Mysteries of the Mundane : The Films of Girish Kasaravalli

Contents: Introducing Girish. 1. Why Are You Always Looking Sad?. 2. I Have Never Been Able to Give You Anything. 3. As Usual, I End up Getting the Blame. 4. A House is a Stairway to Heaven. 5. I’ve Used up all the Stories I Had. 6. He Has Done Great Injustice to the Women of this House. 7. You’re Just the Means—God is the Force. 8. You Have Such a Good Husband and You Complain against Him. 9. We All Find the Truth We Desire. 10. One Movie, Many Dreams; Many Movies, One Dream. 11. Stars Will Fall from the Sky if My Dream Proves False. 12. Acting is Not in My Nature. 13. India is the Biggest Story of All. 14. One of the Finest Filmmakers in India. 15. And Finally . Appendices.

With a career spanning three decades, Kannada director Girish Kasaravalli has long been recognised and respected as one of the foremost filmmakers of independent cinema in India.

In Mysteries of the Mundane,John Hood presents an intensive discussion on Kasaravalli’s work—including his diploma film, feature films and two documentaries. Kannada literature, cultural traditions and a love for folk-theatre have shaped Kasaravalli’s storytelling and influenced his visual style. His films are firmly rooted in themes specific and local to Karnataka; however, their touching exploration of the commonplace shows that within the local, specific culture lie values, struggles, dreams and aspirations that are truly universal.

Across fifteen chapters, the author closely analyses and interprets Kasaravalli’s films, examining their stories, plots, characterisation, visual language and aesthetics, and commenting on their socio-political symbolism and significance. He highlights Kasaravalli’s ability to find deeper meaning in everyday life, which makes his films so inventive and exceptional, giving them a global appeal. (jacket)