Vajramuni
Quick Facts
Biography
Vajramuni (10 May 1944 – 5 January 2006) was an Indian actor who appeared in Kannada films. He portrayed negative characters during most of his career and was considered one of Kannada cinema's finest actors. Over his career, he came to be known for his "thundering voice and sterling performance[s]" that earned him the sobriquets Nata Bhairava and Nata Bhayankara.
Vajramuni began his career as a stage actor and gained popularity with his portrayal of Ravana in Kanagal Prabhakar Shastri's play Prachanda Ravana. He made his film debut in 1969 with Puttanna Kanagal's Mallammana Pavada. His pairing with Rajkumar, with the latter as the lead, in the 1970s came to be widely appreciated, with films such as Sipayi Ramu (1972), Gandhada Gudi (1973), Sampathige Savaal (1974), Premada Kanike (1976), Bahaddur Gandu (1976), Giri Kanye (1977) and Shankar Guru (1978). Recognizing his contribution to Kannada cinema, he was awarded the Lifetime Contribution to Kannada Cinema Award in 2006.
Early life
Vajramuni was born as Sadananda Sagar on 10 May 1944 in the Kanakapalya of Bangalore. He was named after the Hindu deity Vajramuneshwara, that his members of his family were devotees of. His father Vajrappa was a corporator with the Bangalore City Municipality.
Career
Vajramuni was a college dropout and held a degree in cinematography. He was a product of the Kannada amateur theatre. He impressed Puttanna Kanagal with his performance as Ravana in Kanagal Prabhakar Shastri's play Prachanda Ravana who offered Vajramuni a role in the film Saavira Mettilu. The film however got shelved.
Kanagal eventually cast him in Mallammana Pavada, which would become Vajramuni's debut film as an actor. Producers insisted that Udaya Kumar would be a better choice to match to Shivaji Ganeshan who played the role in the Tamil version, but Puttanna insisted that it had to be Vajramuni. Vajramuni acted in a number of films such as Mayura, Sampathige Saval, Daari Tappida Maga, Premada Kanike, Giri Kanye, Shankar Guru and Aakasmika with Rajkumar.
Death
Having suffered from multiple diseases including chronic diabetes and protracted kidney-related illness, Vajramuni died on 5 January 2006, at 5:30 a.m in a private hospital in Bangalore.
Partial filmography
- Mallammana Pavada (1969)
- Gejje Pooje (1969)
- Sipayi Ramu (1971)
- Nyayave Devaru (1971)
- Thayi Devaru (1971)
- Bangaarada Manushya (1972) ... Keshava
- Kulla Agent 000 (1972)
- Bhale Huchcha (1972)
- Bidugade (1973)
- Mooroovare Vajragalu ... Duryodhana
- Sampathige Saval (1974)
- Bhakta Kumbara (1974)
- Bangaarada Panjara (1974)
- Mayura (1975)
- Kalla Kulla (1975)
- Daari Tappida Maga (1975)
- Premada Kanike (1976) ... Chandru
- Bahaddur Gandu (1976)
- Badavara Bandhu (1976)
- Baduku Bangaaravayithu (1976)
- Galate Samsara (1977)
- Giri Kanye (1977)
- Babruvahana (1977)
- Kiladi Kittu (1978)
- Kiladi Jodi (1978)
- Shankar Guru (1978)
- Operation Diamond Racket (1978)
- Sirithanakke Saval (1978)
- Sneha Sedu (1978)
- Muyyige Muyyi (1978)
- Huliya Haalina Mevu (1979)
- Nanobba Kalla (1979)
- Ravichandra (1980)
- Point Parimala (1980)
- Antha (1981)
- Bhaari Bharjari Bete (1981)
- Sahasa Simha (1982)
- Oorige Upakari (1982)
- Nanna Devaru (1982)
- Khadeema Kallaru (1982)
- Garuda Rekhe (1982)
- Benkiya Bale (1983)
- Hasida Hebbulli (1983)
- Nagabekamma Nagabeku (1983)
- Chakravyuha (1983)
- Thirugu Baana (1983)
- Muthaide Bhagya (1983)
- Gandu Bherunda (1984) ... Mark Abraham
- Prema Shakshi (1984)
- Male Banthu Male (1984)
- Taaliya Bhaagya (1984)
- Apoorva Sangama (1984)
- Vajra Mushti (1985)
- Maruthi Mahime (1985)
- Maduve Maadu Tamashe Nodu (1986)
- Brahmastra (1986)
- Satkaara (1986)
- Asha (1987)
- Thaliya Aane (1987)
- Sathyam Shivam Sundaram (1987)
- Sangliyana (1988)
- Vijaya Khadga (1988)
- Thaayi Karulu (1988)
- C.B.I. Shankar (1989)
- Onti Salaga (1989)
- Hongkongnalli Agent Amar (1989)
- Ranabheri (1990)
- Raja Kempu Roja (1990)
- Khiladi Tata (1990)
- Kaliyuga Bheema (1991)
- Durgashtami (1991)
- Gowri Kalyana (1991)
- Mysore Jaana (1992)
- Halli Krishna Delhi Radha (1992)
- Sahasi (1992)
- Hosa Kalla Hale Kulla (1992)
- Kanasina Rani (1992)
- Aakasmika (1993)
- Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege (1993)
- Mahendra Varma (1993)
- Kollura Sri Mookambika (1993) ... Mookasura
- Lockup Death (1994)
- Odahuttidavaru (1994)
- Bhairava (1994)
- Prem Path (1994)
- Musuku (1994)
- swathi(1994)
- Mister Mahesh Kumar (1994)
- Circle Inspector (1996)
- Dayadi (1998)
- Baalegara (2003)
Awards
- 1982–83: Best Supporting Actor — Bettale Seve
- 2005: Lifetime Contribution to Kannada Cinema Award