Mangaluru: To commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of iconic filmmaker Guru Dutt, the Mangaluru Chapter of INTACH, in collaboration with Art Kanara Trust, hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion at the Kodialguthu Centre for Art and Culture, Ballalbagh.
Titled “Guru Dutt – Remembering the Man and His Persona, Movies and Messages”, the session brought together eminent voices to reflect on Dutt’s lasting influence on Indian cinema.
Speakers included writer-activist K. Phaniraj, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy’s Ivan D’Silva, and journalist-author Jayanth Kodkani, with INTACH Mangaluru convener Subhas Chandra Basu moderating the event. Co-convener Nemiraj Shetty introduced the panel.
Basu opened by highlighting Guru Dutt’s Panambur roots, noting how his brief stay in coastal Karnataka subtly influenced his creative outlook. He also connected Dutt’s socially conscious themes to his early experiences in post-independence Kolkata, shaped by famine, unrest, and migration.
Kodkani recalled watching Pyaasa in the 1970s. “When ‘Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye’ played, people rose and applauded. That’s the timelessness of his vision,” he said, admiring Dutt’s poetic use of light and shadow.
Phaniraj analysed Dutt’s anti-mainstream storytelling, noting his focus on personal turmoil rather than ideal family structures — rare in 1950s cinema. Meanwhile, D’Silva praised his technical genius and portrayal of strong female characters, breaking gender stereotypes of the time.
The evening concluded with a vibrant audience interaction. Prof. Krishnamoorthy of Govinda Dasa College shared memories from Nanna Maga Gurudutta, written by Dutt’s mother, offering glimpses into the filmmaker’s lesser-known childhood.