Kalpana (?-1979)

60s Kannada star who formed the top screen duo with Rajkumar in Kannada film history. Born in Mangalore. Trained in classical dance by Shri Vittal Shetty; stage actress while at university in Mangalore with the Bellari Lalithamma Nataka Mandali. Started under Panthulu’s direction (Saaku Magalu, Chinnada Gombe) but Puttanna Kanagal moulded her career after her breakthrough in his Bellimoda. In several key roles she embodied the ‘ woman’ as imaged in the Kannada author Triveni’s romantic fictions. Her tragic roles (Gejje Pooje, Sharapanjara, in Lakshminarayan/Chaduranga? socials) helped define a cinema derived from popular literature (cf. Navya Movement) and pulp fiction. Also acted in mythologicals by Hunsur Krishnamurthy where her distinctive tragic style, (e.g. Shri Kannika Parameshwari Kathe) departs from the norms set by her predecessor, Leelavathi. Committed suicide in a lonely traveller’s bungalow in Gotur, Karnataka.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1963: Saaku Magalu; 1964: Chinnada Gombe; Nandi; 1965: Kavaleradu Kulavondu; 1966: Mantralaya Mahatme; Shri Kannika Parameshwari Kathe; Sadhu Mirandal; Madras To Pondicherry; Mayor Nair; 1967: Pattathu Rani; Padavidhara; Bellimoda; Bangarada Hoovu; Dhanapishachi; Immadi Pulakesi; Premakku Permitte; 1968: Gandhinagara; Mahasati Arundhati; Sarvamangala; Hannele Chiguridaga; Anandakanda; Anna Thamma; Hoovu Mullu; Manninamaga; 1969: Odahuttidavaru; Kappu Bilapu; Uyyale; Mathru Bhoomi; Kaanike; Mukunda Chandra; Brindavana; 1970: Gejje Pooje; Arishina Kumkuma; Anirikshita; Pratikara; Karulina Kare; Lakshmi Saraswathi; Vagdhana; Namma Mane; Seeta; Devara Makkalu; Mukti; 1971: Ondekula Ondedaiva; Sharapanjara; Bhale Adrushtavo Adrushta; Sothu Geddavalu; Kulagaurava; 1972: Nari Munidare Mari; Subhadra Kalyanam; Uttara Dakshina; Yavajanmada Maitri; Na Mechida Huduga; Jeevana Jokaali; Goodu Putani; Menakodalu; Mareyada Deepavali; 1973: Bidugade; Triveni; Gandhadagudi; Kesarina Kamala; Andala Ramudu; 1974: Tulasi; Eradu Kanasu; Idu Namma Desha; 1975: Dari Tappida Maga; Beluvalada Madilalli; Nireekshe; Asthi Kosam; Kotalo Paga; Maya Machhindra (Tel); Ramuni Minchina Ramudu; 1976: Bayalu Dari; Vijayavani; Rajanarthakiya Rahasya; 1978: Sandarbha; Vamsa Jyothi; Maleya Makkalu.

Actor