Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Daniel Award for Ravi Varma

CHENNAI: The prestigious JC Daniel Award, the highest honour instituted by the Kerala Government for lifetime contribution to the growth and development of Malayalam cinema, was on Monday presented to cinematographer Mangada Ravi Varma, trusted lieutenant of veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan.

Kerala Culture Minister M. A. Baby presented the award, comprising a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, a statuette and a citation, to the 81-year-old cinematographer, who is largely confined to his Kodambakkam residence these days, owing to illness and age.

The Adoor-Ravi Varma combine has produced several defining films such as ‘Swayamvaram,’ ‘Kodiyettam,’ ‘Elipathayam,’ ‘Mathilukal’ and ‘Kathapurushan.’ Their last effort together was ‘Nizhalkoothu’ in 2002.

Mr. Ravi Varma has also teamed up with G. Aravindan for ‘Uttharayanam’ and P.N. Menon for ‘Olavum Theeravum.’

Mr. Baby said the cinematographer conjured up a canvas of visual poetry, and in his expert hands, the camera seemed to have an inner eye.

Actor Kamal Haasan said it was heartening to note that Malayalam film awards were crossing borders and was given to an artist settled in Chennai.

He complimented the Kerala Government on its decision to honour the Chennai-based cinematographer and the Culture Minister on his gesture of presenting the award at the residence of the ailing artist.

The ceremony marked twin departures from tradition: it was the first time that the JC Daniel Award went to a cinematographer; and the function was held away from the Secretariat Durbar Hall in Thiruvananthapuram.

Yesteryear actor Sarada, film producers M. O. Joseph and P. V. Gangadharan, K. R. Mohanan, chairman, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, V. K. Joseph, vice-chairman and K. S. Sreekumar, secretary of the academy, participated.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu