Dr. K.S.Aswath died last Night - Great loss to kannada Film Industry [Born: 25th May 1925 Death: 18th January 2010]
Shiva Kumar
2009 was a bad year for the Kannada film industry which saw the death of many great souls who had given new dimension to the process of acting in films. That included Dr. Vishnuvardhan whose sudden death on 30th December which had shocked millions of Kannada film fans. Now, another shocking news has saddened the Kannada film fans. K.S.Aswath, one of the best actors seen on Kannada screen is dead . He breathed his last at 2.00 A.M. on Monday morning leaving behind his wife Sharadha, two daughters and two sons including actor Shankar Aswath.
Dr. K.S.Aswath
Aswath who was born in Karaganahalli Village in Arakalagudu Taluk was Hassan district made a deep impact in the minds of Kannada film fans through many of heart touching performances. He was known for his professionalism and commitment towards his acting and was known for his honesty. He did not take even one paisa more than what he had asked for despite working more number of days for the film.
Other than his staying arrangements and his food expenses, K.S. Aswath was not burdening the producers with extra cost even if Kannada film fans are still to come to terms with this biggest shock and now we have heard the news of passing away of K.S.Aswath who is one of the most talented actors seen in the Kannada screen. Aswath’s death which has come just eighteen days after Vishnuvardhan's death may look like a sheer coincidence as both of them died in the wee hours or morning just around the same time (between 2.00 A.M. to 2.30 A.M). It was in the film Nagarahaavu directed by Puttanna that both Dr. Aswath and Dr. Vishnuvardhan gave memorable performances. While Vishnuvardhan was honoured with a honorary doctorate from the Mysore University, Aswath was honoured with a doctorate from Tumkur University.
Aswath’s death, though expected from many days since he did not show any improvement in his health condition has further saddened lacs of his fans and the film industry personalities. Already a shocked Kannada film industry fans and film personalities are moving towards Mysore to pay a fitting farewell for this great actor.
K.S.Aswath is known for his many outstanding performances in many memorable Kannada films. He had started his career as a hero in Kannada films through Stree Rathna which was released in 1956. Then he had acted in films like Pancha Rathna and Jenu Goodu. It was his performance in a film like Jenu Goodu directed by Y.R.Swamy which had given him a huge popularity after which he acted in many films in important character roles. He also performed villain’s roles in a few films like Jedara Bale and other films, but some how the fans did not like him to be featured in negative roles.
Subbarao Aswath Narayana was his real name and he had also participated in the freedom struggle for a few days. became popular with many of his portrayals as a character actor. He is one actor who had performed in many important roles in the films featuring legendary Kannada artists like Dr. Raj Kumar and Dr. Vishnuvardhan. He was certainly one of the most talented actors in the Kannada film industry. Later he did many films like Pancharathna, Jenu Goodu, Anna Thangi, Namma Makkalu and won many prestigious awards. He has been awarded a Honourary doctorate besdies the prestigious Dr. Raj Kumar award for acting excellence by the Government of Karnataka. He had also won the Best supporting actor award two times from the state government for his perforamnce in films like Namma Makkalu and Naagarahaavu. His last film was Sirivantha directed by S.Narayan released in 2006 which had Dr. Vishnuvardhan in the lead.
K.S.Aswath was known for his discipline and professionalism. He would go deep into teh characters he played. He started acting in many dramas before he ventured to act in films. His memorable role was that of Ranganna in the popular play Ashada Bhoothi.
K.S. Aswath had acted in more than 350 Kannada films in his four decade career. He had acted in many memorable roles in films like Nagarahaavu directed by Puttanna Kanagal, Sipaayi Ramu directed by Y.R. Swamy, Ondhe Balliya Hoogalu directed by M.S.Nayak, Nanda Deepa directed by M.R.Vittal, Hoovondu Beku Ballige directed by Phani Ramachandra, Sarvamangala directed by Chaduranga, Mududidha Thaavare Aralithu directed by K.V.Jayaram, Bhagyadha Lakshmi Baaramma directed by Singeetham Sreenivasa Rao, Shruthi Seridhaaga directed by M.S.Rajashekhar, Muththina Haara directed by S.V.Rajendra Singh Babu and many other films including Dr. Raj Kumar’s last film Shabdavedi directed by Dorai-Bhagawan.
A few years ago K.S. Aswath announced that he was retiring from the film industry as he was not interested to act in conditions when character actors were not getting good roles and they are being neglected by the young breed of directors and assistant directors. Aswath was so disciplined that he would ask the assistant director about his dialogues and scope of his role, but he was not getting any reply from them.
The Kannada film industry used the services of K.S.Aswath, but he never used the Kannada film industry for his personal benefit. For many years, his remuneration remained the same. He was taking a remuneration of Rs. 10000 and one film producer was willing to pay a little more since he had worked for some more days. But Aswath remained defiant and refused to accept more money.