GTD releases book Nagabharana – Cinemavarana

Mysore/Mysuru: Stating that noted Film Director T.S. Nagabharana, who came from a small town of Talakad in T. Narasipur taluk of the district, has risen to great heights in the Film Industry, Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda (GTD) said that the Film Director has a hill of achievements behind him.

He was speaking after releasing the book ‘Nagabharana – Cinemavarana,’ jointly edited by columnist Gubbigoodu Ramesh and N.K. Padmanabha and brought out by city’s Vismaya Book House, at a programme organised at Rani Bahadur auditorium here recently.

Pointing out that Nagabharana has earned name and fame as an actor, director, producer and theatre person, GTD said that Nagabharana has directed 36 films in a career spanning nearly four decades, out of which 10 films have won National and 23 International Awards.

Noting that Nagabharana, who trained under theatre giant B.V. Karanth, has also directed 36 plays, he said that Nagabharana is credited of being the first director to produce a Kannada serial for Doordarshan.

Stating that Nagabharana is also currently the Kannada Development Authority Chairman, the MLA said that ‘Nagabharana – Cinemavarana’ is a new experiment and the Kannada film industry should see more of them.

Actor Vijay Raghavendra said that he can never ever forget ‘Chinnari Muttha’ film, which gave him a big break. Contending that people still recognise him as ‘Chinnari Muttha,’ though he has grown big with the passage of years, he said that it was Nagabharana, who fine-tuned his acting skills. He further said that he has learnt several lessons on patience, simplicity and concentration from the                                               great director.

Actor Mandya Ramesh, in his address, said that Nagabharana is recognised as a big film personality not only nationally but internationally as well. 

Pointing out that Nagabharana, who came from a rural background, could become a renowned Director because of his theatre background and his firm attitude and mind, Ramesh said that the films — Janumada Jodi and Nagamandala — that were directed by Nagabharana, have become text books in Film Academies and Schools in Gujarat and also in Russia. It is a matter of great pride for Karnataka that Nagabharana’s films are highly appreciated nationally and internationally, he added.

Senior actor Sundar Raj, in his address, said that the ‘Guru’ (Teacher) and ‘Guri’ (Target) of himself and Nagabharana, were one and the same. Recalling the days when he and Nagabharana trained under theatre icon B.V. Karanth, he said that he is associated with the Film Director for over 50 years. 

Expressing his wish that Nagabharana script a play, Sundar Raj said that he will fund the play and see that the play is first performed in Mysuru.

University of Mysore (UoM) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar, in his address, said that the book on Nagabharana must be introduced as a text book to newcomers, who want to produce films. 

Noting that there are calls to confer Hon. Doctorate degree on Nagabharana, he said that a Committee will be constituted to discuss the matter in the coming days.

Nagabharana’s wife Nagini Bharana, Prakash Chikkapalya of Vismaya Book House, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat Mysuru President Dr. Y.D. Rajanna, former MLA Balaraj, Senior Journalist Amshi Prasannakumar, Singer Sangeetha Katti Kulkarni and others  were present.