Chitra Varga

“ Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything, ” Plato, the Athenian philosopher mused. “ ಮಲಯ ಮಾರುತ ” (‘ Malaya Marutha’ , which translates to, ‘ Wind in the Hills ’) is a 1986 Kannada film that is a masterpiece focused on the rich musical and cultural traditions of South India. Based on Tamil scholar, Valampuri Somanathan’s story and armed with Chi. Udayashankar’s script, the drama is a musical extravaganza. The core plot of the film is a “love triangle”. The male protagonist in the romantic drama is Vishwanatha (Vishnuvardhan), Vishwa for short, a sincere, soft-spoken, soft-hearted student of Carnatic music. Short on talent, the vocalist is tireless in his efforts at mastering the art though. His music teacher’s daughter, Sharada (Saritha) is romantically attracted to him. One day, Vishwa’s teacher dies in a road accident. In an attempt to realise dreams and aspirations, the artistic soul of the teacher enters Vishwa...

Eiji Yoshikawa, the renowned Japanese writer said: “ The line between life and death is not thicker than an eyelid.” Deep, insightful words for sure. " ಗೀತಾ " ( 'Geetha' )   is a 1981 Kannada   romantic   drama, which portrays the vicissitudes of life and the incertitude of death with stirring sensitivity.   The plot features Geetha (Akshatha Rao alias Padmavathi Rao), a college student's romantic pursuit of a suave and smart singer, Sanjay (Shankar Nag). Sanjay spurns her advances aloofly, arrogantly. A past tragedy is the hidden secret that has made him reserved. But then, who can escape Cupid's exertions? Sanjay too later succumbs to infectiously vivacious Geetha's lures and love blossoms...only to hit roadblocks. Geetha's personal health, on one side; family opposition to the relationship, on the other, impede the romantic liaison leading to matrimonial alliance. Diagnosed with leukemia, Geetha's condition worsens. But then, Interferon...