Srinath

Narayana Swamy (Kannada: ನಾರಾಯಣ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ; born 28 December 1943), known by his stage name Srinath, is an Indian actor film producer who works predominantly in Kannada cinema. He also holds the position of vice-president of Kannada language television channel Udaya TV. He is also popularly known for his presenting in the Game Show, Adarsha Dampatigalu (Kannada: ಆದರ್ಶ ದಂಪತಿಗಳು), meant for married couples competing on which pair is the ideal. Srinath is generally called with the nickname Pranaya Raja^[1] (means, King of Romance) because of his success in various movies involving love stories. In 2003, he was conferred the Kalaratna Award by the Government of Karnataka.^[2]

Early life

Narayana Swamy was born on 28 December 1943 to Ramaswamy Shastri and Lalita in Mysore, in the Kingdom of Mysore of British India.^[3] He was introduced to Kannada film industry by renowned director Puttanna Kanagal. Initially, he acted in amateur dramas and practiced cinematography in Occupational Institute in Bangalore. He entered films through a small role in the Kannada movie Lagna Pathrike.^[4] After that, he got a chance to play the main role in a film directed by S K A Chari by name Madhura Milana and it was during this time, his name was changed to Srinath. Since then, he is known as Srinath.^[4] After 1975 Shubamangala, Srinath acted nearly 65 films in few years. It was Shubamangala which gave him break, and the movie is considered to be pertinent to any generation, be it 1970's or 2010's.

Film life

Srinath, starting from his second film Anireekshita directed by Nagesh Baba, was recognised as an actor with potential and became a popular hero.^[4] He has acted in over 200 films. His major films include Besuge (ಬೆಸುಗೆ), Manasa Sarovara (ಮಾನಸ ಸರೋವರ), Shubha Mangala (ಶುಭ ಮಂಗಳ). In 1980, he got the Best Actor Filmfare Award for the film Besuge. Srinath also won State Award as Best Actor for the film Sri Raghavendra Vaibhava.^[4] Srinath was also preparing to direct a Kannada movie.^[1] Srinath and Manjula acted in 35 films together and were credit as one of the best pairs of the industry.

Political life

Srinath was nominated by Bharatiya Janata Party as member of legislative council from the artiste fraternity for a period of six years.^[5]

Udaya TV

At present, Srinath is the Vice President for Udaya TV Kannada Channel. He also hosts a Game Show by name Adarsha Dampatigalu (Kannada: ಆದರ್ಶ ದಂಪತಿಗಳು), meaning The ideal couple. However, he still continues to act in films and TV serials. He is also acting in a Kannada serial called Bangara He is also acting in the television serial Jagala Gantiyaru (Kannada: ಜಗಳ ಗಂಟಿಯರು) directed by the film director Phani Ramachandra.^[1]

Awards and honours

In year 2003, Srinath was honoured with the Kalaratna (Pearl of Art) award by Adarsha Suguma Sangeeta Academy Trust, in Bangalore.^[6] The award was honoured by S.M. Shankar, the brother of S.M. Krishna, the then Chief Minister of Karnataka. In the same year, Srinath was honoured with the prestigious Karnataka Rajyotsava Award given by the Government of Karnataka.^[7]

Personal life

Srinath is the younger brother of renowned Kannada theatre artist as well as film actor and writer C. R. Simha. Srinath is married to Geetha Srinath. The couple have two children, a son and a daughter. His son Rohit has acted in several Kannada movies as a child artist. His daughter Amulya currently lives in the U.S. with her husband and three daughters. At present, the family is in Bangalore.

Contribution to society

Srinath has set up a charitable trust called Deeya Art Foundation, to provide a helping-hand to the poor and needy who are affected by diseases like cancer, HIV and heart-related ailments.^[8] Among the objectives of the foundation are:

• Organising entertainment programs exclusively for cancer-affected patients
• Free health check-up camps
• Fund-raising camps for the physically handicapped
• Service activities at old-age homes
• Blood donation camps
• Free supply of medicines and nutritional food

Partial filmography

References

External links

• Srinath at the Internet Movie Database
• Srinath's Profile on Chitraranga.com