Mysuru: When people from Mysuru used to visit him in Bengaluru, Kannada cine actor 66-year-old M H Ambareesh who passed away on Saturday night, never used to send them back with an empty stomach, said K G Anantharaj Urs, Secretary of Mysore Race Club, who was very close to Ambareesh.
Ambareesh, grandson of noted violinist “Piteel” Chowdaiah did his primary education at Government Primary School in Lakshmipuram and later shifted to Sharada Vilas School in Ashokapuram for high school. During his school days, he was not only good in academics but was also equal in sports and other extracurricular activities. For PU and further education, he shifted to Bengaluru.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, Anantharaj Urs who was very close to Ambareesh for the past 50 years, said, “He was very fond of race and was a member of Mysore Race Club since 1980. Earlier, he owned seven to eight horses and as on today, he is the owner of two to three racing horses. His first race horse was named as ‘My ambition.’ He was not only friendly to the members and punters but also he was very close to everyone. The loss is not only huge loss to Kannada film industry but to everyone. He was like my elder brother. Most of the time he used to be in Woodlands Hotel particularly in room number 412. Every year, without fail he used to witness the race especially Derby. The last race he witnessed in Mysuru was Mysuru Derby in October.” He was not only interested in race but was also a very good tennis player and life time member of Mysuru Tennis Club at Chamarajapuram. He was also playing golf and inaugurated a few golf tournaments in Mysuru.
Ambareesh was very close to late Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar: Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, addressing media persons at Mysuru Palace, said, “The sudden demise of cine actor Ambareesh is really shocking and a great loss to everyone. He was very close to Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar and used to attend Vijayadashami every year. He was fascinated to see the rituals that include Wadiyar holding the sword. As a mark of respect, private residential museums, both in Mysuru and Bengaluru, will be closed for public on Sunday and Monday.”
“Last month, he had visited Mysuru. He was supposed to come on Saturday”, recalls Himanshu, former syndicate member of Music University who is also a cousin of Ambareesh. He said “On Saturday, it was the first year death anniversary of his elder brother Dr. Harish. Most of them had come for the anniversary and Ambareesh, along with his family members, was also supposed to attend the function. However, in the last minute, due to illness, he informed that he is not going to attend the function but would come after he recovers. His last visit to his elder brother’s house in Saraswathipuram was last month when his sister-in-law passed away. He was a magnanimous person and it really feels great to be his cousin. He was very generous and lived by the title of his film ‘Kaliyugada Karna.’ Earlier, whenever he used to come to Mysuru, he used to stay in Kings Kourt hotel on JLB Road but few years ago, he shifted to Sandesh The Prince Hotel. The owner MLC Sandesh named a suit as ‘Ambi Suit’ and never used to charge him for the stay. Sandesh used to instruct his staff members to provide the best possible treatment to Ambareesh.
‘Birds, animals lover’
C D Krishnegowda, former Director of Mysuru Zoo, said, “Ambareesh was very fond of animals and birds. He often used to visit Mysuru Zoo. Ambareesh also did a movie ‘Mrugalaya’ (April 29,1986) which was all about management of zoo and animals. For nearly four months, the shooting for this movie was held in Mysuru Zoo. During this time, I was very much impressed with Ambareesh for his equal love towards people and animals.”
