Puttanna Kanagal birth anniversary special: Five films of the master craftsman that everyone must watch

Puttanna Kanagal is nothing but a miracle worker for Kannada cinema. He was responsible, single handedly in some cases, in creating a new sensibility in the industry that would leave lasting impressions on every subsequent generation. Starting out his career as a publicity boy, Puttanna made films that were considered taboo and way ahead of their time. He also raised the standards of storytelling in Kannada, putting the region's cinema on the map, through great technique and work ethic. Today, on the 1st of December, the 'Chitra Brahma' would have celebrated his 87th birthday and on the special occasion, let's take a look at some of his films that everyone must watch at least once.

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'Naagarahaavu' is a film of great scale and indeed a landmark achievement in more than just one regard. Not only was the film a staggering effort in terms of storytelling and audacity, it also paved the way for actors Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh, and Aarathi into stardom. 'Naagarahaavu' is a combination of three different novels by T.R. Subba Rao - Nagarahavu, Ondu Gandu Eradu Hennu, and Sarpa Mathsara - but Puttanna somehow manages to combine the emotional force of all three into a single avalanche. The film's lines are still spoken out, its songs are still hummed, and its melancholy is still felt by many. On top of that, the film was a cult hit among the youth who identified with the characters and their moral conundrums.

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Based on the Kannada adaptation of the novel Lady Chatterley's Lover, 'Edakallu Guddada Mele' is a fearless exploration of human sexuality and needs. Featuring actor Jayanthi as the central character Madhavi, the film concerns with infidelity, human desire, and indulgence but from the perspective of a woman. Puttanna begins the film with the quote ‘Kaamaaturaanam Nabhayam Nalajja’ which would loosely translate to mean that a lustful person would know neither shame nor fear. The film is thus a probe into the supposed human "sins" and the consequences in the eye of the society. The film was major success at the box office too!

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'Ranganayaki' is a rare film in the Indian context. Thematically, it is perhaps Puttanna Kanagal's boldest film and as tragic as any of his other films (if not more). Aarathi stars as the 'ranganayaki' in the film, a theatre virtuoso who quits her craft for the sake of love and foregoes a life that she was actually destined for. In a cruel twist of fate, she relaunches herself with a different name and about 20 years, she becomes the muse to a different man. Puttanna steps his game up in the film, explores a subject like the oedipus complex, and presents a life that gets gradually decimated because of fate and other things. This is a film that would have made Ritwik Ghatak proud.

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A melodrama of epic proportions, 'Sharapanjara' is a film made with deep affection for its central character. The film stars Kalpana - Puttanna Kanagal first muse - as a lonely woman staring down a void and being ostracized by the society around her. The film's beauty lies in its unabashedness, classical performances, and a thorough understanding of the human condition. It was also groundbreaking for the themes it chose as part of its narrative - post partum depression, physical abuse, and male ego. Along with such cinematic triumphs, the film was also a huge commercial success.

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'Katha Sangama' is an anthology film consisting of three different stories. Based on the short stories Hangu by Giraddi Govindraj, Athithi by Veena, and Munithaayi by Eshwara Chandra, 'Katha Sangama' explores the themes of morality, regret, and social norms. The film was a beautiful exercise in treatment and was also able to loosen up the audiences to newer forms of storytelling. Superstar Rajinikanth made his Kannada debut with the film.

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