Kasargod Chinna(Srinivas Rao S)

Stage and Film are two different aspects of performing arts but a refined stage artiste can be a better film actor or director. Over the years, we have seen many stalwarts contributing to field of acting as an art. The undivided Madras Presidency had Kasargod that went to Kerala but activities by Kannadigas settled in Kasargod are much more remarkable than those in Mangalore, though we remain as part of Karnataka.

We have one of those born and brought up in Kasargod, settled there and has been working a great deal in the field of stage and film in three prime languages of coastal Karnataka namely Kannada, Tulu and Konkani. His experiments in drama have won many awards and his achievements within a short span of life are unparalleled by many. In other words, true gold in the land of art and gold!

He is none other than Sujeer Srinivas Rao popularly known as Kasargod Chinna. Mangalorean.com is proud to present Kasargod Chinna... Konkani Chinna

Simple and friendly, workaholic, sharp witted and jovial, Mr. Chinna is a storehouse of knowledge and talent. He has written, directed and acted in many stage plays in the three popular languages of Coastal Karnataka.

Sujeer Srinivas Rao was born to Sujeer Sheshagiri Nayak and Late Sujeer Padmavathi Nayak on September 11th, 1957. He did his schooling at BEM High School Kasargod and then had his Pre-University course at Ganapathi Junior College, Mangalore. Later, he completed BA from Government College Kasargod and Diploma in Film Acting (DFA) from Adarsh Film Institute, Bangalore, securing Gold Medal.

Married to Shanthi S Nayak in 1990, the couple is blessed with two children, a son and a daughter. Elder one is Girish studing in B Com 2nd year, while younger one is Kavana who is in her 9th standard. The entire family is involved in performing with Mr. Chinna especially in his street plays.

Kasargod Chinna has acted in more than 400 dramas in different Languages such as Kannada, Konkani, Tulu, Malayalam and English. He rose to fame after he acted in Kannada films like "Phaniyamma" directed by Prema Karanth, which Won National and International awards. He has acted in many films and dramas directed by stalwarts of Kannada, Tulu and Konkani.

Achievements of Kasargod Chinna

Theatre experience

First Drama Acted "Thali Kattoake Thayyar" and thereafter acted in more than 400 dramas in different Languages such as Kannada, Konkani,  Tulu, Malayalam and English

Important Konkani Dramas played

"Doni Ghadi Hassunu KAadi"
"Jakpot Janna"
"Shanthi Nivas"
"Choruguru Chandala Shishya"
"Dharmam Sharanam Gachami"
"Gaanti"
"Karmadheen"

Konkani Audio Cassette- Sri. N.B. Kamath's "Jackpot Janna" Acting with Direction.

Dramas translated: 

From Kannada to Konkani
"Shanthi Nivasa"
"Choruguru Chandala shishya"
"Dharmam Sharanam Gachami"
"Karmadheena"

From Bengali to Konkani - " Gaanti"
From Russian to Konkani-  "Ayilore Ayilo"
From Malayalam to Konkani- "Yeklo- anneklo"
From Bengali to Tulu- "Kaas Patherundu"
From Malayalam to Kannada-  "Samhaaram"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workshops:

Training: Passed Degree  with Gold Medal in D.F.A. from Adarsh Film Institute, Bangalore

Drama Awards won: 7 awards with  Best Actor and Director for "Gaanti" Drama in the All India Konkani Drama Competition organized by " Rangha Bhoomi"

Other Activities

Performance of Konkani Dramas in the states of Kerala, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharasthra
Represented in Minority Language committee of Kerala state

Important Kannada Dramas acted

"Hedigalu' Mannina Ghombhe", "Catharsis", "Bhanda Bhanda Sardara", "Gana Gana Rajya", "Matthu Mohanjo Daro", "Gulamana Nagu", "Sidhathe" , "Tingara Buddanna", "Ani Banthani" "Edipus", "Aalada Mara", "Aradhana" , "Naaibala",

Tulu Dramas acted

"Councillor Kogganne", "Sreenkrana Kithapathi", Ee Prayadla Bharava"

English Dramas acted - "Dumb wife of Cheap side", "Refund"

Malayalam Dramas acted- "Drakula"

Important Dramas Directed - "Naigalu", "Prashne", "Sidhathe" , "Karmachakra", "Drishti", " Kurudu Kanchana", " Gana Gana Rajya" , "Ninna Mokeda" (Tulu), "Naai Bala" (Lorry drama)

Mime - " Abhivyakthi, Mood, Expression" (Mime Dramas Performed in Kerala and Maharashtra, Karnataka  More than 200 stages)

Un-broken Records - The first Indian who directed and acted full length Mime Drama at Gulf Countries

Lorry Dramas - First time in the history of Indian theatre movement – played drama on Lorry and performed big crowd pulling 108 shows at Kerala and Karnataka

'Yaksha Theru" - "First time in the history of "Yaksha gana" a chariot was proceeded from Kumbla to Bangalore performing Yaksha Gana attracting 1.5 lakh people.

"Geetha Sangheetha Ratha" - "Geetha Sangheetha Ratha" under the leadership of Y.K. Muddukrishna with accompany of all famous singers of Karnataka state level - traveled to 30 village pockets of Kasaragod, the Border Taluk of Kerala & Karnataka attracting more than one lakh people –called as " Geetha Sangeetha Ratha' Abhiyana.

All India Radio - Since 1977 as B high grade Artist performed hundreds of Dramas in Kannada, Tulu, Konkani languages.

Doordarshan - Hindi serial "Thennali Rama" acted as ‘Kullan" (National Channel) directed by Sri.T.S. Naghabharana.

In E.TV as an Anchor for the programme "Deghul Darshana" Nammura Saviruchi', Bharude Bavishya"

Tele-Film (Acted) - "Annana Hendathi"   (Sister-in-Law), "Chinnu" , ‘ Pacheethi" , "Chirasmarane"(Nirajana's Kayyur Charithram played Main Role as the School Teacher)

Cinema Director- Hindi Tele-Film – " Surprise"

Film acting  - "Phaniyamma" ( Direction  Prema – Karanth)(Won-National and International Awards) ;  Praya-Praya –Praya (Directed by T.S. Naghabharana); "Kendada Male" (Directed by B.C. Gowrishankar) Won the State Award; Ravana Rajya  (Directed by T.S. Naghabharana); "Darodegala Naduve" ; "Premaghni" (Directed by T.S. Naghabharana); "Saghara Deepa" (Directed by T.S. Naghabharana); "Omkar"  (Directed by Siva Mani); "Bhangara Patler" (Tulu film) (Directed by Richary Chastolino) won National and State Award; "Sneha Sindhooram" Malayalam (Directed by Krishnan Munnad)

Awards and Records - Best Actor Awards State level Kannada Drama "Banda Banda Saradhara" Directed by Sreenivas Prabhu ( National school of Drama New Delhi); "Dristi" Won the state level award for Direction including other 6 Awards
Won National Level award for "Gaanti" Konkani Drama for acting and Direction including other 6 Awards

Best  Actor  - Govt. College Kasaragod 1974; Calicut University 1974

Honoured by - Tulu Koota, Dubai 1992; Behrain, Kannada Sangha - 1992, 1994, 2007; Sharjah – Kannda sangha – 2007; Abudhabi – 2007; Karnataka Nataka Academy Award -1994; Rangamilana Award;  Jaycees Award; Lions Award ; Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Acdemi Award (2009), Swarashri Award and honour and many other Awards

Honourable services rendered 

As President of "Geetha vihar"
Director ‘Prasadana" Mangalore
State Councilor of K.V.V.E.S
Vice President Vivekananda Co.operative College.
Ex. President P.T.A. BEMHS Kasaragod
Founder Member ‘ Yavanika"  Kasaragod
Convenor ‘ Spandana' Mangalore
Convenor Rangamilana, Mangalore
Founder "Apoorva Kalavidharu"
Trustee "Rangachinnari" (NGO), Bimba Mangalore (NGO)
Captain - Calicut University Kabadi Team
1974 to 1977, Player Kerala State Kabadi Team
Member Karnataka Nataka Academy, Bangalore – 1996 to 2001
Member Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy 2002 – 2005.
Member Kerala  Linguistic Minority Cell (Konkani)
President Sree Venkatramana Prakashitha Yaksha Gana Sangham
Convenor " Nrithya Nikethana" Kasaragod
Member Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Academi 2009-2012.

Events organized under his Sole leadership including certain Historic - Mega Events:

1. Professional Drama Festival
2. Amateur Theatre Festival
3. Three –basha -Drama Festival
4. Courtyard – Drama Movement
5. National Drama Festival
6. Mime Shows
7. Mask making camps.
8. Kannada – Malayalam Theatre Seminar
9. Light Music Festivals
10. "Shishirotsava"
11. Samskruthi Vaibhava
12. Painting Exhibition
13. Cartoon Exhibition
14. Ashta Bhasha Kavi Gosti
15. Thri-bhasha –Theatre Workers Conference
16. Other Symposiums  and Seminars
17. "Geetha Sangeetha" Rathayathra
18. Lorry Dramas (108 shows)
19. Book Releasing functions.
20. Academy Programmes.
21. Public sector Employees Drama Festival.
22. Children Drama Festival.
23. Pancha Basha Drama Festival
24. Street Dramas
25. Theatre Training camps
26.  Kannada – Maratti  Theatre Seminars.
27. Make up  Workshops
28. Music Festivals
29. Dance Festivals
30. Classical Dance – Training camps
31. Photography exhibitions
32. Yaksha Gana Festivals
33. National Dance Festivals
34. Memorial Lectures
35. Classical Music Festival
36. " Yaksha Theru"
37. Tulu Academy Seminars
38. Karnataka Cultural Department Programmes
39. ‘Daasa Keerthana'
40. "Chit Chats" and many other small and big cultural events.

 

 

 

 

A brief interview with Mr. Chinna will expose his inner self to the readers.

Q: What inspired you to take to stage and film acting?

Ans: I was always fascinated to act on stage during my school times. Later, as the days went by, I studied many character actors and the messages within the plays or in the films and thus refined myself to be what I am today.

Q: Can you name two actors, one male and one female who have cast an impression with their acting within your mind?

Ans: It is difficult to answer this question! There are many legends who were great in their own styles. Of the recent ones with stage background, I admire Anupam Kher and Rohini Hattangady. Their acting is superb according to my observation.

Q: Tell us something about ‘Ranga Chinnari' initiated by you

Ans: ‘Ranga Chinnari' is a non-profit Trust started by myself to promote talents from rural and urban locales, especially street children who live below poverty line. We train them rigorously for three months at least and have street shows in most of the towns around Kasargod and in Coastal Karnataka. We also provide free education, books and uniform to the kids that we promote in ‘Ranga Chinnari'. My children also participate along with the street kids to inspire them. We have no bar as far as caste creed or religion is concerned.

Q: You are planning to release unique drama books in three different languages. What is the specialty of these books and when will you be releasing them?

Ans: Probably I am the only person on this earth translating dramas from three different origins and languages to entirely three other languages spoken in a totally different orientation!

First one is ‘Samhaara' in Kannada translated from original Malayalam work ‘Samhaaram' by Late KT Mohammed.

Second is a Russian drama by the famous playwright Gogol called ‘Inspector General' which was earlier transliterated to Kannada by Srinivas Prabhu by the name ‘Banda Banda Saradaara'. I have translated it as ‘Ailo Re Ailo' in Konkani.

Finally there is a Bengali drama by Shambhumitra Amita Maitra called ‘Kanchanaganga' that I have translated to Tulu by the name ‘Kaas Paatherundu'.

I have taken the help of many friends in translating these dramas for which I remain grateful forever.

These are scheduled to be released between February 6th and 9th at many places from Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bangalore to Karwar, including Mandya, Mysore Mangalore and Udupi.

Q: Which is the most unforgettable moment in your life?

Ans: I got a prime role called ‘Kullan' in the TV Serial ‘Tenali Rama' in Hindi directed by TS Nagabharana the first episode of which was telecast the same evening that I got married! The anticlimax was, though many of my well wishers were eagerly waiting to watch the serial, entire Kasargod town had power-cut that evening, though I could watch it with the back-up of generator set!

Q: What is your message to the younger generation?

Ans: Be creative, work hard, be broad minded, respect all castes and religions and finally try to support art and cultural heritage of this land whole heartedly. You will see the difference in contentment thus!