# S. Ramachandra

Shivaramaiah Ramachandra Aithal (Kannada: ಶಿವರಾಮಯ್ಯ ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ ಐತಾಳ; 16 November 1948 – 10 January 2011), popularly known as S. Ramachandra, was a National Award winning Indian cinematographer. In 2006, he was honoured with Lifetime Contribution to Kannada Cinema Award at the Karnataka State Film Awards. He was recognised as a gifted cinematographer and as a force behind the offbeat films in Kannada cinema.

## Career

After securing fifth rank in the Pre-University Course, Ramachandra went to the National Film and Television Institute in Pune to learn Cinematography. Upon returning he worked as the Assistant Cameraman for U.M.N. Sharif, who shot Vamsha Vriksha directed by Girish Karnad and B.V. Karanth. It was during the shooting of Vamsha Vriksha that P.V. Nanjaraja Urs, who identified Ramachandra's talent, asked him to work for his feature film "Sankalpa" which was Ramachandra's first venture as an Independent Cinematographer. He later worked with B.V. Karanth for the Award Winning film Chomana Dudi. He also worked in commercial films with directors like Nagabharana and K.V.Jayaram.
S. Ramachandra's work in films directed by Girish Kasaravalli brought him accolades. His association with Girish Kasaravalli began with the National Award winning film Ghatashradhdha. Later he worked on Akramana, Mane, Kraurya, Naayi Neralu, Hasina and Gulabi Talkies.

## Professional

Ramachandra was the President of Karnataka Cinematographer's Association for nearly a decade, where he worked to secure the future of Cinematographers of the Kannada Film Industry
He was a founding member of Chitrasamuha, a filmmakers' platform for appreciation of cinema aesthetics and he remained an active contributor until his death.

## Critical acclaim

Following quotes are about S. Ramachandra and his work.
   "Ramachandra was the founding stone of the new wave of cinema. He worked enthusiastically with new directors."
   "He did not profess an alternate cinema openly but supported a large number of filmmakers to look for alternate ways of making cinema both in content and construction."
   "He remained dedicated to the cause of the New Wave in Kannada cinema and was instrumental in positioning Karnataka on the world map of meaningful cinema. He facilitated many young film-makers and first-time producers to meet each other on a common platform, willingly sharing his technical expertise and accumulated experience with them. Among the 70-odd films that he authored with his camera, he must have been responsible for no less than 40 debutant directors."

## Awards

* 1977: National Film Award for Best Cinematography for Rishya Shringa
* 2006: Lifetime Contribution to Kannada Cinema Award
* Karnataka State Film Award for Best Cinematography
** 1972–73: Sankalpa
** 1976–77: Rushya Shringa
** 1978–79: Grahana
** 1989–90: Mane

## Death

S. Ramachandra was suffering from cancer. He was admitted to the Bangalore Institute of Oncology where he was pronounced dead on 10 January 2011.
Chitra Varsha: Cinematography of Ramachandra, a year long festival of his films was organised by Chitra Samuha and K. V. Subbanna Aptha Samuha in 2011.
At least one film 'Thallana' is dedicated to him.

## Filmography
### Television

| Year | Film | Language | Other notes |
| 1987 | Malgudi Days | Hindi | Cinematographer |
| 1991 | Swami and Friends (part 1) | Hindi | Cinematographer |
| 1988 | Stone Boy (TV Series) | Hindi | Cinematographer |
| 2002 | Ondu Saavina Sutta (Tele Film) | Kannada | Cinematographer |
| 2002 | Sakshi (Tele Film) | Kannada | Screenwriter, director, cinematographer |
| 2003 | Grihabhanga (TV Series) | Kannada | Cinematographer |

### Films

An incomplete list of S. Ramachandra's Films also highlights his association with Award winning Films
| Year | Film | Director(s) | Other notes |
| 1972 | Vamsha Vriksha | B.V. Karanth & Girish Karnad | Associate Cameraman |
| 1972 | Sankalpa | P.V. Nanjaraja Urs | Winner : Karnataka State Film Award for Best Cinematographer Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film |
| 1974 | Kankana | M.B.S. Prasad | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada |
| 1975 | Chomana Dudi | B.V. Karanth | National Film Award for Best Feature Film Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film |
| 1976 | Pallavi | P. Lankesh | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film |
| 1976 | Rushya Shringa | V.R.K. Prasad | Winner : National Film Award for Best Cinematography Winner : Karnataka State Film Award for Best Cinematographer |
| 1977 | Ghatashraddha | Girish Kasaravalli | National Film Award for Best Feature Film Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film |
| 1978 | Grahana | T.S. Nagabharana | Winner : Karnataka State Film Award for Best Cinematographer (B&W) Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film |
| 1978 | Geejagana Goodu | T.S. Ranga | |
| 1978 | Hombisilu | Geethapriya | |
| 1978 | Malaya Makkalu | K. Shivaram Karanth | |
| 1978 | Parasangada Gendethimma | Maruthi Shivram | |
| 1979 | Akramana | Girish Kasaravalli | |
| 1979 | Dange Edda Makkalu | P. Vadiraj | |
| 1979 | Nammamana Sose | P. Vadiraj | |
| 1980 | Bangarada Jinke | T.S. Nagabharana | |
| 1980 | Vathsalya Patha | A. S. R. Rao | |
| 1980 | Sangeetha | Chandrashekhara Kambara | |
| 1981 | Jaala | S. Ranganath | |
| 1981 | Chadurida Chitragalu | N. T. Jayaram Reddy | |
| 1983 | Banker Margayya | T.S. Nagabharana | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada |
| 1983 | Anveshane | T.S. Nagabharana | |
| 1983 | Gandharvagiri | N. S. Dhananjaya (Datthu) | |
| 1983 | Mududida Tavare Aralithu | K. V. Jayaram | |
| 1983 | Nyaya Gedditu | Joe Simon | |
| 1983 | Premayuddha | T.S. Nagabharana | |
| 1983 | Simhasana | C. R. Simha | |
| 1984 | Olave Baduku | K. V. Jayaram | |
| 1986 | Prema Jaala | Joe Simon | |
| 1987 | Huli Hebbuli | Vijay | |
| 1987 | Avasthe | Krishna Masadi | |
| 1987 | Nyayakke Shikshe | Srinivas | |
| 1987 | Romanchana | G S Panicker | |
| 1987 | Sampradaya | Master Hirannayya | |
| 1988 | Bhujangayyana Dashavathara | Lokesh | Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration |
| 1988 | Aasphota | T.S. Nagabharana | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film |
| 1988 | Mathrudevobhava | N. S. Dhananjaya (Datthu) | |
| 1989 | Hongkongnalli Agent Amar | Joe Simon | |
| 1989 | Singari Bangari | Chandrahasa Alva | |
| 1990 | Santha Shishunala Sharifa | T.S. Nagabharana | |
| 1990 | Swami | Shankar Nag | |
| 1991 | Mane | Girish Kasaravalli | Winner : Karnataka State Film Award for Best Cinematographer National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada |
| 1991 | Ek Ghar | Girish Kasaravalli | Language : Hindi |
| 1992 | Undoo Hoda Kondoo Hoda | Nagathihalli Chandrashekar | |
| 1993 | Kadambari | Kodlu Ramakrishna | |
| 1994 | Yarigu Helbedi | Kodlu Ramakrishna | |
| 1995 | Nilukada Nakshatra | Kodlu Ramakrishna | |
| 1995 | Kraurya | Girish Kasaravalli | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada |
| 1996 | Janani | Srivathsa Ranganath | |
| 1996 | Pooja | Bharathi Shankar | |
| 1997 | Gangavva Gangamaayi | Vasant Mokashi | |
| 1998 | The Out House | Leslie Carvalho | |
| 1999 | Deveeri | Kavitha Lankesh | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film |
| 1999 | Kanooru Heggadithi | Girish Karnad | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada |
| 2001 | Alemari | Kavita Lankesh | |
| 2003 | Artha | B. Suresh | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film |
| 2004 | Hasina | Girish Kasaravalli | National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare Karnataka State Film Award for Best Social film |
| 2004 | Beru | P. Sheshadri | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada |
| 2004 | Pravaha | P. R. Ramadas Naidu | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Social film |
| 2005 | Naayi Neralu | Girish Kasaravalli | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film |
| 2005 | Mukhamukhi | N. Sudarshan | |
| 2006 | Banada Neralu | Umashankar Swamy | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Social film |
| 2007 | Gulabi Talkies | Girish Kasaravalli | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Film |
| 2008 | Vimukthi | P. Sheshadri | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada |
| 2008 | Moggina Jade | P. R. Ramadas Naidu | |
| 2008 | Haaru Hakkiyaneri | A. N. Prasanna | |
| 2009 | Daatu | K. Shivarudraiah | |
| 2009 | Mukhaputa | Roopa Iyer | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Social film |
| 2009 | Karavali Hudugi | Kodlu Ramakrishna | |
| 2010 | Gandhi Smiles | Krish Joshi | |
| 2010 | Beli Mattu Hola | P. R. Ramdasa Naidu | |
| 2010 | Hejjegalu | P. R. Ramadas Naidu | |
| 2010 | Prarthane | Sadashiva Shenoy | |