Master of backstage: Auto Vishwanna

K. Viswanath, popularly known as Auto Vishwanna, was a theatre artiste who had worked for almost 50 years in the art field. He passed away last year this month. Hence in his memory, his daughter Seema Viswanath from North Carolina, USA, has organised a programme called ‘Bhavanjali’ which will be premièred online on YouTube on Sept. 26 at 7.30 pm  in three parts:  “Bhavanjali” – Documentary about K. Viswanath;  “Nagamandala” – Theatrical dance drama and “Viswanath Art Grant” for upcoming artistes in India. Seema Viswanath is a Bharatanatyam and Kathak dancer, choreographer, educator and disciple of Guru Nandini  Eswer, Director of Raasavrunda School of Dance, Mysuru. Here we publish an article on K. Viswanath by C.V. Jayram.—Ed

By C.V. Jayram

It is not an exaggeration to state that Kannada Sangha of Nagamangala, Mandya district, had played a major role in establishing theatre activities in rural areas. It has been providing opportunity to stage modern theatre performances. People from these rural areas would swarm to the theatre in bullock carts and tractors to watch the theatre plays. At the daybreak, highlights of casual discussion would be the play artistes and the backstage techniques. Auto Vishwanna was one of the main topics of discussion and would be invariably appreciated by all.

K. Viswanath (Auto Vish- wanna)  was the son of K. Krishnamurthy and Lakshmamma from Kudur near Bengaluru. Vishwanna’s father was a landlord but he lost all his wealth and property. Later he came to Nagamangala with his family in search of employment. Vishwanna had studied up to PUC and left College because of poverty. Though his mother was a teacher, she could not bear all the expenses of the family.

He went to Chennai (previously known as Madras) in search of livelihood. In the beginning he took up the available employment of a lorry cleaner. Later he took up the job of assistant to a backstage technician at Vijaya Vaahini studio. He learnt all the technique of backstage specialist with all dedication and determination. He returned to Nagamangala and joined Kannada Sangha as the most active and creative member. He actively took part in the backstage activities for many plays and also  acted in the productions of Kannada Sangha such as Mahima Pura, Dr. Siddaraju, Manninagaadi, Nagamandala, Sahebaru Barttare, Neeli Kudure, Dindi, Shabarana Kathe, Hayavadana.

He got married to Sathya Prema of Mysore on Nov. 1, 1976. He took up the profession of auto driver with great love, affection and professionalism. He could have earned wealth taking up the profession of archaka in any temple, but he took up the profession other way round. He also worked as a banana vendor.

Vishwanna was well-built and knew many languages. He was so creative that in his hands, the jute, mulberry stems or roots grown awkwardly would become props on the stage. He used low cost-no cost props.

In 1999, he had actively taken part in Chinnara Mela at Rangayana Mysore and had worked on the backstage in plays such as Yaduraya Vijayam, Chammarana Chaaluku Hendati, Nartakiya Pooje, Hittina Hunja, Uli, Raayara Raaya Shri Krishna Devaraya, Bhairavi Venkatasubbaiah, Kore Hallina Huli, Dangeya Munchina Dinagalu and many more productions.

He had also worked as backstage designer in some of the troupes like Amarakala Sangha, Kalapriya, Samudaya,  Kadamba Ranga Vedike, Apoorva, Apravarambe, Samatento, Kalasuruchi as well as other amateur theatres.

Vishwanna had also witnessed many ups and downs in his life. Unwillingly he had moved to Mysore and had worked in all plays of Prof. H.S. Umesh and S.R. Ramesh. An evidence for his creative thinking is that he had demonstrated an artificial sun rise at midnight in the New Year celebrations organised by a Club in Bangalore.

Vishwanna and Sathya Prema were blessed with three daughters — Rajani, Poornima and Seema. Now, Sathya Prema resides in Ramakrishnanagar, Mysuru. His daughter Seema, residing in America, was determined to stage the play Nagamandala written by Girish Karnad in a dance form on Sept. 26 to commemorate her father’s death anniversary. The same could be watched with link https://linktr.ee/SeemaViswanath at 7.30 pm. In addition, she has planned to announce ‘Viswanath Kalavethana’ for upcoming artistes from next year. Under ‘Bhavanjali’ she will release a documentary to pay tribute to her departed father.

[Article translated to English by A. Raghunath Singh, Lecturer in Bellur, Nagamangala]