Kesalur is a small hamlet in Thirtha Halli taluk of Shimoga district, in the heart of Malnad. Renowned film director Girish Kasaravalli (1950) is from that village. One may wonder that, if he is from Kesalur, why then is he called Kasaravalli. Kasaravalli is the name of his family, which is well - known in the surroundings. Girish Kasaravalli's father Ganesh Rao and mother Lakshmi Devi brought up their child with great care and affection. They sent the boy to the local school at Kesalur for primary education. He had his middle - school education at Kammaradi.

But these details do not tell us much about Kasaravalli's achievements and his early experiences. Literary atmosphere pervaded the family surroundings. His father used to bring good books for him to read and Girish cultivated the habit of reading books almost from his childhood. The father was a lover of books himself and he was maintaining a library at home. He believed in Milton's saying that a home without a library is like a body without soul. He helped his son develop a good taste.

Besides books, music and drama played a great role in the young boy's evolution. His father was a lover of music and drama also Yakshagana. Come summer, and you could find a “touring talkies” camping in the village. Kasaravalli was a regular visitor to the “tent cinema”. He would never miss any movie screened at the talkies.

Love for Arts:
Another attraction for the boy was his maternal grandfather Kamakodu Narasimha Shastri, who was a great scholar. It was he who taught Girish about making a wise choice of books. He came to know the kind of books that should be read with great avidity and those that are to be just “tasted”. K. V. Subbanna of Neenasam (Heggodu) was Kamakodu Narasimha Shastri's son – in - law and Girish's uncle.

Each one of his brothers was interested in same art form or the other. His eldest brother Umesh was obsessed with “theatre”. Satish, his elder brother was a budding poet. Ravish, his younger brother was mad about painting. Young Girish had a taste of all these forms of art. His psyche was the meeting ground of drama, literature, music and painting.

In the meanwhile, he had finished his high school and college education at Shimoga. Shimoga in those days was the hub of many cultural and literary activities. The Karnataka Sangha and the Sahyadri College were hosting many functions. Needless to say that Girish was regularly attending these functions.

The book, which brought a great transformation in his outlook on life, was “Kanooru Subbamma Heggadithi”, written by Kuvempu. For the first time, he had an insight into the lives of the toiling rural masses. It was a totally different and very rich experience.

Girish Kasaravalli's ambition in life was to become a doctor. But he failed to get qualifying marks in the science subjects at the Pre - university examination. He went to Manipal and joined the B. Pharma course.

New vistas of cinema:
But he was not destined to succeed in his desire to follow the pharmacist's profession. He failed to secure a high rank. The MGM College at Udupi under the stewardship of Principal K. S. Haridasa Bhat was a great hub of cultural activities. Prof. Bhat himself was a great enthusiast of Yakshagana. B. V. Karanth, a genius in theatre art, was there and he was engaged in directing the drama “Andhayuga”. Young Kasaravalli was attracted by Karanth. New vistas of the world of cinema and theatre were opened before him.

Though Girish has missed the rank at the B. Pharma examination, he had however succeeded in completing the course. He went to Hyderabad to undergo training. Again, he was waylaid by art and he was deprived of the opportunity of becoming a pharmacist. In the course of his stay at Hyderabad, Girish saw a number of great films produced by stalwarts like Mrinal Sen, Sathyajit Ray and as well as many foreign movies. He abandoned the idea of getting formal education for pursuing a career. The film world lured him. He decided to make a systematic study of the art of film - making and joined the film Institute at Pune.

As part of the course, he produced a film titled “Awashesha” (the residue). This mini - film was decided by the judges as the best among the students' productions and was awarded the President's silver medal.

In the last year of Kasaravalli's study at the Pune Institute, he got an invitation from B.V. Karanth to work as the assistant director of the film “Chomana Dudi” based on the novel of the same name by novelist Dr. Shivarama Karanth. Kasaravalli's uncle K. V. Subbanna prodded him to accept the offer. Girish agreed. Two other movies produced with Girish as Assistant Director were Grahana (eclipse) and Kakanakote.

Chain of awards:
When Girish was still a student of the film institute, he prepared the script of “Ghatashraddha” based on U. R. Anantha Murthy’s novel. The institute rejected it. But he was lucky to find a producer for it. Muddu Suvarna agreed to produce it under the direction of Girish Kasaravalli. The film won the President's gold medal, the International Catholic Jury award and many more laurels. It was selected as one of the 25 great movies in the history of cinema.

From then onwards there was no looking back for Girish. All the films produced by Girish as director have won awards. Akramana and “Tabaranakathe” won Swarna Kamala award in 1986. “Bannada Vesha” was produced for Dooradarshan. It got State and National awards (1988). “Mane” got National award (1989). “Krourya” was another movie getting the national award.

Girish is very particular about “spacing” his productions. He is particular about quality. After the production of one film he will not attempt the next until the award money is fully utilized. He does not agree that experimental films are not commercially successful. Quite a number of his films are great box - office hits. He has served as the Principal of Adarsha film institute. His recent films “Thayee Saheba” and “Nayi Neralu” are also successful.

HSK
Courtesy: Star of Mysore

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