Ramachandra Babu
K. Ramachandra Babu | |
---|---|
File:Ramachandra Babu, ISC.jpg | |
Born | Maduranthakam, Tamil Nadu, India |
December 15, 1947
Nationality | Indian |
Alma mater | Film and Television Institute of India |
Occupation | Cinematographer |
Years active | 1971—present |
Title | ISC |
Spouse(s) | K. Lathika Rani |
Relatives | Ravi K. Chandran (brother) |
Awards | Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography 1976 - Dweep 1978 - Rathinirvedam 1980 - Chamaram 1989 - Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha |
Website | www |
K. Ramachandra Babu is a Kerala State award-winning cinematographer of over 125 films, out of which most are Malayalam films. He has also worked for films in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Arabic and English languages.[1] He has served as the cinematographer for several documentaries and advertisement films as well.
Contents
Early life and career
Ramachandra Babu was born on December 15, 1947 in Maduranthakam at Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu. After obtaining his B.Sc. (Chemistry) degree from Loyola College, Madras in 1966, he went on to join the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune to study cinematography. In the Institute, he made friends with Balu Mahendra, John Abraham and K.G. George, who would go on to become noted film directors.[2] He obtained his Diploma in Cinema (Motion Picture Photography) in 1971.
He made his feature film debut in 1971 as a cinematographer even before completing his FTII course, for Vidyarthikale Ithile Ithile.[3] It was also the debut film of director John Abraham and writer Azad. Ramachandra Babu became a noted in the industry after he served as the cinematographer for Nirmalyam (1973) and Swapnadanam (1976), which were directorial debuts of M.T. Vasudevan Nair and K.G. George, respectively. All these films were shot in Black & White.
Later career
Ramachandra Babu's first colour film (Eastman Color) was Dweep(1976), directed by Ramu Kariat and it won him his first Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography. He went on to win 3 more State Awards for Rathinirvedam (1978) and Chamaram (1980), directed by Bharathan and Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha (1989), directed by Hariharan.
He played a prominent role in ushering in the technical advancements in cinematography into Malayalam cinema. The transition from Black & White to colour aside, he served as the cinematographer for the first CinemaScope film to be shot in South India, Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum (1979), directed by I.V. Sasi. Despite featuring major stars like Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Jayabharathi, the film was delayed and another CinemaScope film Thacholi Ambu (1978) was released ahead of it, leaving the latter to be considered as the first CinemaScope film in South India.[3][4] He was the cinematographer of the first film to be released with 70mm film in Malayalam. The film, Padayottam (1982), directed by Jijo Punnoose was from the production house of Thacholi Ambu, Navodaya.[5] The film was photographed in CinemaScope format and was converted to 70mm blow-up prints with 6-track magnetic stereo sound during post-production.[6]
His noted films include Nirmalyam (1973 – National Award For Best Feature Film, Director : M.T. Vasudevan Nair), Swapnadanam (1975 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Film, Director : K.G. George), Bandhanam (1978 – Kerala State Best Film, Dir : M.T. Vasudevan Nair), Agraharathil Kazhuthai (1978 – Best Tamil Film – National Award, Director : John Abraham), Itha Ivide Vare (Malayalam - 1977 – Dir: I.V. Sasi), Patita (1980 – Hindi, Director: I.V.Sasi), Yavanika (Dir : K.G.George) & Marmaram (Dir : Bharathan), Both Kerala State Best Film Award – 1982, Padayottam (First Malayalam 70 Mm Feature Film, 1982. Dir: Jijo), Pagal Nilavu - (1985 – Tamil, Director : Mani Rathnam), Oru Vadakkan Veera Gaadha (1989 – Malayalam, Director : Hariharan), Aadharam (1992 – Malayalam, Director : George Kithu), Sallapam (1996 – Malayalam, Director :Sunder Das), Ghazal (1993 – Malayalam, Director : Kamal), Kanmadam (1998 – Malayalam, Director : Lohithadas), Beyond The Soul (English – 2003 – Dir: Rajiv Anchal) and Al-boom (Arabic – 2005 – Dir: Khaled Abdul Raheem Al-Zadjali).
Awards
- Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography
- 1976 - Dweepu
- 1978 - Rathinirvedam
- 1980 - Chamaram
- 1989 - Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha
- Cinema Masika Award (1973) : Nirmalyam
- Rangam Magazine Award (1977) : Itha Ivide Vare
- Kerala Film Critics Award (1981) : Nidhra
- Film Fans Association Award (1981) : Yavanika
- Nana Film Weekly Award (1982) : Yavanika
- Film Arts Club Cochin Award (1989) : Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha
- Film Arts Club Cochin Award (1994) : Ghazal
- Johnsons Asianet Film Award (1998) : Kanmadham
- SICA Lifetime Achievement Award (2008)
- Kala Keralam Award (2008)
- Kerala Film Critics Award (2009) : Kadaksham
- Vayalar Samskarika Vedi Award (2010) : Yugapurushan
Positions held
The positions held by Ramachandra Babu in various organisations and award committees include:[7]
- Chairman – Technical Committee, India International Film Festival 1997
- Member – Technical Committee, International Film Festival of Kerala, 1999
- Jury – Kerala State Television Awards Committee 1998
- Jury – Padmarajan Film Award Committee 1998
- Jury – Asianet Film Awards Committee 2002
- Jury – John Abraham Film Award Committee 2003
- Resource Person - MACTA Chalachitra Kalari
- Jury - SICA Awards for Malayalam Films 2002
- Exec. Committee Member – Kerala Chalachitra Academy 2003
- Jury - Aravindan Puraskaram 2004
- Jury - Mathrubhoomi Film Awards, 2003
- Jury - SICA Awards for Malayalam Films 2006
- Jury - J. C. Daniel Award for outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema 2009
- President – Indian Society of Cinematographers
- Vice Chairman - Malayalam Cine Technicians Association
- General Secretary - Malayalam Cine Technicians Association
- President - MACTA Cinematographers' Union
- Vice President - MACTA Federation
- President - MACTA Federation
Filmography
The list of films for which Ramachandra Babu served as the director of cinematography:[8]
- Vidyarthikaley Ithile, Ithile (Malayalam -1972) - Dir: John Abraham
- Ragging (Malayalam -1973) - Dir: N.N.Pisharody
- Manassu (Malayalam -1973) - Dir: Hameed Kakkassery
- Nirmalyam (Malayalam -1973) - Dir: M.T.Vasudevan Nair
- Agnipushpam (Malayalam -1976) - Dir: Jesey
- Srishti (Malayalam -1976) - Dir: K.T.Muhammed
- Swapnadanam (Malayalam -1976) - Dir: K.G.George
- Rajankanam (Malayalam -1976) - Dir: Jesy
- Dweep (Malayalam -1977) - Dir: Ramu Kariat
- Amme Anupame (Malayalam -1977) - Dir: K.S.Sethumadhavan
- Veedu Oru Swargam (Malayalam -1977) - Dir: Jesey
- Itha Ivide Vare (Malayalam -1977) - Dir: I.V.Sasi
- Sneha Yamuna (Malayalam -1977) - Dir: Balthazar
- Tholireyi Gadichinthi ( Telugu -1977) - Dir: K.S.Rami Reddy
- Randu Lokam (Malayalam -1977) - Dir: Sasi Kumar
- Rathinirvedam (Malayalam -1978) - Dir: Bharathan
- Agraharathil Kazhuthai (Tamil - 1977) - Dir: John Abraham
- Ekaakini (Malayalam -1978) - Dir: G.S.Pannikker
- Vadakakkuoru Hrudayam (Malayalam -1978) - Dir: I.V.Sasi
- Onappudava (Malayalam -1978) - Dir: K.G. George
- Mannu (Malayalam -1978) - Dir: K.G. George
- Bandhanam (Malayalam -1978) -Dir: M.T. Vasudevan Nair
- Udhayam Kizhakkuthanne (Malayalam -1978) - Dir: P.N. Menon
- Nakshatrangale Kaaval (Malayalam -1978) - Dir: K.S. Sethumadhavan
- Allavudeenum Albuthavilakkum (Malayalam -1979) - Dir: I.V. Sasi
- Allavudeenum Arputhavilakkum (Tamil-1979) - Dir: I.V. Sasi
- Orey Vaanam Orey Bhoomi (Tamil -1979) - Dir: I.V. Sasi
- Devathai ( Tamil - 1979) – Dir: P.N.Menon
- Ezham Kadalin Akkare (Malayalam -1979) Dir: I.V. Sasi
- Vilkanundu Swapnangal (Malayalam -1980) Dir:- M Azad
- Chamaram (Malayalam -1980) - Dir: Bharathan
- Sisirathil Oru Vasantham (Malayalam -1980) - Dir: Keyar
- Patita ( Hindi - 1980) - Dir: I.V. Sasi
- Mela (Malayalam -1980) - Dir: K.G. George
- Savithri ( Tamil - 1980) - Dir: Bharathan
- Nidhra (Malayalam -1981) - Dir: Bharathan
- Manian Plilla Adhava Manian Pilla ( Malayalam -1981) - Dir: Balachandra Menon
- Kolangal (Malayalam -1981) - Dir: K.G. George
- Yavanika (Malayalam - 1982) - Dir: K.G. George
- Palangal (Malayalam -1982) - Dir: Bharathan
- Aalolam (Malayalam -1982) - Dir: Mohan
- Padayottam (Malayalam - 1982) - Dir: Jijo
- Marmaram (Malayalam -1982) - Dir: Bharathan
- Vaarikkuzhi (Malayalam -1982) -Dir: M.T. Vasudevan Nair
- Innallengil Naale (Malayalam -1982) - Dir: I.V. Sasi
- Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu (Malayalam -1983) - Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
- Eettillam (Malayalam -1983) - Dir: Fazil
- Pin Nilavu (Malayalam -1983) - Dir: P.G.Viswambharan
- Sagaram Santham (Malayalam -1983) - Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
- Marakkukila Orikkalum (Malayalam -1983) - Dir: Fazil
- Onnu Chirikku (Malayalam -1983) - Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
- Onnanu Nammal (Malayalam -1984) - Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
- Aadaminte Variyellu (Malayalam -1984) - Dir: K.G. George
- Unaroo (Malayalam -1984) - Dir: Mani Rathnam
- Oru Kochu Katha Aarum Parayatha Katha (Malayalam -1984) - Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
- Vellarikka Pattanam ( Malayalam – 1985) - Dir: Thomas Berly
- Paadum Vanampadi ( Tamil - 1985) - Dir: Jayakumar
- Pagal Nilavu ( Tamil - 1985) - Dir: Mani Rathnam
- Ivvide Ee Theerathu (Malayalam -1985) - Dir: P.G.Viswambharan
- Ee Lokam Ivvide Kure Manushyar (Malayalam -1985) - Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
- Deivathayorthu (Malayalam -1985) - Dir: R. Gopi
- Ithile Iniyum Varu (Malayalam -1986) - Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
- Mandhira Punnagai ( Tamil - 1986) - Dir: Tahmizh Azhagan
- Ennu Nathante Nimmi (Malayalam -1986) - Dir: Sajan
- Achuvettente Veedu (Malayalam -1988) - Dir: Balachandra Menon
- Kanakambarangal (Malayalam -1988) - Dir: N. Sankaran Nair
- Puravrutham (Malayalam -1988) - Dir: Lenin Rajendran
- Oozham (Malayalam -1988) - Dir: Harikumar
- Mattoral (Malayalam -1988) - Dir: K.G.George
- Kadhal Enum Nadhiyinile (Tamil - 1989) - Dir: M.K.I Sukumaran
- Oru Vadakkan Veera Gaadha (Malayalam -1989) - Dir: Hariharan
- Utharam (Malayalam -1989) - Dir: Pavithran
- Ashokante Aswathikuttikku (Malayalam -1989) - Dir: Vijayan Karot
- Brahma Rakshass (Malayalam -1990) - Dir: Vijayan Karot
- Ee Kannikoodi ( Malayalam – 1990 ) – Dir: K.G. George
- Radha Madhavam (Malayalam -1990) - Dir: Suresh Unnithan
- Manamadha Sarangal (Malayalam – 1991) - Dir: Baby
- Mukha Chitram (Malayalam -1991) - Dir: Suresh Unnithan
- Kadinjool Kalyanam (Malayalam -1991) - Dir: Rajasenan
- Neelagiri (Malayalam -1991) - Dir: I.V. Sasi
- Irikku M.D. Akathundu ( Malayalam - 1991) Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
- Aadharam (Malayalam -1992) - Dir: George Kithu
- Ponnurukkum Pakshi (Malayalam -1992) - Dir: Vaisakan
- Ente Ponnu Thampuran - (Malayalam -1992) - Dir: A.T. Abu
- Mugamudra (Malayalam -1992) - Dir: Ali Akbar
- First Bell ( Malayalam -1992 ) - Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
- Savidham (Malayalam - 1992) - Dir: George Kithu
- Soorya Gayathri (Malayalam -1992) - Dir: Anil
- Venkalam (1993) - Dir: Bharathan
- Aalavattom (Malayalam -1993) - Dir: Raju Ambharan
- Pravachakan (Malayalam -1993) - Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
- Ghazal (Malayalam -1993) - Dir: Kamal
- Bandhukkal Sathrukkal (Malayalam -1993) - Dir: Sreekumaran Thampi
- Bhoomi Geetham (Malayalam -1993) - Dir: Kamal
- Kudumba Visesham (Malayalam -1994) - Dir: Anil - Babu
- Nandhini Oppol (Malayalam -1994) - Dir: Mohan Kupleri
- Gamanam (Malayalam -1994) - Dir: Sreeprakash
- Sargavasntham (Malayalam -1995) - Dir: Anil Das
- Samudhayam (1995) - Dir: Ambili
- Thovala Pookkal (Malayalam -1995) - Dir: Suresh Unnithan
- Sallapam (Malayalam - 1996) - Dir: Sunder Daas
- Harbour (Malayalam -1996) - Dir: Anil - Babu
- Kungumacheppu (Malayalam -1996) - Dir: Thulasi Das
- Kudamattom (Malayalam -1997) - Dir: Sundar Daas
- Kaarunyam (Malayalam -1997) - Dir: Lohita Das
- Hrishyashringan (Malayalam -1997) - Dir: Suresh Unnithan
- Kanmadam (Malayalam -1998) - Dir: Lohita Das
- Ilavankodu Desam (Malayalam -1998) - Dir: K.G.George
- Aakasha Ganga (Malayalam -1999) - Dir: Vinayan
- Saaphalyam (Malayalam -1999) - Dir: G.S.Vijayan
- English Medium (Malayalam -1999) - Dir: Pradep Chokli
- Varnakkazhchagal (Malayalam -2000) - Dir: Sunder Daas
- Puthooram Puthri Unniyarcha (Malayalam -2002) - Dir: P.G.Viswambharan
- Nakshatra Kannulla Rajakumaran
- Vanundoru Rajakumari (Malayalam -2002) - Dir: Rajasenan
- Beyond The Soul (English - 2003) - Dir: Rajiv Anchal
- Swapnam Kondu Thulabharam (Malayalam - 2003) - Dir: Rajasenan
- Kanninum Kannadikkum (Malayalam - 2004) - Dir: Sunder Daas
- Agni Nakshatram ( Malayalam – 2004 ) – Dir: Kareem
- Kalyana Kurimanam (Malayalam – 2005 ) – Dir: Udaya Kumar
- Udayon (Malayalam – 2005) – Dir: Bhadran
- Mayookham (Malayalam – 2005) – Dir: Hariharan
- Al Boom (Arabic – 2006) Dir: Khalid Al Zadjali
- Bharathan (Malayalam -2007) - Dir: Anil Das
- Mizhigal Saakshi (Malayalam - 2008) - Dir: Ashok R Nath
- Pagal Nakshatrangal (Malayalam - 2008) - Dir: Rajeevnath
- Yugapurushan (Malayalam - 2010) - Dir: R. Sukumaran
- Kadaksham (Malayalam - 2010) - Dir: Shashi Paravoor
- Inganayum Oraal (Malayalam) - Dir Kabeer Raother
- Pirate's Blood (English) - Dir: Mark Ratering
- Venshankpol (Malayalam) - Dir: Ashok R Nath
Unreleased films
- Kaadhal Viduthalai (Tamil) - Dir: Jayakumar
- Puthiya Swarangal (Tamil) - Dir: Vijayan
- Puthu Mazhathullikal (Malayalam) – Dir: Raghavan
- Kavaadam (Malayalam) – Dir: K.R.Joshi
Gallery
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References
- ↑ Official biodata- Google Docs
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External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ramachandra Babu. |
- Official website
- Official website of Indian Society of Cinematographers
- Ramachandra Babu at the Internet Movie Database
- The Hindu: Metro Plus: Tiruchirapalli: Cinema goes haiku
- The Hindu: Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram / Cinema: Waxing lyrical on film
- Official Website of Information and Public Relation Department of Kerala
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles with hCards
- Commons category link is defined as the pagename
- Living people
- Indian male cinematographers
- Malayalam cinematographers
- 1947 births
- Film and Television Institute of India alumni
- People from Kanchipuram district
- Loyola College, Chennai alumni
- 20th-century Indian film directors
- Malayalam film directors
- Indian male film directors