# Ramachandra Babu

K. Ramachandra Babu (15 December 1947 – 21 December 2019) 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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).

## Awards

* Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography
** 1976 – Dweepu
** 1978 – Rathinirvedam
** 1980 – Chamaram
** 1989 – Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha
* Kerala Film Critics Award (1981) : Nidhra
* Kerala Film Critics Award (2009) : Kadaksham

## Filmography

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 |

### Unreleased films

* Kaadhal Viduthalai (Tamil) – Dir: Jayakumar
* Puthiya Swarangal (Tamil) – Dir: Vijayan
* Puthu Mazhathullikal (Malayalam) – Dir: Raghavan
* Kavaadam (Malayalam) – Dir: K.R.Joshi
* 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.