VAISHALI KASARVALLI

VAISHALI KASARVALLI - TV/Film Actress/Costume Designer

Vaishali Kasaravalli was born on April 12, 1952 in Gulbarga to theatre enthusiast parents Dr. Chitagopi and Nirmala.  She completed Bachelors in Arts.

She was initiated to theatre by late Dr. B.V.Karanth. After her family migrated to Bangalore, Vaishali acted in many plays including Hayavadana, Jokumaraswamy, Midsummer Nights Dream, Natakakaarana Shdhaneyalli Aaru Paathragalu and many others. She also directed Sevanthi Prasanga and translated many classic works from Marathi and Hindi. 

She made her film debut with `Professor Huchhuraya' in 1972. Her popular films are Akramana, Yarigu Helbedi, Kittu Puttu, Angaialli Apsare, Kraurya, Hombisilu, Swamy, Thabarana Kathe, Ksheera Sagara, Anukolakkoba Ganda, Asegoba Meesegobba, Mooru Daarigalu, Mahadasoshi Sharana Basava, Chandramuki Pranasaki, Panjarada Gili, Hoovondhu Beku Ballige, Vigneswarana Vahana, Shanker Guru, Palitamsha, Parivarthana, Sparsha, Nigatha, Ganeshana Maduve, Gauri Ganesha, Thavarumane Udugore, No 73 Shanthinivasa and others. Her performance as the leading lady in Aakramana directed by Girish Kasaravalli won her laurels and also a state government award for the Best actress.

Vaishali also acted in many tele-serials including Namma Nammalli, Kasa Musure Saroja, Malgudi Days, Kshamaya Daritri, Maaya Mruga, Manvanthara, Sadhane. Namma Nammalli directed by T. S. Nagabharana was the first of the serials she was featured in.

She has directed popular Kannada TV serials like `Muttina Torana' and `Moodala Mane'. Vaishali Kasaravalli was costume designer for her husband Dr Girish Kasaravalli films such as Bannada Vesha, Mane, Kubi Mathu Iyyala, Kraurya, Thaayi Saheba (won national award in 1998), Dweepa and the recent one Kanasembo Kudureya Benneri.

Vaishali received several honors including the State award for acting (Aakramana), National award for costume design (Thaayi Saheba), State Best supporting actress (‘Palitamsha’), Natak Academy award and Rajyotsava award.

Vaishali was into politics in the late '90s. She contested for the Bangalore City Corporation elections in 1996 from the Lok Shakti party but lost. She was a staunch admirer of former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde.

Vaishali was married to acclaimed film-maker Girish Kasaravalli. She had two children, Apoorva and Ananya.  She died on 27 September 2010 in Bangalore, after ailing for few years with diabetes, liver and kidney problems. She was cremated according to her family tradition at Banashankari crematorium in Bangalore.