# K. S. Ashwath

Karaganahalli Subbaraya Ashwathanarayana (25 March 1925 – 18 January 2010) was an Indian veteran actor who appeared in Kannada films. He appeared in over 370 films during his five-decade-long career. His only memorial in the whole of Karnataka, India is in the Kengeri satellite town, Bengaluru. Memorial name - "K. S. Ashwath Memorial Children's Park".

## Early life

Ashwath was born on 25 March 1925 in Mysore city in the Kingdom of Mysore of British India as Karaganahalli Subbaraya Ashwathanarayana. He completed his primary education from Dalvoy School, Mysore. He then attained the Bachelor of Commerce degree from Maharaja's College, Mysore with seventh rank in the university. His formal education came to an end in 1942 as he joined the Indian freedom struggle. Two years later, he got a job as a Food Inspector. He later became a stenographer in the Deputy Commissioner's office and spent ten years in Government service.

## Career

Ashwath's acting began when he started participating in radio plays produced by Mysore All India Radio. His theatre career thus took off and played major roles in plays of A. N. Murthy Rao, Parvathavani and others. Film director K. Subramanyam, who saw him in one of these plays, selected him for a role in Streerathna in 1956, which was Ashwath's debut as a film actor. He was associated with a theatre group shripita .
In 1960, he played the role of a Swami in Kittur Chennamma with B. Saroja Devi in the lead role. In the same year, he played Narada in the hit Bhakta Prahlada. His role in Gali Gopura gave him an edge and helped shape his career as an artiste of immense calibre. Ashwath then got a role in the English film Seven Wonders of the World and even became the first Kannada actor to appear in a colour film.
Several of his films became big hits. His character role in Naagarahaavu as Chamayya meshtru(i.e., Chamayya Teacher) is still remembered and emulated. Another performance in the film Gange Gauri as Narada (the mythological son of Lord Vishnu) is remarkable in the style, rendering in his inimitable style. He accepted the roles of a father to many co-artistes of around his age as long as the character he was playing was strong. In all, he appeared in 370 films, of which 98 came in supportive roles in films with Rajkumar as the lead actor.

## Awards

* 1993-94 - Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award by the Karnataka Government.
* Honorary Doctorate: Ashwath was conferred an honorary doctorate from the Tumkur University in the year 2008 for his great contribution to the Kannada cinema for five long decades. He was supposedly the first actor to receive a doctorate from the Tumkur University. While receiving the award, Ashwath said he would dedicate this award to all his directors who brought out the actor in him.
* He is the recipient of 3 national awards.

## Filmography

* Shivasharane Nambiyakka (1955)
* Sthree Rathna (1955)
* Kacha Devayani (1956)
* Kokilavani (1956)
* Chinthamani (1957)
* Prabhulinga Leele (1957)
* Bhookailasa (1958)
* Anna Thangi (1958)
* Manege Banda Mahalakshmi (1959)
* Jagajyothi Basveshwara (1959)
* Mahishasura Mardini (1959)
* Shivalinga Sakshi (1960)
* Ranadheera Kanteerava (1960)
* Dashavathara (1960)
* Bhakta Kanakadasa (1960)
* Kitturu Chennamma (1961)
* Kaiwara Mahathme (1961)
* Nagarjuna (1961)
* Rathna Manjari (1962)
* Gaali Gopura (1962)
* Bhoodaana (1962)
* Swarna Gowri (1962)
* Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu (1962)
* Thayi Karalu (1962)
* Vidhivilasa (1962)
* Thejaswini (1962)
* Nanda Deepa (1963)
* Gowri (1963)
* Jeevana Tharanga (1963)
* Malli Maduve (1963)
* Kulavadhu (1963)
* Kalitharu Henne (1963)
* Veera Kesari (1963)
* Mana Mecchida Madadi (1963)
* Ananda Bhashpa (1963)
* Bangari (1963)
* Jenu Goodu (1963)
* Santha Thukaram (1963)
* Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha (1963)
* Sathi Shakthi (1963)
* Mangala Muhurtha (1964)
* Shivarathri Mahathme (1964)
* Navajeevana (1964)
* Annapoorna (1964)
* Thumbida Koda (1964)
* Shivagange Mahathme (1964)
* Muriyada Mane (1964)
* Prathigne (1964)
* Chinnada Gombe (1964)
* Pathiye Daiva (1964)
* Mane Aliya (1964)
* Beratha Jeeva (1965)
* Chandrahasa (1965)
* Sarvajna Murthy (1965)
* Sathya Harishchandra (1965)
* Mahasathi Anasuya (1965)
* Maavana Magalu (1965)
* Bettada Huli (1965)
* Sathi Savithri (1965)
* Miss Leelavathi (1965)
* Maduve Madi Nodu (1965)
* Mamatheya Bandhana (1966)
* Mahaashilpi (1966)
* Premamayi (1966)
* Deva Maanava (1966)
* Subba Shastry (1966)
* Madhu Malathi (1966)
* Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe (1966)
* Sandhya Raga (1966)
* Onde Balliya Hoogalu (1967)
* Anuradha (1967)
* Sathi Sukanya (1967)
* Gange Gowri (1967)
* Kallu Sakkare (1967)
* Belli Moda (1967)
* Muddu Meena (1967)
* Manassiddare Marga (1967)
* Sri Purandara Dasaru (1967)
* Dhana Pishachi (1967)
* Immadi Pulikeshi (1967)
* Jedara Bale (1968)...Rao Bahadur Narasimha Rao
* Gandhinagara (1968)
* Sarvamangala (1968)
* Bhagya Devathe (1968)
* Bangalore Mail (1968)
* Mamathe (1968)
* Bhagyada Bagilu (1968)
* Namma Ooru (1968)
* Dhoomakethu (1968)
* Amma (1968)
* Madhura Milana (1969)
* Namma Makkalu (1969)
* Kaadina Rahasya (1969)
* Eradu Mukha (1969)
* Choori Chikkanna (1969)
* Bhageerathi (1969)
* Kalpavruksha (1969)
* Bhale Raja (1969)
* Uyyale (1969)
* Ade Hrudaya Ade Mamathe (1969)
* Gruhalakshmi (1969)
* Ellellu Naane (1969)
* Manashanthi (1969)
* Mukunda Chandra (1969)
* Gejje Pooje (1970)
* Arishina Kumkuma (1970)
* Anireekshitha (1970)
* Aparajithe (1970)
* Mruthyu Panjaradalli Goodachari 555 (1970)
* Mooru Mutthugalu (1970)
* Namma Mane (1970)
* CID Rajanna (1970)
* Aaru Mooru Ombhatthu (1970)
* Seetha (1970)
* Sidila Mari (1971)
* Onde Kula Onde Daiva (1971)
* Kasturi Nivasa (1971)
* Sharapanjara (1971)
* Paapa Punya (1971)
* Naguva Hoovu (1971)
* Anugraha (1971)
* Namma Baduku (1971)
* Thayi Devaru (1971)
* Kalyani (1971)
* Bhale Adrushtavo Adrushta (1971)
* Thande Makkalu (1971)
* Mukthi (1971)
* Nyayave Devaru (1971)
* Sri Krishna Rukmini Sathyabhama (1971)
* Janma Rahasya (1972)
* Sipayi Ramu (1972)
* Vishakanye (1972)
* Utthara Dakshina (1972)
* Yaava Janmada Maitri (1972)
* Bhale Rani (1972)
* Hrudaya Sangama (1972)
* Naa Mecchida Huduga (1972)
* Nanda Gokula (1972)
* Bandhavya (1972)
* Jaga Mecchida Maga (1972)
* Mareyada Deepavali (1972)
* Naagarahaavu (1972)
* Sahadharmini (1973)
* Bidugade (1973)
* Doorada Betta (1973)
* Kaanada Kai (1973)
* Mooruvare Vajragalu (1973)
* Chamundeshwari Mahime (1974)
* Bangaarada Panjara (1974)
* Hemareddy Mallamma (1974)
* Eradu Kanasu (1974)
* Upasane (1974)
* Maha Thyaga (1974)
* Maga Mommaga (1974)
* Anna Atthige (1974)
* Devara Gudi (1975)
* Dari Thappida Maga (1975)
* Shubhamangala (1975)
* Kasthuri Vijaya (1975)
* Mane Belaku (1975)
* Kaveri (1975)
* Bhagya Jyothi (1975)
* Mayura (1975)
* Hennu Samsarada Kannu (1975)
* Aasha Soudha (1975)
* Devaru Kotta Vara (1976)
* Makkala Bhagya (1976)
* Baduku Bangaravayithu (1976)
* Besuge (1976)
* Mugiyada Kathe (1976)
* Raja Nanna Raja (1976)
* Bayalu Daari (1976)
* Bangarada Gudi (1976)
* Mangalya Bhagya (1976)
* Kanasu Nanasu (1976)
* Badavara Bandhu (1976)
* Sri Renukadevi Mahathme (1977)
* Sose Thanda Sowbhagya (1977)
* Shreemanthana Magalu (1977)
* Shani Prabhava (1977)
* Banashankari (1977)
* Veera Sindhoora Lakshmana (1977)
* Galate Samsara (1977)
* Havina Hejje (1978)
* Vamsha Jyothi (1978)
* Maathu Tappada Maga (1978)
* Mythri (1978)
* Muyyige Muyyi (1978)...Nataraj
* Sirithanakke Saval (1978)
* Nanna Prayashchittha (1978)
* Kiladi Jodi (1978)
* Vasantha Lakshmi (1978)
* Amarnath (1978)
* Sridevi (1978)
* Madhura Sangama (1978)
* Priya (1979)
* Naa Ninna Bidalaare (1979)
* Pakka Kalla (1979)
* Muyyi (1979)
* Putani Agent 123 (1979)
* Vijay Vikram (1979)
* Chandanada Gombe (1979)
* Nentaro Gantu Kallaro (1979)
* Honni Maduve (1979)
* Bhaktha Siriyala (1980)
* Nanna Rosha Nooru Varusha (1980)
* Dhairya Lakshmi (1980)
* Auto Raja (1980)
* Haddina Kannu (1980)
* Kappu Kola (1980)
* Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu (1980)
* Narada Vijaya (1980)
* Nammammana Sose (1980)
* Vasantha Geetha (1980)
* Janma Janmada Anubandha (1980)
* Nyaya Neethi Dharma (1980)
* Driver Hanumanthu (1980)
* Leader Vishwanath (1981)
* Chaya (1981)
* Etu Eduretu (1981)
* Gaali Maathu (1981)
* Geetha (1981)
* Nee Nanna Gellalare (1981)
* Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha (1981)
* Snehitara Savaal (1981)
* Bhagyavantha (1981)
* Prema Pallavi (1981)
* Dhairya Lakshmi (1981)
* Bhagyada Belaku (1981)
* Edeyooru Siddalingeshwara (1981)
* Lakshmi Prasanna (1981)
* Baadada Hoo (1982)
* Hosa Belaku (1982)
* Guna Nodi Hennu Kodu (1982)
* Parajitha (1982)
* Jimmy Gallu (1982)
* Nanna Devaru (1982)
* Chalisuva Modagalu (1982)
* Hasyarathna Ramakrishna (1982)
* Benkiya Bale (1983)
* Kaamana Billu (1983)
* Ibbani Karagithu (1983)
* Mududida Tavare Aralithu (1983)
* Gayathri Maduve (1983)
* Makkale Devaru (1983)...Gangadhar Rao
* Samarpane (1983)
* Eradu Rekhegalu (1984)
* Shravana Banthu (1984)
* Premave Baalina Belaku (1984)
* Ramapurada Ravana (1984)
* Runa Mukthalu (1984)
* Ajnathavasa (1984)
* Male Banthu Male (1984)
* Bilee Gulabi (1984)
* Aaradhane (1984)
* Bidugadeya Bedi (1985)
* Guru Jagadguru (1985)
* Shwetha Gulabi (1985)
* Lakshmi Kataksha (1985)
* Giri Baale (1985)
* Jwalamukhi (1985)
* Dhruva Thare (1985)
* Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma (1986)
* Karna (1986)
* Beegara Pandya (1986)
* Hennina Koogu (1986)
* Anuraga Aralithu (1986)
* Devathe (1986)
* Sundara Swapnagalu (1986)
* Aruna Raaga (1986)
* Bazar Bheema (1987)
* Karunamayi (1987)
* Agni Kanye (1987)
* Shubha Milana (1987)
* Shruthi Seridaaga (1987)
* Sathyam Shivam Sundaram (1987)
* Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara (1988)
* Shanthi Nivasa (1988)
* Nava Bharatha (1988)
* Bharath (1988)
* Samyuktha (1988)
* Jana Nayaka (1988)
* Devatha Manushya (1988)
* Mahadasohi Sharana Basava (1988)
* Mutthaide (1988)
* Daada (1988)
* Hongkongnalli Agent Amar (1989)
* Rudra (1989)
* Inspector Vikram (1989)
* Sharavegada Saradara (1989)
* Anthintha Gandu Nanalla (1989)
* Singari Bangari (1989)
* Gagana (1989)
* Abhimana (1989)
* Gajapathi Garvabhanga (1989)
* Yaaru Hone (1989)
* Aasegobba Meesegobba (1990)
* Mruthyunjaya (1990)
* Udbhava (1990)
* Muthina Haara (1990)
* Halliya Surasuraru]] (1990)
* Nigooda Rahasya (1990)
* Hrudaya Haadithu (1991)
* Aralida Hoovugalu]] (1991)
* Garuda Dhwaja (1991)
* Modada Mareyalli (1991)
* Jagadeka Veera (1991)
* Mathru Bhagya]] (1991)
* Kranthi Gandhi]] (1992)
* Rajadhiraja (1992)
* Sapthapadi (1992)
* Kanasina Rani (1992)
* Jeevana Chaitra (1992)
* Megha Mandara (1992)
* Belliyappa Bangarappa (1992)
* Halli Krishna Delhi Radha (1992)
* Mana Mecchida Sose (1992)
* Mannina Doni (1992)...Chandrashekhaiah
* Jaga Mecchida Huduga (1993)
* Mangalya Bandhana (1993)
* Anuragada Alegalu (1993)
* Vasantha Poornima (1993)
* Chira Bhandhavya (1993)
* Mane Devru (1993)
* Urvashi Kalyana (1993)
* Jeevana Sangharsha (1993)
* Munjaneya Manju (1993)
* Shrungara Raja (1993)
* Kalyana Rekhe (1993)
* Gejje Naada (1993)
* Kumkuma Bhagya (1993)
* Ananda Jyothi (1993)
* Bhagavan Sri Saibaba (1993)...Bharadvaja
* Hoovondu Beku Ballige (1993)
* Navibbaru Namagibbaru (1993)
* Roopayi Raja (1993)
* Musuku (1994)
* Odahuttidavaru (1994)
* Gandhada Gudi Part 2 (1994)
* Sammilana (1994)
* Makkala Sakshi (1994)
* Kaveri Theeradalli (1994)
* Indian (1994)
* Urvashi (1995)
* Prema Geethe (1997)
* Dalavayi (1999)
* Shabdavedhi (2000)
* Preethsu Thappenilla (2000)
* Nan Hendthi Chennagidale (2000)
* Naxalite (2000)
* Anjali Geethanjali (2001)
* Shaapa (2001)
* Entha Lokavaiah (2001)
* Law and Order (2002)
* Mutthu (2002)
* Idu Entha Lokavayya (2002)
* Nata (2002)
* Kiccha (2003)
* Preethisle Beku (2003)
* Karnana Sampatthu (2005)
* Sirivantha (2006)
* Saavira Mettilu (2006)
* Bhoopathi (2007)

## Death

Ashwath had been suffering from Vertebrobasilar insufficiency. On 11 January 2010 he was admitted to the B. M. Hospital, Mysore following his return from Kashi where he had developed urinary tract infection. His health deteriorated and he subsequently died at 2:15 a.m. on 18 January following a cardiac arrest. He was cremated at the foothills of Chamundi hills in Mysore.