R. Nagarathnamma
Indian theatre personality
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R. Nagarathnamma (1926–2012) was an Indian theatre personality and the founder of Stree Nataka Mandali, an all-women theatre group based in Bengaluru. A recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award,[1] she was honored by the Government of India, in 2012, with the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri.[2]
R. Nagarathnamma | |
|---|---|
Nagarathnamma receiving the Padma Shri Award from President Pratibha Patil in 2012 | |
| Born | 1926 |
| Died | 6 October 2012 (aged 85–86) |
| Occupation | Theatre personality |
| Years active | since 1938 |
| Children | two daughters and a son |
| Awards | Padma Shri Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Kannada Rajyotsava Prashasti Tagore Ratna Award Gubbi Veeranna Award |
| Website | Official web site |
Biography
Nagarathnamma was born in 1926[3] in a family with moderate financial means, in Mysore,[4] in the South Indian state of Karnataka.[5] She started working in professional theatre at the age of 12,[citation needed] working with such troupes as Sri Chamundeshwari Nataka Sabha, Gubbi Company run by Gubbi Veeranna, Mitra Mandali of Hirannaiah and HLN Simha.[5] Later, in 1958, Nagarathnamma established Stree Nataka Mandali,[4] reported to be the first all-women theatre troupe from Karnataka[5] where she performed as an actor and was the director of their plays.[3]
Nagarathnamma is known for her depiction of male characters, especially mythological ones.[6] She is credited with notable performances as Kamsa, Krishna, Ravana, Duryodhana and Bheema.[4][5] She has travelled in many other states in India with her troupe and Krishna Garudi is stated to be one of her major plays.[5] She has also acted in 15 Kannada and Tamil films,[citation needed] Kamanabillu, Parasangada Gendethimma and Rosapoo Ravikkaikari being some of the notable ones.[5]
Nagarathnamma died on 6 October 2012,[4] at the age of 87,[citation needed] after a brief period of illness.[citation needed]
Awards and recognitions
Nagarathnamma was a recipient of many awards such as Tagore Ratna Award[4] and Gubbi Veeranna Award.[citation needed] She has been honored by the Government of Karnataka with their second highest civilian award of Rajyotsava Prashasti.[citation needed] She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992.[1] In 2012, the Government of India included her in the Republic Day honours list for the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri.[2][4] She was also conferred Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna in 2012 as special awards to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.
