The Hindu

Mangalore, Oct 8: Film-maker and theatre person M. Sadananda Suvarna has been named the recipient of this year’s Karanth award.

The award will be presented at the 108th birth anniversary function of Jnanpith award-winner Shivarama Karanth organised by the Dakshina Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Kalkura Foundation and Sharada Pre-University College. Parishat president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said district in-charge Minister J. Krishna Palemar would inaugurate the event on October 10.

Mr. Suvarna’s Ghatashraddha, directed by Girish Kasaravalli, received the prestigious Swarna Kamal award. His Kubi Mattu Iyala was awarded Best Film by the State Government. Charu Haasan, who played the lead role in the film, was awarded the National Award Best Actor for his role in the film.

Born in Mulky in Dakshina Kannada district, Mr. Suvarna lives in Mumbai and has also frequently written Kannada plays and translated plays from other languages to Kannada. He has written dramas such as Guddada Bhoota, Gondolu, Kurudu Kanchana in the Tulu language.

Introducing Mr. Suvarna in a release, Mr. Kalkura said that the eminent film maker had obtained his diploma in acting from the Natak Academy of Maharashtra and a certificate course in photography. Among his popular plays are: Dharmachakra, Donkubalada Nayakaru, Suli, Nalvattara Nalugu, Urulu and Court Marshal.

Mr. Suvarna became a household name through his TV serial Guddada Bhoota. His documentary, Hucchu Manassina Hattu Mukhagalu on Shivaram Karanth has won wide appreciation, he said.

Mr. Suvarna’s Suvarnagiri Publications has encouraged many a young writer by first publishing their works, the release said.

Mr. Kalkura said that Mr. Suvarna had added colour to the lives of Mumbai-Kannadigas and that he had been contributing to retain the memory of Karanth through the Sadananda Suvarna Cultural Foundation.