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Srinivasmurthy
‘Doing
Basaveshwara has met my needs’
 For
the last 65 weeks, every Sunday, 10 am is considered a very sacred
time by the people of Karnataka. In every house the sacred lamp
and agarabatti is lit and Prasadam is placed before garlanded television
sets. Reason: Anna Basavanna, a one-hour serial in Kannada on ETV.
Kannada veteran actor Srinivasamurthy directs and features in this
70 episode mega television serial which depicts the 12th century
social reformer Sri Basaveswara.
Was
it difficult sketching the life and works of the popular social
reformer?
I can’t say it was difficult as it has been my ambition to
make a serial on Anna Basavanna. I had gone to get an approval for
my serial Pathala Bhairvai which is a children’s fiction serial.
But while talking to Manvi and Surendranath, the subject of Anna
Basavanna popped up. They gave me a green signal for this project
and asked me take up Pathala Bhairavi later.
What
kind of homework did you do for making this serial on Sri Basaveshwar?
I studied a lot, referred to a number of books and drew an outline.
But my base is Kartharana Kammata written by Thipperudraswamy, the
widely accepted book. Siddaiah Puranik’s ‘Sharana Charitamrutha’,
Vishwanath Reddy Mudnal’s ‘Arivu Achara’ helped me
with the minute issues and made it hassle-free.
 Was
it difficult to play the lead role and direct as well?
It was my lifetime wish to play the role of ‘Basaveshwara’.
I have sacrificed all the comforts in my life for doing justice
mentally and physically. Direction was my next interest because
I was not convinced with others’ work, so I took up direction.
Do you feel that you have missed out anything?
I wanted to bring in ‘Sharana Sahitya’. It is voluminous.
There are so many unsung heroes prior to Sri Basaveshwara. To do
justice and bring together many pundits I have another project.
How long did this project take?
It took 21 months for me to device a final shape. But prior to this
I have worked for six months. It cost ETV management Rs.2.5 crore
for 70 episodes. The last episode is appearing on April 14. I must
mention the support of Manvi and Surendranath,which enabled me to
concentrate on the serial and the creative side.
You included stage artistes from rural Karnataka in the cast...
98 percent of my cast hails from districts like Bidar, Gulbarga,
Gadag, Raichur, Chitradurga, Mandya, Mangalore, Mysore, Hassan and
other parts of Karnataka. This has given me one more advantage.
I used to get the pulse of people from everywhere.
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Recreating
history
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 History
was recreated for people of Kandhwara village near Chickballapur
on the outskirts of Bangalore and the Godhuli team that has
completed 100 episodes is responsible for this. As many as
six places where shooting of Godhuli was held, people recalled
similar incidents before Independence. It was a great coincidence
for director Sunilkumar Singh. Feeling proud and comfortable,
the director says that the issues of dowry, widow remarriage,
drugs, liquor and socially relevant issues besides the urban
and rural clash in culture have been dealt. The viewers of
Udaya TV at 2.30 pm from Monday to Friday have taken this
mega television serial to their hearts. What is shown in 600
episodes is brought down to 300 plus episodes promises the
director.
Director Sunilkumar Singh who’s
had a stint with many theatre troupes like Rangayana, Sanchaya,
Ninasam and Abhinaya Tharanga developed an outline of the
story of Godhuli, while he was studying in the college. Within
a month of starting Godhuli, he got married and then took
up the job of directing the serial seriously.
Now, the serial which has hit a
ton is so popular that those who are unable to watch the serial
are requesting them to air the serial anytime after 7 pm instead
of 1.30 pm. Sunilkumar Singh is proud about the fact that
the channel which had given slots to top directors like T.S.Nagabharaba,
Phani Ramachandra, Nagathihalli Chandrasekhar, S.Narayan and
others have showed confidence in him.
—KSV
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Have
you faced hurdles in this project?
While making a television serial on such saintly social reformer
there are many books available in the market. Only authentic ones
find a place. The first hurdle I faced was when Mata Mahadevi inquired
about the two wives I am showing in the serial. I explained it very
clearly but she was hell bent on showing one wife to Basaveshwara.
There were some heated arguments. A few more persons complained
about the plot of Basaveshara, argued on Mahamane and Anubhava Mantapa.
But some of the senior Swamijis in the Lingayat community lauded
my effort.
Any examples?
The Murugod Swamiji told me that watching Anna Basavana, he gets
so immersed that it is as if ‘Basaveshwara’ has become
real. Various other prominent swamijis have also sent letters and
appreciated my effort. Dr.Chandrasekhar and Virupakshapresented
me with valuable books.
What are the highlights of Anna Basavanna?
This is one of the most expensive serials for ETV in Kannada so
far. Each episode touched Rs.2.5 lakhs. I have a feeling that I
have given my best . The shooting held at Ramnagaram, Maddur, Srirangapatna,
Kudala Sangama and in Dr.Ramoji Rao film city for 300 days with
nearly 350 people is also the biggest venture. All my needs were
fulfilled while transforming Basaveshwara on small screen. By directing
and acting I have become economically strong and mentally refined.
Has
making Anna Basavanna affected your personal life?
I have become more religious. My thoughts and movements have seen
a vast change. I am more polished and feel that I am more established.
I had lost nearly 15 Kannada films in the midst, but all the way
I have tremendous happiness.
Were the artistes co-operative?
I faced problems from three persons. The senior KAS officer Somasekhar
who is now the director of Kannada and Culture department forced
me to give him a prominent role. I gave him the role of Bacharasa.
He attended shooting for a few days and skipped the rest. I had
to use dupes. Shruthi (not the Kannada actress) did not appear for
shooting eve though all the arrangements were made. I asked her
to fly to Hyderabad and after that shoot I explained my position
and also deducted her air- fare from her remuneration.
Are you getting ready for Paathala Bhairavi?
I have already got the approval for 52 episodes. It is based on
Kshemendra Katha Sarit Sagara. I play a mantrik and start shooting
by last week of April. It i because of the school examinations in
Karnataka that I am not getting the child actors I have selected.
ETV wanted Pathala Bhairavi to go on air on April 14. Santosh Kumar
who worked for six years with Sri Ramanand Sagar camp as chief cameraman
for Alif Laila,‘Sri Krishna and others is the key man .He has
specialised in graphics. This is a work of fiction and almost on
the lines of Vikram Aur Bethal. There are more than 500 folk tales.
Rudramurthy Sastry is translating the Sanskrit version and writing
the dialogues.
Does Pathala Bharavi hold good for other regional channels of ETV?
Yes. The Kannada software will hold good in other languages. I am
shooting accordingly.
—K
S Vasu
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