T. S. Nagabharana

Talakadu Srinivasaiah Nagabharana (born 23 January 1953) is an Indian film director, in the Kannada film industry and a pioneer of the parallel cinema. He is one of the few film directors to have straddled the mainstream and parallel cinema worlds. He achieved success both in television and cinema. He has made 36 films in Kannada which have earned him 10 national awards, 23 State awards, 8 films entered into Indian Panorama in International Film Festivals.

T. S. Nagabharana
Born	Talakadu Srinivasaiah Nagabharana (1953-01-23) 23 January 1953 Bangalore, Mysore State, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Film director, producer, screenwriter, actor and theatre worker
Years active	1978–present
Spouse(s)	Nagini Bharana
Children	Pannaga Bharana (son), Shruthabharana (Daughter)

He has contributed a lot to Kannada theatre. Being a student of legendary theatre personality Padmasri B V Karanth, Nagabharana has been active in theatre in capacities as actor, director and writer. He has directed 36 plays. He has been an administrator for several theatre repertories, especially Rangayana, Mysuru and Benaka Theatre Group, Bengaluru.

He has produced and directed number of serials and other programs for Doordarshan and other channels.

His movies were noted to be a major inspiration for some of the popular Hindi movies. His movie Mysore Mallige was an inspiration for 1942: A Love Story.[1] The core plot of Chigurida Kanasu was an inspiration for Swades.[2] The movie Nagamandala was an inspiration for Paheli.[3] The core plot of Kallarali Hoovagi was an inspiration for the storyline of Bajrangi Bhaijaan.[4]

He has been the recipient of international, national, state and other awards for 20 of his 34 Kannada movies in the last 40 years. He was nominated as the chairman of Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy (KCA), Bangalore [Government of Karnataka] (State Film Academy).[5] Currently he is the Chairman of Kannada Development Authority of Govt of Karnataka.[6]

Early life

T S Nagabharana was born on 23 January 1953 to A Srinivasaiah and Rudramma at Talakadu, Mysuru district, Karnataka. He is the second of the total five siblings. His grandfathers on both paternal and maternal side, Maddale Girigowda and Tippegowda were agriculturists but also Yakshagana exponents. Their influence on young Nagabharana was immense. His father Srinivasaiah served as deputy director in Agriculture Department, Bengaluru. After primary education in Talakadu, Nagabharana’s further education was at Bengaluru. During his college days Nagabharana came under the indelible influence of the great playwright Adya Rangacharya. As a student he directed two plays Evam Indrajit and Shoka Chakra. He got involved with amateur theatre and initially worked backstage and as a technician and eventually became an actor, singer and director.

During his theatre days he met Nagini, who was also involved with theatre. They fell in love and got married on 10 December 1979. They continue to work together in films, TV and theatre till date. Nagini Bharana has won National Award for Best Children’s Film, State award for Best Costume for Kallarali Hoovaagi, directed by Nagabharana. The couple have a son Pannaga Bharana, who is also a film director and a daughter Shrutha Bharana, who takes care of BAPA as faculty.

Career

By the time he completed his BSc degree, Nagabharana had established himself as a serious actor- director. He directed and acted plays like Sangya Balya, Kathale Belaku, Shakarana Sarotu, Jokumaraswamy, Oedipus, Sattavara Neralu, Krishna Parijata, Tingara Buddanna, Mundena Sakhi Mundena, Hayavadana, Neegikonda Samsa, Baka and Blood Wedding.[7]

He joined LLB course in Sri Jagadguru Renukacharya collage of Law. Even as a student he worked as assistant director in the films Kaadu, directed by Girish Karnad, which won the national award; as associate to B V Karanth for Chomana Dudi. Even as a student he wanted to direct his own film and directed his first film Grahana, which won the National Award 1979- Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration, National Film Award for Best Screenplay – T S Nagabharana & T S Ranga, Karnataka State Film Awards 1978-79 - First Best Film, Best Cinematographer (B&W) – S. Ramachandra. The film was also selected for Internationales Film festival Mannheim-Heidelberg,Germany.

He also worked as a backstage worker, actor, singer and director. He associated with leading theatre personalities like B. V. Karanth, Chandrashekhara Kambara and Girish Karnad.

He received a gold medal from the Government of India for his achievement in theatre. He is the founder of a theatre organisation called "Benaka".[8] He also started Shruthalaya, an organisation for organising, writing, composing, camera work, lighting, art, acting, editing and directing.[9]

Theatre

• Worked with Padmashri B. V. Karanth, Former Director Of NSD and Chairman of Ranga Mandala Bhopal, Rangayana Mysore.
• Working as President of Benaka Children Theatre since 30 years
• Organising and Directing 3 Children plays every year continuously since from start.
• Directed more than 36 Plays of which Jnaanapeeth Sri Girish Karnad, Chandrashekhar Kambar, Sri Shivaram Karanth and Badal Sarkar etc.
• Acted in more than 100 plays, totalling more than 10,000 shows.
• Performed on National and International stages for several times
• Conducted theatre workshops for the last 35 years regularly both National and International level.
• Worked as an Administrator for several theatre repertories, specially Rangayana Mysore, Benaka Bengaluru
• 40 years founder-actor, Benaka Amateur Troupe founded by B.V. Karanth
• 30 years President, Benaka Children Theatre founded by Prema Karanth.
• Karnataka Rajyotsava Awardees for Theatre
• Represented Government of India Cultural Committees several times.
• Working as Administrator and teacher in Bharana Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA) school by encouraging and teaching students who are interested in Theatre and Film acting.
• Directed and acted in a one man show Ahatha.
• Conceptualised, directed a musical play on the life of Bengaluru Nagarathnamma.
• Awarded by the Sangeeth Natak Academy, Karnataka.

He is a fan of Akira Kurosawa and Ingmar Bergman.[10]

TV

National Network

• Serials for Doordarshan since its inception.
• Tele serial Shasraphan was written by former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao
• Indo-Mauritius co-production Stone Boy
• Samsmaran travalogue by Goruru Ramaswamy Iyengar extensively shot in the United States of America
• Tenali Rama, Aradhana, Ganayogi Panchakshari

TV Serial List

National Network

• An Indian in America
• Sahasrapan
• Stone Boy
• Tenali Rama
• O Nanna Belake
• Ganayogi Panchakshari

Regional Network

• Mussanje
• Namma Nammalli
• Tirugu Bana
• Sankranthi (megaserial)
• Aradhana
• Gelathi
• A variety of serials and other programs for Doordarshan, Udaya TV, SUN TV and others

Filmography

• He holds several records for many of his films. Like Janumada Jodi, had record silver jubilee theatrical run in most number of theatres across Karnataka; some more than 365 days. The film is a subject for study in the humanities by an American University.
• Directed a total of 36 films of which 18 films have received prestigious awards.
• Directed 4 children's films.
• Film fare awards 7 times as Best Director.
• Has won 10 National Awards (3 for National Integration)
• 23 State Awards (various categories)
• 8 of his films have secured Indian Panorama Entry in International Film Festivals.
• Has been on the Jury 4 times of the National Film Awards
• Represented India as Jury and his films have been featured in International Film Festivals in Manheim, Milan, Iran, Chicago, Armenia and Karlovy Vary.
• Allama, his film on 12th century saint, represented India at International U N Gandhi Medal. Also selected to Indian Panorama.
• Mysuru Mallige, is a first of its kind experimental film, completely based on the poems of poet K S Narasimhaswamy.
• He has made a host of short & documentary films for Films Division, Government of India and the State Govt.
• He was awarded the Puttanna Kanagal Award for Life Time Achievement by Govt of Karnataka.

As Director

Year	Film	Notes
1978	Grahana	National Film Awards1978- Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration -Best Film on National Integration, National Film Award for Best Screenplay – T S Nagabharana & T S Ranga Karnataka State Film Awards 1978-79 - First Best Film, Best Cinematographer (B&W) – S. Ramachandra Indian Panorama Entry in International Film Festivals.
1980	Bangarada Jinke
1982	Anveshane	Karnataka State Film Awards of 1982-83 - Third best film award
1982	Praya Praya Praya	Karnataka State Film Awards – 1982-83 Best Supporting Actress to Mamtha Rao
1983	Banker Margayya	National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada Based on the 1952 novel The Financial Expert by R. K. Narayan Karnataka State Film Award – Best Actor – Lokesh. Indian Panorama Entry in International Film Festivals.
1983	Prema Yuddha
1984	Onti Dwani
1984	Makkaliralavva Mane Thumba
1985	Aahuti
1985	Nethra Pallavi	Not released
1986	Nenapina Dhoni
1987	Ravana Rajya
1987	Sedina Sanchu	Also screenplay writer
1987	Aasphota	Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film, Best Supporting Actor – Dattanna. Karnataka State Film Award for Best Screenplay Filmfare Award for Best Film – Kannada Based on the novel Ayana by Manu (P. N. Rangan)
1989	Santha Shishunala Sharifa	Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration Karnataka State Film Award – Second Best Film, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor
1989	Surasundaranga
1989	Premagni
1991	Mysore Mallige	National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada Filmfare Award for Best Director – Kannada Inspiration for 1942: A Love Story Karnataka State Film Award – Second Best Film Indian Panorama Entry in International Film Festivals.
1991	Stone Boy	TV series & Film
1993	Chinnari Mutha	National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada Karnataka State Film Award – Best Children’s Film, Best Music Direction, Best Child Artist, Best Playback Singer Indian Panorama Entry in International Film Festivals.
1993	Aakasmika	Based on Ta Ra Su's trilogy Akasmika - Aparadhi - Parinama Karnataka State Film Award – Second Best Film Best Kannada Film Filmfare Also cameo appearance
1994	Sagara Deepa	Based on a novel of the same name by Veerappa Moily
1995	Naviddeve Echarike	Karnataka State Film Award for Best Children Film
1995	Janumada Jodi	Filmfare Award for Best Director – Kannada Based on the Gujarathi novel Malela Jiva by Pannalal Patel Karnataka State Film Award – Special Jury Award
1996	Nagamandala	Based on the play of same name by Girish Karnad Inspiration for Paheli Karnataka State Film Award- Second Best Film Filmfare – Best Director Indian Panorama Entry in International Film Festivals.
1997	Vimochane	Also actor, screenwriter
1999	Janumadatha
2001	Neela	Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film Indian Panorama Entry in International Film Festivals.
2002	Singaaravva	National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada Based on the novel Singaravva Mattu Aramane by Chandrashekhara Kambara Karnataka State Film Award – Best Art Director to Shashidhar Adapa Indian Panorama Entry in International Film Festivals.
2003	Chigurida Kanasu	Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Dialogue, Best Music. Based on the novel of same name by K. Shivaram Karanth Inspiration for Swades
2006	Kallarali Hoovagi	Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration Based on a novel of the same name by B. L. Venu Inspiration for Bajrangi Bhaijaan Karnataka State Film Award – Best Costume, Best Art Direction, Best Editing
2009	Nam Yajamanru
2012	Kamsaale Kaisaale	Karnataka State Film Award for Best Children Film
2014	Vasundhara
2017	Allama	64th National Film Awards - Best Music Direction (songs) — Bapu Padmanabha, Best Music Direction (background score) — Bapu Padmanabha, Best Make-up Artist — N. K. Ramakrishna Filmfare – Best Actor - Critics Award Indian Panorama Entry in International Film Festivals.
2018	Kaanoorayana

As Actor

Nagabharana has also acted in many movies. Some of them are-

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1983	Adi Shankaracharya	Mruthyu
1985	Accident	Ramanna
2001	Neela	Doctor
2008	Mr. Garagasa	Sharath
2011	Kirataka	Yash's father
2012	Kamsaale Kaisaale	As father
2014	Vasundhara	As villain
2014	Jai Lalitha	Srikantaiah
2016	Uppina Kaagada	Main protagonist
2018	K.G.F: Chapter 1	TV Chanel Owner

Achievements

Nagabharana has won nine National and 14 State awards.[11][10][12]

• Directed a total of 36 films of which 19 films have received prestigious awards & 4 are Children's films.
• 1st BRICS Film Festival Chairperson of Jury.
• Represented India as Jury and his films have been featured in International Film Festivals in Manheim, Milan, Iran, Chicago, Armenia, china and Karlovy Vary
• Jury member of Dadasaheb phalke Award at 64th National Film Award
• Executive Committee Member, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce - 3 years
• Chairman of Subsidy Committee for Films, Government of Karnataka
• President of Karnataka Film Directors’ Association
• ONLY director who has secured ENTRY in both Mainstream and Indian Panorama TWICE in 1993-1994 and 1995-1996 in International Film Festivals of India
• CIFEJ (‘Centre International de Film pour l’enfance et La Jeunesse’ meaning ‘International Centre of Films for Children and Youth’) Board Member for 13 years.
• Adarsh Film Institute Principal and Faculty
• Chairman, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy 2008-2012
• Member of the Central Censor Board since 2015
• Working as Administrator and teacher in Bharana Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA) school by encouraging and teaching students who are interested in Theatre and Film acting.

Awards and Nominations

Awards and nominations Award Wins Nominations National Film Awards 8 8 Karnataka State Film Awards 15 15 Filmfare Awards South 7 7

National Film Awards

List of movies, showing the year (award ceremony), film(s), award(s)
Year	Movie	Award	Refs.
1978 (26th)	Grahana	Best Film on National Integration	[13]
1978 (26th)	Grahana	Best Screenplay	[13]
1983 (31st)	Banker Margayya	Best Feature Film in Kannada	[14]
1989 (37th)	Santha Shishunala Sharifa	Best Film on National Integration	[15]
1991 (39th)	Mysore Mallige	Best Feature Film in Kannada	[16]
1993 (41st)	Chinnari Mutha	Best Feature Film in Kannada	[17]
2002 (50th)	Singaaravva	Best Feature Film in Kannada	[18]
2006 (54th)	Kallarali Hoovagi	Best Film on National Integration	[19]

Karnataka State Awards

List of movies, showing the year (award ceremony), film(s), award(s)
Year	Movie	Award	Refs.
1978-79	Grahana	Best Film (First)
1982-83	Anveshane	Best Film (Third)
1987-88	Aasphota	Best Film (First)
1987-88	Aasphota	Best Screenplay
1989-90	Santha Shishunala Sharifa	Best Film (Second)
1991-92	Mysore Mallige	Best Film (Second)
1993-94	Aakasmika	Best Film (Second)
1993-94	Chinnari Mutha	Best Children Film
1995-96	Naaviddivi Echcharike	Best Children Film
1996-97	Nagamandala	Best Film (Second)
1996-97	Janumada Jodi	Special Jury Award
1998-99	N/A	Puttanna Kanagal Award
2001-02	Neela	Best Film (Third)
2003-04	Chigurida Kanasu	Best Film (First)	[20]
		Best Director
2011	Kamsale Kaisale	Best Children Film

Filmfare Awards South

List of movies, showing the year (award ceremony), film(s), award(s)
Year	Movie	Award	Refs.
1988	Aasphota	Best Film – Kannada
1992	Mysore Mallige	Best Film – Kannada
1992	Mysore Mallige	Best Director – Kannada
1993	Aakasmika	Best Film – Kannada
1996	Janumada Jodi	Best Film – Kannada
1996	Janumada Jodi	Best Director – Kannada
1997	Nagamandala	Best Director – Kannada

Others

• Dhwani- Sriranga international Kannada theatre award for 2009 by Dhwani Pratishthana[21]
• T.S. Nagabharana occupies the crown of a hat trick of national integration award. Three of his films won the best Film on National Integration, and he is the only director in India to have won so.[22]
• He established Shruthalaya, an organisation for organising, writing, composing, camera work, lighting, art, acting, editing and directing.
• He also established Bharana Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA) and is the Managing Trustee.
• Directed Light & Sound programmes for Tourism Department of Govt. of India and Govt. of Karnataka at Mysore, Hampi, Kittur, and Srirangapattana.
• A doctoral thesis on his films was submitted by N K Padmanabha and was awarded.
• Several commemorative volumes have been dedicated to Nagabharana on various occasions.
• Nagabharana Film Festivals and Seminars on his works held on several occasions.

References

1. "Contributions of Kannada Cinema to Historical Dramas". web.archive.org. 1 July 2018.
2. "Top ten Kannada films to have been remade". The Times of India.
3. "Eight Bollywood movies that are actually remakes of South Indian films". Vogue India.
4. "ಭಜರಂಗಿ ಮತ್ತು ಕಲ್ಲರಳಿ..." Prajavani. 12 October 2015.
5. "Develop demand for quality films: Nagabharana - Times of India".
6. "Nagabharana appointed KDA chief". Deccan Herald. 15 October 2019.
7. "Nagabharana in College days".
8. "D A I J I W O R L D".
9. "ventures".
10. Khajane, Muralidhara. "Art, commercial categories artificial: Nagabharana".
11. "India club".
12. "D A I J I W O R L D".
13. "26th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
14. "31st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
15. "37th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
16. "39th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
17. "41st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
18. "50th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
19. "54th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
20. "Archive News". The Hindu.
21. "'Dhwani- Sriranga' award for Nagabharna".
22. "trick for TSN".

External links

• T. S. Nagabharana on IMDb