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Ramachandra Babu

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K. Ramachandra Babu
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
SpouseK. 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). [citation needed]

Early life and career

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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 Alappuzha, 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

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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), Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu directed by P.G. Viswambharan, Itha Ivide Vare 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). [citation needed]

Awards

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Kerala State Film Award statuette for Best Cinematography – Dweepu (1976).

Filmography

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The list of films for which Ramachandra Babu served as the director of cinematography:

Year Title Director Language
1972 Vidhyarthikale Ithile Ithile John Abraham Malayalam
1973 Ragging N. N. Pisharady Malayalam
1973 Manassu Hameed Kakkassery Malayalam
1973 Nirmalyam M.T. Vasudevan Nair Malayalam
1976 Agnipushpam Jesey Malayalam
1976 Srishti K. T. Muhammed Malayalam
1976 Swapnadanam K.G. George Malayalam
1976 Rajankanam I.V. Sasi Malayalam
1977 Dweepu Ramu Kariat Malayalam
1977 Amme Anupame K.S. Sethumadhavan Malayalam
1977 Veedu Oru Swargam Jesey Malayalam
1977 Itha Ivide Vare I.V. Sasi Malayalam
1977 Sneha Yamuna A. T. Raghu Malayalam
1977 Tholireyi Gadichindi K.S. Rami Reddy Telugu
1977 Randu Lokam J. Sasikumar Malayalam
1977 Agraharathil Kazhuthai John Abraham Tamil
1978 Rathinirvedam Bharathan Malayalam
1978 Ekakini G.S. Panicker Malayalam
1978 Vadakakku Oru Hridayam I.V. Sasi Malayalam
1978 Onappudava K.G. George Malayalam
1978 Mannu K.G. George Malayalam
1978 Bandhanam M.T. Vasudevan Nair Malayalam
1978 Udhayam Kizhakkuthanne P. N. Menon Malayalam
1978 Nakshathrangale Kaaval K.S. Sethumadhavan Malayalam
1979 Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum I.V. Sasi Malayalam
1979 Allauddinum Arputha Vilakkum I.V. Sasi Tamil
1979 Ore Vaanam Ore Bhoomi I.V. Sasi Tamil
1979 Devathai P.N. Menon Tamil
1979 Ezhamkadalinakkare I.V. Sasi Malayalam
1980 Vilkkanundu Swapnangal M. Azad Malayalam
1980 Chamaram Bharathan Malayalam
1980 Shishirathil Oru Vasantham Keyar Malayalam
1980 Patita I.V. Sasi Hindi
1980 Mela K.G. George Malayalam
1980 Savithiri Bharathan Tamil
1981 Nidra Bharathan Malayalam
1981 Maniyan Pilla Adhava Maniyan Pilla Balachandra Menon Malayalam
1981 Kolangal K.G. George Malayalam
1982 Yavanika K.G. George Malayalam
1982 Palangal Bharathan Malayalam
1982 Aalolam Mohan Malayalam
1982 Padayottam Jijo Punnoose Malayalam
1982 Marmaram Bharathan Malayalam
1982 Vaarikkuzhi M.T. Vasudevan Nair Malayalam
1982 Innallenkil Naale I.V. Sasi Malayalam
1983 Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
1983 Eettillam Fazil Malayalam
1983 Pin Nilavu P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
1983 Sagaram Santham P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
1983 Marakkukila Orikkalum Fazil Malayalam
1983 Onnu Chirikku P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
1984 Onnanu Nammal P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
1984 Adaminte Variyellu K.G. George Malayalam
1984 Unaroo Mani Ratnam Malayalam
1984 Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
1985 Vellarikka Pattanam Thomas Berly Malayalam
1985 Paadum Vaanampadi Jayakumar Tamil
1985 Pagal Nilavu Mani Ratnam Tamil
1985 Ivide Ee Theerathu P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
1985 Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
1985 Deivathayorthu R. Gopi Malayalam
1986 Ithile Iniyum Varu P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
1986 Manthira Punnagai Thamizh Azhagan Tamil
1986 Ennu Nathante Nimmi Sajan Malayalam
1988 Achuvettante Veedu Balachandra Menon Malayalam
1988 Kanakambarangal N. Sankaran Nair Malayalam
1988 Puravrutham Lenin Rajendran Malayalam
1988 Oozham Harikumar Malayalam
1988 Mattoral K.G. George Malayalam
1989 Kadhal Enum Nadhiyinile M.K.I. Sukumaran Tamil
1989 Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha Hariharan Malayalam
1989 Utharam V. K. Pavithran Malayalam
1989 Ashokante Aswathikuttikku Vijayan Karot Malayalam
1990 Brahma Rakshass Vijayan Karot Malayalam
1990 Ee Kannikoodi K.G. George Malayalam
1990 Radha Madhavam Suresh Unnithan Malayalam
1991 Manamadha Sarangal Baby Malayalam
1991 Mukha Chithram Suresh Unnithan Malayalam
1991 Kadinjool Kalyanam Rajasenan Malayalam
1991 Neelagiri I.V. Sasi Malayalam
1991 Irikku M.D. Akathundu P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
1992 Aadharam George Kithu Malayalam
1992 Ponnurukkum Pakshi Vaisakan Malayalam
1992 Ente Ponnu Thampuran A. T. Abu Malayalam
1992 Mukhamudra Ramasimhan_(director) Malayalam
1992 First Bell P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
1992 Savidham George Kithu Malayalam
1992 Soorya Gayathri P. Anil Malayalam
1993 Venkalam Bharathan Malayalam
1993 Aalavattam Raju Ambaran Malayalam
1993 Pravachakan P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
1993 Ghazal Kamal Malayalam
1993 Bandhukkal Sathrukkal Sreekumaran Thampi Malayalam
1993 Bhoomi Geetham Kamal Malayalam
1994 Kudumba Visesham Anil-Babu Malayalam
1994 Nandini Oppol Mohan Kupleri Malayalam
1994 Gamanam Sreeprakash Malayalam
1995 Sargavasantham Anil Das Malayalam
1995 Samudhayam Ambili Malayalam
1995 Thovala Pookkal Suresh Unnithan Malayalam
1996 Sallapam Sundar Das Malayalam
1996 Harbour Anil-Babu Malayalam
1996 Kunkumacheppu Thulasidas Malayalam
1997 Kudamattam Sundar Das Malayalam
1997 Karunyam A.K. Lohithadas Malayalam
1997 Rishyasringan Suresh Unnithan Malayalam
1998 Kanmadam A.K. Lohithadas Malayalam
1998 Elavamkodu Desam K.G. George Malayalam
1999 Aakasha Ganga Vinayan Malayalam
1999 Saaphalyam G. S. Vijayan Malayalam
1999 English Medium Pradeep Chokli Malayalam
2000 Varnakkazhchakal Sundar Das Malayalam
2002 Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha P.G. Viswambharan Malayalam
2002 Nakshathrakkannulla Rajakumaran Avanundoru Rajakumari Rajasenan Malayalam
2003 Beyond The Soul Rajiv Anchal English
2003 Swapnam Kondu Thulabharam Rajasenan Malayalam
2004 Kanninum Kannadikkum Sundar Das Malayalam
2004 Agninakshathram Karim Malayalam
2005 Kalyana Kurimanam Udaya Kumar Malayalam
2005 Udayon Bhadran Malayalam
2005 Mayookham Hariharan Malayalam
2006 Al Boom Khalid Al Zadjali Arabic
2007 Bharathan Effect Anil Das Malayalam
2008 Mizhikal Sakshi Ashok R Nath Malayalam
2008 Pakal Nakshatrangal Rajeev Nath Malayalam
2010 Yugapurushan R. Sukumaran Malayalam
2010 Kadaksham Shashi Paravoor Malayalam
Inganayum Oraal Kabeer Rawther Malayalam
Pirate's Blood Mark Ratering English
2011 Ven Shankhu Pol Ashok R Nath Malayalam

[citation needed]

Unreleased films

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  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[citation needed]
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References

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  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 (5 December 2007). "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.[permanent dead link‍]
  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.
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