Chakravarthy Chandrachud


Chakravarthy Chandrachud is an Indian journalist, poet, social activist, actor, and film director from Karnataka.

Early life and education

Chakravarthy Chandrachud was born on 15 August 1977 in Devanur, Chikmagalur district, Karnataka. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation Technology from the Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering in Mysore, India. He later received a postgraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Mysore, followed by an M.Phil. from Kuppam.

Career

Chandrachud's journalism career began during his college days. He worked with Janamitra, a local newspaper in Hassan, and Andolana, a daily newspaper in Mysore. He also contributed to weekly publications such as Hai Bangalore, Agni, and Lankesh Patrike, where he later served as an editor.

Activism

Chandrachud has been involved in social activism, working with organizations such as the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) at the national level. He is a leader of Hasiru Sene, a wing of the state's farmers' union, and has participated in various pro-Kannada movements.
He is the founder of People for People, an organization that advocated for the Kalasa Banduri Movement. He also established an organization that provided flood relief in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. Chandrachud has participated in irrigation reform movements in the state, and his activism reportedly led to several legal challenges and periods of imprisonment.

Books and awards

Chandrachud's first book, Jana Jala Kranti, examines the contributions of Anna Hazare and Rajendra Singh to irrigation reform. The book is based on research conducted in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, and it earned him the National Environmental Award.
His other books include Khaali Shilube, which was released at a Lingayat cemetery in Chamrajpet, Bangalore, and Mailu Tutta, released at Malleshwaram's Dhobi Ghat. Mailu Tutta is a narrative chronicling India's evolution through its revolutionary movements.

Film and television

Chandrachud has worked in the Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam film industries. He directed and wrote Janma, a movie centered on the Kaveri River water dispute, and the social unrest following the death of Kannada actor Dr Rajkumar. He directed both Kannada and Tamil versions.
He made his acting debut in the Kannada film Melobba Mayavi.
As a writer, Chandrachud has contributed to films such as ''Melobba Mayavi.''

Personal life

In 1999, Chakravarthy married Manjula. In June 2013, he attempted to enter into a second marriage with Kannada actress Shruti; however, the union was annulled by a court later that year on the grounds that he had not legally dissolved his first marriage. Following Manjula’s petition, the court ruled that the second marriage was invalid. Shruti also acknowledged the irregularity of the procedure.