Katha Sangama (1976 film)

Katha Sangama (pronunciation^ⓘ transl. Confluence of tales) is a 1976 Indian Kannada-language anthology film, directed by Puttanna Kanagal. The film features three segments and stars G. K. Govinda Rao, Loknath, Kalyan Kumar, B. Saroja Devi, Aarathi, and Rajinikanth.

Katha Sangama
DVD cover
Directed by	Puttanna Kanagal
Screenplay by	Puttanna Kanagal
Story by	Giraddy Govindaraja Veena Eshwara Chandra
Based on	Hangu by Giraddy Govindaraja Athithi by Veena Munithayi by Eshwara Chandra
Produced by	C. S. Rajah
Starring	G. K. Govinda Rao Loknath Kalyan Kumar Saroja Devi Aarathi Gangadhar Rajinikanth
Cinematography	B. N. Haridas
Edited by	V. P. Krishna
Music by	Vijaya Bhaskar
Distributed by	Vardhini Art Pictures
Release date	23 January 1976 (1976-01-23)
Running time	132 minutes
Country	India
Language	Kannada

Plot

Hangu

A poor university professor with high moral values and integrity who is offered a bribe from a wealthy contractor to push some grace marks to his son in his exam paper so that he could get enough percentage to qualify for a medical college. This happens just when the professor's young son is critically ill and requires expensive medical treatment. Whether the professor succumbs to the circumstances or he let go of his integrity forms the crux of the story.

Atithi

When a middle-aged woman Leelavathi, who is the warden of a girls hostel, was younger she had refused to marry Sadanand, who loved her, because of her ideals about feminism. She had even decided to say unmarried her entire life. A chance encounter with Sadanand, now happily married to someone else, makes her question her earlier decision of not accepting true love.

Munithaayi

A revenue inspector Chennappa marries a blind girl from the neighbouring district Munithayi out of pity. In his absence, she is raped by an adolescent youth Kondaji and later blackmailed by Thimmaraya. Chennappa eventually "forgives" Munithayi.^[1]

Cast

Hangu G. K. Govinda Rao as the professor Loknath as the contractor Manjula Rao Dr Govinda Manur

Atithi Kalyan Kumar as Sadanand B. Saroja Devi as Leelavathi

Munithaayi Aarathi as Munithayi[2] Gangadhar as Chennappa[2] Sampath as Munithayi's brother[2] Rajinikanth as Kondaji[3] Master Umesh as Thimmaraya[3]

The uncredited cast includes Leelavathi, who plays Kamala, in Atithi.^[4]

Production

The film was based on three short stories:^[5] Hangu by Giraddi Govindaraj, Athithi by Veena and Munithaayi by Eshwara Chandra.

Release

The film was released on 23 January 1976 to positive reception.^[6]

Awards

Karnataka State Film Awards 1975–76

• • Fourth Best Film
  • Best Actress – Aarathi
  • Best Supporting Actor – Master Umesh

Legacy

The Tamil film Kai Kodukkum Kai (1984) was an extended version of the Munithayi segment from Katha Sangama.^[7] Rajinikanth, who played the antagonist role, played the lead role in the Tamil version.^[6] The antagonist role was also an inspiration for Rajinikanth's characterisation in the Tamil film 16 Vayathinile (1977) directed by debutant Bharathiraja, who was an assistant director to Puttanna Kanagal for Katha Sangama.^[8][6][9]