Remembering a Legend: INTACH–Art Kanara Trust honour Guru Dutt in his birth centenary year

Remembering a Legend: INTACH–Art Kanara Trust honour Guru Dutt in his birth centenary year

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 10, 2025: A special panel discussion commemorating the birth centenary of iconic filmmaker Guru Dutt was held on Wednesday, July 9, at the Kodialguthu Centre for Art and Culture, Ballalbagh. Organized by the Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in association with Art Kanara Trust, the event celebrated the life, legacy, and cinematic brilliance of one of Indian cinema’s most revered auteurs.

Titled “Guru Dutt – Remembering the Man and His Persona, Movies and Messages”, the panel featured distinguished voices from the worlds of film, writing, and activism. Speakers included writer and activist K. Phaniraj, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy member Ivan D’Silva, and writer and former Times of India associate editor Jayanth Kodkani. INTACH Mangaluru Chapter Convener Subhas Chandra Basu moderated the session, with Co-Convener Nemiraj Shetty introducing the panelists.

 

 

 

 

 

Opening the discussion, Subhas Basu highlighted Guru Dutt’s deep roots in coastal Karnataka. “Though he spent only a brief part of his childhood here, the ethos of the region remained with him. His family traces its origins to Panambur,” he noted. Basu also spoke about Dutt’s exposure to the socio-political churn in post-independence Kolkata, which deeply influenced his thematic concerns.

Jayanth Kodkani revisited the timeless imagery of Pyaasa, recalling a powerful moment from the 1970s. “As the song ‘Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye’ played during a special screening, the audience spontaneously rose in applause — a testament to the lasting impact of Guru Dutt’s cinema,” he said, commending the director’s use of light and shadow to evoke emotion.

K. Phaniraj offered a critical analysis of the socio-political undertones in Dutt’s films. “While 1950s Indian cinema focused on idealised family narratives, Guru Dutt chose to highlight internal conflicts and youth alienation. His work stood apart for its psychological and existential depth,” he remarked.

Ivan D’Silva shed light on the filmmaker’s pioneering technical style. “He pushed boundaries with camera work, lighting, and structure. His women characters were especially remarkable — independent and layered, defying mainstream stereotypes,” he observed.

The session concluded with an interactive segment, during which Prof. Krishnamoorthy, former principal of Govinda Dasa College, Surathkal, shared insights from Nanna Maga, Gurudutta, a biography by Guru Dutt’s mother, Vasanthi Padukone. “Most admire him for his films, but there’s much to learn from his early life in Dakshina Kannada,” he reflected.

The event ended with a vote of thanks and felicitation of the speakers. Beyond paying tribute to Guru Dutt’s artistic genius, the centenary event highlighted the region’s cultural connection to one of Indian cinema’s most profound storytellers.