Prema Karanth

Prema Karanth (15 August 1936 – 29 October 2007) was an Indian theatre personality and the first-ever woman film-maker of Kannada cinema. She was the wife of B. V. Karanth and was known for the children's plays that she staged. She became the first ever woman director in Kannada cinema when she directed the film Phaniyamma, which was based on a novel by M. K. Indira.

Early life Prema Karanth was born in 1936 in Bhadravathi to a poor family. She lost her father Devoji Rao early. Prema spent her early life at Sidlaghatta in the Kolar district and after her mother's death, she was brought up by her grandparents. After completing her schooling, she came to Bangalore to join the St. Teresa's convent as a teacher. She was also chosen as the art director for a film Kudre Motte in 1977. Initially associated only with art direction, Prema also tried her hand at film-making. Her first directorial venture was Phaniyamma which was based on a Kannada novel and this film earned her critical acclaim. The film is about the story of a girl who is widowed at a young age and her struggles and courage to overcome the stigma attached to it in a male-dominated society.

Filmography Phaniyamma (1983) (director) Kudre Motte (1977) (art director) Hamsageethe (1975) (costume designer) Nakkala Rajakumari (1992) (director) Band jharonken (hindi) (1996)