He worked as a cleaner,salesman and finally as a publicity boy which brought him close to cinema.He started working as a assistant to B.R.Pantalu,a yesteryear film maker and directed his first movie in Kannada Saavira Mettilu(Thousand Steps) which stopped in the middle but after his death it was completed by his student Ksl Swamy and released in 2006.And later he directed another movie called Belli Moda(Silver Cloud).It was critical and commercial success which starred one of the finest actress of Kannada screen iconic Kalpana.It was based on novel by well known Kannada writer Triveni.A song called Moodala Maneya which is adopted from Jnanapith Awardee Da.Ra.Bendre's poems captures the beauty of early morning.It is said Puttanna searched for many weeks to find the perfect location to shoot the song.
Later he made Mallammana Pavada,his first movie with Dr.Rajkumar which showed the plight of a women who is married to a mentally dull person.The movie was later remade in Tamil as Enga Chinna Rasa by Bhagyaraj and later into Hindi as Beta.
His third movie is Kappu Bilupu(Black and White) which is based on the novel by Aryambha Pattabhi which dealt with contrasting behaviors of identical, yet distinct pair of twins.A Cinderella like story which showed the triumph of good over bad.Again Kalpana won laurels for her performance.Many similar themed movies came later including Hema Malini's Seeta Aur Geeta.
He later made one of his best classics Gejje Pooje(Mock Marriage) which was again based on a novel by M.K.Indira.The story revolves around the daughter of a religious prostitutes called Devadasis(which prevailed in 70's 80,s especially in North Karnataka and some parts of Maharashtra).It showed how her lover abandons her by the socail pressure when she tells him the fact that she is the daughter of a devadaasi.
Another worth mentioning movie is Sharapanjara(Cage of Arrows) which dealt with woman's chastity, the problem of acceptability of mentally ill by the society and unfaithful husband.It was a runaway hit and known for glamorous costumes of lead actress Kalpana.This movie captivated her as a performer and a top heroine of her time.I saw a almost similar movie 15 Park Avenue by acclaimed Bengali film maker Aparna Sen.
And then came Nagarahaavu(Cobra) which launched superstar Vishnuvardhan as a hero which was based on two novels by writer Ta.Ra.Su.The movie was made in 1972 which revolves around a short tempered boy and his teacher.This movie is actually the original "Angry Young Man" kind of movie which was later popularised by Amitabh Bachan.A young man who rebels against caste system.It also showed the intellectual conflicts between the teacher and student.at the end master gets defeated by his beliefs towards society.I read somewhere that K.Balachander inspired from this and made a movie on based on a love between a Hindu and Christian girl as shown in this movie.Its also remarkable for the debut of another leading actor of Kannada cinema Ambarish in a small but powerful role.It was later remade in most languages including Hindi starring Rishi Kapoor.A particular shot in the movie which showed a slow motion as well as normal speed in single frame is the highlight which said to be first time in Indian screen.And also appearence of actress Jayanthi in one song as folk women warrior Obavva is unforgettable and achieved cult status.
Edakallu Guddada Mele(On top of Edakallu Hill) is another masterpiece by master film maker which showed the desperation of a young women whose husband becomes impotent after the a war.And the young women falls for her young neighbour who seduces her.Though it is dealt with extra marital relationship,there is no much uneasy moments in the cinema and even the family audience can enjoy the movie.A song 'Viraha nooru nooru taraha' is a classic and is quite often interjected in banter to express the estrangement.The movie is based on a Bharathi sutha's novel.
Before this movie Jayanthi was known for doing glamorous roles but this changed it all.
Upasane(Devotion)a musical extravaganza.The songs "bhaaratha bhooshira", "bhaavaveMba hoovu arali", "aachaaravillada naalige" are fantastic and evergreen.He roped in his lover and versatile actress Arathi in the lead role and later went on to make many movies with her.Its the story of a singer and her teacher.
Katha Sangama(Collection of Stories),as tittle says its collection of 3 stories.It starred Kalyan Kumar, Rajanikanth, Saroja Devi, Arathi.It is a experimental movie and was shot in black and white.
His other movies Bili Hendthi(White Wife) which showed Indian family's hesitation in accepting a white European woman as a daughter-in-law.College Ranga(The College Stage) is a typical teen movie which showed the college politics,campus,love etc.Paduvaaralli Pandavaru(Pandavas of Paduvaru Village) is a story of 5 rebellious youth who rebels against a village chief which was later remade in Telugu and Hindi by renowed cartoonist and Film maker Bapu.His other films are Dharmasere,Ranganayaki,Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage,Manasa Sarovara, Amrutha Ghalige,Masanada Hoovu.
Ranganayaki(The Heroine of the Stage) shows the nuance of Oedipus Complex.A young man falls in love with a older women only to realise later that it is her estranged mother.
Amrutha Ghalige dealt with teenage pregnancy.
Manasa sarovara one of the finest and best movies of Puttanna.It dealt with human psychology.The movie is important as this was made after a similar tragic incident in the life of Puttanna.Later that year Moondram Pirai released which had similar plot.Its song "Neene saakida gini"" is the reference to his own life.Movie is a tragedy but went on to be a superhit.He made this movie after he broke up with his lover Arathi who used him as a ladder to be a top actress.
His last movie Masanada Hoovu is a story of a girl who ends up in a brothel.Puttanna died before finishing the movie.
He also directed handful of Hindi,Tamil and Malayalam movies.He introduced Vishnuvardhan,Ambarish,Rajanikanth,Vajramuni,Shridhar and many more actors.Well known Tamil direcor Bharathiraja was the assistant for him.And even Kamal Hasan worked as a assistant for him in one film.At the time of New Wave Cinema or Art Cinema,Puttanna's cinema stood apart.His cinemas were seen as a bridge between commercial cinema and alternate cinema.He was also well known for use of freeze shots.His movies were criticized for being too women centric and most of movies were based on novels.He died on 5 June 1985.And thus ended a great era of a great film maker.
