Ramachandra Babu (1947-2019) was an Indian cinematographer who shot more than 130 multilingual films. His work is mainly in the Malayalam film industry. His famous films include Nirmalyam (1973), Chamaram (1980), Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989) and Kanmadam (1998). He is also one of the founding members of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC) established in 1995. He died of cardiac arrest on December 21, 2019.
Wiki/Biography
Kunjan Ramachandra Babu was born on Monday, December 15, 1947 in Maduranthakam, Chengalpattu District, Madras Presidency, India (now in the state of Tamil Nadu), and he was 72 years old . His zodiac sign is Sagittarius. He was a bright student and received double promotions in all grades at school. He completed his studies at the age of 14. He received his Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) degree from Loyola College, Chennai in 1966 and subsequently obtained a Diploma in Film (Cinematography) from the Film Institute of India, Pune (now known as Film and Television Institute of India) (FTII). Pune.
Ramachandra Babu is a student of FTII
family and caste
Ramachandra Babu was born into a Kerala Hindu family in Marudanthakam, Tamil Nadu. He hails from the Pillai community and belongs to the Nair caste.
Parents and siblings
Ramachandra Babu’s parents were Kunjan Pillai and Padmini Amma. Both his parents are from Alappuzha, Kerala. He is the eldest of their seven children.
Ramachandra Babu with his parents, siblings and a friend
His youngest brother Ravi K. Chandran is a well-known cinematographer and film director. He is known for his films “Virasat” (1997), “Dil Chahta Hai” (2001) and “Saawariya” (2007).
Ravi K. Chandran, brother of Ramachandra Babu
wife and children
Ramachandra Babu married K. Lathika Rani in 1982. His children are Abhishek R. Babu and Abhilash R. Babu.
other relatives
His nephew Santhana Krishnan Ravichandran is a cinematographer with most of his work in Bollywood. Some of his notable works include Two Nations (2015), Baaghi 2 (2018) and Kabir Singh (2019).
Ramachandra Babu’s nephew Santana Krishnan
Signature/Autograph
Signature of Ramacandra Babu
Profession
malayalam movies
In the third year of his course at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), he shot his first film as a cinematographer for the film Vidhyarthikale Ithile Ithile (1971). The film is directed by John Abraham, a senior of FTII.
Movie “Vidhyarthikale Ithile Ithile” poster
He was the cinematographer on MT Vasudevan Nair’s directorial debut Nirmalyam (1973). The film stars PJ Antony, Sukumaran and his teammate Ravi Menon in one of the lead roles. It won many awards.
Ramachandra Babu (centre) during the shooting of the film “Nirmalyam”
He was also the cinematographer on KG George’s directorial debut Swapnadanam (1976). These two films established Ramachandra Babu’s status in the field of cinematography.
Ramachandra Babu during the shooting of the movie Swapnadanam
Ramachandra Babu’s first color film was Dweepu (1977) directed by Ramu Kariat. The film won him the Best Cinematographer award at the Kerala State Film Awards. He also won awards for “Rathinirvedam” (1978), “Chamaram” (1980) and “Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha” (1989).
Scene from the movie “Dweepu”
He introduced many technological upgrades in the field of cinematography. He was the first cinematographer in South Indian cinema to shoot a widescreen film, Alauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum (1979). However, its release was delayed and Thacholi Ambu (1978) became the first South Indian film. He was also the cinematographer for Padayottam (1982), the first Malayalam 70mm film.
Ramachandra Babu and 70 mm film equipment
Other language movies
The film Agraharathil Kazhuthai (1977), directed by John Abraham, was his first Tamil film as a cinematographer. Some of his other notable Tamil films include Ore Vaanam Ore Bhoomi (1979), Paadum Vaanampadi (1985) and Pagal Nilavu (1985).
Scene pictures from the movie “Agraharathil Kazhuthai”
The film Tholireyi Gadichindi (1977) was his only Telugu film as a cinematographer. He was the cinematographer on Rajiv Anchal’s English-language film Beyond the Soul (2002). Ramachandra Babu served as cinematographer for the Arabic film Al-Boom (2006) directed by Khalid Abdul Rahim Al Zadjali. It has been featured at several international film festivals.
Ramadhan Babu during the shooting of the movie “Beyond Soul”
Awards and Honors
- In 1976, Ramachandra Babu won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography for his film “Dweepu”.
- In 1978, he won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography for the film Rathinirvedam.
- In 1980, the movie “Chamaram” won him the Best Cinematography Award at the Kerala State Film Awards.
- In 1981, he won the Kerala State Film Critics Award for Best Cinematography for the film Nidra directed by Bharathan.
- In 1989, he won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography for the film “Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha”.
- In 2008, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the South Indian Cinematographers Association (SICA).
Ramachandra Babu receives Lifetime Achievement Award
- In 2009, he won the Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Cinematography for the film “Kadaksham”.
die
Ramachandra Babu collapsed due to a heart attack while scouting for a location in Kozhikode. Although he was rushed to the hospital, he died on December 21, 2019. He was cremated with state honors at Santhi Kavadam in Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Facts/Trivia
- Ramachandra Babu is the author of the book Celluloid Swapnadakan. Published by Mathrubhumi Publications in December 2019, the book is an autobiography of his cinematography career.
Cover of Ramachandra Babu’s book
- His first career shot was a close-up of actress Jayabharathi for the film Vidhyarthikale Ithile Ithile (1972). She expressed concerns about Ramachandra Babu’s lighting technique as it was not a common pattern she had seen in the industry so far.
- Jaya Bhaduri, Danny Dengzopa, Ravi Menon and KG George were his classmates at Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
- He is a voracious reader, writes poetry and blogs. He is also a painter.
One of Ramachandra Babu’s paintings
- He connects creativity and technology by developing Cineku, a short film creation platform. The name Cineku was inspired by a short Haiku poem.
- His first published picture was submitted during his admission to Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). It was published in the Tamil magazine Kalki. The model is one of his younger brothers.
First published photo of Ramachandra Babu
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education