Mankada Ravi Varma (4 June 1926 – 22 November 2010) was an Indian cinematographer and director who worked in Malayalam cinema. He is exclusively known for his association with renowned film-maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan. He has associated with other major directors such as G. Aravindan and P. N. Menon. He has also directed two films. He has won two National Film Awards and seven Kerala State Film Awards in various categories. In 2006, he was honoured with the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.
Early life Ravi Varma was born at Mankada in Malappuram district into the senior branch of the royal family of Valluvanad, to K.K. Thampuratti and A.M. Parameswaran Bhattathiripad on 4 June 1926. He attended Victoria College, Palakkad and the Institute of Film Technology (FTIT) in Chennai.
Career After his studies from FTIT, he worked as a cinematographer for several documentaries and short films. His debut film was Aval (1966) was directed by P.M.A Aziz, another student from the institute. His first notable work was Olavum Theeravum (1970), directed by P. N. Menon and scripted by M. T. Vasudevan Nair., His other notable works as a cinematographer include Dikkatra Parvathi (1973) by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, Uttarayanam (1974) by G. Aravindan, and almost all the works with Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
Association with Adoor Elippathayam (1981) was one of the most acclaimed films came out of their association. He worked mainly with Adoor in his films, before he fell ill in 2002. Nizhalkuthu was their last film. Varma could not complete this work as he fell ill soon after the filming had started. Later, this film was completed by Sunny Joseph. In an interview he said: "I would rate Nizhalkuthu, as Raviettan's best ever work, 30 years after we started our journey together with Swayamvaram."
Career as a director In 1984, he directed his first film, Nokkukuthi, which won him another National Award and a State award. "I made it for my own satisfaction. People who are like me will also get satisfaction of watching my film", says Varma. He also directed Kunjikoonan in 1989.
Varma received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Book on Cinema for Chitram Chalachitram.
Death Ravi Varma died on 22 November 2010 evening in Chennai. He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease for many years.
Filmography
As cinematographer Aval (1967) Olavum Theeravum (1970) Swayamvaram (1971) Dikkatra Parvathi (1974) Uttarayanam (1974) Kodiyettam (1977) Yakshagana (1979) Chola Heritage (1980) Krishnanattam (1982) Kalamandalam Gopi (1995) Elippathayam (1981) Mukhamukham (1984) Anantaram (1987) Mathilukal (1990) Vidheyan (1993) Kathapurushan (1996) Koodiyaattam (2001) Nizhalkkuthu (2002)
As director Nokkukuthi (1984) Kunjikoonan (1989)
Awards
Kerala State Awards
1970: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography – Olavum Theeravum 1972: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography – Swayamvaram 1974: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography – Uttarayanam 1981: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography – Elippathayam 1983: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography – Nokkukuthi 1984: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography – Mukhamukham 1986: Kerala State Film Award for Best Book on Cinema – Chitram Chala Chitram 2002: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography – Nizhalkuthu 2005: J. C. Daniel Award (Honorary)
National Awards
1972: National Film Award for Best Cinematography – Swayamvaram 1983: National Film Award – Special Jury Award / Special Mention – Nokkukuthi 1999: National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Cinematography – Kalamandalam Gopi
References