Sweet songs and sad thoughts
K.R. GANESH
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The man behind the evergreen song Gali Gopura, Sorat Ashwath lived a life of misery and poverty even as he enriched the Kannada industry itself. His 91st birth anniversary was celebrated recently in Bangalore
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UNSWERVING PASSION Sorat Ashwath's life was marked by an unending series of difficulties. For all that, he continued to serve the Kannada film industry till his end
The song "Gaali Gopura" from the film Nandadeepa is over 40 years old. But to this day it remains one of the most favourite film songs of Kannada film lovers. Even though we continue to sing this song composed by M. Venkataraju, not many perhaps know who the lyricist of the song is. Forget the masses, ask people in the industry and they'd probably look blank. Sorat Ashwath, the man who wrote many memorable songs lived a life of utter poverty, even as he enriched Kannada film music. In memory of the late lyricist's 91st birthday celebrations recently, a programme had been organised, and sadly by the family itself. His biography, Jeevana Sangharsha, and a CD comprising the songs he wrote were released on the occasion.
A constant battle
Life was never a bed of roses, but a constant battle for Sorat Ashwath. In his over 50 years of association with theatre and films, his moment of happiness were very few. But he was a man who valued his self-worth and despite all the nagging difficulties he never compromised.
Ashwathnarayana Shastry who later came to be known as Sorat Ashwath was born into a traditional household on February 2, 1915 in Nanjanagud. His father passed away even as he was a teenager and Sorat Ashwath had to shoulder the burden of the family. He had passed his S.S.L.C. and was well-versed in Kannada and Sanskrit. His father was the supervisor of the Nanjanagud temple and Ashwath was given the job of the priest in a Ganesha temple after his father's demise. The young boy had always been fond of theatre and had even left home to join Tiger Varadacharya's company Chamundeshwari Nataka Sabha, but had to return on hearing the news of his father's death. He had to take on the responsibility of the family and so found a job in a grocer's shop. The owner of the shop, Subbarayaru was a great theatre buff and used to direct plays. He forcibly pushed the boy into acting in many of his plays. Ashwath couldn't manage home single-handedly and so his mother took up the job of a cook.
A couple of years later, Ashwath left home and joined the company of Timmati Jayamma but as a helper for the women actors of the group. Soon, he did get small roles. It was in this company that he met his relative Kalapillanna who used the young Sorat Aswath to supply him ganja and meat. Disgusted by the state of affairs, Ashwath made up his mind to leave the company. But realisation dawned on Kalapillanna, and overcome by guilt, he apologised to the boy and even recommended a ten rupee hike in his salary.
From here he moved on to M.V. Gangadharayrayaru's company where he met the legend of Kannada theatre Mohammed Peer. In his interviews, Sorat Ashwath remembers with gratitude how Peer was responsible for him to become an actor. He feels thankful for the large-hearted Gangadhararayaru who wouldn't think twice to help people in distress. In Mohammed Peer's Chandrakala Nataka Company, Ashwath benefitted a lot of exposure and acted with stalwarts like Dikki Madhav Rao, H.L.N. Simha, and B.R. Pantulu.
But a patch of happiness, was always followed by enormous woes for Ashwath. Ashwath's sister was to get married and he had to raise a loan. To repay the loan he became a coal seller. But Mohammed Peer convinced him and brought him back to theatre. But with Peer's death he became very lonely. With no job on hand, he landed in Chennai, in the house of the actress M.V. Rajamma. It is at this point that his association with the film world began. He wrote the screenplay for the film Radharamana and played minor roles in the films Bhakta Prahlada and Bala Nagamma. In 1943, in rather strange circumstances, G.V. Iyer got him married to Nagarathna in M.V. Rajamma's house.
In the meanwhile, he acted in HLN Simha's Premaleela and the Sorat Ramnath's part that he played became so famous that from then on he came to be known as Sorat Ashwath. He met actor Ratnakar in 1944 and remained his thickest friend till the very end.
Ashwath, in one of those adventurous moments, started Jyoti Kala Sangha. He couldn't run it for too long and became a debtor again. What saved him from sinking completely were the plays Samsara Nauke, Premaleela, and Krishnaleela. On one occasion Ashwath had to take his sick child to the doctor. He didn't have any money on him and postponed going to the doctor. When he finally went to the doctor it so happened that he was a big fan of Sorat Ashwath and not only treated the sick child, but also treated them to a sumptuous meal and sent back fruits and sweets with the couple.
In 1953, he worked as assistant director for the film Vichitra Prapancha and Renuka Mahatme in 1954. He later went on to act in Ranadhira Kanteerava, Raja Satyavrata, Shreeshaila Mahatme, Dharmastala Mahatme and Bhakta Kanakadasa. In 1962, he wrote songs and dialogues for Ratnamanjari, Swarnagowri and Lavakusha. Of the Rs. 8,000 that he got as remuneration Ashwath bought a house in Mysore, a big moment in his life.
In 1963, what he himself terms as the golden period of his life, he wrote songs for landmark films such as Nandadeepa (which won the National award), Veerakesari and Jenugoodu. His song "Gaali Gopura" became a big hit and he got recognised as a film lyricist. Ashwath went on to write songs for many films. He produced Bandhavya in 1972 along with Y.R. Swamy and Madhukar. The film didn't recover the money they spent and Aswath was in deep trouble once again. This bitter experience however, didn't stop him from making Shaniprabhava, and shani hounded him in every sense of the word.
Let down
Puttanna Kanagal, who was Sorat Ashwath's student and great regard for the man, got him to write the lyrics for Paduvarahalli Pandavaru. To this day people remember "Kannu muchchi kulitare... ". Story goes that Puttanna got Ashwath to write for Dharmasere and Ranganayaki and didn't pay him a single rupee!
Though he was constantly besieged by bad luck, he didn't stop working for the industry. When the Veerappa Moily government recognised his services in 1994 and conferred the State Award, Ashwath felt vindicated. In fact, in 1997 when Nagatihalli Chandrashekhar invited him to act in his film Hoomale he was overjoyed. But fate had other plans. He died of a heart attack. Sadly, when Ashwath died, none of the actors or directors of the film industry even paid their condolences to the grieving family.
The only consolation is the fact that a park in Banashankari III Stage has been named after him. At least in this way he will remain amidst us.
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