Mangaluru: “Veteran film director Richard Castelino has introduced the culture and tradition of the coastal region to the whole world through his Tulu, Kannada and Konkani films”, said former Hampi Kannada University vice-chancellor, Prof B A Vivek Rai on Saturday, August 3.
He was addressing the gathering at ‘Belli Hejje’, a programme to mark the achievement of film director Richard Castelino, organised at the Ravindra Kala Bhavan of the University College, Hampankatta.
“Although many Tulu film producers have lost money while producing many films, Richard did not give up and produced and directed several films which brought him name and fame. We should appreciate and identify such people in order to inspire others.”
Meanwhile, he lamented over the recent changes in the academy’s presidents when the new government came to power. “Politics should not interfere with the appointment of presidents to any academy. It has a negative impact on art,” he said.
In his presidential address to the gathering, former president of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, Dr Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar said, “The Tulu film industry has been blossoming very well recently. However, there is a need to produce quality films and both the producers and directors should think about that.”
On the occasion, a documentary film on Richard Castelino, directed by Yakub Khader Gulwady was screened for the gathering.
District information officer Khader Shah welcomed the gathering and writers Dr Na Damodar Shetty and Shashiraj Kavoor compered the programme.
Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof P Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya, Tulu Films Producers Association president Rajesh Brahmavar, University College Principal Dr Uday Kumar Irvattur and Academy registrar H B Dinesh were among those present.
