Noted Kannada Actress Vaishali Kasaravalli is Dead

Bangalore,Sep 27 (PTI): Noted Kannada actress Vaishali Kasaravalli died at a private hospital here today, family sources said. She was 59 

Vaishali is survived by her husband, internationally acclaimed Kannada film director Girish Kasaravalli and daughter, Ananya who is also a well-known actress.

The actress, who would have turned 60 this December, was ailing for over five years. A chronic diabetic, she suffered liver damage and was also undergoing dialysis for renal malfunctioning.

She has acted in several Kannada blockbusters of the early 80's including "Yeradu Kanasu", "Henne Ninage Yenu Bandhana" and "Professor Huchchuraya" and bagged the National award for costume designing in "Tai Saheba".

A versatile artiste, she won accolades for her popular tele serials "Muttina Torana" and "Moodala Mane".

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa expressed grief over her death.

Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce President, Basant Kumar Patil described her as "one of the most creative artistes whose death has created a void in the Kannada film industry.

She was the muse for Girish, a pathbreaker who has many national awards in his kitty including the recent one for Kannada Film "Kanasemba Kudureyana Yeri".

Character-actress Umashri, who has been closely associated with Girish and Vaishali, said "she was a multi-faceted personality, an inspiration to all of us, a role model who participated in every creative process of her husband".