Veteran theatre personality and actor C R Simha on Friday lost his 18-month battle with prostate cancer. He was 72.
Simha had been undergoing chemotherapy, and since his condition worsened last week, he was taken to Sevakshetra Hospital, where he continued to put up a fight. His condition continued to deteriorate, and he passed away around 3 pm.
Whether on the silver screen, small screen, on stage or behind the scenes, Simha seemed to have excelled himself.
Decades ago, he popularised ‘one-man shows’ in Bangalore through his banner Vedike.
Best known in the theatre world for his portrayal of Tughlaq in Karnad’s play, Simha, through his other troupe Nataranga, also brought to the stage Kannada translations of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Othello.
In cinema, he started with a small role in Samskara and was later known for his films like Mane Mane Ramayana, Nee Bareda Kadambari, Nee Thanda Kanike, Sharavegada Saradara, Ramapurada Ravana and Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege.
Senior actor Shivaram feels Simha was more like kin than a mere friend.
He says, “I’ve known him from the rangabhoomi (theatre) days. When I went away to Madras to do theatre, he made his foray into amateur theatre and performed plays mostly at National College.” He says that under the direction of late educationist H Narasimhaiah, he, Nani (Make-up Nani) and Simha would do a lot of plays with a few others.
“Simha was also part of many productions of Bangalore Little Theatre for which I was a founder member,” adds Shivram.
“I remember, after rehearsals and shows, we used to chat for hours under the light stand in front of his house. To us, days were like hours and hours like minutes. I have watched all his plays and felt that he has made his mark through most of his plays, including Tughlaq, Typical’ T P Kailasam, Rasarishi Kuvempu, which crossed a hundred shows, Karna and many more.”
“He has written some plays too. He had a great sense of humour. Most of all, he remained a good friend and a good human being.”
Shivram says Simha and his wife were a team. “You’d find her supporting him backstage,” he says.
Inspiration for Brother Srinath
Simha’s brother and actor Srinath considers him the inspiration for his foray into theatre.
“He was a great artiste who trained me and made me what I am today. He stood by me throughout. Today, I have lost somebody who has given direction to my life. I will tread the path he has pointed out and live up to his expectations. He was a king on stage. I will definitely miss my brother.”
The actor’s body will be kept for public viewing at Ravindra Kalakshetra on Saturday.
His last rites will be performed around 5.30 pm.