The sway that the late actor Kalpana – who had won the title ‘Minugu Taare’ (twinking star) – held over Kannada film enthusiasts has not quite disappeared 36 years after her death.

Known for playing complex and tragic roles, she died under mysterious circumstances. She ruled the Kannada film industry for nearly 10 years spanning the 1960s and 1970s.

V. Sridhar, a teacher at a school in Mysuru who was born six years after her death, has brought out a 1,114-page volume chronicling her life and work spanning 79 films. It has details of the characters she played and opinions of various directors, co-artistes and writers.

He started working on the book at 21 and completed it when he turned 27. “Even after working for so long, I have not completely understand persona of Kalpana, as she was a complex person,” he says.

Rajata Rangada Dhruvatare by Mr. Sridhar was released in Bengaluru on Saturday at a function organised by Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Muralidhara Khajane / Bengaluru – September 13th, 2015