Remembering Aparna Vastarey: Her voice lives on in namma metro

Remembering Kannada actor, anchor Aparna Vastarey

The late Aparna Vastarey juggled many professional roles — comedian (she won hearts with her humour, as Varalakshmi on Srujan Lokesh’s Maja Talkies), television presenter and actor, radio announcer... As an actor, she made her debut in 1984 with Puttanna Kanagal’s Masanada Hoovu, sharing the screen with Ambareesh and Jayanthi.

Her name was synonymous with anchoring and she was known for her oratory skills, impeccable narratives in Kannada. She has hosted hundreds of government functions, Kannada Sahitya Sammelanas and events and went on to be one of the most sought after anchors/presenters. She became the face for Karnataka culture, cinema and television so much that there was a time when no event would happen without her being considered as an anchor.

She even lent her voice to BMRCL (Namma Metro) announcements. Her voice still lives on, warning you about the gap in the platform and alerting you about the next station. Aparna passed away on July 11, 2024 after a long drawn battle with lung cancer and was cremated with State honours. The void she has left, cannot be replaced by another. Her large, expressive eyes, the soft, gentle voice and permanent smile, is how many of us will remember her for time to come.

“I have known Aparna since my school days,” says actor Sudharani. “She lived a few lanes off from where my aunt lived in Malleswaram. We would visit each other during pujas and festivals. I remember her as a very quiet girl.”

Sudharani, says she lost touch with Aparna. “I next saw her when I made my debut with Shivaraj Kumar in Anand. While we were shooting in Kanteerava Stadium, she was also working there for Masanada Hoovu. We did not interact then but, I saw her in a shell, refusing to come out and talk to anyone.”

Once Aparna became an anchor and a host, Sudharani says she met her umpteen times. “Though we met formally, we bonded well. Certain relationships can not be described with words but we did make a connection and Aparna was always warm and affectionate.”

The bond Sudharani says grew stronger when the two met for Belli hejje programme. “We would work together for hours. This was when I saw her dedication as a colleague. Aparna, who normally came to work in a sari, walking in one day wearing a salwar suit. She looked slightly distressed.”