Tulu director K N Tailor passes away

Noted Tulu dramatist, film director and actor K N Tailor died at a private hospital here today following brief illness, family sources said.
He was 76 and is survived by his wife, four daughters and a son.
The first 'superstar' of Tulu cinema, Tailor had acted in nine films and directed and produced as many, which gave him the honour of being known as the 'Bheeshma' of Tulu film industry. Tulu is a language spoken in the southwest part of Karnataka and a small part of northern Kerala.
Tailor had also directed number of popular dramas which drew large crowds even when basic facilities for staging plays were not available. He founded the Ganesh Nataka Sabha in 1958 which later became a leading Tulu drama troupe.

He also acted in nine movies, including "Kaasdaye Kandane" with renowned actress Jayamala. "Yer Mathini Thappu," "Daareda Budedi," "Pagetha Pugge," "Bisathi Babu," "Yaan Sanyasi Aape," "Tulunada Siri," and "Savirodorthi Savitri" are among the films he was involved with as actor, director and producer.
He was conferred the Rajyotsava award in 1994 for his contribution to Tulu cinema and drama. He had also received the Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award in 1989, Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award in 1998 and the Sandesha Award in 2000. He was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the first Tulu Film Awards in November last year.