Monthly Archives: August 2017

Music director, singer L.N. Shastry no more

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Music director and singer L.N. Shastry. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Music director and singer L.N. Shastry. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

L.N. Shastry (46), noted playback singer and music director of Kannada cinema, breathed his last on Wednesday noon. He is survived by his wife Suma Shastry, a noted singer. Shastry was suffering from cancer.

Shastry has sung for over 25 films and his “Kolumande Jangama Deva” for the film Janumada Jodi directed by T.S. Nagabharana brought him name and fame. This song also got him Karnataka State Film Award as Best Male Playback Singer. “Karunaade KaiChachide Node” for the film Malla starring Ravichandran was another of his hit songs.

He was disciple of music directors Hamsalekha and V. Manohar, before he became an independent composer for the film Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene. Melody was the last film he composed music for. He has last sung for a song for the film Love in Mandya.

Political leaders and members of the film fraternity condoled the death of the musician, who enriched Kannada cinema through his music.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The  Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – August 30th, 2017

Enagi Balappa enriched the silver screen too

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Enagi Balappa with the then President Shankar Dayal Sharma. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Enagi Balappa with the then President Shankar Dayal Sharma. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

He had acted on four landmark Kannada films

Enagi Balappa, a towering personality among the professional theatre artistes in the country who passed away on Friday morning, had also acted in as many as four Kannada films and filled life to the characters he essayed.

His first screen appearance was in “Maadi Madidavaru” directed by K.M. Shankarappa in 1974. The film was based on the novel by Basavaraja Kattimani, which depicted the freedom struggle vividly.

He returned to the celluloid after a gap of nearly two decades and essayed the important role in “Sangeetagara Gaanayogi Panchakshari Gavai” directed by Chindodi Bangaresh and produced by theatre personality Chindodi Leela (1995). The film bagged both national and state film awards.

Balappa’s performance in that film attracted attention of film maker T.S. Nagabharana, who offered him an important role in his landmark venture “Janumada Jodi” starring Shivarajkumar. The film, which was based on Gujarati writer Pannalal Patel’s Malela Jeev, got over eight awards.

His last appearance was in “Pareekshe” directed by Ravi Kumar in 2010 when he was 97-years-old. The film focussed on various issues, including education, eradication of AIDS and women’s empowerment.

Condoled

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condoled Balappa’s death. Describing him as the legendary centenarian of Kannada professional theatre, he recalled Balappa’s contribution to the fields of professional theatre, film and folklore.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said Balappa played an important role in various struggles for the land, including freedom fight, unification of Karnataka and Gokak agitation. Remembering Balappa’s performance in the Jagajyothi Basaveshwara play and women’s roles, he said Balappa used to get into the skin of the character.

Promising to realise Balappa’s dream of protecting collection of Ranga Geethegalu (theatre songs) and setting up of theatre music school, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he would direct the departments concerned to take action on that front.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Muralidhara Khajane / Bengaluru – August 18th, 2017