Kalpana (Kannada actress)

Kalpana (18 July 1943 – 12 May 1979), born Lata, was an Indian actress who appeared in Kannada films. She was affectionately referred to as Minugu Taare ("A Shining Star") among the film fraternity. She was widely recognised as one of the greatest actresses of Kannada cinema who enjoyed both fans following and critical acclaim. She made her screen debut as a lead actress in the 1963 release Saaku Magalu directed by veteran B. R. Panthulu. During a career that spanned from the early 1960s to the late 1970s, Kalpana appeared in numerous commercially successful as well as critically appreciated films, many of which featured her alongside actor Rajkumar. She worked in a few Tamil, Tulu and Malayalam films as well. Many of her successful films were female-centric, giving ample scope for her performance.

One of her best-known roles was that of Kaveri in the multiple-award-winning film Sharapanjara released in 1971, a performance that won her the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress for that year. Her portrayal of a highly spirited and complex woman who fights her mental trauma won her the largest fan following ever for a Kannada actress. Her association with the veteran film maker Puttanna Kanagal both professionally and personally became the talk of the town back in the 1970s. They both went on to work in many commercially and critically successful films until they grew apart. In her career Kalpana received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada once and the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress thrice.

Early life Lata was born on 18 July 1943 to Krishnamurthy and Janakamma, in the South Canara region of the erstwhile Madras Presidency of British India (in present-day Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India). She was affectionately called Kalpana by the family. She had one sibling, brother Diwakar. Kalpana was drawn towards stage acting as a child after she spent much of her younger days with aunt Seethamma, an actress. She also trained in Indian classical dance during this time, winning an award at the State-level in a competition. Kalpana was drawn towards film acting after she was inspired by B. Saroja Devi's performance in the 1961 Kannada-language film Kittur Chennamma.

In the early 1960s, Kalpana left for Uttara Kannada with her mother and brother to study the basics of film and stage performances. She subsequently moved to Davangere, where upon meeting a relative, Shivakumar, she was introduced to playwright and filmmaker B. R. Panthulu, through actor Narasimharaju. Panthulu cast her in his 1963 Kannada film Saaku Magalu. Panthulu then made Chinnada Gombe (1964) with her. With opportunities in Kannada films drying up in the mid-1960s, Kalpana went on to appear in a handful of Tamil and Malayalam-language films.

Fashion icon Kalpana was a fashion icon of her time. Her elegance, taste and sophistication in dressing could not be matched by other female stars of the time. The mega sleeve blouses, frill blouses are her contribution to Karnataka's style. Some of her fashion statements are elaborate hairdos, big rings on fingers, rich zari saris and chiffon saris, multiple bangles and long necklaces.

Filmography Kannada films YearFilmRole Notes 1963 Saaku Magalu Uma Debut 1964 Naandi Nirmala 1964 Pathiye Daiva 1964 Chinnada Gombe Radha 1964 Kavaleradu Kulavandu Sangeetha 1966 Mantralaya Mahatme Tulasi Special appearance 1966 Bala Nagamma Manikya Devi 1966 Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe Goddess Parvathi 1967 Belli Moda Indira 1967 Padavidhara 1967 Immadi Pulikeshi Vasantika 1967 Dhana Pishachi Asha 1967 Bangarada Hoovu Seetha 1967 Premakkoo Permitte Viji 1968 Gandhinagara Shanta 1968 Mahasathi Arundathi 1968 Sarvamangala Mangala 1968 Hannele Chiguridaga Malathi 1968 Ananda Kanda 1968 Anna Thamma 1968 Hoovu Mullu Cheluvi 1968 Mannina Maga Mallika 1969 Odahuttidavaru Asharani 1969 Kappu Bilupu Vatsala/Chandra Double role 1969 Uyyale Radha 1969 Mathrubhoomi Seetha 1969 Kaanike 1969 Mukunda Chandra 1969 Brundavana Radha 1969 Gejje Pooje Chandramathi 1969 Namma Makkalu Suma Special appearance 1970 Arishina Kumkuma Radha Devi 1970 Anirikshita Jayashree 1970 Pratheekara 1970 Karulina Kare Parvati 1970 Vaagdana Parvati 1970 Namma Mane Shobha 1970 Seetha Seetha 1970 Devara Makkalu Kanaka 1970 Mukthi Sarojini 1971 Onde Kula Onde Daiva 1971 Sharapanjara Kaveri 1971 Bhale Adrushtavo Adrushta Kalpana 1971 Sothu Geddavalu Sharada 1972 Nari Munidare Mari Hema 1972 Subhadra Kalyana Subhadra 1972 Uttara Dakshina Mamatha Mukherjee 1972 Yaava Janmada Maitri Lalitha 1972 Naa Mechida Huduga Pramila Rao 1972 Mareyada Deepavali Anu 1973 Bidugade Shobha Special appearance 1973 Triveni Triveni 1973 Gandhada Gudi Lakshmi 1973 Kesarina Kamala Kamala 1974 Eradu Kanasu Gowri 1974 Idu Namma Desha 1975 Mantra Shakthi 1975 Nireekshe Malini 1975 Beluvalada Madilalli Girija 1975 Daari Tappida Maga Pramila 1976 Bayalu Daari Chandra 1976 Vijaya Vani Vani 1976 Rajanarthakiya Rahasya 1978 Sandarbha Herself Cameo 1978 Vamsha Jyothi Sharada Devi 1978 Maleya Makkalu 1978 Anuraga Bandhana Last release

Other language films YearFilmRoleLanguage Notes 1964 School Master Vasanthi Malayalam 1964 Karnan Fairy Goddess Tamil 1966 Madras to Pondicherry Mala Tamil 1966 Sadhu Mirandal Kalpana Tamil Mayor NairMalayalam 1967 Pattathu Rani Tamil 1972 Menakodalu Malayalam 1973 Kattila Thottila Padmini Tamil Koti Chennayya Kinnidaru Tulu 1974 Yer Malthina Thappu Tulu 1975 Thennangkeetru Malini Tamil

Awards

Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Kannada – Yaava Janmada Maitri (1972)

Karnataka State Film Awards Best Actress – Belli Moda (1967) Best Actress – Hannele Chiguridaga (1968) Best Actress – Sharapanjara (1971)