Shivaramaiah Ramachandra Aithal (Kannada: ಶಿವರಾಮಯ್ಯ ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ ಐತಾಳ; 16 November 1948 – 10 January 2011),[2] 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.[3]

S. Ramachandra
Ramachandra at the filming of Gulabi Talkies, 2006
Born(1948-11-16)16 November 1948
Died10 January 2011(2011-01-10) (aged 62)
EducationFTII Graduate in Cinematography
OccupationCinematographer
Awards

Career

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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.[2] He later worked with B.V. Karanth for the Award Winning film Chomana Dudi.[1] He also worked in commercial films with directors like Nagabharana and K.V.Jayaram.[1]

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.[1]

Professional

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He 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[4]

He was a founding member of Chitrasamuha, a filmmakers' platform for appreciation of cinema aesthetics and he remained an active contributor until his death.[4]

Critical acclaim

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Following quotes are about S. Ramachandra and his work.

"Ramachandra was the founding stone of the new wave of cinema. He worked enthusiastically with new directors."

"He did not profess an alternate cinema openly but supported a large number of filmmakers to look for alternate ways of making cinema both in content and construction."

— N. Vidyashankar, Festival Director, Bangalore International Film Festival[6]

"He remained dedicated to the cause of the New Wave in Kannada cinema and was instrumental in positioning Karnataka on the world map of meaningful cinema. He facilitated many young film-makers and first-time producers to meet each other on a common platform, willingly sharing his technical expertise and accumulated experience with them. Among the 70-odd films that he authored with his camera, he must have been responsible for no less than 40 debutant directors."

— G.S. Bhaskar, noted Cinematographer[4]

Awards

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Death

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S. Ramachandra was suffering from cancer. He was admitted to the Bangalore Institute of Oncology where he was pronounced dead on 10 January 2011.[3]

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.[7]

At least one film 'Thallana' is dedicated to him.[8]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Film Language Other notes
1987 Malgudi Days Hindi Cinematographer
1991 Swami and Friends (part 1) Hindi Cinematographer [9]
1988 Stone Boy (TV Series) Hindi Cinematographer
2002 Ondu Saavina Sutta (Tele Film) Kannada Cinematographer
2002 Sakshi (Tele Film) Kannada Screenwriter, director, cinematographer[10]
2003 Grihabhanga (TV Series) Kannada Cinematographer

Films

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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[4]
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 Film
Karnataka 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 Integration
Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film
1978 Geejagana Goodu T.S. Ranga
1978 Hombisilu Geethapriya
1978 Malaya Makkalu K. Shivaram Karanth
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 Vathsalya Patha A. S. R. Rao
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 [9]
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 [9]
1998 The Out House Leslie Carvalho [9]
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 [9]
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

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