Master Hirannaiah, Political Satirist and Actor who held mirror to power for 65 years, dies

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, May 02, 2019 : "Master" Hirannaiah, renowned Kannada theatre personality, satirist and stand-up comedian is no more. He was 85, News18 reported.

 

Hirannaiah, who also acted in several Kannada movies and television serials, was an iconic figure in Karnataka. Born Narasimhamurthy to a veteran theatre personality, Hirannaiah became "Master" Hirannaiah in Kannada entertainment field.

He revolutionised professional theatre in Kannada by bravely staging the plays against social evils and political corruption of his times. His play "Lanchavathara" a powerful statement on corruption has been staged over 10,000 times creating a record of sorts.

His other plays "Bhrastachara", "Kapi Mushti", "Athyachara" & "Nadu Beedi Narayana" are also landmarks in Kannada theatre.

His big break came during the draconian Emergency between 1975 & 1977. When most actors stopped acting or were afraid of criticising the government of Indira Gandhi, Hirannaiah took on her courageously by staging plays against the "murder" of democracy. He was proud of his act. He used to describe how he fought Emergency through his plays.

His own drama company - Hirannaiah Mithra Mandali - is a household name in Karnataka. His plays were always a big hit and it was almost impossible to get a ticket at times during the peak of his popularity in pre-television days.

Even though he had friends in all political parties, his acerbic tongue spared none. He took on all Karnataka chief minister, including S Nijalingappa, Devaraj Urs and R Gundurao. In the 1990s, he started acting in television serials. Some of them became big hits.

His stand-up comedy shows were also popular on the small screen.

A Brahmin from a conservative background, he was fond of alcohol had no inhibitions about making it public. He used to joke that his blood group is alcohol group. After a heart attack, he had stopped drinking. He was quiet active till recently and was full of life.

Condoling his death Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy described him as an icon of Kannada professional theatre. "He was a legend, a stalwart. A doyen of Kannada cultural field" he said.