Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Nov 30: Veteran Sandalwood comedian M S Umesh, who was battling cancer, passed away at Kidwai Hospital here on Sunday, November 30 morning.

A few days ago, Umesh had slipped and fallen at home, suffering injuries to his leg and hip. He was immediately admitted to hospital, where doctors discovered that he was suffering from cancer. During surgery on his leg, doctors informed the family that he also had liver cancer. Umesh, who had been under treatment since then, breathed his last on Sunday.

Born on April 22, 1945 in Mysuru, Umesh was a beloved comedy artiste of Kannada theatre and cinema. His unique dialogues, expressions, and comic timing — such as “Ayyayyo ivru nanna apaartha maadkondbittralla… naaneenu beku anta haage maadlilla…” and “Helkollona andre nanna hendthi koooda oorallilve…” — had earned him a special place among Kannada film audiences.

Umesh was the son of A L Srikantaiah and Nanjamma. His inclination towards theatre began early, as he entered the stage as a toddler. He performed child roles with deep involvement, and senior artistes would encourage him by offering treats like rock sugar to help him get into the mood required for the scene.

After gaining maturity, his first major role was that of the son of King Bijjala in A N Krishna Rao’s play Jagajyoti Basaveshwara, staged by K Hirannaiah Mitra Mandali. Before this, he had already acted in several plays as a child artiste. He also performed with Gubbi Veeranna’s company, where his portrayal of Prahlada in Dashavatara earned him a 10-rupee reward from Masti Venkatesha Iyengar. Gubbi Veeranna, who trained him during his childhood, was one of his earliest mentors.

Umesh also worked as a child artiste in M C Mahadeva Swamy’s Kannada Theatres Company. Alongside acting, he mastered several musical instruments. He gained recognition as a piano player in Master Hirannaiah’s troupe, as a sketch artist, and as a harmonium player in N Srikanta Murthy’s drama company. He was also a singer.

For his role as ‘Thimmarayi’ in the anthology film Munitayi from Kathasangama, he won the Best Supporting Actor award. He received the Karnataka Nataka Academy Award in 1994 and the city corporation award in 1997. His autobiography Bannada Ghante received the Vishweshwarayya Pratishthana Award. His five decades of contribution to cinema were widely honoured by the film industry.

Umesh’s passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Kannada theatre and cinema.