Kasinathuni Viswanath

K. Viswanath
Born Kasinadhuni Viswanath
(1930-02-19) 19 February 1930
Repalle, Madras State, India
Occupation Sound designer, Director, Writer & Actor
Years active 1957–present
Awards Padma Shri 1992
National Film Awards
Nandi Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Bollywood Filmfare Award
Honorary Doctorate
International Honors
Kalathapasvi

Kasinadhuni Viswanath (born 19 February 1930) is an Indian film, sound designer turned director and actor known for his works in Telugu Cinema, Tamil Cinema and Hindi Cinema. He is the recipient of five National Film Awards, five Nandi Awards, ten Filmfare Awards, and a Bollywood Filmfare Award.[1] Viswanath's Hindi films include Sargam, Kaamchor, Sanjog, Jaag Utha Insan, Eeshwar, Sur Sangam, Shubh Kaamna, Sangeet and Dhanwaan.[2] Viswanath has received international recognition for his works, and is known for blending parallel cinema elements with mainstream commercial cinema.[3][4]

Viswanath's classical films Sankarabharanam (1979) and Sagara Sangamam (1983) were included among CNN-IBN's list of hundred greatest Indian films of all time.[5] 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,[6][7] the Tashkent Film Festival, and the Moscow International Film Festival held in May 1980,[8] and has also won the Prize of the Public at the Besancon Film Festival of France in the year 1981.[9]

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.[10] Swayam Krushi was premiered to special mention at the Moscow International Film Festival.[11] Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Shrutilayalu, Swarnakamalam and Swati Kiranam were premiered in the Indian Panorama section at International Film Festival of India,[12][13][14] and AISFM Film Festival.[15]

Early life

Viswanath was born on 19 Feb 1930 to Kasinadhuni Subrahmanyam and Kasinadhuni Saraswatamma. His ancestral roots come from Pedapulivarru, a small village on the banks of River Krishna.[16] [17]

Personal life

Viswanath is married to Jaya Lakshmi and they have three children: Padmavati, Nagendranath and Ravindranath.[18] He speaks fluent Telugu, Tamil, and English. He has six grand children. His younger cousin, Chandra Mohan is a universally renowned actor. The legendary playback singer and voice actor. SP Balasubrahmanyam is also his cousin.

Early life and career

Viswanath began his career as a technician in a studio at Chennai and later assisted Adurthi Subba Rao in direction.[19] He also worked as an assistant to director Ramnoth.[20] He wished to work as an assistant to K. Balachander and Bapu.[21] He debuted as a director with Aatma Gowravam, which starred Akkineni Nageswara Rao and won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film of the year. These were followed by Chelleli Kapuram, Sarada, O Seeta Katha and Jeevana Jyoti which are powerful films centered around women.

It was in Siri Siri Muvva that the famed artistic touch of K. Viswanath first became visible to the people. This was followed by a series of films based on the themes of art, music and dance. Some of his later films discussed issues of social concern while others presented simple morals and facts of life to the common man in a palatable form.

Directorial style

His one of the career best (hard to pick as he is a perfectionist) 'Sankarabharanam shows the negligence of traditional Indian music with influence of western music, bringing out the best of efficacy in the traditional music towards the end. The film had until then a less-known actor J.V. Somayajulu in the lead, but it broke many commercial records by running for over one year in cinemas.

Films with social issues

Viswanath has made many films dealing with a wide range of human and social issues: Saptapadi, Sirivennela, Sutradharulu', Subhalekha, Shrutilayalu, Subhasankalpam, Aapadbandhavudu, Swayam krushi, and Swarnakamalam have lead characters representing different strata of society, meticulously etched to suit the larger picture.

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.

In spite of the nature of these subjects, they are presented in a subtle manner with an imaginative story line, 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.

Association with Poornodaya Creations

Poornodaya Creations contributed to K. Viswanath's dreams of making meaningful films. Sri. E NageswaraRao firmly stood behind and encouraged K. Viswanath to make films with Telugu nativity that have real characters with whom audiences can associate with.

Poornodaya produced some of not just the commercial hits but milestone films of Viswanath's directional ventures thereby richly contributing to Tollywood like Sankarabharanam, Swatimutyam, Saagarasangamam, Sutradharulu, Aapadbandhavudu. So we fondly remember Telugu films not just for formula ones with typical stereotype song-dance-fight.

Mainstream acting

In 1995, Viswanath ventured into mainstream acting. His first film as an actor was Subha Sankalpam. Later on he did many movies such as Swarabhishekam which he himself directed and acted and other movies like Pandurangadu, Narasimha Naidu, Lakshmi Narasimha, Seemasimham, Santosham, Tagore, Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule and Tamil films like Kuruthipunal, Kakkai Siraginilae, Mugavaree, Bagavathi, Pudhiya Geethai, Yaaradi Nee Mohini and Rajapattai,Uthama Villain. He is playing a role in Siva Narayna Teertha in TTD's Sri Venkateswara Bhakthi Channel (SVBC). He also plays in serials like Chellamey which is the owner of an orphanage.

Other work

Viswanath has given advertisements to GRT Jewellers.[22]

Awards

Civilian honor
Honorary doctorate
International honor
National Film Awards
Filmfare Awards[1]
Nandi Awards

Other honors

Filmography

As director

Year Film Language Credits
1957 Todi Kodallu Telugu Sound department
1959 Banda Ramudu Telugu Sound department
1961 Iddaru Mitrulu Telugu Assistant Director
1963 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu Telugu Screenplay, writer
1964 Mooga Manasulu Telugu Assistant director
1964 Doctor Chakravarthy Telugu Assistant director
1965 Aatma Gowravam Telugu Director
1967 Private Master Telugu Director
Sudigundalu Telugu Writer
1968 Kalisochchina Adrushtam Telugu Director
Undamma Bottu Pedata Telugu Director
1969 Nindu Hrudayalu Telugu Director
1971 Chelleli Kapuram Telugu Director
Chinnanaati Snehithulu Telugu Director
Nindu Dampatulu Telugu Director
1972 Kalam Marindi Telugu Story, screenplay writer and director
1973 Neramu Siksha Telugu Screenplay, writer and director
Sarada Telugu Director
1974 Amma Manasu Telugu Story, screenplay writer and director
O Seeta Katha Telugu Director
1975 Chinna Nati Kalalu Telugu Director
Jeevana Jyothi Telugu Director
1976 Mangalyaniki Maromudi Telugu Screenplay, writer and director
Siri Siri Muvva Telugu Story, screenplay, writer and director
Prema Bandham Telugu Director
1977 Chilanka Telugu Director
Jeevita Nouka Telugu Director
1978 Kaalanthakulu Telugu Director
Seetamalakshmi Telugu Story, screenplay, writer and director
1979 President Peramma Telugu Director
Sankarabharanam Telugu Story writer and director
Sargam Hindi Director
1980 Alludu Pattina Bharatam Telugu Director
Subhodayam Telugu Story-writer and director
1981 Saptapadi Telugu Story, screenplay writer and director
1982 Kaamchor Hindi Director
Subhalekha Telugu Story, screenplay, writer and director
1983 Saagara Sangamam Telugu Story-writer and director
Shubh Kaamna Hindi Director
1984 Janani Janmabhoomi Telugu Story, screenplay writer and director
1985 Jaag Utha Insan Hindi Director
Sanjog Hindi Director
Sur Sangam Hindi Director
Swati Mutyam Telugu Story, screenplay, writer and director
1986 Sirivennela Telugu Story, screenplay, writer and director
1987 Shrutilayalu Telugu Story, screenplay, writer and director
Swayamkrushi Telugu Story, screenplay, writer and director
1988 Sangeeta Sangamam Malayalam Director
Swarna Kamalam Telugu Story, screenplay, writer and director
1989 Eeshwar Hindi Story, screenplay, writer and director
Sutradharulu Telugu Story, screenplay, writer and director
1992 Aapadbandhavudu Telugu Story, screenplay, writer and director
Sangeet Hindi Director
Swati Kiranam Telugu Story, screenplay, writer and director
1993 Dhanwaan Hindi Director
1995 Subha Sankalpam Telugu Director and Actor
1996 Aurat Aurat Aurat Hindi Director
1997 Chinnabbayi Telugu Director
2004 Swarabhishekam Telugu Actor, story, screenplay writer and director
2010 Subhapradam Telugu Director

As actor

Year Film Language Role
1995 Subha Sankalpam Telugu
1996 Vajram Telugu
Kuruthipunal Tamil Sreenivasan
1997 Chinnabbayi Telugu
2000 Mugavaree Tamil
Kakkai Siraginilae Tamil
Kalisundam Raa Telugu
2001 Narasimha Naidu Telugu Raghupati Naidu
Ninnu Choodalani Telugu Siva Reddy
Chinna Telugu
2002 Nee Sneham Telugu Grandfather of Amrutha
Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu Telugu Business man
Rifles Telugu
Santosham Telugu Ramachandraiah
Kuchchi Kuchchi Koonamma Telugu
2003 Anbe Sivam Tamil
Tagore Telugu Chief Minister
2004 Lakshmi Narasimha Telugu Father of Lakshmi Narasimha
Swarabhishekam Telugu
2005 Andhrudu Telugu Father of Surendra
Athadu Telugu CBI Officer
Gowtam SSC Telugu IAS Officer
2007 Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule Telugu Grandfather of Keerti
2008 Pandurangadu Telugu Father of Pundarika
2009 Yaaradi Nee Mohini Tamil Grandfather of Keerti
2011 Mr. Perfect Telugu Grandfather of Tapsee
Rajapattai Tamil Dakshanamurthy
2012 Devasthanam Telugu
2013 Greeku Veerudu Telugu Ramakrishna Prasad
2013 Singam II Tamil Chief Minister
2014 Lingaa Tamil Karunakara
2015 Uttama Villain Tamil Poornachandra Rao

Television

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "52nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Akal Information Systems Ltd. p. 81. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "K Vishwanath to direct Hrithik". The Times Of India. 12 September 2003.
  3. 1 2 Special Correspondent (20 February 2012). "NATIONAL / ANDHRA PRADESH : Director K. Viswanath to be feted". The Hindu. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Arts / History & Culture : Celebrating a doyen". The Hindu. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Iffi.nic.in. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  7. ↑ aatapaatalu.net/2011/04/spl-interview-with-edida-nageswararao.January 2013.
  8. ↑ http://dff.nic.in/2011/IP1981.pdf
  9. ↑ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Iffi.nic.in. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  10. ↑ Prakash KL. "Sagara Sangamam to be screened at Kamal's films fest | - Oneindia Entertainment". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
  11. ↑ Chiranjeevi felicitation on Padma Bhushan honor - Telugu Cinema actor
  12. ↑ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Iffi.nic.in. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  13. ↑ 300 films during 11 days from 47 countries in IFFI-2009. Literature India. Retrieved on 28 July 2013.
  14. ↑ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Iffi.nic.in. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  15. ↑ The films of K. Viswanath — AISFM Blog
  16. ↑ Andhra Pradesh / Guntur News : Society needs good films, says K. Viswanath. The Hindu (25 July 2010). Retrieved on 2013-07-28.
  17. ↑ Entertainment Hyderabad / Events : Viswanath felicitated. The Hindu (22 July 2005). Retrieved on 2013-07-28.
  18. ↑ "Viswanath vows to continue his mission". The Hindu. 17 April 2010.
  19. ↑ rediff.com, Movies: Interview with K Viswanath. Rediff.com (3 May 2000). Retrieved on 2013-07-28.
  20. ↑ "Stamp in honour of director L.V. Prasad". The Hindu. 1 September 2006.
  21. ↑ "Reporter's Diary". The Hindu. 19 September 2006.
  22. ↑ GRT Jewellers New Ad with K Viswanath By DY Kishore - YouTube
  23. ↑ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Iffi.nic.in. Retrieved 4 September 2012.

External links

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