Bommasandra Srinivasaiah Suryanarayana Murthy (16 March 1933 – 26 December 1985), known professionally as Udaykumar, was an Indian actor, writer, and film producer who worked primarily in Kannada cinema. Along with Rajkumar and Kalyan Kumar, he was part of the trio known as the Kumarathrayaru ("the three Kumars") of Kannada cinema. In addition to acting, he wrote several stage dramas and books.

Uday Kumar appeared in a wide variety of roles and collaborated with many notable actors of his era. In the early part of his career, he was cast in heroic roles, but he later became known for portraying complex antagonists, particularly in historical and mythological films, where he was frequently cast opposite Rajkumar’s protagonist roles.Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) . Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press. p. 486. .

Early life Uday Kumar was born into a Brahmin family, with sources differing on his birth date—some citing 5 March 1933 and others 16 March 1933. He was the second of four children and the only son of B. S. Srinivasaiah and Sharadamma. The family's ancestral roots trace back to Andhra Pradesh but they had settled in ⁣⁣Karnataka approximately two centuries prior to his birth.

He received his primary education in the villages of Helaine and Muthanallur near Sarjapura in Bangalore district and later completed his secondary education in Anekal. During his school years, he actively participated in cultural events and competitions.

After an unsuccessful attempt at the matriculation examination, Uday Kumar married Kamalamma at the age of 20. He subsequently worked as a physical education teacher at a school in Anekal. On the advice of a friend, he relocated to Bangalore, where he joined the theatre troupe of Gubbi Veeranna, marking the beginning of his acting career.

Film career In 1954, while working on the script for Bhagyodaya (1956), screenwriter Kanagal Prabhakar Shastry was seeking a lead actor for the film. At the time, Uday Kumar was performing as Buddha in a stage production in Mandya with Gubbi Veeranna’s theater troupe. S. K. Bhagavan, Shastry’s assistant, observed the performance and offered Uday Kumar a screen test. Following the test, he was cast in the lead role. Shastry also gave him the screen name "Uday Kumar," inspired by the film's title and the production company, Udaya Productions.

Known by the nickname "Gandugali," Uday Kumar acted in 193 films, including 171 in Kannada, 15 in Telugu, six in Tamil, and one in Hindi. He received several regional awards, particularly for his contributions to Kannada cinema.

Beyond his work in film, Uday Kumar was involved in Kannada cultural and linguistic movements. He supported the unification of Kannadigas and collaborated with individuals such as Ma Ramamurthy, A. N. Krishna Rao (Aa. Na. Kru), Thirumale Shriranga Tatacharya, Ta. Su. Shama Rao, Ha. Ma. Nayak, and Ta. Ra. Su. to promote the Kannada language and culture through speeches, writings, and public events.

He founded Udaya Kalanikethana, a training institute for theater and film acting, with the aim of promoting performing arts. He also supported professional theater groups across Karnataka, and beginning in 1960, regularly dedicated one week each month to stage performances.

In 2005, on the occasion of what would have been his 73rd birthday, a charitable trust named Pavanasutha Kesari Kalaa Shalaa was established during a commemorative cultural event titled Udaya-73 Ondu Savinenapu in Anekal, his birthplace. The trust, founded by Vikram Udaykumar, runs social and cultural initiatives, including P. S. M. School and Kalaashaala—a cultural school offering training in classical music and performing arts such as Bharatanatyam. Its activities also include rural arts education and organizing state-level theater competitions.

Filmography Kannada films YearFilmRole(s)Notes 1956 Bhagyodaya Daiva Sankalpa Panchratna Ishwara 1957 Varadakshine Raghu Bettada Kalla Bhairava Rathnagiri Rahasya Rajkumar ChakravarthyPremada Putri 1958 Bhakta Prahlada Mane Thumbida Hennu School Master Ravikumar 1959 Mahishasura Mardini Rambhesha 1960 Dashavathara Kamsa Ranadheera Kanteerava Vishwanatha Shastry Bhakta Kanakadasa Shivalinga Sakshi 1961 Mahavat Vijayanagarada Veeraputhra Raja Satya Vrata 1962 Rathna Manjari Gaali Gopura Cameo Vidhivilasa Thayi Karulu Bhoodana Rama Nanda Deepa Ravi Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu Ranganna 1963 Santha Thukaram Jenu Goodu Rajanna Chandra Kumara Veera Kesari Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha Bevu Bella Mana Mecchida Madadi Devarajayya Malli Maduve 1964 Amarashilpi Jakanachari Chandavalliya Thota Sivananjaya Gowda Kalaavati Suresh Naandi Cameo 1965 Miss Leelavathi Kapanipathi Rao Cameo Veera Vikrama Chandrahasa Shekhara Kavaleradu Kulavondu Ide Mahasudina Raja Maduve Madi Nodu Bheemanna Bettada Huli Bhairava Sathi Savithri Satya Harishchandra Vishvamitra Pathivratha Vathsalya Anand 1966 Deva Maanava Madhu Malathi Sandhya Raga Rama Katari Veera Mohini Bhasmasura Shiva Badukuva Daari Mane Katti Nodu Mantralaya Mahatme Thimmanna Bhat 1967 Rajadurgada Rahasya Padavidhara Immadi Pulakeshi Kubja Vishnuvardhana Parvathi Kalyana Narada Bangarada Hoovu Ravi Sathi Sukanya Rajashekara Jagamalla Chakra Theertha Kashipathaiah Sri Purandara Dasaru Vyasatirtha 1968 Hoovu Mullu Bhima Arunodaya Simha SwapnaAnna Thamma Dhoomakethu Mysore Tanga Maneye Maha Mandira Namma Ooru Jedara Bale Gopinath Kumar Mahasathi Arundathi Naane Bhagyavati 1969 Chaduranga Bhale Basava Basava Maduve Maduve Maduve Ade Hridaya Ade Mamathe Mathrubhoomi Madhura Milana Ramesh Kalpa Vruksha Mukunda Chandra Odahuttidavaru Sundar Shiva Bhakta Makkale Manege Manikya Bhagirathi 1970 Takka Bitre Sikka Kallara Kalla Shankar Hasiru Thorana Suri Aaru Mooru Ombhatthu Mrityu Panjaradalli Goodarachari 555 Bhaskar Sedige Sedu Ranga Mukti Rangamahal Rahasya Kumar Prateekaara Modala Rathri C.B.I. Head 1971 Sidila Mari Bhale Rani Jatakarathna Gunda Joisa Bhale Bhaskar Samshaya Phala Kasidre Kailasa Ramu Purnima Signalman Siddappa Mahadimane 1972 Kulla Agent 000 Kaanch Aur Heera Nari Munidare Mari 1973 Bettada Bhairava Mannina Magalu Cowboy Kulla Bharathada Rathna Triveni Prema Paasha 1974 Chamundeshwari Mahime Nanu Baalabeku Ramanath 1975 Sarpa Kavalu Ashirwada Bili Hendthi Jagruthi Mantra Shakti 1976 Sutrada Bombe Rajanarthakiya Rahasya 1977 Banashankari Shani Prabhava Hemavathi Shri Renukadavi Mahatme Srimanthana Magalu 1978 Maathu Tappada Maga Diamonds smuggler Madhura Sangama Stage actor in play as Kampili Raya Cameo Parashuraman Bhale Huduga Devadasi 1979 Putani Agent 123 Seetharamu 1980 Vajrada Jalapatha Parangi Maria My Darling Mahadeva / "Ramdas" Moogana SeduPapanna Chitrakoota Kaalinga Vinayak Patil 1981 Kula Puthra Garjane Thayiya Madilalli 1982 Sahasa Simha Chaudhary Cameo Mava Sose Saval Kempu Hori 1983 Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige Aparna's father Bhayankara Bhasmasura Devara Theerpu Kalluveene Nudiyithu 1984 Gandu Bherunda Agni GundamKanoonige SavalPublic Prosecutor Maryade Mahalu Police Papanna1985VishakanyaKapala Bhairava Pithamaha Havu Eni Aata Lakshmi Kataksha Narayanadasa 1988 Varna Chakra

Telugu films YearFilmRole(s)Notes 1959 Veer Bhaskaradu 1961 Sita Rama Kalyanam Kumbhakarna 1966 Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam Bhima 1983 Maga Maharaju Raghavaiah 1984 Bharyamani Mahanagaramlo Mayagadu Ee Charitra Inkennallu

Tamil films YearFilmRole(s)Notes 1958 Sengottai Singam Singam 1960 Yanai Paagan Shankar Ivan Avanethan 1980 Maria My Darling

Awards Karnataka State Film Awards: 1967-68 – Won – Best Supporting Actor – Chakra Theertha 1977-78 – Won – Best Supporting Actor – Hemavathi

References

External links http://www.kalakesariudaykumar.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDPMKYRmyCOJkZ63j72aS5A