Chitra Varga

The Nobel laureate, Alexis Carrel said: " Life leaps like a geyser for those who drill through the rock of inertia. " Inspiring words those are! Wonders are possible when assiduity and tenacity act in tandem.   “ ಬಂಗಾರದ ಮನುಷ್ಯ ” (‘ Bangaarada Manushya ’, or, ‘Golden Man’ ), a 1972 Kannada film, is based on TK Rama Rao's novel of the same name. The drama serves such a heady cocktail of emotions that it strikes a chord with its audience. An all-time, unrivaled blockbuster, it altered the course of Kannada mainstream cinema. It was remade in Telugu ( Devudulanti Manishi ).   The plot revolves around the male protagonist, Rajeeva (Dr. Rajkumar), a well-educated young man, who saves his sister, Sharada’s (Advani Lakshmi Devi) family from financial doom after the death of his brother-in-law and sole bread-winner of the family. He takes up the duty of supporting the bereaved family. An embodiment of simplicity and sacrifice, Rajeeva gets his two nephews, Chakrapani (Srina...

It is often said: ‘ What goes around comes around. ’ Indeed so! As someone said, karma is like a boomerang; and, on top it works in mysterious ways. “ ಋಣ ಮುಕ್ತಳು ” [‘ Ru ṇ amukta ḷ u’ , meaning: ‘(a lady who is) debt-free’ ], a 1984 Kannada film, is based on renowned writer, Anupama Niranjana’s novel ‘Runa’. Critics lauded the domestic drama, which has the karmic theme of ‘how you sow, so do you reap’.  Ramappa (Sundar Krishna Urs) is a corrupt, government engineer. Goda (Bharati), Ramappa’s beautiful wife, is against his nefarious and unscrupulous ways; but, she does not interfere. The couple has a son, Ranganatha (Ramakrishna), who grows to be a volatile, impulsive and rebellious man. The other son is obedient, studious and becomes a doctor. During a visit to his village, Ramappa has a fling with an innocent village belle, Malli (Padma Vasanthi), who begets a son from the illicit affair. Ramappa though keeps the birth of the illegitimate son a secret. Eventually, a conman, Adises...

The American humorist Mark Twain opined: “ In Hinduism we have the attitude and spirit that can make it possible for the human race to grow together into a single family .” Much of the richness of philosophical thought in Hinduism stems from its sacred texts and the beautiful, bountiful myths therein. “ ಗಂಗೆ ಗೌರಿ ” ( Gange Gowri ) is a 1967 Kannada film based on the intricate story of mighty Lord Shiva’s wedlock with Goddesses Ganga and Gowri in their incarnations on earth.  The mythological drama was remade in Tamil ( Ganga Gowri ) . The story-telling of the movie is in the form of a traditional discourse to devotees; the narrator, a meta-theatrical character ( sutradhara ), has an interlocutory role in the prologue and intervenes periodically in the screenplay with his remarks. The narrative also features the story of King Daksha’s yajna (fire ritual) and Goddess Sati’s (Leelavathi) self-immolation.   The plot commences with Sage Narada (KS Ashwath) boosting Lord Sha...

“ A wise person should have money in their head, but not in their heart,” advised the Anglo-Irish writer Jonathan Swift. Caveat: Money often does not stay put in the fool's heart; it goes to his head. " ದುಡ್ಡೇ ದೊಡ್ಡಪ್ಪ " [' Dudde Doddappa', which literally translates to 'Money only is Big Daddy (Paternal Uncle)' ], is a 1966 Kannada film, which was a huge hit commercially. Based on writer M Ramamoorthy's story, the family drama was remade in Tamil (' Namma Veettu Lakshmi' ) and Telugu (' Lakshmi Nivasam '). Somayya (BR Panthulu) is a wealthy businessman, who has earned his fortune through good ole' hard work in a rags-to-riches story. He values time, labour and money– the secret sauce of his success! His family though does not share his ideals. His wife, Sharadamma (MV Rajamma); two sons, Chandru (Ramesh) and Raju (Narasimharaju); and, daughter Kalpana (Bharati) are all spendthrifts who not only have lavish, luxurious life...

" A day without laughter is a day wasted ,"   said Charlie Chaplin, the English actor-comedian. " ಎಮ್ಮೆ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ " (' Emme Thammanna ', which translates to: “Buffalo Thamanna”) is a 1966 Kannada romantic comedy, one that will split your sides. Based on a story by AK Velan, the blockbuster was remade in Telugu (as Govula Gopanna ), in Hindi (as Jigri Dost ) and Tamil (as Maattukara Velan ). The film stars the yesteryear matinee idol, Dr. Rajkumar. Cast in a dual role– as Thammanna, a cowherd; and, Murali, an advocate– there is double romance in the air. Both characters get into love affairs– one with Meena (Bharati), the daughter of a senior counsel, and the other with Radha (GV Lathadevi), the daughter of a municipal president. That sets the stage for laugh riot. Some thrill, action and suspense add spice to this movie made for mirth and merriment. The direction of doyen BR Panthulu, one of our greatest auteurs, is superb , as always. TG Lingappa's...

Abd-ar-Razzak , a Timurid scholar and chronicler and a scholar who visited the Vijaynagar Empire in circa 1443 CE as an ambassador of Shah Rukh, the Timurid dynasty ruler of Persia wrote about the capital city during the reign of Deva Raya II as: “ the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it, and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world. It is built in such a manner that seven citadels and the same number of walls enclose each other.” Other scholars and explorers– the long list includes, the Turkish polymath, Katib-tchelebi ; the Italian travellers, Niccolo de Conti and Cesare Federici ; and, the Portuguese traders, Domingo Paes and Fernao Nunes – have rhapsodised about the magnificence of the empire and the enormity of weath therein. " ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ದೇವರಾಯ "  (' Sri Krishnadevaraya ') is a1970, award-winning and critically hailed Kannada film. Oh, the blockbuster biopic went gangbusters at th...