Mysuru: Despite severe opposition from his mother, Subbaiah Naidu never discontinued to pursue his interest in theatre, said actress Girija Lokesh. 

Speaking on the topic ‘Subbaiah Naidu: Life and Achievements’, as a part of ‘Ranga Dwani,’ a special lecture series organised jointly by University of Mysore’s Gubbi Veeranna Rangapeeta, Fine Arts College and Prasaranga at EMMRC auditorium recently, the veteran actress said that during his childhood Subbaiah Naidu was beaten black and blue by his mother for showing interest in theatre. Despite this,  Naidu never gave up theatre and struggled hard to become one of the most successful actors of the country, she added.

Subbaiah Naidu, who had great interested in theatre literature and named his company as ‘Sahitya Samrajya Nataka Company.’ 

Stating that Naidu developed interest in theatre at the age of seven, she said that Naidu’s mother Rangamma thinking that her son would get spoiled by his interest in theatre, shifted to Mysuru with both her children.

“After shifting to Mysuru, Rangamma starts selling idlis in a small hotel and joined  Naidu to a shop. Later, after being assaulted by his colleague, shop owner Razak enrols Naidu to a garadi (traditional wresting home). Naidu, who was fond of music and theatre, meets Madappa, a music teacher, and convinces him to teach music. 

Naidu, later joined a theatre company run by one Seethappa of Anekal and starts working there. Following this, he slowly grows and became one of the most successful theatre and cinema personalities in the country,” Girija Lokesh added.

Book on Subbaiah Naidu

Prasaranga Director Prof. M.G. Manjunath said that Prasaranga would publish a book on Subbaiah Naidu, the lead actor of the first Kannada talkie movie, based on the information provided by Girija Lokesh. 

University of Mysore Registrar Prof. R. Shivappa, Fine Arts College Principal Prof. C. Ramaswamy, Guest Lecturer and Actor Mandya Ramesh, Pooja Lokesh and others  were present.