Landmarks of Sandalwood: A Bilingual Book Unveiled

The Kannada film industry celebrated its 90th anniversary with the launch of a unique bilingual book, “Chandanavanada Chilumegalu/Landmarks of Sandalwood,” on Sunday in Bengaluru. This rare coffee table book, brought out by the Chandanavana Film Critics Academy, offers a captivating glimpse into the golden era of Kannada cinema.

Penned by Dr. Sharanu Hullur in Kannada and S Shyam Prasad in English, the book delves into the history of Kannada cinema, highlighting 90 landmark films that have shaped the industry. It features rare photographs and insightful commentary, providing a comprehensive overview of Kannada cinema’s evolution.

Renowned personalities from the Kannada film industry graced the launch event, including music director Hamsalekha, National Award-winning directors Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar and T S Nagabharana, actor Srimuruli, and Media Academy President Ayesha Khanam.

Hamsalekha praised the efforts of the authors, expressing his hope for more such valuable documents on Kannada cinema. Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar and T S Nagabharana emphasized the need for cinema texts and commended the Chandanavana Film Critics Academy for their initiative.

Actor Srimuruli spoke about the strong bond between film journalists and the industry, entertaining the audience with a song from the classic film “Ganayogi Panchakshari Gavai.” Ayesha Khanam shared her childhood memories of watching Ravichandran’s Prema Loka and her experience during Dr. Rajkumar’s kidnap.

The launch event was attended by a diverse audience, including actors, actresses, technicians, journalists, and film enthusiasts. This bilingual book is a significant contribution to the preservation and celebration of Kannada cinema’s rich heritage.