Mangaluru: Veteran actor and dramatist, who graced the Tulu Film Industry, during its early period with popluar films, died in hospital on Wednesday, after a prolonged illness. He was 77. 

Mr. Tailor has acted in nine of the 18 films that were released in the first decade of the Tulu film industry, also known as its golden period. 

Prof. Damodhar Shetty, who wrote a biolography on him (titled ‘K.N Talior’ (2009), documented his life and contribution to Tulu plays and cinema. “He was a trendsetter, who shaped the Tulu drama and film industry. He was a pioneer, who inspired many artists including Vijaykumar Kodialbail and Devdas Kapikad”, the author told newskarnataka.com

“There was no slang in his plays. He was an evergreen hero. In all his films, he not only directed the films but he himself was the lead actor “, Mr. Shetty said.

The actor had fine mastery over dramas. He was part of several dramas including ‘Bombayi Kandane’, ‘Pudar Kenade’, ‘Dr Shankar’, ‘Thammale Aruvattana Kola’, ‘Yer Malthini Thappu’, ‘Shanthi’, ‘Kallda Dever’, ‘Yaan Sanyasi Aape’, ‘Kaasdaye Kandane’, ‘Badayida Bangar’, ‘Kandane Budedi’, ‘Indrana Aasti’, ‘Kaljigada Vishwamitra Menake’, ‘Yerenla Nambodchi’, ‘Dever Korper’, ‘Sainagandala Sathya Panle’ and ‘Dasuna Madme’ .

Besides, he made films such as ‘Daareda Budedi’, ‘Pagetha Pugge’, ‘Bisathi Babu’, ‘Yaan Sanyasi Aape’, ‘Tulunada Siri’, ‘Savirodorthi Savitri’, ‘Bhagyavantedi Tailor’, which pioneered Tulu commercial cinema.