The year 2014 was pathetic for the loss of elders, middle age and youngsters connected to the Kannada cinema industry. We pray for the demise of notable personalities.

YASHWANTH HALIBANDI

Noted playback singer in the ‘Sugama Sangeeth’ field Yashwanth Halibandi passed away on Wednesday at the age of 64 years. He leaves behind wife Lakshmi and singer son Pancham Halibandi and Tabla player Preetham Halibandi.

An elegant singer of Da Ra Bendre, Jnanapith award winner poems Yashwanth died of cardiac arrest at a private Nursing home. On Wednesday evening he was cremated at Banashankeri crematorium.

GOA DATTHU NO MORE

Kannada films and television actor Goa Datthu, son in law of AS Murthy of Kalamandira and Abhinaya Taranga passed away early on Thursday due to cardiac arrest.

The 67 years theatre actor and activist, TV and cinema actor Goa Datthu father of noted playback singer of Kannada cinema and light music MD Pallavi was living in Goa for some time. He leaves behind his wife Gauri and another daughter Sushma.

Goa Datthu acted in over 100 television serials and in films like ‘Sasmkaravantha’, ‘Koormavathara’ he was seen in short and sweet roles.

SIMHA SILENCE!

Veteran actor, director and good orator Chennapattana Ramaswamy Shastri alias CR Simha died after long illness at Sevakshetra Hospital in Banashankeri on Friday afternoon.

Simha leaves behind wife Sharadamani, son Rithwik Simha, daughter Akila, well wishers, fans and others. The cremation is taking place of Simha on Saturday evening.

Like his name ‘Simha’ he was terror on stage and when it comes to cinema he was brilliant in dialogue delivery that was convincing for all.

BALU MAHENDRA

Balu Mahendra, a pioneer cinematographer feted for his use of natural lighting and film-maker who explored offbeat subjects using realistic portrayals, died at a hospital here on Thursday. Mahendra, who inspired and mentored a generation of directors, was 74.

RAVINDRANATH DEAD

A long time friend of Tamil super star Rajanikanth, director of Kannada films, actor Ravindranath passed away on Sunday in Hyderabad of heart attack.

Born in Bhadravathi in 1951, 27th March, director Ravindranath died in the month of his birth with just 11 days left for his birth date.

SANATH KUMAR NO MORE

Just a day after the demise of Ravindranath director of Kannada cinema sad news again has shocked the Kannada cinema industry in the death of Sanath Kumar. Like how Ravindranath body was donated to MS Ramaih Hospital, the body of Sanath Kumar was also donated for medical purpose of the MS Ramaiah College it is learnt. Sanath Kumar admitted to Mallaya Hospital died on Wednesday morning.

Sanath Kumar just 43 years of age is the producer of ‘Eddelu Manjunatha’ in Kannada. He was preparing for a remake film as his next.

7TH APRIL 2014

VK MURTHY DADA NO MORE

Dada of cinematography in Indian cinema VK Murthy, 91 died in Bangalore on Monday morning. Dada Saheb Phalke award winner of Indian cinema VK Murthy was the only technician to receive the honor besides many others.

In the company of Guru Dutt of Hindi cinema the craftsmanship of VK Murthy is adorable even to this day. The films like Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Aar Par, Sahib Bibi Aur Gulam top ranking Hindi films began his career in 1951 from ‘Baazi’.

SHAKUNTALA NO MORE

Smt Shakunthala Bangarappa, mother of Geetha Shivarajakumar (Loks Sabha contestant from Shimoga) and actor, politician, studio owner cum producer Madhu Bangarappa – present MLA and Kumar Bangarappa (former Minister of Karnataka) passed away after long illness.

RAGHUVEER NO MORE

Raghuveer epoch making film ‘Chaitrada Premanjali’ producer and actor of 1990 in the direction of S Narayan that had stupendous music from Hamsalekha – breathed his last in a private hospital at the age of 46 in Bangalore. He leaves behind wife and two daughters. The body of Raghuveer will be kept at his father residence in Sampangiramanagara and on Friday at Raghuveer Estate in Doddaballapura final rites will be conducted.

K MANJU MOTHER NO MORE

 

It is a pall of gloom in my life with the passing away of my mother Smt Sakamma says producer K Manju one of the high profile and lavish producer of Kannada and Tamil films.

 

The shock for K Manju came when his mother Sakamma 66 years declared dead at Sagar Appolo Hospital near his residence in Jayanagar 4th block. Smt Sakamma had her night dinner and complained of breathing problem. On the way to hospital she lost her breath.

 

RAMNARAYAN DEPARTS

One of the finest and hardworking directors of South India Ramnarayan with 130 films to his credit also a producer succumbed to ill health on Sunday and passed away at a private hospital in Singapore. From Meenakshi to Arya Surya Ramnarayan has made many successful films as director and producer.

DR URA ENDS

One of the delectable writer of ‘Navya’ period of Kannada literature, a thinker, educationist, socialist and straightforward personality, Jnanapith award winner Dr Udupi Rajagopalacharya Ananthamurthy – well known as Dr UR Ananthamurthy breathed his last on Friday evening and left a huge void in Kannada literature.

STILL JAIDEV PASSED AWAY

A senior still photographer, cameraman of a few Kannada films Jai Dev succumbed to heart attack in Mysore on last Saturday. A still photographer aged 60 years leaves behind his wife, daughter and a son.

Jaidev on a visit to Mysore to take look at the model housing scheme developed by Housing Ministry of Karnataka government for technicians of Kannada cinema with his friends Pai and Shekar Wali.

VETERAN AR RAJU DEPARTS

A veteran in distribution of other language films in Karnataka, producer of 27 Kannada films AR Raju died of heart attack on Wednesday morning at MS Ramaiah Hospital. He was in the hospital for more than a week on severe heart attack. He leaves behind wife, daughter and son.

AR Raju film ‘Sahodarara Savaal’ starring Tamil super star today Rajanikanth and Dr Vishnuvardhana was super hit and it was silver jubilee in 1977. This is the film that also made a strong base for Rajanikanth in Tamil cinema industry. At the shooting of this film it was Dr Vishnuvardhana suggested Rajanikanth to get in to Tamil cinema.

SOHAN KUMARI NO MORE

One of the leading singers in the company of legendary P Kalinga Rao – Sohan Kumari died of old age complaints at 86 on Wednesday at the Vruddasharama she was living.

Karnataka Kannada and culture minister Umasri visited the ‘Ashram’ in Banashankeri to pay last respect. YK Muddu Krishna, head of Sugama Sangeetha Association, national award winning singer Shimoga Subbanna and others took last darshan of Sohan Kumari.

‘SORRY’KANNADA SOMU DEAD

Kannada film producer of ‘Sorry’ (Raghuvaran in the lead role released in 1998), famous for Kannada activities – Kannada Somu died of massive heart attack on Thursday. He was 49 years.

After debacle of ‘Sorry’ Kannada film in Nee Sudarshan direction, Kannada Somu shifted his interest in service oriented programs; he was also running a dairy for his livelihood. An ITI diploma holder Kannada Somu has been serving for the causes of Kannada in the last two and half decades. He was treasurer of Kannada Film Producers Association.

JANAKIRAM DEAD

A veteran old horse Janakiram ailing after a fall in Hyderabad breathed his last. He was the winner of Dr Rajakumar award given by Karnataka state government.

Janakiram – producer, director and cameraman of Kannada cinema man with 60 years of history behind him worked as camera assistant in HM Reddy Studio for Renukadevi Mahatme and became independent cameraman from Bhaktha Vijaya. Punya Purusha was his first direction and he became producer from this film too. Manava Dhanava, Anthima Ghata, Poli Huduga. Obbarigintha Obbaru, Kasidre Kailasa, Agnathavasa, Balu Apurupa Nam Jodi are some of his films.

The life after producing a film ‘Central Jail’ in Kannada recently became pitiable for Janakiram. The film crashed miserably put down his courage.

BASAVARAJ KATTIMANI

Organiser of school and college children for thought provoking films Basavaraj Kattimani was murdered in Bengaluru.