Shivaramaiah Ramachandra Aithal (; 16 November 194810 January 2011), popularly known as S. Ramachandra, was a National Award-winning Indian cinematographer. In 2006, he was honoured with Lifetime Contribution to Kannada Cinema Award at the Karnataka State Film Awards. He was recognised as a gifted cinematographer and as a force behind the offbeat films in Kannada cinema.
Career After securing fifth rank in the Pre-University Course, Ramachandra went to the National Film and Television Institute in Pune to learn Cinematography. Upon returning he worked as the Assistant Cameraman for U.M.N. Sharif, who shot Vamsha Vriksha directed by Girish Karnad and B.V. Karanth. It was during the shooting of Vamsha Vriksha that P.V. Nanjaraja Urs, who identified Ramachandra's talent, asked him to work for his feature film "Sankalpa" which was Ramachandra's first venture as an Independent Cinematographer. He later worked with B.V. Karanth for the Award Winning film Chomana Dudi. He also worked in commercial films with directors like Nagabharana and K.V.Jayaram.
S. Ramachandra's work in films directed by Girish Kasaravalli brought him accolades. His association with Girish Kasaravalli began with the National Award-winning film Ghatashradhdha. Later he worked on Akramana, Mane, Kraurya, Naayi Neralu, Hasina and Gulabi Talkies.
Professional Ramachandra was the President of Karnataka Cinematographer's Association for nearly a decade, where he worked to secure the future of Cinematographers of the Kannada Film Industry
He was a founding member of Chitrasamuha, a filmmakers' platform for appreciation of cinema aesthetics and he remained an active contributor until his death.
Critical acclaim Following quotes are about S. Ramachandra and his work.
Awards 1977: National Film Award for Best Cinematography for Rishya Shringa 2006: Lifetime Contribution to Kannada Cinema Award Karnataka State Film Award for Best Cinematography 1972–73: Sankalpa 1976–77: Rushya Shringa 1978–79: Grahana 1989–90: Mane
Death S. Ramachandra was suffering from cancer. He was admitted to the Bangalore Institute of Oncology where he was pronounced dead on 10 January 2011.
Chitra Varsha: Cinematography of Ramachandra, a year long festival of his films was organised by Chitra Samuha and K. V. Subbanna Aptha Samuha in 2011.
At least one film 'Thallana' is dedicated to him.Thallana
Filmography
Television Year Film Language Other notes 1987 Malgudi Days Hindi Cinematographer 1991 Swami and Friends (part 1) Hindi Cinematographer 1988 Stone Boy (TV Series) Hindi Cinematographer 2002 Ondu Saavina Sutta (Tele Film) Kannada Cinematographer 2002 Sakshi (Tele Film) Kannada Screenwriter, director, cinematographer 2003 Grihabhanga (TV Series) Kannada Cinematographer ???? Malegalalli madumagalu (TV Series) Kannada Cinematographer (first 15 episodes)
Films An incomplete list of S. Ramachandra's Films also highlights his association with Award-winning Films Year Film Director(s) Other notes 1972 Vamsha Vriksha B.V. Karanth & Girish Karnad Associate Cameraman 1972 Sankalpa P.V. Nanjaraja Urs Winner : Karnataka State Film Award for Best Cinematographer Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film 1974 Kankana M.B.S. Prasad National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada 1975 Chomana Dudi B.V. Karanth National Film Award for Best Feature Film Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film 1976 Pallavi P. Lankesh National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film 1976 Rushya Shringa V.R.K. Prasad Winner : National Film Award for Best Cinematography Winner : Karnataka State Film Award for Best Cinematographer 1977 Ghatashraddha Girish Kasaravalli National Film Award for Best Feature FilmKarnataka State Film Award for Best Film 1978 Grahana T.S. Nagabharana Winner : Karnataka State Film Award for Best Cinematographer (B&W) Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National IntegrationKarnataka State Film Award for Best Film 1978 Geejagana Goodu T.S. Ranga 1978 Hombisilu Geethapriya 1978 Malaya Makkalu K. Shivaram Karanth 1978 Vathsalya Patha A. S. R. Rao 1978 Parasangada Gendethimma Maruthi Shivram 1979 Akramana Girish Kasaravalli 1979 Dange Edda Makkalu P. Vadiraj 1979 Nammamana Sose P. Vadiraj 1980 Bangarada Jinke T.S. Nagabharana 1980 Sangeetha Chandrashekhara Kambara 1981 Jaala S. Ranganath 1981 Chadurida Chitragalu N. T. Jayaram Reddy 1983 Banker Margayya T.S. Nagabharana National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada 1983 Anveshane T.S. Nagabharana 1983 Gandharvagiri N. S. Dhananjaya (Datthu) 1983 Mududida Tavare Aralithu K. V. Jayaram 1983 Nyaya Gedditu Joe Simon 1983 Premayuddha T.S. Nagabharana 1983 Simhasana C. R. Simha 1984 Olave Baduku K. V. Jayaram 1986 Prema Jaala Joe Simon 1987 Huli Hebbuli Vijay 1987 Avasthe Krishna Masadi 1987 Nyayakke Shikshe Srinivas 1987 Romanchana G S Panicker 1987 Sampradaya Master Hirannayya 1988 Bhujangayyana Dashavathara Lokesh Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration 1988 Aasphota T.S. Nagabharana Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film 1988 Mathrudevobhava N. S. Dhananjaya (Datthu) 1989 Hongkongnalli Agent Amar Joe Simon 1989 Singari Bangari Chandrahasa Alva 1990 Santha Shishunala Sharifa T.S. Nagabharana 1990 Swami Shankar Nag 1991 Mane Girish Kasaravalli Winner : Karnataka State Film Award for Best Cinematographer National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada 1991 Ek Ghar Girish Kasaravalli Language : Hindi 1992 Undoo Hoda Kondoo Hoda Nagathihalli Chandrashekar 1993 Kadambari Kodlu Ramakrishna 1994 Yarigu Helbedi Kodlu Ramakrishna 1995 Nilukada Nakshatra Kodlu Ramakrishna 1995 Kraurya Girish Kasaravalli National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada 1996 Janani Srivathsa Ranganath 1996 Pooja Bharathi Shankar 1997 Gangavva Gangamaayi Vasant Mokashi 1998 The Out House Leslie Carvalho 1999 Deveeri Kavitha Lankesh Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film 1999 Kanooru Heggadithi Girish Karnad National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada 2001 Alemari Kavita Lankesh 2003 Artha B. Suresh Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film 2004 Hasina Girish Kasaravalli National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare Karnataka State Film Award for Best Social film 2004 Beru P. Sheshadri National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada 2004 Pravaha P. R. Ramadas Naidu Karnataka State Film Award for Best Social film 2005 Naayi Neralu Girish Kasaravalli Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film 2005 Mukhamukhi N. Sudarshan 2006 Banada Neralu Umashankar Swamy Karnataka State Film Award for Best Social film 2007 Gulabi Talkies Girish Kasaravalli National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film 2008 Vimukthi P. Sheshadri National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada 2008 Moggina Jade P. R. Ramadas Naidu 2008 Haaru Hakkiyaneri A. N. Prasanna 2009 Daatu K. Shivarudraiah 2009 Mukhaputa Roopa Iyer Karnataka State Film Award for Best Social film 2009 Karavali Hudugi Kodlu Ramakrishna 2010 Gandhi Smiles Krish Joshi 2010 Beli Mattu Hola P. R. Ramdasa Naidu 2010 Hejjegalu P. R. Ramadas Naidu 2010 Prarthane Sadashiva Shenoy
References Award winning cameraman S.Ramachandra dead Creative cinematographer leaves a void The Hindu Cinematographer Ramachandra dies S Ramachandra Deccan Herald Hero Behind the Frame
IFFI Daily "Chitra Varsha: Cinematography of Ramachandra" "www.bfi.org.uk"
External links