churumuri.com records the demise of the Kannada thespian Karagadahalli Subbarao Ashwath, known to the film-going world as K.S. Ashwath, in Mysore this morning. He was 85 years old and had been ailing the last few days.
In a career spanning a little over 50 years, Chamayya meshtru starred in nearly 370 films.
After his 1995 retirement, Ashwath’s tranquil figure on the jagali of his Sarawathipuram residence, watching the passing parade of life in an old-style banian with pockets, was a reassuring sight for sore eyes.
Photograph: K.S. Ashwath‘s wife Sharadamma bids a final farewell to her companion for life (Karnataka Photo News)
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Also read: A lonely Sankranthi for namma Chamayya meshtru
One of the decent actors I have ever seen in the Kannada Film fraternity. I remember meeting him in Mysore in 1986 when he attended a marriage in a choultry attached to my hostel. We were so enthusiastic that all of us Hostel mates (about 30 of us) ran up to him to shake his hand – and believe me, he did that with grace to all of us.
One of my hostel mate who was studying journalism happened to ask him on his thoughts on movies – he replied with a tinge of sadness – “those days of having a decent movie is gone. I see even women folks talking in double language (and he specifically mentioned actress who recently claimed a National award) & I do not know how would the films coming 20 years down the line would be!”
True to his words, the expertise of most Kannada films have waded below the belt level….
To sum up, I really cannot forget the only occasion I happened to meet him and I cherish it even after almost 25 years!
Dr. KS Ashwath – R.I.P.
Sad to know that Ashwath is no more. One of the finest actors and a human being, who belonged to the older generation which emphasised and followed the virtuous values. May his Soul Rest in Peace.
We will never see another Ashwath of his caliber.
The passing away of C.Ashwath, Vishnu and now Ashwath in a span of 20days is a great loss for the state.
370 films
370 movies. what an amazing acheivement.
A natural actor who had a powerful presence on the screen. We will miss the benevolent rich rao bahadur, the arrogant businessman,the suffering father, the gentle teacher, the village priest and all the other innumerable roles he played. He even romanced pandaribai in one of the movies.
Difficult to choose but three of my favourite movies of Ashwath apart from Nagarahavu’s Chammayya mestru –
The head of the family in Subbashastri. A film adaptation of A N Murthy Rao’s Ashadabhooti. He gets conned by the wily shastri.
The priest in udhbhava who knows the whole deceptive plot. But still goes on with the story.
The caughing doctor of Shubamangala
RIP Ashwath Aware.
An exemplary gentleman – though curious about his son.
He was more of a real life character than a reel life one.
Lot to learn for modern meshtrus aka womanizers like Nagathihalli from this thespian.
ಬಾಲಕೃಷ್ಣ, ಅಶ್ವಥ್, ಸಂಪತ್ ಅಂಥವರ ಕಲಾವಿದರು ಸಿಗುವುದು ಲಕ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ಒಬ್ಬರು. ಅವರು ಅಭಿನಯಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಪಾತ್ರಗಳಿಗೆ ಜೀವ ತುಂಬುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರ ಆತ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ಶಾಂತಿ ಸಿಗಲಿ.
What an actor!! His roles in Bangarada Panjara & NaagaraHaavu are etched in my memories….
Thank You for bringing life into the characters & may your soul R.I.P
One of the finest actors is no more. Its a void that is hard to fill. May the soul rest in peace.
TS Satyan, Vishnuvardhan, KS Ashwath, all from Mysore, hit page one.
Great Mysoreans…
One of the most versatile actors in the Kannada industry whose very visage stood out for compassion is today lost to this industry I think the golden era is coming to a close how sad.
A great actor and a great human being.
May his soul rest in peace and may his family muster courage to bear this unbearable loss.
Alas, we are left with mediocre actors from the first family when really talented actors are passing away:(
felt very very sad reading this news…a great loss
ಕಲಾವಿದ, ಮಾಂತ್ರಿಕ, ಮಾನವ…ಜನುಮ ಸಾರ್ಥಕ!!!
Hegiddha Kannada Chitraranga, Hegaagidhe!! Today most Kannada movies have become vulgar, even the decent ones are no patch on the classics that were once made in Kannada..
Sad state of affair. Death of stalwarts like Ashwath makes it even more depressing. :-(
excellent actor….he will always be in our hearts….
Subba Sastry is indeed one of the finest movies of Ashwath… hats off to the greatest actor who carved a dignity for supporting actors!!! his pairing with Pandari Bai or Leelavati is something which cannot be forgotten….
Very sad news.
among his many many great roles, I like Kasturi Nivasa. he speaks very little throughout the movie, but his anguish in the climax is really heartfelt. Always brings tears to eyes.
One role which I would have loved him perform is the head of family in Hannele chiguridaga. Didn’t like nagendra rao’s performance in that. While reading the book, always pictured Ashwat in that role.
I always loved Ashwath acting .
Subba shastry , Sharapanjara Mududida thavare Aralithu,benkiya Bale
etc all stand out .
A very gentle soul
The everlasting memory of Ashwath (and Sampath Kumar) will be the dignity that he brought to his supporting roles as father, brother, etc. Pity we lost him in the 90s itself when he stopped acting.
It’s ironic that in real life Chamayya mestru has followed Ramachari, when in reel life Ramachari follows Chamayya mestru.
A couple of my friends and I have been having a private film festival of sorts featuring Ashwath- Sati Shakti, Bili Hendthi, Jenu Goodu, Gejje pooje, Uyyale, Bhagyavanta, Kappu Bilupu, Subba Shastry, Naa mechida huduga- all we could do is give thanks to Providence for giving such momnets of dignity and character to Kannada cinema through Ashwath.
one of the finest artist of this planet. a rare celestial being.
NO WORDS TO EXPRESS THE LOSS, but the contribution of this legend is too big to fade. The roles he played were brought to life and none can match him in this art, he is one in a millennium! THANK YOU SIR! for enriching the kannada film industry, entertaining the kannada audiences and the contribution, the legacy hopefully will be carried forever.
A great loss to kannada filmdom..Great artist and Great Human being..may your soul rest in peace…:'(