Noted Kannada theatre personality Master Hirannaiah died in the city on May 2 morning. He was 85 years old and was suffering from a liver complication. Hospitalised at BGS Global Hospital, he succumbed to his death on May 2 morning, sources said.
Narasimha Murthy hailing from Mysuru was the son of another theatre thespian K. Hirannaiah, who started K. Hirannaiah Mitra Mandali. Making his debut on the stage as a child, he went by the stage name Master Hirannaiah, a name that stuck till the end.
He took over the troupe K. Hirannaiah Mitra Mandali after his father’s death and ran it till date. His son Babu Hirannaiah now runs the troupe.
Master Hirannaiah was well known for his caustic barbs on the political class dipped in humour on stage from late 1960s. His mega hit play “Lanchavatara” had a free form where Master Hirannaiah included a commentary on the day’s politics making the play new with every staging.
The troupe has staged Lanchavatara from 1959 and has crossed over 11,000 shows. The play had the political class of the state come down on it heavily many times in its six decade run.
Hirannaiah was also known for his other plays – Makmal Topi, Anaachara, Bhrashtachara and Devadasi.
