Veteran Kannada actor Rajesh passes away

Times News Network
Bengaluru: Veteran actor Rajesh, fondly known as ‘Kala Thapasvi’, passed away on Saturday. The 89-year-old, who acted in over 150 movies in a career spanning four decades, was hospitalised a week ago for age-related ailments.
Born on April 15, 1932 as Munichowappa, he was renamed Vidhyasagar and then rechristened Rajesh.
Rajesh was deeply influenced by Thyagaraja Bhagawatar, TR Mahalingam and Rajakumari.He developed interest in theatre at a young age and would often say he’s going for classes, but would actually spend that time acting in plays. It was only when pamphlets of the plays landed at home that his parents got to know about his passion.
After his education, he worked as a typist and set up his drama troupe, Shakti Nataka Mandali. Filmmaker Hunsur Krishnamurthy was impressed by his acting skills and offered him a role in Veera Sankalpa.
Rajesh has acted in over 150 films, including Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha, Namma Ooru, Bhale Basava, Devara Makkalu. In 2014, his autobiography Kala Thapasvi Rajesh Atmakathe was released and Kannada Sahitya Parishat honoured him with Dr Rajkumar Cultural Endowment Award.