Cine Actor N. Puttaswamy (62), popularly known as Tarakari Puttu, passed away at a private hospital here yesterday following brief illness. He was a resident of Navagraha Temple Road near 101 Ganapathy Temple at Agrahara in city.

A brother of former Corporator N. Prakash, Puttaswamy leaves behind his wife Nagaratna and a host of relatives and friends.

Last rites were performed at the foot of Chamundi Hill this afternoon, according to family sources.

A vegetable merchant doing business at Vani Vilas Market, Puttaswamy had played a supportive role in many Kannada films such as Manamechhida Hudugi, Jeevana Chaitra, Dandupalya, Modada Mareyalli, Swayamkushi, Mufti, Paramashiva, Sharpshooter, Baalida Mane, Akramana, etc.

He had also acted in a few Tamil and Telugu films. Inspired by Dr. Rajkumar’s film Bangarada Manushaya, Puttaswamy took to farming and even bagged a prize as model farmer.