Shyamsunder Kulkarni, a humble and simple individual in life yet a strong pillar in the profession of cinema journalism and a lyricist for Kannada films, has passed away. His departure went largely unnoticed in the media.
A leading journalist from the late 1950s who served the field for over 50 years, Shyamsunder Kulkarni battled cancer during the last decade of his life. His daughter, Varsha, and wife, Radhika, cared for him with great devotion. Kulkarni breathed his last on October 31, coinciding with the Deepavali festival. A luminary of the Kannada cinema industry, his wish for a simple farewell resulted in news of his passing reaching the media quite late.
In his illustrious career spanning over five decades, Shyamsunder Kulkarni had many accomplishments to his credit. He reviewed more than 2,000 Kannada films, starting with the 1957 classic School Master. His exceptional writing skills and beautiful handwriting attracted the attention of leading filmmakers. As the son of a station master, starting his career with School Master was a poetic coincidence. His interactions with stalwarts like Nagendra Rao and Subbaiah Naidu were milestones in his journey.
Kulkarni’s commitment, honesty, and professional ethics earned him enduring respect in the field. His contributions as a journalist were featured in renowned publications such as Kannada Prabha, Samyuktha Karnataka, Roopatara, Taranga, Sudha, and Karmaveera. His consistent and impactful work made him an inseparable companion of the Kannada cinema industry.
He also contributed to the script division of the celebrated musical program Ede Tumbi Haduvenu. Inspired by his colleague B.K. Gururaj, Shyamsunder Kulkarni penned several memorable songs for Kannada films. Tracks like Yava Hoovu Yaara Mudige, Hero Hero Naane, Sutta Muttalu Sanjegattalu, and Neeli Banali further solidified his position in the Kannada film industry.
