Shankar Nag

{{Short description|Indian actor, screenwriter, director, and producer}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Shankar Nag

| image = Shankar-Nag-pic.jpg

| birth_name = Shankar Nagarakatte

| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1954|11|09}}

| birth_place = Honnavara, North Canara (Now Uttara Kannada district), Mysore State (Now Karnataka), India

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1990|09|30|1954|11|9}}

| death_place = Anagodu Village, Davanagere, Karnataka, India

| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|director|screenwriter}}

| yearsactive = 1977–1990

| works = Full list

| spouse = {{marriage|Arundathi Rao|1980}}

| children = 1

| family = Anant Nag (brother)

| relatives = Gayatri (sister-in-law)
Padmavati Rao (sister-in-law)

}}

Shankar Nagarakatte (9 November 1954 – 30 September 1990) was an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, and producer known for his work in Kannada-language films and television. A popular cultural icon of Karnataka, Nag is often referred to as Karate King.{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-11-10/bangalore/28062999_1_shankar-nag-ranga-shankara-arundhati-nag|title=A cyber memorial for Shankar Nag|access-date=9 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109145611/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-11-10/bangalore/28062999_1_shankar-nag-ranga-shankara-arundhati-nag|archive-date=9 November 2013|work=The Times of India|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-24/bangalore/37980368_1_shankar-nag-autorickshaw-documentary-film|title=Celebrating Shankar Nag as Auto Raja|access-date=9 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109145716/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-24/bangalore/37980368_1_shankar-nag-autorickshaw-documentary-film|archive-date=9 November 2013|work=The Times of India|url-status=dead}} He directed the teleserial Malgudi Days, based on novelist R. K. Narayan's short stories and acted in some episodes as well. He won two National Film Awards, four Karnataka State Film Awards and two Filmfare Award South.

Nag received the inaugural IFFI Best Actor Award (Male): Silver Peacock Award" at the 7th International Film Festival of India for his work in the film Ondanondu Kaladalli.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EKo-DwAAQBAJ&q=iffi+girish+karnad+1979&pg=PT157|title=Conscience of The Race|first=BIBEKANANDA|last=RAY|date=5 April 2017|publisher=Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting|isbn=9788123026619|via=Google Books|access-date=16 August 2019|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011204037/https://books.google.com/books?id=EKo-DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT157&lpg=PT157&dq=iffi+girish+karnad+1979&source=bl&ots=i-oQyInjhS&sig=ouE2Erj4qaPNVQsqJMuI8UEP7Mc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjwpca06c_YAhUjSo8KHRMmBgIQ6AEIUTAJ#v=onepage&q=iffi+girish+karnad+1979&f=false|url-status=live}} He co-wrote 22 June 1897, a National award-winning Marathi film. He is the younger brother of actor Anant Nag.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/This-ones-for-Shankar-Nag/articleshow/18970477.cms|title=This one's for Shankar Nag|access-date=9 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109145222/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-14/news-interviews/37712791_1_shankar-nag-documentary-auto-raja|archive-date=9 November 2013|work=The Times of India|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbG4HPNDlsk|title=Shankar Nag Last Interview - Part 2|last=Anand Chandrashekar|date=7 November 2009|via=YouTube|access-date=9 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628203152/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbG4HPNDlsk|archive-date=28 June 2014|url-status=live}} Vincent Canby, the chief film critic of The New York Times had opined that Shankar's performance in Ondanondu Kaladalli had the force and humor of the younger Toshiro Mifune.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/17/movies/from-india-once-upon-a-time.html |title=From India 'Once Upon a Time' |newspaper=The New York Times |date=17 May 1982 |access-date=17 September 2020 |archive-date=24 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524113935/http://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/17/movies/from-india-once-upon-a-time.html |url-status=live |last1=Canby |first1=Vincent }}

Early career

Shankar Nagarkatte was born on 9 November 1954 in Honnavar, then a part of North Canara (now Uttara Kannada district), in Bombay State (now in Karnataka).{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/shankar-nag-an-intense-amazing-life-and-career-774896.html |title=Shankar Nag: An intense, amazing life and career |date=9 November 2019 |access-date=3 July 2020 |archive-date=3 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703213658/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/shankar-nag-an-intense-amazing-life-and-career-774896.html |url-status=live }} His parents were Anandi and Sadanand Nagarkatte. Born into a Konkani speaking Brahmin family,{{Cite web|date=2011-10-24|title=An Actor and Visionary - Shankar Nag|url=https://www.karnataka.com/personalities/shankar-nag-kannada-actor/|access-date=2022-01-02|website=Karnataka.com|language=en-US}} his family settled in Shirali, a village near Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka State. He had an elder sister, Shyamala, and an elder brother, actor Anant Nag. After completing formal education, Nag moved to Bombay. There, he was attracted to Marathi theatre and immersed himself in theatrical activities. Incidentally, he met his future wife, Arundhathi during a drama rehearsal. Nag then shifted base to Bangalore where his elder brother Anant Nag had already established himself as a popular actor.

In 1978 Nag made his debut with Girish Karnad's epic film Ondanondu Kaladalli, where he played a mercenary who earns a position in a rival army to get even with his brother, whom he considers his enemy.

Acting and directing

Following the modest success{{Cite web|date=2021-05-03|title=Kannada actors who turned directors|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kannada-actors-who-turned-directors/photostory/82375542.cms|access-date=2021-10-04|website=The Times of India|language=en}} of Ondanondu Kaladalli and the critical accolades he garnered,{{Cite web|date=2021-05-19|title=Girish Karnad Birth Anniversary: Interesting Facts About the Actor and Jnanpith Awardee|url=https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/girish-karnad-birth-anniversary-interesting-facts-about-the-actor-and-jnanpith-awardee-3752405.html|access-date=2021-10-04|website=News18|language=en}} Nag started appearing in mainstream films. Seetharamu, Auto Raja and Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu were amongst his early movies. He eventually became known for his action films, and while he had never undergone any martial arts training, he earned the nickname "Karate King". Some of his popular commercial movies as an actor include Nyaya Ellide, Nyaya Gedditu, Gedda Maga, Sangliyana, S. P. Sangliyana Part 2 and C.B.I. Shankar. He formed a popular pair{{Cite web |title=Shankar Nag and Bhavya - Best on-screen couples of Sandalwood |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/best-on-screen-couples-of-sandalwood/shankar-nag-and-bhavya/photostory/66362882.cms |access-date=2021-09-29 |website=The Times of India}} with top actress Bhavya who acted with him in 11 films.

Nag made his directorial debut with Minchina Ota, one of the earliest heist movies of Kannada cinema. This won him seven state awards,{{Citation|title=Minchina Ota Awards: List of Awards won by Kannada movie Minchina Ota|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-details/minchina-ota/movieawards/65227559.cms|access-date=2021-09-29}} including that for best film. Janma Janmada Anubandha and Geetha{{cite book|last=Nag|first=Anant|url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13504305-nanna-tamma-shankara|title='Nanna tamma Shankara' (My brother Shankara)|publisher=Total Kannada|year=2001|isbn=9788192226903|location=Bangalore|access-date=16 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110051835/http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13504305-nanna-tamma-shankara|archive-date=10 November 2013|url-status=live}} followed. There was no looking back after that. His directorial ventures include Lalach (Hindi remake of Minchina Ota), Hosa Theerpu (remake of Dushman), Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige, Ondu Muttina Kathe (loosely based on John Steinbeck's novel The Pearl){{Cite web |title=Ondu Muttina Kathe |url=http://www.comneton.com/ondu-muttina-kathe |access-date=2021-09-29 |website=www.comneton.com}} and the critically acclaimed Accident, which won many state and national awards.

Television and theatre

In 1987, Nag directed the Doordarshan series Malgudi Days, which was based on a collection of short stories by R.K. Narayan. The series featured Vishnuvardhan and Anant Nag, with music by was composed by L. Vaidyanathan.{{cite news|title=Music director L. Vaidyanathan dead|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/20/stories/2007052005071000.htm|access-date=16 January 2014|date=20 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140120233859/http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/20/stories/2007052005071000.htm|archive-date=20 January 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|url-status=dead}} The series was shot in Agumbe, Shimoga district, Karnataka. Nag went to direct another teleserial, Swami, in the same year. Malgudi Days has been rated as one of the finest serials ever to be made in the history of Indian television.{{cite news|title=Shanker Nag's 'Malgudi Days' is back on television|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/shanker-nags-malgudi-days-is-back-on-television/265658-71-205.html|access-date=16 January 2014|newspaper=IBN Live|date=12 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116141626/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/shanker-nags-malgudi-days-is-back-on-television/265658-71-205.html|archive-date=16 January 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Malgudi days : Reviews|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0244911/reviews|publisher=IMDb|access-date=16 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117001247/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0244911/reviews|archive-date=17 November 2012|url-status=live}}

He anchored the Parichaya program on DD1-Kannada, in its starting days.{{Cite web|title=Shankar Nag|url=https://www.cinemaazi.com/people/shankar-nag|access-date=2021-09-29|website=Cinemaazi|language=en}} Nag retained an interest in theatre. His brother Anant Nag and he founded Sanket, an amateur theatre group, which still{{as of?|date=July 2020}} produces plays. His first directorial effort in Kannada theatre was Anju Mallige by Girish Karnad. He continued with productions like Barrister, Sandhya Chhaya. He was later joined by T. N. Narasimhan, who wrote and co-directed Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige which had, apart from himself, his wife Arundhati Nag and Ramesh Bhat in the cast.

Social work

File:Bronze Statue of Shankara Nag, 80 feet Road, TippaSandra Entrance Bus Stop, Indiranagar, Bengaluru.jpg

Shankar Nag, was multi-faceted person, involved in various aspects of Karnataka's Infrastructure. He is credited with pioneering efforts in initiating

Rope Way/Cable Car to heighten the tourist experience at Nandi Hills{{Cite web |date=11 November 2019 |title=Shankar Nag Visualised Namma Metro, Nandi Hills Ropeway Years Ago |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/sandalwood/shankar-nag-visualised-namma-metro-nandi-hills-ropeway-years-ago-580322 |website=The Hans India}}
Metro Train for Bengaluru{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/nandi-hills-cable-car-project-takes-off/articleshow/58603152.cms|title = Nandi Hills cable car project takes off |website = The Times of India}}
Low Cost Houses that could be built in 8 days{{Cite web |date=9 November 2019 |title=Shankar Nag: An intense, amazing life and career |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/shankar-nag-an-intense-amazing-life-and-career-774896.html |website=Deccan Herald}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/shankar-of-the-masses-lives-on/article7701304.ece|title=Shankar of the masses lives on|newspaper=The Hindu|date=29 September 2015|last1=Khajane|first1=Muralidhara}}
Club for Amusement{{Cite web |date=30 October 2017 |title=12 Reasons Why Shankar Nag is still a Superstar in Karnataka |url=https://metrosaga.com/12-reasons-why-shankar-nag-is-still-a-superstar-in-karnataka/ |website=Metro Saga}}
Theater for performing Arts, including Drama{{Cite web |date=2 February 2019 |title=10 Things to Know About Bengaluru's Rangashankara - A Theatre in Tribute to the Late Shankar Nag |url=https://metrosaga.com/bengaluru-rangashankara/ |website=Metro Saga}}

Death

Nag died in a car collision at Anagodu village on the outskirts of Davanagere town on 30 September 1990 during the pre-production work for his film Jokumaraswamy.{{cite news|agency=TNimes News Network|title=Shankar Nag accident: Family to get Rs 26.8 lakk|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Shankar-Nag-accident-Family-to-get-Rs-26-8-lakh/articleshow/4049219.cms|access-date=8 February 2017|newspaper=The Times of India|date=30 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430071858/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Shankar-Nag-accident-Family-to-get-Rs-26-8-lakh/articleshow/4049219.cms|archive-date=30 April 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/Ready-for-an-encore/articleshow/205174.cms?|title=Ready for an encore|date=28 September 2003|access-date=3 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918232851/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/Ready-for-an-encore/articleshow/205174.cms|archive-date=18 September 2018|url-status=live}} The last film he did as an actor, Sundarakanda, was released a few days after his death for which Nag's voice was dubbed by Murali. {{Citation needed|date=March 2019}} Anant Nag completed the dubbing for Nigooda Rahasya. Nag's last release was Bhargava's Prana Snehitha, which had been completed fully but was delayed.

Legacy

Many of the films on which he worked went on to win National Film Awards and various state awards. His films highlighted the lifestyle and issues of working-class society. Even after 33 years of his demise, his photographs are still found in the auto rickshaws of Karnataka.{{Cite web |date=2017-11-09 |title=Rare photos of Shankar Nag |url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/rare-photos-of-shankar-nag-4929227/ |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

Filmography

Awards

= [[National Film Awards]] =

National Film Award for Best Children's Film (1986-87) for Swamy[https://web.archive.org/web/20190823135055/https://www.dff.gov.in/images/Documents/82_35thNfacatalogue.pdf "35th National Film Awards (1987)"]. Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF).
National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues (1984–85) for Accident"[http://dff.nic.in/2011/32nd_nff_1985.pdf 32nd National Film Festival (1985)]". Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF).