, [6] working with such troupes as Sri Chamundeshwari Nataka Sabha, Gubbi Company run by Gubbi Veeranna, Mitra Mandali of Hirannaiah and HLN Simha. [5] Later, in 1958, Nagarathnamma established Stree Nataka Mandali, [4] reported to be the first all-women theatre troupe from Karnataka [5] [6] where she performed as an actor and was the director of their plays. [3]
Nagarathnamma is known for her depiction of male characters, especially mythological ones. [7] She is credited with notable performances as Kamsa, Krishna, Ravana, Duryodhana and Bheema. [4] [5] [6] She has travelled in many other states in India with her troupe and Krishna Garudi is stated to be one of her major plays. [5] She has also acted in 15 Kannada and Tamil films, [6] Kamanabillu, Parasangada Gendethimma and Rosapoo Ravikkaikari being some of the notable ones. [5]
Nagarathnamma died on 6 October 2012, [4] at the age of 87,[ citation needed] after a brief period of illness. [6]
Nagarathnamma was a recipient of many awards such as Tagore Ratna Award [4] and Gubbi Veeranna Award. [6] She has been honored by the Government of Karnataka with their second highest civilian award of Rajyotsava Prashasti. [6] She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992. [1] [6] In 2012, the Government of India included her in the Republic Day honours list for the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri. [2] [4] She is also conferred Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna in 2012 as special awards to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.