Kasarvalli told Deccan Herald that the acknowledgement of his contribution to Kannada cinema over the years was belated.
Kasarvalli, for whom winning the coveted National Film Award is second nature, however, said the award comes to him at a time when he cannot share his happiness with his equally gifted wife Vaishali, who died in September last. He said it had been his wife’s fond wish that he get the award during her lifetime.
“Everytime I would win the National Film Award Vaishali would say he was sure to get the Padma Award that year.” However, sadly, five months after Vaishali passed away and after nearly 13 years the Padma Award has finally come Kasarvalli’s way.
“If only Vaishali had lived for another five months then she would have died a happy soul,” said an emotional Kasaravalli with a lump in his throat.
According to Kasaravalli, Kannada film firmament stalwarts such as K S Aswath, G V Iyer, Dada Saheb Phalke awardee V K Murthy, among several others deserved similar recognition but have not got their due.
Other than Kannada cinema thespian Rajkumar Kannada film industry has been receiving a step-motherly treatment at the Centre, he said, adding though eminent Kannada cultural icons such as B V Karanth, Dr Chandrashekar Kambar, among others have also got the award it was for different fields of excellence.
The Pharmacy Graduate and FTII Gold Medallist’s movies have brought laurels to the State both from within and abroad. Right from his seminal 1977 Ghatashraddha to such sterling works as Tabarana Kathe, Mane, Kraurya, Thaayi Saheba, Dweepa, Hasina, Naayi Neralu, Gulabi Talkies and his latest Kanasemba Kudureyaneri, each of his works have won critical acclaim and recognition.
Padma awardees exult
I am proud to have been conferred with this award. It will serve as an encouragement to me and other Carnatic music exponents in the future. I would like to express my gratitude to the Carnatic music forum, for it is an award for me and them.
R K Srikantan
Carnatic music vocalist
I never thought my kind of journalism will receive official recognition as it always went against the official line. To that extent I am happy. It came as a complete surprise.
T J S George
Editorial Advisor
The New Indian Express
I was not aware of the award conferred upon me. It was only when my friends started to call and congratulate that it sank in. I believe that the award is for the entire institution. I am happy that the Government has recognised the work done at the institution.
Dr Ramdas Pai
Chancellor
Manipal University
I thank the government for this recognition. I also thank the leadership and my colleagues at Infosys, without whose support I would not have got this award.
Kris Gopalakrishnan
Infosys, CEO & MD