BENGALURU: Popular theatre and movie artiste Master Hirannaiah, who had won the hearts of the masses with his satirical plays on politics and other facets of life, died at the BGS hospital in the city on Thursday after a prolonged liver disorder.
Gloom descended on the entire locality in Banashankari where the house of the artiste is located, as word spread about his death. Known for his gutsy dialogue delivery that even unnerved many a powerful politician, the 85-year-old was known to his neighbours and family as a man who was larger than life.
Born on February 15, 1934, he made a name for himself both in theatre and cinema and acted in over 30 movies. Among them, his play ‘Lanchavathara’ brought him much fame. He was a recipient of the Rajyotsava Award, Nataka Academy Award and Rangabhoomi Award.
While he was known for his political criticism, bigwigs from both the BJP and Congress, such as former Karnataka chief ministers Siddaramaiah and B S Yeddyurappa, former deputy chief minister R Ashoka and minister D K Shivakumar visited his home on Thursday.‘An orator who gripped his audience’ was the unanimous recollection by his family members.
“He was a powerful voice with no fear, ever-so jovial and laughing. And although thetree seems to have gone, the root is still deep in his wife,” said a doctor close to the family. His no-airs attitude was passed on to his children, along with his trademark wit and humour, said a friend of Hirannaiah’s daughter.
Sources close to the family recalled his fondness for rich Brahmin food. There were no cooks at home, unless it was a big occasion. His style of narration also kept the family together long after meals and functions. “At times, we’d sit around him, listening to his stories for about four hours,” said a relative of his wife Shanthamma.
“His agenda was to make sure everyone had a smile on their face, and that also reflected in his interaction with his grandchildren. His grip on words was such that even politicians like former CM Nijalingappa, who he publicly criticised on stage, would sit in the first row at his shows,” said Hirannaiah’s daughter-in-law Anjana. Master Hirannaiah is survived by his wife Shanthamma and five children — Babu Hirannaiah, who followed his father’s footsteps into theatre; Srikanth, an engineer settled in the USA; Gurunath, who runs BPO Central Institute; Sharadha, who runs a beauty parlour; and Geetha, school principal at Aira Academy.