One of the prominent producers of Kannada cinema who had a silky route in his production, distribution and exhibition KCN Gowda departs at the age of 87 (he was born on 6th January 1926). He breathed last on Thursday morning at his residence. A day before KCN Gowda was brought from Wockhart hospital when he complained uneasiness in the heart. One and half months ago KCN Gowda had an operation and pace maker was fixed to his heart.
On Thursday morning around 9 am when the water was offered he could not gulp the water and breathed his last at his residence.
Dr B Saroja Devi, Jayanthi, KFCC officials, Srinivasamurthy, Dwarakish, Srinivasamurthy, KSL Swamee, Raghavendra Rajakumar, CV Shivashanker, Ashok and many others from the Kannada cinema industry paid last respect.
The cremation in firewood is taking place at TR Mills around 3 pm says the family sources.
www.chitratara.com deeply mourning the death of KCN GOWDA reproduces the article published on 17th of May 2010.
KCN GOWDA – A FLASH BACK
Evolution is far more important than living. That is with strong vision and deviation for good progress – that is in a nutshell the hallmark of strong empire headed by K.C.N.Gowda the octogenarian torch bearer of Kannada cinema.
From a tiny village Konehalli in Doddaballapur Taluk the eldest of six of Sri Chowdaiah and Smt Muddamma – Nanjunde Gowda grown up as a towering personality in the Sericulture and Cinema industry as K.C.N.Gowda.
Urge to make it big from the childhood KCN Gowda did not evince interest in education but showed his grit and determination in every work he has taken and made progress. He showed his interest in the sericulture business in stages and fulfilled his dream with successful results.
For the progress of KCN Gowda in business his brothers were the backbones. In North India the diversification of business scaled new heights for KCN Gowda. The popularity increased from day by day. His wide travel and often coming to Bangalore resulted in meeting variety of persons. One of the persons he met L.S.Iyer from the film industry drew him to filmdom.
One fine day when he was in Rajajinagar Bangalore he took part in the BDA auction for building the cinema theatre. That place he bought in auction is today’s spacious and well maintained Navrang theatre. Around this time of purchase of plot for theatre construction KCN Gowda constructed a Rajakamal theatre in Doddaballapur.
His genesis in the filmdom is through distribution of Kannada film ‘Belli Moda’ directed by S.R.Puttanna Kanagal. It is from this the banner of KCN Movies was evolved. Thus the spreading of wings in the filmdom also took new turn in the life of KCN Gowda. The luxury found in other languages he always wanted to bring it on Kannada screen.
Besides giving entertainment the flagship of KCN always vouched for quality and morality in its selection of subjects and film making.
The first film ‘Bhale Jodi’ starring Rajakumar in double role was launched in Rajkamal Arts, Doddaballapur in early 70’s. At the release time of this film 80 feet cut out was erected with prior permission from government and this is the first time such publicity strategy was applied. The mega success of the maiden film and the support he got from Kannada film viewers inspired him to go in for popular subjects for Kannada screen.
In the days of KCN Gowda the infrastructural facilities were not so good and there was struggle for shaping good quality films. Undeterred KCN Gowda formed himself as the trailblazer. For producing color films the raw stock was not available. Using his strength KCN Gowda was responsible in importing raw stock for color film production directly from up countries. He took challenges to boost up the quality of films. His first such challenge was taking up T.K.Rama Rao’s ‘Bangaradha Manushya’. Starring Dr.Rajkumar directed by Siddalingaiah it has created history. ‘Sharapanjara’ starring Kalpana directed by S.R.Puttanna Kanagal was another milestone in the career of K.C.N.Gowda. ‘Bangarada Manushya’ ran for two years in States theatre Bangalore while ‘Sharapanjara’ was a silver jubilee film. It was the right fruit for his discipline and devotion in work.
The foray in to social, mythological, historical and entertaining films came very frequently from the banner of KCN Gowda. He produced more than 50 quality films like Bhale Jodi, Babruvahana, Bangarada Panjara, Sanadhi Appanna, Jayasimha, Huli Havina Mevu, Kasturi Nivasa, Bhakta Siriyala, Ranga Nayaki, Antima Teerpu, Dhari Thappida Maga, Namma Samsara, Nammura Raja – the top grosser in the box office.
KCN Gowda has introduced many new talents to Kannada cinema in the field of artistes and technicians. There was no shortfall in the hospitality in the production house of KCN Gowda banner.
In more than three decades of film production, exhibition, distribution he has won many accolades in the state and national level. KCN Gowda the state award winner has so far distributed 400 films of various languages in his career.
Dr.Rajkumar was appreciating KCN Gowda as the ‘Anna Dhaata’ affectionately.
BALIDRE RAJKUMAR ANTHE BAALI – KCN GOWDA
The nonagenarian KCN Gowda opined that one should live like Dr Rajakumar and another person of his stature would not take birth here in Karnataka he firmly believed. He was giving his thoughts when he had come to ‘Belli Hejje’ 7th in the series chat show organized by Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy on last Saturday evening at Badami House.
The absence of the Kannada film industry people has irked the veteran producer, exhibitor and distributor KCN Gowda and the other irking point was when the anchor said the program would be telecast in Suvarana channel and everyone would see it. It was a meet with the giant controlled by Suvarana channel and the questions from the anchor were also in favor of the channel program. How can a government program go to one channel? Has a contract been reached or a deal is struck that supports the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy financially? As a matter of fact it should be free for all.
However one of the pillars of Kannada cinema KCN Gowda recounted his early life, the silk business, making an entry to cinema business, his aspirations to show case the classics like how he did for ‘Satya Harischandra’….and so on plus on two sons KCN Chandrasekhar and KCN Mohan growth in the field came up in two hours chat. He has plans to bring the color format to Kasthuri Nivasa, Mantralaya Mahatme’
For the younger generation he said who would see Rajakumar films. Instead of saying like that keep quiet at home. Do not insult the giant. Sathya Harischandra is a historical one while ‘Kasthuri Nivasa’ is a social Sathya Harischandra felt the veteran.
What was more disturbing for the veteran Gowda was when he read the 10 pages report for the good of the Kannada cinema industry none other than TS Nagabharana was present to hear it! There is no point in talking from one side when there is no one from the industry to hear he mentioned his dissatisfaction.
Here are some of the highlights of veteran observation on the improvement of the Kannada cinema industry.
The family audiences are glued to cinema television sets. To bring them to the theatre there should be attraction not available on small screen. The days of brother, son, son in law becoming heroes and directors should be stopped so that half baked films do not come. The availability of cinema available for just Rs.10 as rent should go. Like wise the four films a week should be put an end. The enough market for the films should be tapped in right approach. The interaction of seniors and juniors would enable the makers know more about the significance of making a film. Uneducated knows everything from seeing the film. That is the strength of the media.
HUMBLE AND SIMPLE KCN GOWDA
With a vast empire in his kitty the humble and unassuming K.C.Gowda the pillar of strength of Kannada cinema is giving the right tribute to the rich actor par excellence Dr.Rajakumar. On the occasion of Dr.Rajakumar’s 79th birthday he is releasing the film all over Karnataka spending Rs.3.5 crores.
Speaking to media persons after screening of the film KCN Gowda said he had not money in all the 19 films he has made starring Dr.Rajkumar. I have done very little work but honor I am getting is more. In those days my family and Dr.Rajakumar family lived like one family. Dr.Rajakumar with the peak of popularity attended all my family functions. On this occasion of sprucing up the black and white ‘Satya Harischandra’ to color, cinemascope plus the DTS effect I feel Dr.Rajakumar had taken birth to do this kind of roles. In the second half I cried thrice looking at his performance said senior Gowda. According to me Dr.Rajkumar is not dead. He is with us around. The film ‘Satya Harischandra’ is relevant to this day cinema. I have struggled in the last two years to give a glorious touch this cinema. I got the big thinking in my mind and I have done this work on behalf of the people of Karnataka. This is a tribute to Dr.Rajakumar.
In the coming days to inculcate the truth as part of life I am showing this film in 16mm format in schools all over Karnataka. It is because rather than studying books this kind of film would bring extra thinking in the minds of youngsters feels KCN Gowda.
At the special screening for media persons KCN Gowda’s brother Rudre Gowda garlanded him and said this film is like a ‘Kohinoor diamond’. Bhairanna of Janahitha Cooperative Bank also garlanded KCN Gowda.
TRIBUTE TO DR RAJ IN KCN GOWD STYLE – 4 RAJ FILMS IN 3D SYSTEM!
Posted date: 21/July/2011
Kannada cinema industry is the front runner in setting world records. Here is one from nonagenarian KCN Gowda the pride of Kannada cinema. Already popular films getting facelift at a cost of Rs.40 crores is unheard so far in the world cinema.
This is something wonderful from the towering personality of Kannada cinema KCN Gowda and towering icon of Kannada cinema late Dr Rajakumar lives ever from such tributes – It is a pure tribute to Dr Rajakumar who is ‘Real Raja’ in many ways says 94 years old KCN Gowda speaking to a few journalist when he was compelled.
KCN Gowda, Dada Saheb Phalke Academy honored giant of Kannada cinema intends to bring ‘Veera Kesari, Kasthuri Nivasa, Kavirathna Kalidasa and Babruvahana in 3D Technology with 4K resolution and 12 points sound system. We have heard of 5.1 systems so far.
After sprucing up the four films in technology KCN Gowda has the ambition of screening it in prestigious theatre in Hyderabad.
All the four films in 3D technology with high technical values in it would cost KCN Movies Rs.35 to 40 crores. The Kannada films would be with latest state of the art technology and dubbed in to various languages. Already Navrang theatre has been spruced up with 3D technology by KCN Gowda after watching ‘Avataar’ in his Urvashi theatre in Bengaluru.
Navrang is a 3 D theatre with Christie 2K and 3D projector. This is the first 3D theatre in Bengaluru. Viewing film is a different experience.
The theatre is showing Transformers-3 an English film made in 3d technology. This new technology application is a boon to the ‘Jogaiah’ Kannada film as one song and one action block is captured for the film in 3D technology. Producer cum director Prem is already having in mind to release the 100th film of superstar Shivarajakumar to release in Navrang theatre to give a new experience to the audience.