Intersections: Padmavathi Rao

Описание: Padmavathi Rao is known famously for playing the female lead in Ondanondu Kaladalli directed by Girish Karnad in the seventies. Then came the film Geetha directed by Shankar Nag in the early 80s where she played the female lead as well. She worked as assistant director, actor and dubbing director for Malgudi Days. In 1997 she acted in Pardes directed by Subhash Ghai. Her most recent film is The Visitor which showed at the International Film Festival of Kerala held in June.

Padmavathi Rao's passion for preserving the environment, teaching theatre to children, storytelling, translating works of literature, and acting in plays, ads and films is not new to those who know her. She maintains a low key approach to public life, publicizing her work only when required - and only to a few at that. I had the opportunity to accompany her to one of the most beautiful spots in Karnataka - Dunthur. Going to this twenty-odd acred property on the outskirts of Bangalore was an hour and a half’s journey. It is mostly agricultural land that makes up Dunthur and Rao’s part is swamped with what the French call verdure. She tells me that she is starting a “dream project” (name not yet coined) that will help school children, village folk, city bumpkins and all those interested in the arts, to not just appreciate the arts but to enjoy its various forms and processes. Donning many hats, Rao has a keen interest in organic farming besides her passion for the stage and sees this part of her work as central to her upcoming project.

This “dream project” is a story still unfolding, and like all stories, it has a beginning. Acres of sprawling wilderness, the smell of greenery hits the nostrils like camphor to flame and the burning sun and the blue sky make it a place where Velliangiri hills meet the Himalayas without snow. And as the old adage goes: a picture speaks a thousand words. So let the video speak for itself.