# Udaykumar

Bommasandra Srinivasaiah Suryanarayana Murthy (16 March 1933 – 26 December 1985), known by his screen name Uday Kumar, was an Indian actor and producer in Kannada cinema. Along with Kalyan Kumar and Rajkumar, he was referred to as the Kumarathrayaru (meaning "the three Kumars") of Kannada cinema. He was a writer, authoring numerous dramas and books. He also performed a broad range of roles and worked with all the prominent actors of his time. Early in his career, he portrayed heroic characters, later transitioning to more nuanced villainous roles, often countering Rajkumar's heroic persona in historical and mythological films.

## Early life

Uday Kumar was born into a Brahmin family on 5 March 1933, though some sources suggest 16 March 1933 as an alternative date. He was the second of four children and the only son of B. S. Srinivasaiah and Sharadamma, alongside his three sisters. The family's roots trace back to Andhra Pradesh, with their ancestors relocated to Karnataka approximately 200 years before Udaykumar's birth.
He completed his primary education in the villages of Helaine and Muthanallur near the Sarjapura village in Bangalore and pursued secondary education in Anekal. During this time, he actively participated in school cultural activities and contests.
After unsuccessfully attempting the matriculation exams, Uday Kumar married Kamalamma at age 20. He then worked as a physical education teacher at a school in Anekal before moving to Bangalore city on the advice of a friend. There he joined the theatre company of Gubbi Veeranna, marking the beginning of his acting career.

## Film career

In 1954, while working on the script for Bhagyodaya, story and screenwriter Kanagal Prabhakar Shastry sought a lead actor for the film. During this time, Uday Kumar was performing as Buddha on stage in Mandya with Gubbi Veeranna's theatre troupe. Impressed by his performance, S. K. Bhagavan, Shastry's assistant, offered him the lead role and he was cast for the part after a successful screen test. Shastry also gave him the screen name Uday Kumar, inspired by the film's title and the production banner, Udaya Productions.
Nicknamed "Gandugali" Uday Kumar appeared in 193 feature films, including 171 in Kannada, 15 in Telugu, 6 in Tamil, and one in Hindi. He received numerous regional and national awards for his performances, particularly in Kannada cinema.
Uday Kumar was a vocal proponent of the unification of Kannadigas as a leader and orator. He worked alongside well-known figures such as Ma. Ramamurthy (the designer of the Kannada flag), Aa. Na. Kru (A. N. Krishna Rao), Thirumale Shriranga Tatacharya (of the Karnataka Navodaya movement), Ta. Su. Shama Rao, Dr. Ha. Ma. Nayak, Ta. Ra. Su., and others dedicated to the welfare of the Kannada language and the people of Karnataka. Through his travels, writings, and public speeches, Udaykumar contributed to the cultural and linguistic pride of Karnataka.
Uday Kumar founded Udaya Kalanikethana, a training institute for theatrical arts and film acting, as part of his efforts to promote the arts. He also provided support to underprivileged professional theatre organizations. Starting in 1960, he dedicated at least one week each month to performing plays across Karnataka, showcasing his commitment to fostering the performing arts.
In 2005, on Uday Kumar's 73rd birthday, the registered charitable trust Pavanasutha Kesari Kalaa Shalaa was founded during a cultural event titled Udaya-73 Ondu Savinenapu. The event took place in his birthplace, Anekal Bangalore. The trust, established by Mr. Vikram Udaykumar, focuses on social and cultural services. It has founded a formal educational institution called P.S.M. School, in Anekal and a cultural school, Kalaashaala, which provides training in classical music and performing arts, including Bharatanatyam. The trust’s activities include formal education, nurturing rural talent in performing arts, and organizing state-level drama competitions. These initiatives aim to foster cultural and artistic growth.

## Filmography

* All films are in Kannada unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Film | Role(s) | Notes |
| 1956 | Bhagyodaya | | |
| 1956 | Daiva Sankalpa | | |
| 1956 | Panchratna | Ishwara | |
| 1957 | Varadakshine | Raghu | |
| 1957 | Bettada Kalla | Bhairava | |
| 1957 | Rathnagiri Rahasya | Rajkumar Chakravarthy | |
| 1957 | Premada Putri | | |
| 1958 | Bhakta Prahlada | | |
| 1958 | Mane Thumbida Hennu | | |
| 1958 | School Master | Ravikumar | |
| 1958 | Sengottai Singam | Singam | Tamil film |
| 1959 | Mahishasura Mardini | Rambhesha | |
| 1959 | Veer Bhaskaradu | | Telugu film |
| 1960 | Yanai Paagan | | Tamil film |
| 1960 | Dashavathara | Kamsa | |
| 1960 | Ivan Avanethan | | Tamil film |
| 1960 | Ranadheera Kanteerava | Vishwanatha Shastry | |
| 1960 | Bhakta Kanakadasa | | |
| 1960 | Shivalinga Sakshi | | |
| 1961 | Mahavat | | |
| 1961 | Vijayanagarada Veeraputhra | | |
| 1961 | Raja Satya Vrata | | |
| 1961 | Sita Rama Kalyanam | Kumbhakarna | Telugu film |
| 1962 | Rathna Manjari | | |
| 1962 | Gaali Gopura | | Cameo |
| 1962 | Vidhivilasa | | |
| 1962 | Thayi Karulu | | |
| 1962 | Bhoodana | Rama | |
| 1962 | Nanda Deepa | Ravi | |
| 1962 | Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu | Ranganna | |
| 1963 | Santha Thukaram | | |
| 1963 | Jenu Goodu | Rajanna | |
| 1963 | Chandra Kumara | | |
| 1963 | Veera Kesari | | |
| 1963 | Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha | | |
| 1963 | Bevu Bella | | |
| 1963 | Mana Mecchida Madadi | Devarajayya | |
| 1963 | Malli Maduve | | |
| 1964 | Amarashilpi Jakanachari | | |
| 1964 | Chandavalliya Thota | Sivananjaya Gowda | |
| 1964 | Kalaavati | Suresh | |
| 1964 | Naandi | | Cameo |
| 1965 | Miss Leelavathi | Kapanipathi Rao | Cameo |
| 1965 | Veera Vikrama | | |
| 1965 | Chandrahasa | Shekhara | |
| 1965 | Kavaleradu Kulavondu | | |
| 1965 | Ide Mahasudina | Raja | |
| 1965 | Maduve Madi Nodu | Bheemanna | |
| 1965 | Bettada Huli | Bhairava | |
| 1965 | Sathi Savithri | | |
| 1965 | Satya Harishchandra | Vishvamitra | |
| 1965 | Pathivratha | | |
| 1965 | Vathsalya | Anand | |
| 1966 | Deva Maanava | | |
| 1966 | Madhu Malathi | | |
| 1966 | Sandhya Raga | Rama | |
| 1966 | Katari Veera | | |
| 1966 | Mohini Bhasmasura | Shiva | |
| 1966 | Badukuva Daari | | |
| 1966 | Mane Katti Nodu | | |
| 1966 | Mantralaya Mahatme | Thimmanna Bhat | |
| 1966 | Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam | Bhima | |
| 1967 | Rajadurgada Rahasya | | |
| 1967 | Padavidhara | | |
| 1967 | Immadi Pulakeshi | Kubja Vishnuvardhana | |
| 1967 | Parvathi Kalyana | Narada | |
| 1967 | Bangarada Hoovu | Ravi | |
| 1967 | Sathi Sukanya | | |
| 1967 | Rajashekara | Jagamalla | |
| 1967 | Chakra Theertha | Kashipathaiah | |
| 1967 | Sri Purandara Dasaru | Vyasatirtha | |
| 1968 | Hoovu Mullu | Bhima | |
| 1968 | Arunodaya | | |
| 1968 | Simha Swapna | | |
| 1968 | Anna Thamma | | |
| 1968 | Dhoomakethu | | |
| 1968 | Mysore Tanga | | |
| 1968 | Maneye Maha Mandira | | |
| 1968 | Namma Ooru | | |
| 1968 | Jedara Bale | Gopinath Kumar | |
| 1968 | Mahasathi Arundathi | | |
| 1968 | Naane Bhagyavati | | |
| 1969 | Chaduranga | | |
| 1969 | Bhale Basava | Basava | |
| 1969 | Maduve Maduve Maduve | | |
| 1969 | Ade Hridaya Ade Mamathe | | |
| 1969 | Mathrubhoomi | | |
| 1969 | Madhura Milana | Ramesh | |
| 1969 | Kalpa Vruksha | | |
| 1969 | Mukunda Chandra | | |
| 1969 | Odahuttidavaru | Sundar | |
| 1969 | Shiva Bhakta | | |
| 1969 | Makkale Manege Manikya | | |
| 1969 | Bhagirathi | | |
| 1970 | Takka Bitre Sikka | | |
| 1970 | Kallara Kalla | Shankar | |
| 1970 | Hasiru Thorana | Suri | |
| 1970 | Aaru Mooru Ombhatthu | | |
| 1970 | Mrityu Panjaradalli Goodarachari 555 | Bhaskar | |
| 1970 | Sedige Sedu | | |
| 1970 | Mukti | | |
| 1970 | Rangamahal Rahasya | Kumar | |
| 1970 | Prateekaara | | |
| 1970 | Modala Rathri | C.B.I. Head | |
| 1971 | Sidila Mari | | |
| 1971 | Bhale Rani | | |
| 1971 | Jatakarathna Gunda Joisa | | |
| 1971 | Bhale Bhaskar | | |
| 1971 | Samshaya Phala | | |
| 1971 | Kasidre Kailasa | Ramu | |
| 1971 | Purnima | | |
| 1971 | Signalman Siddappa | | |
| 1971 | Mahadimane | | |
| 1972 | Kulla Agent 000 | | |
| 1972 | Kaanch Aur Heera | | |
| 1972 | Nari Munidare Mari | | |
| 1973 | Bettada Bhairava | | |
| 1973 | Mannina Magalu | | |
| 1973 | Cowboy Kulla | | |
| 1973 | Bharathada Rathna | | |
| 1973 | Triveni | | |
| 1973 | Prema Paasha | | |
| 1974 | Chamundeshwari Mahime | | |
| 1974 | Nanu Baalabeku | Ramanath | |
| 1975 | Sarpa Kavalu | | |
| 1975 | Ashirwada | | |
| 1975 | Bili Hendthi | | |
| 1975 | Jagruthi | | |
| 1975 | Mantra Shakti | | |
| 1976 | Sutrada Bombe | | |
| 1976 | Rajanarthakiya Rahasya | | |
| 1977 | Banashankari | | |
| 1977 | Shani Prabhava | | |
| 1977 | Hemavathi | | |
| 1977 | Shri Renukadavi Mahatme | | |
| 1977 | Srimanthana Magalu | | |
| 1978 | Maathu Tappada Maga | Diamonds smuggler | |
| 1978 | Madhura Sangama | | |
| 1978 | Parashuraman | | |
| 1978 | Bhale Huduga | | |
| 1978 | Devadasi | | |
| 1979 | Putani Agent 123 | | |
| 1979 | Seetharamu | | |
| 1980 | Vajrada Jalapatha | | |
| 1980 | Maria My Darling | Mahadeva / "Ramdas" | |
| 1980 | Moogana Sedu | Papanna | |
| 1980 | Chitrakoota | | |
| 1980 | Kaalinga | Vinayak Patil | |
| 1981 | Kula Puthra | | |
| 1981 | Garjane | | |
| 1981 | Thayiya Madilalli | | |
| 1982 | Sahasa Simha | Chaudhary | Cameo |
| 1982 | Mava Sose Saval | | |
| 1982 | Kempu Hori | | |
| 1983 | Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige | Aparna's father | |
| 1983 | Maga Maharaju | | Telugu film |
| 1983 | Bhayankara Bhasmasura | | |
| 1983 | Devara Theerpu | | |
| 1983 | Kalluveene Nudiyithu | | |
| 1984 | Gandu Bherunda | | |
| 1984 | Agni Gundam | | |
| 1984 | Kanoonige Saval | Public Prosecutor | |
| 1984 | Bharyamani | | Telugu film |
| 1984 | Maryade Mahalu | | |
| 1984 | Police Papanna | | |
| 1984 | Ee Charitra Inkennallu | | Telugu film |
| 1985 | Vishakanya | Kapala Bhairava | |
| 1985 | Pithamaha | | |
| 1985 | Havu Eni Aata | | |
| 1985 | Lakshmi Kataksha | Narayanadasa | |
| 1988 | Varna Chakra | | |

## Awards

* 1967–68 – Best Supporting Actor
* 1977–78 – Best Supporting Actor