Chi. Udayashankar

Chi. Udayashankar Biography

Chitnahalli Udayashankar, fondly called Chi. Udayashankar was a popular lyrist, composer and dialogue writer associated with Kannada film industry. He composed more than 3000 Kannada film songs, apart from devotional ones. Known for his simple lyrics, he received the title "Sahitya Ratna". He was associated with film scene since early 1960s. Santha Thukaram in 1963 marked his career as a dialogue writer in 1963 and he stayed in the industry for about 4 decades till his death in 1993. Many of his works were released posthumously.

Udayashankar was born on 18 February 1934 in Holenarsipura, Kingdom of Mysore. His father Chi. Sadashivaiah was a noted lyricist and scriptwriter associated with Kannada film industry. Santa Tukaram starring Rajkumar marked his film debut as a dialogue writer in1963. He wrote the dialogues of Mahasathi Anasuya in 1965. Same year he marked his debut as a lyricist through the movie - Sathi Savithri and wrote screenplay for the first time for Bala Nagamm (1966). He co-wrote with his father Chi Sadashivaiah. Since then he got busy as a lyricist and dialogue writer of Kannada film industry. He wrote many memorable dialogues for the superstar Rajkumar in the 1960s and 1970s. 1960s to 1980s was the glowing period of his professional career as a lyricist and dialogue writer.

He made his first film Nanda Deepa in 1963. He won Karnataka State Film awards for best dialogue writer four times - Kula Gowrava (1970), Nagarahavu (1972), Premada Kanike (1975) and Jeevana Chaithra (1993). He also received state awards for Best Screenplay twice - Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma (1985) and Anand (1986). He was active in the industry till his death in 1993. His son Chi. Guru Dutt is an actor and director associated with Kannada and Tamil films.

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Updated: January 31, 2016