Kannada actress Vaishali Kasaravalli: A multifaceted personality

The 58 year old multifaceted personality Vaishali Kasaravalli's death has left a large number of her

friends and kannada fans from theatre, television and kannada film industry devastated. This hugely talented kannada artist, costume designer and director who was known for her amicable behaviour has left behind a huge body of work in all segments of performing arts which stands for
perfection, quality and extraordinary merit.

Vaishali has left behind a much acclaimed National award winning husband, kannada movie director Girish Kasaravalli, daughter and kannda actress Ananya Kasaravalli and son Apoorva Kasaravalli.

Vaishali Kasaravalli was born to theatre enthusiast parents Dr. Chitagopi and Nirmala. She was initiated to theatre by none other than the theatre giant late Dr. B.V.Karanth. After her family migrated to Bengaluru, Vaishali acted in many plays including Hayavadana, Jokumaraswamy, Midsummer Nights Dream, Natakakaarana Shdhaneyalli Aaru Paathragalu and many others. She also directed Sevanthi Prasanga and translated many classic works from Marathi and Hindi.

The transition to kannada films was natural for Vaishali. She was paired with Dr. Vishnuvardhan in Professor Huchchuraya, Hombisilu and many other films. Puttanna Kanagal, Bhotayyana Maga Ayyu, Shankar Guru, Bangarada Panjara and Kittu Puttu are some of her successful kannada films. But it was her performance as the leading lady in Aakramana directed by Girish Kasaravalli which won her laurels and also a state government award for the Best actress.

Later she married Girish Kasaravalli. In kannada films like Ganeshana Maduve, Vaishali outclassed even the leading artists by her comical performance as a cricket enthusiast who is extremely fond of Sachin Tendulkar.

Vaishali was a natural choice for many serials including Maya Mruga and Manvanthara. Namma Nammalli directed by T.S.Nagabharana was the first of the kannada serials she was featured in. Later she worked in Sadhane and the Hindi serial Malgudi Days.

Vaishali took a lot of interest in directing plays and teleserials. She assisted Girish Kasaravalli as a costume designer and even got a National award for her work in Thaayi Sahebha. Then she worked on Moodala Mane which became a popular television serial.

After a long hibernation, actress-director Vaishali Kasaravalli returned to work as a director of a tele serial. The intervening period saw her come out from a near fatal sickness. She continued her winning streak with the tele serial Muththina Thorana.

She won the Nataka Academy award for her contribution to the theatre. Earlier she had won the Karnataka Rajyothsava award and many awards for her performance as an actress and a director of theatre and teleserials.

Vaishali Kasaravalli is one of the most talented creative personalities who has done some extra ordinary work in many segments of performing arts like theatre, films and television. Her death is a big loss to the Kannada film and television industry.