A multi-talented personality, Sadananda Suvarna – theater activist, Kannada film producer, and director – passed away at the age of 93 in Mangaluru today. Sadananda Suvarna was born on December 24, 1931.
Hailing from Mulki in Dakshina Kannada, he was a Mumbaikar like many other Kannadigas. He studied in night school and showed an interest in plays from his school days, engaging in writing, acting, and directing in Mumbai’s Kannada Rangabhoomi. He obtained a certificate from the Natya Academy and a theater diploma. His rapid growth in theater activities, theater festivals, and drama direction fostered training for various students.
Along with art films, his interest extended to mass media. He earned a diploma in mass media and qualified in cinematography as well. Even before his popular play ‘Guddada Bhootha’ appeared on the small screen, he worked on ‘Ghata Shradda’ in 1977, which was directed by Padma Shri Dr. Girish Kasaravalli. This film won the Swarna Kamal at the national level. He was the executive producer for Girish Kasaravalli’s ‘Tabarana Kathe’. Later, he produced and directed ‘Kubi Matthu Iyala’, which won the state award and was featured in the Panorama section of the International Film Festival. The female protagonist of this film, Lalithanjali, later married Kannada actor Uday Huttinagadde.
For Doordarshan, Sadananda Suvarna directed ‘Guddada Bhootha’, a documentary on Shivarama Karanth, and a few documentaries on Dakshina Kannada in his five decades of activities.
The television serial ‘Guddada Bhootha’ provided a break for Prakash Rai, now a pride of Indian cinema. His directorial venture ‘Court Martial’ received much applause. He later moved from Mumbai to Dakshina Kannada. Sadananda Suvarna was honored with the Sri Sahitya Samrajya Mandali Lokesh Prashasthi.
