Banadha Neralu
This is a purposeful cinema from Bhava Madhyama. The importance of forest, trees is the focal point in the story of Koteganahalli Ramayya and director Umashanker Swamy.
Director Umashanker Swamy an engineer by profession has made right thoughts in the pick of his story, screenplay and cast. Basavaraja Sooleripalya has penned the dialogues and song, Ramachandra Ithala is the man behind camera. Pichalli Srinivas is the music director and Shashidhar Adapa has done the art direction. The film has Guna's editing and Chandrakantha Vaddu is the executive producer.
Banavva is an aged woman who has great respect and command in the village. She shows deep concern for the trees she has planted since her childhood. The place where she had grown trees is sold to Amareshappa in her difficult days. When Amareshappa applies for bank loan for starting fruits garden in his 12 acres of land he had to raze the grown up trees. For this cutting of trees Banavva raises a strong objection. She goes on top of the fort to commit suicide for the decision to slash the trees. The people in the village do not want Banavva to end her life becomes a difficult task for Amareshappa. When promised that trees will be maintained she comes down but Amareshappa tries other means. Even for this Banavva places the threat of falling to the well. Such a committed woman Banavva one day becomes dumb. On humanitarian grounds Amareshappa comes forward for medical treatment. Banavva losing the strength to live dies when she was sleeping on the roots of a huge tree.
Director Umashanker has mixed the culture and tradition of the people living in Lingusugar and shows his responsibility in 'Banada Neralu'. The 'Sigi' festival that is popular in Northern Karnataka is focused in this film.
Veteran theatres personality B.Jayashri plays the role of Banavva. Young and energetic Harishraj is Amareshappa. Gangadhar, Pichalli Srinivas, Rajeshwari, Hanumakka, Vijayalakshmi Patil, Shivalinga Prasad, Devendra Gowda, Basavaraj, Gopalakrishna, Sangayya, Nirupadhi Naik, Raghu and others are in the cast.