Kalpana (Kannada actress)

For the other given names see Kalpana
Kalpana

"Minugu Taare" Kalpana
Born Sharat Lata
8 July 1943
South Canara, Madras Presidency, British India
Died 12 May 1979(1979-05-12) (aged 35)
Gotur IB, Sankeshwar, Belgaum, India
Other names "Minugu Taare"
Occupation Actress

Kalpana (Kannada: ಕಲ್ಪನಾ; 8 July 1943 – 12 May 1979), born Sharat Lata was a Kannada film actress. She was affectionately referred to as Minugu Taare ("A Shining Star") among the film fraternity. She is widely recognised as one of the greatest actresses of Kannada cinema who enjoyed both fan following and critical acclaimations showering upon her film after films. She made her screen debut as a lead actress in the 1963 released Saaku Magalu directed by veteran B.R. Pantulu. During a career that spanned from the early 1960s to the late 1970s, Kalpana appeared in numerous commercially successful as well as critically appreciated films, many of which featured her alongside actor Rajkumar. She worked in few Tamil, Tulu and Telugu films as well.[1] Majority of her successful films were incidentally female centric that gave ample scope for her performances.

One of her best-known roles was that of 'Kaveri' in the Multi-awarded film Sharapanjara released in 1971, a performance that won her Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress for that year. Her portrayal of the highly spirited and complex role who fights her mental trauma won her the largest fan following ever for a Kannada actress. Her association with the veteran film maker Puttanna Kanagal both professionally and personally became the talk of the town back in the 1970s. They both went on to work successfully in many commercially and critically successful films until they fell apart with each other.

Kalpana committed suicide and met with her death on 12 May 1979 after her alleged failed romance.[2] Her career was in decline at the time she died and film based on her life - Abhinetri_(2015_film) was released [3]

Early life

Kalpana was born to a Tulu speaking couple, Krishnamurthy and Janakamma, as Sharat Lata in South Canara district of Karnataka state. She was highly passionate about acting and took part in all the talent competitions held at her school. She was also very much conscious about the then recent style statement and was always had her own distinct style in her outfits and attitude.she along with her younger brother and her mother had shifted to the uttara Kannada dist to experience the basics of movie and stage performances. When she moved to davangere she was introduced to shivkumar who took her to madras and introduced her to narsimharaju.narsimharaju judged the actress in her and told her that the sandalwood film industry needs such actress as kalpana was a chest of versatility,emotions and reality.she was given a break into films by noted director br pantulu who was impressed by her but he thought that her voice was not suitable for a film actress so he dubbed her role in saaku magalu.kalpana decided that she wanted to be an established film actress and soon achieved her goal and gained prominence in the industry.[4]

Career

Kalpana was recruited to the Kannada film industry in 1963 by director B.R. Pantulu for his Rajkumar starrer Saaku Magalu. However, it was the 1967 released Belli Moda that brought her to the forefront. This role portrayal of hers was instantly accepted and she soon catapulted to the top position among the actresses of the 1960s. She dominated the Kannada film industry during the late 1960s and 1970s and was critically acclaimed for some of her career best roles in author backed movies like Sharapanjara, Gejje Pooje, Belli Moda, Eradu Kanasu, Kappu Bilupu, Bayalu Daari, Gandhada Gudi and Bangarada Hoovu. She worked with almost all the leading actors and directors of her time. Her most frequent co-stars were Rajkumar, Gangadhar and Udaya Kumar. P. Susheela and S. Janaki were the regular voices behind her songs in the films. She gave a tiff competition to her contemporaries such as Jayanthi, Bharathi, Aarathi, Manjula among others.

Initially she was the most favoured heroine of ace director Puttana Kanagal. Their association produced some of the finest movies in the history of Kannada cinema. Majority of their films had strong hard hitting messages which were treasured in the cinema history. Kanagal groomed Kalpana to a great extent and they were also romantically linked by the media, much to their denials. However they fell apart due to the misunderstandings and Kanagal went on to groom other heroines like Aarathi and Padma Vasanti while Kalpana featured in some average and above average films later on.[5] All her efforts to resurrect her career failed. Even the later moves which she acted with Rajkumar ( Daari Tappida Maga and Eradu kanasu) Ananth Nag (Bayaludaari ) were hits, they failed to do any good to her. By 1977 she had no movies in hand. She then started focusing on drama companies in North karnataka and started playing in them. She mainly worked in Gudigeri Basavaraj's drama company. With mounting debts and diminishing film offers she had no choice.

She had also acted in a few Tamil and Telugu movies, such as Madras To Pondicherry. This film was later made in Hindi, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Aruna Irani in leading roles. Both the films were very successful at the box office. She also acted in Koti Channayya, a Tulu movie, directed by K. Shivaram Karanth.[6]

Fashion Icon

Kalpana was a fashion icon of her times. Her elegance, taste and sophistication in dressing could not be matched by other female stars of her time. The mega sleeve blouses, frill blouses are her contribution to Karnataka's style. Some of her fashion statements are big ear rings, big rings in the hand, brocade silk saris, chiffon saris and long necklaces.[7]

Suicidal Death

Kalpana's high profile career ended with her tragic suicide in 1979. Death was due to severe health issues and low financial status during time of death.

Filmography

Year Film Notes
1963 Saaku Magalu
1964 Naandi
1964 Pathiye Daiva
1964 School Master Malayalam film
1966 Kattumallika Malayalam film
1966 Mantralaya Mahatme
1966 Madras to Pondicherry Tamil film
1966 Bala Nagamma
1966 Sree Kannika Parameshwari Kathe
1967 Belli Moda Won Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress
1967 Padavidhara
1967 Immadi Pullakeshi
1967 Dhanapishachi
1967 Bangarada Hoovu
1968 Hoovu Mullu
1968 Anna Thamma
1968 Mannina Maga
1968 Ananda kanda
1968 Gandhinagara
1968 Hannele Chiguridaga Won Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress
1968 Sarvamangala
1969 Kaanike
1969 Kappu Bilupu
1969 Gejje Pooje
1969 Mathrubhoomi
1969 Brindavana
1969 Premakkoo Permittey
1969 Uyyale
1970 Anirikshita
1970 Arishina Kunkuma
1970 Devara Makkalu
1970 Namma Mane
1970 Pratheekara
1970 Karulina Kare
1970 Seetha
1971 Sharapanjara Won Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress
Won Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
1971 Sothu Geddavalu
1971 Naari Munidare Maari
1971 Bhale Adhrustavo Adhrushta
1972 Mareyada Deepavali
1972 Naa Mechida Huduga
1972 Yaava Janmada Maitri Won Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
1973 Gandhada Gudi
1973 Kesarina Kamala
1973 Bidugade Guest appearance
1973 Triveni
1974 Eradu Kanasu
1975 Beluvalada Madilalli
1975 Daari Tappida Maga
1976 Vijaya Vani
1977 Bayalu Daari
1977 Vamshajyothi
1978 Malaya Makkalu
1978 Anuraga Bandhana
1979 odahuttidavaru Her last screen appearance

[8]

References

  1. ↑ http://kannadakoota.net/node/202
  2. ↑ http://kannadakoota.net/node/202
  3. ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/abhinetri-to-finally-hit-screens-today/article6838074.ece
  4. ↑ http://kannadakoota.net/node/202
  5. ↑ http://kannadakoota.net/node/202
  6. ↑ http://kannadakoota.net/node/202
  7. ↑ http://kannadakoota.net/node/202
  8. ↑ KALPANA: Film Database – CITWF
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