One of the prominent character actors in Kannada cinema, Sharat Lohitashwa, stars in the Tulu film Pidayi, which has been selected for the prestigious Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF).
Produced by K. Suresh, written by Ramesh Shettigar, and directed by National Award-winning director Santosh Mada, the Tulu film Pidayi will have a special screening at the Kolkata Film Festival on December 8 and 9.
Renowned Kannada actor Sharat Lohitashwa plays the lead role of Mahamai in this film. The film also stars Roopa Varkadi, Ila Vitla, Devi Nair, Deepak Rai Panaje, Pushparaj Bolar, Pritesh, Anil Raj Uppal, Ravi Varkadi, as well as young talents Monish, Trisha, Druva, Niha, and others.
The cinematography of Pidayi was handled by Unni Madavoor, while the dialogues were written by Ramesh Shettigar and DBC Shekhar. The film was shot in the border areas of Mudipu and Manjeshwar in the Dakshina Kannada district.
The lyrics for the film were written by Padmashri Kaitapram Damodaran Namboodiri, Kannada Sahitya Academy Award winner Sudhir Attavar, and Tulu Academy Award winner Kushalakshi Kanwatheertha, with music composed by Ajay Namboodiri. A special highlight is that famous devotional singer Sangeet Vidyanidhi Dr. Vidya Bhushan has lent his voice to the movie for the first time. Background singers such as Medha Vidya Bhushan, Vijesh Gopal, and others have also contributed their voices to the soundtrack.
The background music for the film was composed by Kerala State Award-winning musician Dipankuran. The film’s editing was done by Suresh Aras, a two-time National Award-winning and highly prolific film editor. Rajesh Bandyodu served as the film’s art director, while Meer Santhosh was the costume designer. Binoy Kollam handled makeup, Ravi Varkadi was the team manager, and Deepak was responsible for still photography.
A notable feature of Pidayi is the use of Kunita Bhajan, a traditional form of Tulunadu folk music, which is featured for the first time in the film. Sandeep Ballal composed the music for the Kunitha bhajan, with lyrics written by Yogeesh Adakalkatte. Another dance bhajan, with music by Shinoy Joseph, features lyrics penned by renowned poet and advocate Shashiraj Kavur.
