Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Varadaraj (also known as S. P. Varadappa,[a] 1935 – 8 February 2006) was an Indian actor and producer in Kannada cinema. He produced films such as Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu starring Lokesh, and Hemavathi starring Udaykumar.[1]

S. P. Varadappa
Born
Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Varadaraj

1935
Died8 February 2006(2006-02-08) (aged 70–71)
Bangalore, India
NationalityIndian
Other namesVaradappa
Occupation(s)Film producer, actor
FamilyRajkumar (brother)
Sharadamma (sister)

He was an architect in shaping up Sri Vajreshwari Combines, one of the most successful banners in the Kannada film industry, under which his sister-in-law Parvathamma Rajkumar produced films starring his brother Rajkumar, and his sons Shiv RajKumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar, and Puneeth Rajkumar.[2][3]

Biography

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He was born at Gajanur – situated in the KarnatakaTamil Nadu border – to Singanalluru Puttaswamayya, a theatre-artist, and Lakshmamma as a third child; Rajkumar, a Kannada film icon, is his elder brother while Sharadamma and Nagamma) are his sisters.[4]

He began his career as an actor part of Gubbi company (drama troupe) along with his father, elder brother – S.P. Muthuraj – popularly known as Rajkumar – and his younger sister. Later, he acted in couple of movies as a child artist in Makaranda and Krishnaleela. As an adult, he played minor roles in Kannada movies such as Sarvagnamoorthy released in 1965, Satishakti, and Dharma Vijaya released in 1959, in which his brother Rajkumar played a lead role. He produced Bhootayyana Maga Aiyyu and Hemavathi movies along with his friend – Chandulal Jain.[1][5][6]

Varadappa[Varadaraj], after the success of Bedara Kannappa – starring Rajkumar – he stood behind his brother and his family when they settled in Chennai – then Madras; He remained a most trusted guide and friend to Rajkumar to the extent of his involvement in selection of stories for home productions – Vajreshwari Combines. It is believed that without the efforts of Varadappa, Kannada filmdom would have missed out a great actor – Rajkumar.[1][2][6] It is said that, he was an integral part of Rajkumar and his family, and was responsible for the success of Rajkumar's films along with his sister-in-law Parvathamma Rajkumar.[2]

He died at an age of 71 in Bangalore due to heart ailment on 8 February 2006.[1] An award on his name S.P. Varadaraju Awards has been instituted to honour the theatre personalities annually.[citation needed]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "appa" is a respectful term of address for elders in India.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "S.P. Varadaraj passes away". The Hindu. 9 February 2006. Archived from the original on 13 April 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2012. S.P. Varadaraj – Varadaraj, popularly known as Varadappa
  2. ^ a b c "Love is life –". The Hindu. 24 December 2010. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2012. Parvathamma followed Rajkumar constantly. Her keen observation, soon gave her the confidence to start Vajreshwari Combines and became the producer of all Rajkumar's films. Recalling her brother-in-law Varadappa who was a big support to her, she says, "Trimurthi was my first film. It was a big success.
  3. ^ "Movies Produced – Vajreshwari Combines productions include the following movies". raj-kumar.com. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  4. ^ "Gajanur prays for their 'hero'". rediff.com. 7 August 2000. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Kannada Actor Rajkumar Movies Dr. Rajkumar Films Top Hit Films Best Movie". celebrity.psyphil.com. Retrieved 26 March 2012. Dharma Vijaya – Dr Rajkumar, Leelavathi, Narshimaraju, Harini, Varadappa
  6. ^ a b "The man who changed Kannada cinema". rediff.com. 13 April 2006. Retrieved 25 March 2012. Rajkumar joined his father Singanallur Puttaswamayya and brother Varadappa's (Varadanna as he is called) in performing for a drama troupe
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