Kasturi Nivasa
| Kasturi Nivasa ಕಸ್ತೂರಿ ನಿವಾಸ |
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| Directed by | Dorai-Bhagavan |
| Produced by | K. C. N. Gowda |
| Written by | Chi. Udayashankar |
| Starring | Rajkumar K.S. Ashwath Jayanthi Aarathi |
| Music by | G.K. Venkatesh |
| Release date(s) | 1971 |
| Country |  India |
| Language | Kannada |
Kasturi Nivasa (Kannada: ಕಸ್ತೂರಿ ನಿವಾಸ, House of Fragrance) is a 1971 Kannada drama film. It is the story of an extremely generous man, who succumbs to his intention of being generous no matter what happens. The film stars Rajkumar,[1] Jayanthi, K. S. Ashwath and Aarathi. This movie is often referred as one of the greatest Kannada movies of all time.
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[edit] Plot
Ravi Varma, the owner of a match box factory is a widower and has lost his daughter in an accident. Recognizing that his honest employee Chandru is in a similar position, he decides to help Chandru financially. As Chandru attends training in U.S., Ravi takes care of Chandru's charming daughter. On return, Chandru suggests changing the company's structure. The traditionalist Ravi, becomes infuriated. Protesting this, Chandru resigns and starts his own match box company and becomes the leading match box manufacturer.
This begins Ravi's downfall, his charity and donating activities have eaten up profit and ends up putting his house on sale. Chandru calls for the highest bid and wants to give it back to Ravi, but being the man that he is, Ravi would not accept. Chandru has already got Leela, his ex-secretary on whom Ravi had a crush on, and now Ravi's house.
Film ends on a tragic note when all Ravi has is his Dove, and Leela requests him to give it her, as her daughter is sick and is crying for Ravi uncle's Dove. Ravi has just sold that, so that he could feed Leela. Unable to say no to a request he breathes his last.
[edit] Production
In early 70's, Tamil film story writer G. Balasubramanyam, had written a story of love and sacrifice exclusively for Sivaji Ganeshan. He sold the rights of the story “Kasturi Nivasam” to Noor Saab for Rs. 25,000. Noor Saab engaged K. Shankar to direct. During the narration Sivaji Ganeshan seemed unsure of how the tragic theme would be accepted by the audience and Noor Saab shelved the project.
But later in 1971, Kannada script writer Chi. Udayashankar and Rajkumar’s younger brother S.P. Varadaraj showed interest in the project. Eventually, they coaxed B. Dorai Raj and S.K. Bhagavan, the director duo, to listen to the story. Upon hearing the story, Dorai-Bhagavan, were interested in making the film with Rajkumar under their banner of Anupam Movies. But they were not sure if Rajkumar would accept the role. Rajkumar, however, said, "The theme is challenging. But your understanding of Kannada audience and the market is important. I leave the choice to you." Dorai-Bhagavan purchased the rights for Rs. 38,000.
Bangalore-based financier K. C. N. Gowda, agreed to finance the project. Encouraged by the State Government’s subsidy scheme, which promised Rs. 50,000 for all Kannada films made under it, Dorai-Bhagavan erected the sets at Sri Kanteerava Studios and launched “Kasturi Nivasa”.[2]
[edit] Soundtrack
| Kasturi Nivasa | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by G. K. Venkatesh | |
| Released | August 1971 |
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
| Label | Sa Re Ga Ma |
The music for the movie is composed by G.K. Venkatesh.[3] The album consists of six tracks, sung by Indian music industry's legendary artists such as P. B. Sreenivas, P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari.[4] Two of the most popular songs Aadisidaata and Aadisi Nodu Beelisi Nodu are written by Chi. Udayashankar, who is also the script writer of the film.[5]
| Track # | Song | Singer(s) | Lyricist |
| 1 | Nee Bandhu Nintaaga | P. B. Sreenivas, P. Susheela | R N Jayagopal |
| 2 | Aadona Neenu Naanu | P. B. Sreenivas | Vijayanarasimha |
| 3 | Aadisidaata Besara Moodi | G.K. Venkatesh | Chi. Udayashankar |
| 4 | Aadisi Nodu Beelisi Nodu | P. B. Sreenivas | Chi. Udayashankar |
| 5 | Elle Iru Hege Iru | P. Susheela | Chi. Udayashankar |
| 6 | Oh Geleya | L. R. Eswari | R N Jayagopal |
[edit] Box office
When the film released, it ran only for four weeks due to a prior agreement between producers and exhibitors. But it ran for over 100 days at many cinema halls across the state during the second run.[6]
[edit] Trivia
Learning about the film’s success, Shivaji Productions purchased the rights of the film for Rs. 2 lakh. The Tamil version of “Kasturi Nivasa”, directed by K. Shankar hit the screen as “Avandan Manidan” as Sivaji Ganeshan’s 100th film.[7]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Now Running, Retrieved on May 8, 2008
