Vajramuni

Sadananda Sagar (11 May 1944 – 5 January 2006), better known by his stage name Vajramuni, was an Indian actor who appeared in Kannada films.[1][2] He portrayed negative characters during most of his career and was considered one of Kannada cinema's finest actors.[3] Over his career, he came to be known for his "thundering voice and sterling performance[s]" that earned him the sobriquets Nata Bhairava and Nata Bhayankara.[4]

Vajramuni
Born
Sadananda Sagar

(1944-05-11)11 May 1944
Kanakanapalya, Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore,
British India
Died5 January 2006(2006-01-05) (aged 61)
Bangalore, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationActor
Notable work
Prachanda Ravana
Vajra Mushti
Spouse(s)Lakshmi

Vajramuni began his career as a stage actor and gained popularity with his portrayal of Ravana in Kanagal Prabhakar Shastri's play Prachanda Ravana. He made his film debut in 1969 with Puttanna Kanagal's Mallammana Pavada. His pairing with Rajkumar, with the latter as the lead, in the 1970s came to be widely appreciated, with films such as Sipayi Ramu (1972), Sampathige Savaal (1974), Premada Kanike (1976), Bahaddur Gandu (1976), Giri Kanye (1977) and Shankar Guru (1978).[4] Recognizing his contribution to Kannada cinema, he was awarded the Lifetime Contribution to Kannada Cinema Award in 2006.

Early life

Vajramuni was born as Sadananda Sagar on 11 May 1944 in the Kanakanapalya of Bangalore. He was named after the Hindu deity Vajramuneshwara, that his members of his family were devotees of.[5] His father Vajrappa was a corporator with the Bangalore City Municipality and later spent his life in anjanapura by owning a house with farm.

Career

Vajramuni was a college dropout and held a degree in cinematography. He traveled to Mumbai for the audition with unknown friend whom he met on way they both give audition but vajramuni was selected and other person was not selected because vajramuni was from Ninasam. He was a product of the Kannada amateur theatre. He impressed Puttanna Kanagal with his performance as Ravana in Kanagal Prabhakar Shastri's play Prachanda Ravana who offered Vajramuni a role in the film Saavira Mettilu. The film however got shelved.

Kanagal eventually cast him in Mallammana Pavada, which would become Vajramuni's debut film as an actor. Producers insisted that Udaya Kumar would be a better choice to match to Shivaji Ganeshan who played the role in the Tamil version, but Puttanna insisted that it had to be Vajramuni. Vajramuni acted in a number of films such as Mayura, Sampathige Saval, Daari Tappida Maga, Premada Kanike, Giri Kanye, Shankar Guru and Aakasmika with Rajkumar.[6]

Death

Having suffered from multiple diseases including chronic diabetes and protracted kidney-related illness, Vajramuni died on 5 January 2006, at 5:30 a.m in a private hospital in Bangalore.[3][7]

Selected filmography

Awards
Karnataka State Film Awards

References
  1. "Vajramuni dead". The Hindu. 6 January 2006. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  2. "This 'despicable villain' was a much loved star". Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  3. "Vajramuni bio". Vokkaligara Sangha. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  4. "Tears for the villain". Deccan Herald. 15 January 2006. Archived from the original on 22 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  5. Vajramuni. ಪ್ರಜಾ ಟಿವಿ ಮೃತ್ಯು ಮರ್ಮ -ಖ್ಯಾತ ಖಳನಟ ವಜ್ರಮುನಿ Sandalwood yesteryear infamous Villain actor Vajramuni (in Kannada). Prajaa TV. Event occurs at 18:00. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  6. "Dr. Raj pays last tribute to Vajramuni". indiaglitz. 6 January 2006. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  7. "Vajramuni is no more". Deccan Herald. 6 January 2006. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
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