K. Viswanath

Kasinadhuni Viswanath is an Indian audiographer turned film director, screenwriter and actor known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema.[2][3] He is a recipient of five National Film Awards, six state Nandi Awards, ten Filmfare Awards South, and a Bollywood Filmfare Award.[4] In a film career spanning sixty years, Viswanath has directed fifty three feature films in a variety of genres, including films based on performing arts, visual arts, and aesthetics.[5][2][3]

K. Viswanath
Born
Kasinathuni Viswanath

(1930-02-19) 19 February 1930[1]
Repalle, Madras Presidency, British India (now in Andhra Pradesh, India)
Occupation
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • actor
Years active1957–present
Notable work
Subhalekha
Sagara Sangamam
Sankarabharanam
Swarnakamalam
AwardsPadma Shri (1992)
Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2016)

Viswanath received international recognition for his works, and is known for blending parallel cinema with mainstream commercial cinema.[2][3][5][6] Viswanath's filmography is known for addressing the issues of caste, colour, disability, gender discrimination, misogyny, alcoholism and socio-economic challenges through liberal arts medium.[2][3] He was honored with the "Prize of the Public" at the "Besançon Film Festival of France" in the year 1981.[7]

His directorial works which are produced by Poornodaya Movie Creations were screened to special mention at the Moscow International Film Festival; such films were dubbed into Russian language and have been theatrically released in Moscow.[8][9] In 1992, he received the Andhra Pradesh state Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, and the civilian honor Padma Shri for his contribution to the field of arts. He was awarded the 2017 Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in Indian cinema, at the 64th National Film Awards.[10][11][12]

Early life and education

Kasinadhuni Viswanath was born to Kasinadhuni Subramanyam and Kasinadhuni Saraswathy (Saraswathamma). His ancestral roots come from Pedapulivarru, Andhra Pradesh, a small village on the banks of River Krishna.[13][14] Kasinadhuni is his family name, Viswanath is his given name. Viswanath studied Intermediate from Guntur Hindu College, and holds a BSc degree from Andhra Christian College of Acharya Nagarjuna University.[15] He began his career as a sound recordist at Vauhini Studios in Madras, where his father was an associate. There, he apprenticed under the guidance of A Krishnan, who was the Head of Sound Engineering at Vauhini. Vishwanath and A Krishnan developed a close rapport and later after the former made the transition into film direction, he would always bounce ideas off the latter. Vishwanath made his entry into film direction at Annapurna Pictures under Adurthi Subba Rao and K. Ramnoth.[16][17] He wished to work as an assistant to director K. Balachander and Bapu.[15]

Recognition

During his early career, Viswanath was associated with Adurthi Subba Rao on National Award-winning films such as Mooga Manasulu (1964) and Doctor Chakravarthy (1964).[2][3] Viswanath scripted Sudigundalu (1968), and directed works such as Aatma Gowravam (1965), O Seeta Katha (1974) and Jeevana Jyothi (1975) which garnered the state Nandi Awards, and were screened at the Asian and African film Festival at Tashkent.[18][5]

Viswanath's classic blockbusters Sankarabharanam (1979) and Sagara Sangamam (1983) were included among CNN-IBN's list of one hundred greatest Indian films of all time.[19] His directorial works Sankarabharanam and Saptapadi have garnered the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Feature Film on National Integration, respectively. Sankarabharanam, was premiered at the 8th International Film Festival of India,[20][21] the Tashkent Film Festival, and the Moscow International Film Festival held in May 1980.[22] Viswanath also won the Prize of the Public at the Besançon Film Festival of France in the year 1981.[23]

Viswanath's Swati Mutyam was India's official entry to the 59th Academy Awards. Swati Mutyam, Sagara Sangamam and Sirivennela were premiered at the Asia Pacific Film Festival.[24] Swayam Krushi was premiered to special mention at the Moscow International Film Festival.[25] Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Sruthilayalu, Swarnakamalam and Swati Kiranam were screened in the Indian Panorama section at International Film Festival of India,[26][27] Ann Arbor Film Festival,[28][29] and AISFM Film Festival.[30]

Film craft

In 1965, Viswanath debuted as a director with Telugu film Aatma Gowravam, which won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film of the year. Viswanath followed it up with drama films Chelleli Kapuram, Sarada, O Seeta Katha and Jeevana Jyoti, which are women-centric films.[2][3] It was in Siri Siri Muvva that the artistic touch in his craft first became visible.[2][3]

Sankarabharanam highlights the neglect of traditional Indian music under the increasing influence of western music. The film brings out the grandeur of Carnatic music, the traditional South Indian music towards the end. Bhaskaran, a media and film researcher from Chennai has documented, in his study of South Indian music culture, how Sankarabharanam contributed to the revival of Carnatic music in a big way.[31] The film broke many commercial records by running for over one year in cinemas. In a recent study published in Journal of Dance, Movements & Spiritualities published by "Intellect Group" of the United Kingdom, C. S. H. N. Murthy, a media and film studies scholar from India, has demonstrated how Viswanath's filmography embraces a wide spectrum of characters that include mentally and physically challenged subjects as well, like the film Sarada, which exploits a psychologically deranged woman, Swati Mutyam, which exploits an autistic man's humanism, Sirivennela which revels in situations between deaf and dumb characters, and Kalam Marindi, which dwells on characters stuck in a caste-based society.[2][3]

Film researcher, C. S. H. N. Murthy observed that Viswanath's films offer a pathway towards inclusiveness, affecting positive spiritual change at both personal and social levels. Situating the content in the broad arena of de-westernizing media studies, through immersive and culturally embedded perspectives, Murthy endeavoured to offer modern and postmodern dimensions in Viswanath's films.[2][3]

Films with social issues

Viswanath has made many films dealing with a wide range of human and social issues: Saptapadi, Sirivennela, Sutradharulu, Subhalekha, Sruthilayalu, Subha Sankalpam, Aapadbandhavudu, Swayam Krushi, and Swarnakamalam have lead characters representing different strata of society, meticulously etched to suit the larger picture.[2][3]

In Saptapadi, he decries the evils of untouchability and the caste system. In Subhodayam and Swayam Krushi he emphasizes the dignity and respectability of manual labor. In Subhalekha, he deals, in a humorous way, with the dowry system – one of the major evils in today's society. While Sutradharulu urges present-day society to recognize the need to adopt the ideals of non-violence, Swati Kiranam depicts the harm that can be caused by the basic instincts of envy and anger in a man, however accomplished he may be.[2][3]

In spite of the nature of these subjects, they are presented in a subtle manner with an imaginative storyline, with just the right amount of emphasis on the intended message. Yet Viswanath's films were never offbeat cinema, but wholesome entertainers those elevated the lead actors' image. He is a director with social-conscious mind and who believes cinema can bring out desirable changes in society if presented in a format liked by a cross-section of audience.[2][3]

Association with Poornodaya Creations

Edida Nageswara Rao founded "Poornodaya Movie Creations", which encouraged Viswanath to make aesthetic films.[32][33][8] Poornodaya has produced several of Viswanath's films like Sankarabharanam, Swatimutyam, Saagarasangamam, Sutradharulu, and Aapadbandhavudu. Most of these films were dubbed into Russian and were screened at the Moscow Film Festival.[32][33][34]

Bollywood

Viswanath has also directed Hindi language films such as Sargam (1979), Kaamchor (1982), Shubh Kaamna (1983), Jaag Utha Insan (1984), Sur Sangam (1985), Sanjog (1985), Eeshwar (1989), Sangeet (1992) and Dhanwaan (1993). Some of these films (especially his collaboration with actress Jayaprada) have been super hits at the box office.[35]

Acting career

In 1995, Viswanath debuted as an actor with Telugu film Subha Sankalpam. As a character actor, he has appeared in works such as Vajram (1995), Kalisundam Raa (2000), Narasimha Naidu (2001), Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu (2002), Santosham (2002), Seema Simham (2002), Tagore (2003), Lakshmi Narasimha (2004), Swarabhishekam (2004), Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule (2007), Athadu (2005), and Pandurangadu (2008), and Devasthanam (2012). He essayed characters in Tamil works such as Kuruthipunal (1995), Mugavaree (1999), Kakkai Siraginilae (2000), Bagavathi (2002), Pudhiya Geethai (2003), Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008), Rajapattai (2011), Singam II (2013), Lingaa (2014) and Uttama Villain (2015).[11]

Television

Viswanath had also acted on a few television serials; Siva Narayna Teertha on SVBC TV, Chellamey on Sun TV, and Suryiavamsam on Vendhar TV. He also endorses brands such as GRT Jewellers and appears in various television commercials.[36]

Personal life

Viswanath is married to Kasinadhuni Jayalakshmi. Actor Chandra Mohan and the late singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam are Viswanath's cousins.[37]

Filmography
Year Film Language Credits Notes Ref.
1957Todi KodalluTeluguAudiographerNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1959Banda RamuduTeluguAudiographer
1961Iddaru MitruluTeluguAssistant Director
1963Chaduvukunna AmmayiluTeluguScreenplay, writer
1964Mooga ManasuluTeluguAssistant directorNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu
1964Doctor ChakravarthyTeluguAssistant directorNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
1965Aatma GowravamTeluguDirector Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze) [11]
1967Private MasterTeluguDirector
SudigundaluTeluguWriterNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu
Tashkent Film Festival
1968Kalisochina AdrushtamTeluguDirector
Undamma Bottu PedataTeluguDirector
1969Nindu HrudayaluTeluguDirector
1971Chelleli KapuramTeluguDirectorNandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold) [11]
Chinnanaati SnehithuluTeluguDirector
Nindu DampathuluTeluguDirector
1972Kalam MarindiTeluguStory, screenplay writer and directorNandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
1973Neramu SikshaTeluguScreenplay, writer and director
SaradaTeluguDirectorNandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold) [11]
1974Amma ManasuTeluguStory, screenplay writer and director
O Seeta KathaTeluguDirectorNandi Award for Best Feature Film (Silver)
Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu
Filmfare Award for Best Direction		 [11]
1975Chinna Nati KalaluTeluguDirector
Jeevana JyothiTeluguDirectorNandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu
Filmfare Award for Best Direction		 [11]
1976Mangalyaniki MaromudiTeluguScreenplay, writer and director [38]
Siri Siri MuvvaTeluguStory, screenplay, writer and director
Prema BandhamTeluguDirector
Jeevitha NoukaTeluguDirector
1978KalanthakuluTeluguDirector
SeetamalakshmiTeluguStory, screenplay, writer and director
1979President PerammaTeluguDirector
SankarabharanamTeluguStory writer and directorPrize of the Public at the Besançon Film Festival of France
Special Mention – Moscow International Film Festival
National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)		 [11]
SargamHindiDirectorRemake of Siri Siri Muvva
1980Alludu Pattina BharatamTeluguDirector
SubhodayamTeluguStory-writer and director
1981SaptapadiTeluguStory, screenplay writer and directorSpecial Mention – Moscow International Film Festival
National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration
Nandi Award for Best Screenplay
Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu		 [11]
1982KaamchorHindiDirectorRemake of Subhodayam [11]
SubhalekhaTeluguStory, screenplay, writer and directorFilmfare Award for Best Direction
1983Saagara SangamamTeluguStory-writer and directorNandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze)
Filmfare Award for Best Direction
Dubbed into Tamil as Salangai Oli		 [11]
Shubh KaamnaHindiDirectorRemake of Subhalekha
1984Janani JanmabhoomiTeluguStory, screenplay writer and director
1985Jaag Utha InsanHindiDirectorRemake of Saptapadi [11]
SanjogHindiDirectorRemake of Jeevana Jyothi [11]
Sur SangamHindiDirectorRemake of Sankarabharanam
Swati MutyamTeluguStory, screenplay, writer and directorIndia's Official Entry for Best Foreign Language film at the 59th Academy Awards
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
Nandi Award for Best Direction
Filmfare Award for Best Direction
Special Mention – Asia Pacific Film Festival
Special Mention – Moscow International Film Festival		 [11]
1986SirivennelaTeluguStory, screenplay, writer and director
1987SruthilayaluTeluguStory, screenplay, writer and directorNandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
Nandi Award for Best Direction
Filmfare Award for Best Direction
SwayamkrushiTeluguStory, screenplay, writer and directorSpecial Mention – Moscow International Film Festival
1988Swarna KamalamTeluguStory, screenplay, writer and directorNandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu
Cinema Express Award for Best Direction
Ann Arbor Film Festival
1989EeshwarHindiStory, screenplay, writer and directorRemake of Swati Mutyam
Filmfare Award for Best Story		 [11]
SutradharuluTeluguStory, screenplay, writer and directorNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze)
1992AapadbandhavuduTeluguStory, screenplay, writer and directorNandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze)
Filmfare Award for Best Direction		 [39]
SangeetHindiDirector
Swathi KiranamTeluguStory, screenplay, writer and director
1993DhanwaanHindiDirector
1995Subha SankalpamTeluguDirector and ActorFilmfare Award for Best Direction [40]
1996Aurat Aurat AuratHindiDirector [41]
1997ChinnabbayiTeluguDirector
2004SwarabhishekamTeluguActor, story, screenplay writer and directorNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu [11]
2010SubhapradamTeluguDirector [42]

As an actor
Year Film Role Language Notes
1995Subha SankalpamRaayuduTelugu
1995KuruthipunalSrinivasanTamil
1995VajramChakri's fatherTelugu
1999MugavareeSridhar's fatherTamil
2000Kalisundam RaaRaghaviahTelugu
2000Kakkai SiraginilaeSambasiva IyerTamil
2001Narasimha NaiduRaghupathi NaiduTelugu
2002Seema SimhamVisweswara RaoTelugu
2002Nuvvu Leka Nenu LenuRamachandraiahTelugu
2002SantoshamRama ChandraiahTelugu
2002BagavathiChief MinisterTamil
2003Pudhiya GeethaiSwamyTamilCameo appearance
2003TagoreChief MinisterTelugu
2004Lakshmi NarasimhaLakshmi Narasimha's fatherTelugu
2004SwarabhishekamSrinivasachariTelugu
2005AthaduCBI OfficerTeluguCameo appearance
2007Aadavari Matalaku Arthale VeruleKeerti's grandfatherTelugu
2008Yaaradi Nee MohiniKeerti's grandfatherTamil
2008PandurangaduPandurangadu's fatherTelugu
2011Mr. PerfectMaggie's grandfatherTelugu
2011RajapattaiDakshanamurthyTamil
2012DevasthanamSrimannarayanaTelugu
2013Singam IIChief MinisterTamil
2014LingaaKarunakaraTamil
2015Uttama VillainPoornachandra RaoTamil
2018Prema BarahaSeenuKannada
Tamil

Awards
Receiving Dadasaheb Phalke award from president Shri Pranab Mukherjee in 2017.
Civilian honor
International honors
National Film Awards
Nandi Awards
Cinema Express Awards
CineMAA Awards
Filmfare Awards
Filmfare Awards South[4]
Honorary doctorate

Other honors
  • 2012 – Viswa Vikhyata Darsaka Sarvabhowma for achievement in direction.[6]
  • 2012 – Chittor V. Nagaiah Puraskaram for lifetime achievement in cinema.[5]
  • 2017 – Film Nagar Cultural Center – Hyderabad Award for achievement in cinema.[51]
  • 2017 – Telugu Film Director's Association Award for achievement in direction.[52]
  • 2017 – Aathmeeya Sanmanam from Government of Andhra Pradesh for achievement in cinema at Vijayawada Thummalapalli Kalakshetram.[53]

References
  1. "K. Vishwanath". Times of India.
  2. "Dance, Movement & Spiritualities". Intellect Ltd.
  3. Murthy, C. S. H. N. (1 December 2014). "Inclusiveness through art films in Telugu: A modern to postmodern analysis of K. Viswanath's films". Dance, Movement & Spiritualities. 1 (3): 413–438. doi:10.1386/dmas.1.3.413_1.
  4. "52nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Akal Information Systems Ltd. p. 81. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  5. "Arts / History & Culture : Celebrating a doyen". The Hindu. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  6. Special Correspondent (20 February 2012). "Director K. Viswanath to be feted". The Hindu. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  7. "K. Viswanath Film craft Page 6 DFF" (PDF). Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  8. "Poornodaya movies in Russian language". mirchi9.com.
  9. Ranjana Dave (30 June 2011). "The meaning in movement". The Asian Age. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  10. "64th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. p. 183. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  11. "Director K Viswanath named for Dadasaheb Phalke award". Deccan Chronicle. 24 April 2017.
  12. "Difficult to Produce Another Talent Like K Viswanath: Kamal Haasan". 25 April 2017.
  13. "The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Guntur News : Society needs good films, says K. Viswanath". web.archive.org. 28 July 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  14. "The Hindu : Entertainment Hyderabad / Events : Viswanath felicitated". web.archive.org. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  15. "Reporter's Diary". The Hindu. 19 September 2006.
  16. rediff.com, Movies: Interview with K Viswanath. Rediff.com (3 May 2000). Retrieved on 2013-07-28.
  17. "Stamp in honour of director L.V. Prasad". The Hindu. 1 September 2006.
  18. Collections. Update Video Publication. 1991. p. 387.
  19. 100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time|Movies News Photos-IBNLive. Ibnlive.in.com (17 April 2013). Retrieved on 2013-07-28.
  20. "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Iffi.nic.in. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  21. aatapaatalu.net/2011/04/spl-interview-with-edida-nageswararao.January 2013.
  22. http://dff.nic.in/2011/IP1981.pdf
  23. "29th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festival. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  24. Prakash KL. "Sagara Sangamam to be screened at Kamal's films fest | – Oneindia Entertainment". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  25. "Chiranjeevi felicitation on Padma Bhushan honor - Telugu Cinema actor". www.idlebrain.com. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  26. "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Iffi.nic.in. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  27. 300 films during 11 days from 47 countries in IFFI-2009. Literature India. Retrieved on 28 July 2013.
  28. "Dance without frontiers: K Viswanath – Director who aims to revive classical arts". 2 May 2017.
  29. "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Iffi.nic.in. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  30. "The films of K. Viswanath". 15 February 2014.
  31. Bhaskaran, S.T. 'Music for the masses: Film songs of Tamil Nadu' Economic and Political Weekly (annual number),11-12, March, 755-58
  32. "Chiranjeevi felicitation on Padma Bhushan honor – Telugu Cinema actor". Idlebrain.com. 19 April 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  33. 30 Jun 2011 – Ranjana Dave (30 June 2011). "The meaning in movement". The Asian Age. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  34. "Chit chat with Edida Nageswararao Parts(3)". mirchi9.com.
  35. "K Viswanath to direct Hrithik". The Times of India. 12 September 2003.
  36. Dream Merchants Ad Film Production House (12 January 2013). "Telugu Ads GRT Jewellers" – via YouTube.
  37. "Viswanath vows to continue his mission". The Hindu. 17 April 2010.
  38. Bharadwaja (4 July 1976). "చిత్ర సమీక్ష: మాంగల్యానికి మరోముడి". Andhra Jyothi (in Telugu). p. 7. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  39. Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (25 April 2017). "'K Viswanath brought dignity and grace to Telugu cinema'". Retrieved 26 September 2020 – via www.thehindu.com.
  40. Krishnamoorthy, Suresh (26 May 2015). "With Cheekati Raajyam, Kamal returns to Telugu". Retrieved 26 September 2020 – via www.thehindu.com.
  41. Roshan, Sunaina (5 July 2017). To Dad with Love. Om Books International. ISBN 9789383202744 – via Google Books.
  42. "Subhapradam is jaded". Rediff. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  43. "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
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  45. "K Vishwanath to be honoured at GAMA Awards - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  46. Thakur, Shivangi (24 April 2017). "Dadasaheb Phalke Award goes to legendary filmmaker Kasinathuni Viswanath". India Today. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  47. DD News (3 May 2017). "64th National Film Awards: K. Viswanath receives Dadasaheb Phalke award" – via YouTube.
  48. Express News Service (11 March 1989), "Cinema Express awards", The Indian Express, p. 4, retrieved 7 October 2016
  49. "Cinemaa awards 2008 presentation - Telugu cinema". www.idlebrain.com. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  50. "35th Annual Filmfare Awards South Winners : Santosh : Free Download &..." 5 February 2017. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017.
  51. http://english.tupaki.com. "FNCC Team Felicitates K Viswanath and SP Balu Photos – Photogallery – Page 20". tupaki.
  52. "Telugu Film Director's Association felicitates K Viswanath for Winning Dada Saheb Phalke Award – Telugu cinema". www.idlebrain.com.
  53. "I want to remain humble, says ace director K. Viswanath". 12 July 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2020 – via www.thehindu.com.
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