Ramachandra Babu

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K. Ramachandra Babu
Ramachandra Babu, ISC.jpg
Born(1947-12-15)15 December 1947
Maduranthakam, Tamil Nadu, India
Died21 December 2019(2019-12-21) (aged 72)[1]
NationalityIndian
Alma materLoyola College, Chennai
FTII
OccupationCinematographer
Years active1971–2019
Spouse(s)K. Lathika Rani
RelativesRavi K. Chandran (brother)
AwardsKerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography 1976 – Dweep
1978 – Rathinirvedam
1980 – Chamaram
1989 – Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha
Websitewww.ramachandrababu.com

K. Ramachandra Babu (15 December 1947 – 21 December 2019)[2] was an Indian cinematographer of over 125 films, out of which most are Malayalam films. He also worked for films in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Arabic and English languages.[3] He served as the cinematographer for several documentaries and advertisement films as well. He was the founder of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC).

Early life and career[]

Ramachandra Babu was born on 15 December 1947 in Maduranthakam at Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, as the eldest son of Malayali parents, Kunjan Pillai and Padmini Amma, both from Alleppey Kerala. 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.[4] 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.[5] It was also the debut film of director John Abraham and writer Azad. Ramachandra Babu became 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 Dweepu (1977), 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.[5][6] He was the cinematographer of the first film to be released with 70 mm film in Malayalam. The film, Padayottam (1982), directed by Jijo Punnoose, was from the production house of Thacholi Ambu, Navodaya.[7] The film was photographed in CinemaScope format and was converted to 70 mm blow-up prints with 6-track magnetic stereo sound during post-production.[8]

His noted films include Nirmalyam (1973 – National Award For Best Feature Film, directed by M. T. Vasudevan Nair), Swapnadanam (1975 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Film, directed by K. G. George), Bandhanam (1978 – Kerala State Best Film, directed by M. T. Vasudevan Nair), Agraharathil Kazhuthai (1978 – Best Tamil Film – National Award, directed by John Abraham), Itha Ivide Vare (Malayalam – 1977 – directed by I. V. Sasi), Patita (1980 – Hindi, directed by I. V. Sasi), Yavanika (directed by K. G. George) & Marmaram (directed by Bharathan), both Kerala State Best Film Award – 1982, Padayottam (first Malayalam 70 mm feature film, 1982, directed by Jijo), Pagal Nilavu (1985 – Tamil, directed by Mani Rathnam), Oru Vadakkan Veera Gaadha (1989 – Malayalam, directed by Hariharan), Aadhaaram (1992 – Malayalam, directed by George Kithu), Sallapam (1996 – Malayalam, directed by Sunder Das), Ghazal (1993 – Malayalam, directed by Kamal), Kanmadam (1998 – Malayalam, directed by Lohithadas), Beyond the Soul (English – 2003 – directed by Rajiv Anchal) and Al-Boom (Arabic – 2005 – directed by Khaled Abdul Raheem Al-Zadjali).

Awards[]

Kerala State Film Award statuette for Best Cinematography – Dweepu (1976).
  • Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography
  • 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:[9]

  • 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:[10]

  1. Vidhyarthikale Ithile Ithile (Malayalam −1972) – Dir: John Abraham
  2. Ragging (film) (Malayalam −1973) – Dir: N.N.Pisharody
  3. Manassu (Malayalam −1973) – Dir: Hameed Kakkassery
  4. Nirmalyam (Malayalam −1973) – Dir: M.T.Vasudevan Nair
  5. Agnipushpam (Malayalam −1976) – Dir: Jesey
  6. Srishti (film) (Malayalam −1976) – Dir: K.T.Muhammed
  7. Swapnadanam (Malayalam −1976) – Dir: K.G.George
  8. Rajankanam (Malayalam −1976) – Dir: Jesy
  9. Dweepu (Malayalam −1977) – Dir: Ramu Kariat
  10. Amme Anupame (Malayalam −1977) – Dir: K.S.Sethumadhavan
  11. Veedu Oru Swargam (Malayalam −1977) – Dir: Jesey
  12. Itha Ivide Vare (Malayalam −1977) – Dir: I.V.Sasi
  13. Sneha Yamuna (Malayalam −1977) – Dir: Balthazar
  14. Tholireyi Gadichinthi ( Telugu −1977) – Dir: K.S.Rami Reddy
  15. Randu Lokam (Malayalam −1977) – Dir: Sasi Kumar
  16. Rathinirvedam (Malayalam −1978) – Dir: Bharathan
  17. Agraharathil Kazhuthai (Tamil – 1977) – Dir: John Abraham
  18. Ekaakini (Malayalam −1978) – Dir: G.S.Pannikker
  19. Vadakakkuoru Hrudayam (Malayalam −1978) – Dir: I.V.Sasi
  20. Onappudava (Malayalam −1978) – Dir: K.G. George
  21. Mannu (Malayalam −1978) – Dir: K.G. George
  22. Bandhanam (Malayalam −1978) -Dir: M.T. Vasudevan Nair
  23. Udhayam Kizhakkuthanne (Malayalam −1978) – Dir: P.N. Menon
  24. Nakshatrangale Kaaval (Malayalam −1978) – Dir: K.S. Sethumadhavan
  25. Allavudeenum Albuthavilakkum (Malayalam −1979) – Dir: I.V. Sasi
  26. Allavudeenum Arputhavilakkum (Tamil-1979) – Dir: I.V. Sasi
  27. Orey Vaanam Orey Bhoomi (Tamil −1979) – Dir: I.V. Sasi
  28. Devathai ( Tamil – 1979) – Dir: P.N.Menon
  29. Ezham Kadalin Akkare (Malayalam −1979) Dir: I.V. Sasi
  30. Vilkanundu Swapnangal (Malayalam −1980) Dir:- M Azad
  31. Chamaram (Malayalam −1980) – Dir: Bharathan
  32. Sisirathil Oru Vasantham (Malayalam −1980) – Dir: Keyar
  33. Patita ( Hindi – 1980) – Dir: I.V. Sasi
  34. Mela (Malayalam −1980) – Dir: K.G. George
  35. Savithri ( Tamil – 1980) – Dir: Bharathan
  36. Nidhra (Malayalam −1981) – Dir: Bharathan
  37. Manian Plilla Adhava Manian Pilla ( Malayalam −1981) – Dir: Balachandra Menon
  38. Kolangal (Malayalam −1981) – Dir: K.G. George
  39. Yavanika (Malayalam – 1982) – Dir: K.G. George
  40. Palangal (Malayalam −1982) – Dir: Bharathan
  41. Aalolam (Malayalam −1982) – Dir: Mohan
  42. Padayottam (Malayalam – 1982) – Dir: Jijo
  43. Marmaram (Malayalam −1982) – Dir: Bharathan
  44. Vaarikkuzhi (Malayalam −1982) -Dir: M.T. Vasudevan Nair
  45. Innallengil Naale (Malayalam −1982) – Dir: I.V. Sasi
  46. Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu (Malayalam −1983) – Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
  47. Eettillam (Malayalam −1983) – Dir: Fazil
  48. Pin Nilavu (Malayalam −1983) – Dir: P.G.Viswambharan
  49. Sagaram Santham (Malayalam −1983) – Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
  50. Marakkukila Orikkalum (Malayalam −1983) – Dir: Fazil
  51. Onnu Chirikku (Malayalam −1983) – Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
  52. Onnanu Nammal (Malayalam −1984) – Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
  53. Aadaminte Variyellu (Malayalam −1984) – Dir: K.G. George
  54. Unaroo (Malayalam −1984) – Dir: Mani Rathnam
  55. Oru Kochu Katha Aarum Parayatha Katha (Malayalam −1984) – Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
  56. Vellarikka Pattanam ( Malayalam – 1985) – Dir: Thomas Berly
  57. Paadum Vanampadi ( Tamil – 1985) – Dir: Jayakumar
  58. Pagal Nilavu ( Tamil – 1985) – Dir: Mani Rathnam
  59. Ivvide Ee Theerathu (Malayalam −1985) – Dir: P.G.Viswambharan
  60. Ee Lokam Ivvide Kure Manushyar (Malayalam −1985) – Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
  61. Deivathayorthu (Malayalam −1985) – Dir: R. Gopi
  62. Ithile Iniyum Varu (Malayalam −1986) – Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
  63. Mandhira Punnagai ( Tamil – 1986) – Dir: Tahmizh Azhagan
  64. Ennu Nathante Nimmi (Malayalam −1986) – Dir: Sajan
  65. Achuvettente Veedu (Malayalam −1988) – Dir: Balachandra Menon
  66. Kanakambarangal (Malayalam −1988) – Dir: N. Sankaran Nair
  67. Puravrutham (Malayalam −1988) – Dir: Lenin Rajendran
  68. Oozham (Malayalam −1988) – Dir: Harikumar
  69. Mattoral (Malayalam −1988) – Dir: K.G.George
  70. Kadhal Enum Nadhiyinile (Tamil – 1989) – Dir: M.K.I Sukumaran
  71. Oru Vadakkan Veera Gaadha (Malayalam −1989) – Dir: Hariharan
  72. Utharam (Malayalam −1989) – Dir: Pavithran
  73. Ashokante Aswathikuttikku (Malayalam −1989) – Dir: Vijayan Karot
  74. Brahma Rakshass (Malayalam −1990) – Dir: Vijayan Karot
  75. Ee Kannikoodi ( Malayalam – 1990 ) – Dir: K.G. George
  76. Radha Madhavam (Malayalam −1990) – Dir: Suresh Unnithan
  77. Manamadha Sarangal (Malayalam – 1991) – Dir: Baby
  78. Mukha Chitram (Malayalam −1991) – Dir: Suresh Unnithan
  79. Kadinjool Kalyanam (Malayalam −1991) – Dir: Rajasenan
  80. Neelagiri (Malayalam −1991) – Dir: I.V. Sasi
  81. Irikku M.D. Akathundu ( Malayalam – 1991) Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
  82. Aadharam (Malayalam −1992) – Dir: George Kithu
  83. Ponnurukkum Pakshi (Malayalam −1992) – Dir: Vaisakan
  84. Ente Ponnu Thampuran – (Malayalam −1992) – Dir: A.T. Abu
  85. Mugamudra (Malayalam −1992) – Dir: Ali Akbar
  86. First Bell ( Malayalam −1992 ) – Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
  87. Savidham (Malayalam – 1992) – Dir: George Kithu
  88. Soorya Gayathri (Malayalam −1992) – Dir: Anil
  89. Venkalam (1993) – Dir: Bharathan
  90. Aalavattom (Malayalam −1993) – Dir: Raju Ambharan
  91. Pravachakan (Malayalam −1993) – Dir: P.G. Viswambharan
  92. Ghazal (Malayalam −1993) – Dir: Kamal
  93. Bandhukkal Sathrukkal (Malayalam −1993) – Dir: Sreekumaran Thampi
  94. Bhoomi Geetham (Malayalam −1993) – Dir: Kamal
  95. Kudumba Visesham (Malayalam −1994) – Dir: Anil – Babu
  96. Nandhini Oppol (Malayalam −1994) – Dir: Mohan Kupleri
  97. Gamanam (Malayalam −1994) – Dir: Sreeprakash
  98. Sargavasntham (Malayalam −1995) – Dir: Anil Das
  99. Samudhayam (1995) – Dir: Ambili
  100. Thovala Pookkal (Malayalam −1995) – Dir: Suresh Unnithan
  101. Sallapam (Malayalam – 1996) – Dir: Sunder Daas
  102. Harbour (Malayalam −1996) – Dir: Anil – Babu
  103. Kungumacheppu (Malayalam −1996) – Dir: Thulasi Das
  104. Kudamattom (Malayalam −1997) – Dir: Sundar Daas
  105. Kaarunyam (Malayalam −1997) – Dir: Lohita Das
  106. Rishyasringan (Malayalam −1997) – Dir: Suresh Unnithan
  107. Kanmadam (Malayalam −1998) – Dir: Lohita Das
  108. Ilavankodu Desam (Malayalam −1998) – Dir: K.G.George
  109. Aakasha Ganga (Malayalam −1999) – Dir: Vinayan
  110. Saaphalyam (Malayalam −1999) – Dir: G.S.Vijayan
  111. English Medium (Malayalam −1999) – Dir: Pradep Chokli
  112. Varnakkazhchagal (Malayalam −2000) – Dir: Sunder Daas
  113. Puthooram Puthri Unniyarcha (Malayalam −2002) – Dir: P.G.Viswambharan
  114. Nakshatra Kannulla Rajakumaran
  115. Vanundoru Rajakumari (Malayalam −2002) – Dir: Rajasenan
  116. Beyond The Soul (English – 2003) – Dir: Rajiv Anchal
  117. Swapnam Kondu Thulabharam (Malayalam – 2003) – Dir: Rajasenan
  118. Kanninum Kannadikkum (Malayalam – 2004) – Dir: Sunder Daas
  119. Agni Nakshatram ( Malayalam – 2004 ) – Dir: Kareem
  120. Kalyana Kurimanam (Malayalam – 2005 ) – Dir: Udaya Kumar
  121. Udayon (Malayalam – 2005) – Dir: Bhadran
  122. Mayookham (Malayalam – 2005) – Dir: Hariharan
  123. Al Boom (Arabic – 2006) Dir: Khalid Al Zadjali
  124. Bharathan (Malayalam −2007) – Dir: Anil Das
  125. Mizhigal Saakshi (Malayalam – 2008) – Dir: Ashok R Nath
  126. Pagal Nakshatrangal (Malayalam – 2008) – Dir: Rajeevnath
  127. Yugapurushan (Malayalam – 2010) – Dir: R. Sukumaran
  128. Kadaksham (Malayalam – 2010) – Dir: Shashi Paravoor
  129. Inganayum Oraal (Malayalam) – Dir Kabeer Raother
  130. Pirate's Blood (English) – Dir: Mark Ratering
  131. Venshankpol (Malayalam) – Dir: Ashok R Nath

Unreleased films[]

  1. Kaadhal Viduthalai (Tamil) – Dir: Jayakumar
  2. Puthiya Swarangal (Tamil) – Dir: Vijayan
  3. Puthu Mazhathullikal (Malayalam) – Dir: Raghavan
  4. Kavaadam (Malayalam) – Dir: K.R.Joshi
  5. Professor Dingan (director) - Died during the production

Gallery[]

  • Ramachandra Babu with Arriflex 535 B Camera on the location of the English film Beyond the soul, directed by Rajeev Anchal

  • Screenwriter Lohithadas and director Bharathan along with Ramachandra Babu at the location of Venkalam.

  • Along with writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair

  • Ramachandra Babu with Mammootty and Saiju Kurup who did their debut films with him.

References[]

  1. ^ Kumar, P. k Ajith (22 December 2019). "Lensman of iconic films Ramachandra Babu dead". The Hindu. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Veteran cinematographer Ramachandra Babu passes away". The News Minute. 21 December 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  3. ^ Official biodata- Google Docs
  4. ^ Ramachandra Babu. "Remembering Film Institute Days". institutewallah.blogspot.in. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  5. ^ a b "kodak_Images_interview.pdf". google.com. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  6. ^ "Filmiparadise Movie Portal Online Malayalam Movie Magazine Tamil Movies,Malayalam Movies,Telugu Movies,Kannada Movies,Movie Wallpapers, Movie Trailers, Movie Previews, Movie Reviews, Videosongs,Latest Film News, Actors Profile". filmiparadise.com. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  7. ^ "News Archives". The Hindu. 6 December 2010. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  8. ^ "70mm Film in India". in70mm.com. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  9. ^ "ABOUT ME – K.Ramachandra Babu, ISC". google.com. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  10. ^ "FILMOGRAPHY – K.Ramachandra Babu, ISC". google.com. Retrieved 29 March 2015.

External links[]

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