The veteran Kannada film actor ‘Kalathapasvi’ Rajesh is no more

Karnataka : Kannada film actor ‘Kalatapasvi’ Rajesh is reported to have died on Saturday. 

Actor Rajesh, who is suffering from a serious illness, was admitted to a hospital in Bangalore. However, he died at around 2.30 am today, reports said.

Rajesh was 89 years old. Rajesh, who is suffering from kidney failure and age-related ailment, was treated at a hospital in Kasturba, Bangalore. 

Actor Rajesh was born in Bengaluru. His real name is Muni Chowdappa. Muni Chowdappa entered theater at an early age. Unbeknownst to his father-in-law, Muni Chaudhappa, who belonged to the ‘Sudarshan Drama Board’, identified himself with the name ‘Vidyasagar’. 

Vidyasagar later formed his own Shakti Drama Board. Vidyasagar has attracted attention through plays like ‘Unemployed Balu’, ‘Poor Man’, ‘Poison Serpent’, ‘Nanda Deepa’, ‘Chandrodaya’ and ‘Kittur Rani Chennamma’.

Desiring to become an actor, Rajesh started working as a typist and typewriter in the PWD department.

Vidyasagar, who made his own mark in the theater, was introduced to Kannada cinema by Vunasoor Krishnamurthy through the movie ‘Veera Sankalpa’.

Vidyasagar, who was on a 15-day sabbatical and went to Madras, was involved in the ‘Veera Sankalpa’ shooting. From there, Vidyasagar began looking for opportunities. Vidyasagar also acted in ‘Sri Ramanjaneya War’ and ‘Gange Gauri’.

In 1968, he changed his name from Vidyasagar to Rajesh in the film ‘Namma Oru’. Actor Rajesh’s career has been a turning point in ‘Namma Ururu’. CV Sivashankar’s ‘Nam Ooru’ was a super hit. Actor Rajesh has also gained popularity in the film.