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‘CHOMA’ IS NO
MORE
Kannada
Filmdom’s National Award Winning Actor
Report
by - CNB
Date 22/3//2002
 The
one and only National award winner for acting M.V.Vasudeva
Rao popularly known as ‘Choma’ of ‘Chomana Dudi’ a film
based on Shivarama Karanth’s novel passed away early on
Friday morning. He was nearing 83 years of age.
Vasudeva Rao
the highly respected actor has given a spine chilling
performance in his first screen presence in ‘Chomana Dudi’
(Choma’s drum) and he remained aptly to the role created
by Gnanapeetha award winner Dr.Kota Shivarama Karanth
in his novel and directed it too. Ever since ‘Choma’s
role in 1975 Rao was highly talked in the film circles
but he failed to get good roles. The poverty is one that
dogged him in his early days. When he was supposed to
go to New Delhi to receive the National award there was
not even a penny with him. When he reached New Delhi the
doyen of Indian cinema Satyajit Ray hugged Raogaru and
expressed happiness at Choma’s role. Satyajit Ray was
in the jury on that year Raogaru got the National award.
With a strong
background of stage Mudabidri Venkat Rao Vasudeva Rao
entered the film world as a child actor in 1928. Affectionately
he was called as Baby. In Sri Krishna Parijatha,
Sahukara, for Gubbi Company he essayed powerful roles.
He used to get Rs.8 for his child role in those days.
He staged plays in many theatre groups and finally settled
down in Gubbi Company. For his debut role in ‘Chomana
Dudu’ he bagged the state and national award for his brilliant
performance. He played a prominent role in Shyam Benegal’s
Telugu film ‘Konduru’. In Mrinal Sen’s Oka Voori
Katha and Mani Rathnam’s ‘Nayakan’ he played prominent
roles. Maithri, Dangeyedda Makkalu, Dorai, Kalasapurada
Hudugaru, Muttu ondu Muttu are some of his popular Kannada
films. Raogaru had appeared in small screen too.
The Kannada
film industry fondly remembers Raogaru as ‘Choma’. Raogaru
never compromised on integrity despite facing many hurdles.
Tributes were paid to the departed soul at his residence
in Jayanagar by the Kannada film industry, politicians
and other prominent persons.
Chitraloka
also joins in paying last respects to the departed M.V.Vasudeva
Rao.
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