Vaishali Kasaravalli (12 April 1952 – 27 September 2010) was a noted Kannada actress, television serial director, and costume designer.
Early life
She was born on 12 April 1952 in Gulbarga to theatre enthusiast parents Dr. Chitagopi and Nirmala.[1] She completed a BA.[2]
Career
Actor
She was initiated to theatre by B. V. Karanth. After her family migrated to Bangalore, 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.[1]
She made her film debut with Yaava Janmada Maitri followed by Professor Huchuraya in 1972. Her popular films are Akramana, Yarigu Helbedi, Kittu Puttu, Kubi Matthu Iyala, Angaialli Apsare, Kraurya, Hombisilu, Swamy, Thabarana Kathe, Ksheera Sagara, Anukolakkoba Ganda, Asegoba Meesegobba, Mooru Daarigalu, Mahadasoshi Sharana Basava, Chandramuki Pranasaki, Panjarada Gili, Hoovondhu Beku Ballige, Vigneswarana Vahana, Shanker Guru, Palitamsha, Parivarthana, Sparsha, Nigatha, Ganeshana Maduve, Gauri Ganesha, Thavarumane Udugore, No 73 Shanthinivasa, and others. Her performance as the leading lady in Aakramana directed by Girish Kasaravalli won her laurels and also a state government award for the Best actress.
Vaishali also acted in many tele-serials including Namma Nammalli, Kasa Musure Saroja, Malgudi Days, Kshamaya Daritri, Mayamruga, Manvanthara, Sadhane. Namma Nammalli directed by T. S. Nagabharana was the first of the serials she was featured in.[1]
Vaishali was into politics in the late '90s. She contested for the Bangalore City Corporation elections in 1996 from the Lok Shakti party but lost. She was a staunch admirer of former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde.[2]
She died on 27 September 2010 in Bangalore, after ailing for few years with diabetes, liver, and kidney problems. Her body was kept at Ravindra Kalakshetra for her relatives, friends, and fans to pay their final respect. She was cremated according to her family tradition at Banashankari crematorium in Bangalore.[citation needed]
