Vishnuvardhan (Kannada: ವಿಷ್ಣುವರ್ಧನ್) was a popular actor and singer in the Indian state of Karnataka. He is popularly regarded as having been one of the most versatile, talented, stylish and popular actors in the Kannada film industry. His role in romantic, action, emotional, music, comedy or family dramas have been widely popular. Born Sampath Kumar, he adopted the name Vishnuvardhan at the insistence of Puttanna Kanagal, who directed his maiden film Nagarahavu.
Vishnuvardhan(real name is sampat kumar) was born to Late Sri. H.L. Narayana Rao and Late Smt. Kamakshamma. His father was an artist and a film script writer. His family made a living in Mysore’s Chamundipura. In those days, his father was well known for his collection of Musical instruments and taught dancing. In fact, one of Vishnu’s sister, Smt. Ramaramachandra was a Kathak dancer, who was praised by the then King of Mysore, Late Sri.Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar.
Vishnuvardhan was married to Kannada actress Bharathi on 27 February 1975 at Kuchalamba Kalyana Mantapa in Bangalore. He had two adopted daughters, Keerthi and Chandana.
He started his career with the National Award winning movie Vamshavruksha directed by Girish Karnad but Nagarahaavu directed by Puttanna Kanagal, in which he played lead role for the first time, made him an overnight star. Three and half decades of career and a variety of popular roles in more than 195 films speak high about his caliber as an actor. Some of his all-time hits are Naagarahaavu ,Muthina Haara, Hombisilu, Sahasa Simha, Bandhana, Naagara Hole, Nishkarsha, Yajamana, Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu & Apthamitra.
He started singing in movies occasionally and of late, he has started singing devotional songs for albums. The first song he sang was in the movie Nagarahole. The first devotional album sung by him was on “Lord Ayappa” and the title of the album was “Jyothiroopa Ayappa” and was a big hit. His other albums were “Thayi Bhanashankari” on goddess Banashankari. One more album on Ayappa called Vishwapremi Ayappa.
Vishnuvardhan breathed his last on December 30, 2009, due to a massive cardiac arrest, at 2:30 AM in Vikram Hospital, Mysore, Karnataka, India. His death is a huge loss to the people of Karnataka. He leaves behind his wife, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, and two adopted daughters, Keerthi and Chandana.
Tags: Bharathi, Vishnuvardhan
September 8th, 2010 at 10:22 am
I can’t but agree.I always wanted to write in my site something like that but I guess you’r faster.
October 6th, 2010 at 4:42 am
I really like your content pieces here but the Rss has a handful of XML errors that you really should correct. Excellent weblog nevertheless!
August 28th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
I’ve been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.