Hunsur Krishnamurthy

Hunsur Krishnamurthy (9 February 1914 – 13 January 1989) was an Indian playwright, film director, producer, actor, screenwriter, and lyricist who worked primarily in Kannada cinema and theatre.

He was born in Hunsur, Karnataka, India (some sources also list Mysore as his birthplace). His father's name was Rajaraya and his mother's name was Padmavathamma.

He grew up listening to his mother's mythological stories, which deeply influenced his later work in both theatre and film. He enrolled in high school in Mysore and developed a strong interest in extracurricular activities, particularly theatre.

Full Name	Hunsur Krishnamurthy
Occupation	Playwright/Film Director/Producer/Actor/Screenwriter/Lyricist
Date of Birth	09-February-1914 (75 years)
Birth Location	Hunsur, Kingdom of Mysore, British India
Gender	Male
Nationality	India
Zodiac Sign	Aquarius
Death Time	13-February-1989
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Black

During a school day program, he won a Rs. 101 prize for his acting performance in a play, and from then he focused more on theatre than on his academic studies.

He eventually went to Mumbai to pursue his passion for acting, joining the "Balagandharva Nataka Sabha" under Krishna Rao, where he learned singing and instrumental music. He also trained in acting and various aspects of theatre production by working with professional theatre companies of Pendarkar and Sir Naik.

Hunsur Krishnamurthy mostly made mythological films, including notable works such as Satya Harishchandra (1965), Bhakta Kumbara (1974), and Babruvahana (1977).

He also wrote plays such as Swarga Samrajya. His film Satya Harishchandra won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada, and he received the award for Third Best Kannada Film for Maduve Madi Nodu. He also earned Karnataka State Film Awards for Best Dialogue Writer for Boothayyana Maga Ayyu and Edeyooru Siddalingeshwara.

His extensive filmography includes directing over 30 films from the 1950s through the 1980s, beginning with Sri Krishna Garudi (1958) and continuing with works like Ashaa Sundari (1960), Rathna Manjari (1962), Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe (1966), Devara Gedda Manava (1967), Devuni Gelichina Manavudu (1967), Jaga Mechida Maga (1972), Bhale Kiladi (1970), Bhaktha Siriyala (1980), Bhakta Gnanadeva (1982, 1992), Siddhalingeshwara Mahima (1984), and Shiv Kanya (1985).

In Babruvahana, he cast Rajkumar in a dual role as Arjuna and his son. Bhakta Kumbhara (1974), based on the life of Gora Kumbhar, a 13th-14th century potter who became a saint featured Balkrishna, Leelavathi, Rajkumar, and other prominent Kannada actors.

Hunsur Krishnamurthy passed away on 13 January 1989, leaving behind a significant legacy in Kannada theatre and cinema as a versatile artist who excelled in multiple roles.