V. K. Murthy
Encyclopedia
V. K. Murthy(ವೆಂಕಟರಾಮಾ ಪಂಡಿತ್ ಕೃಷ್ಣಮೂರ್ತಿ) (born 1923) is an India
n cinematographer
. Murthy, a one-time violinist and jailed freedom fighter, was Guru Dutt
's regular cameraman on his movies. He provided some of Indian cinema's most breathtaking images in starkly contrasted black and white. He also shot India's first cinemascope movie, Kaagaz Ke Phool
. For his contribution to film industry, particularly Indian film industry he was awarded the IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony held at Amsterdam in 2005. On 19 January 2010 he was honored with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for 2008.
Murthy was born at Mysore. He passed his Diploma in Cinematography from Sri Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic in Bangalore in 1946. Murthy, an ace Cinematographer from Bangalore was part of the Guru Dutt team
. This stalwart was the cinematographer for one of the most acclaimed Kannada movie Hoovu Hannu - a directorial production of Rajendra Singh Babu
and incidentally, Murthy has also acted in that film.
In 1959, Guru Dutt
's Kaagaz Ke Phool
, a movie considered his best was appreciated for its supremacy. More than anything else, what it won the most accolades for was its cinematography that created unparalleled history in the field of cinematography. It was none other than V. K. Murthy who did the magic and he even won a Filmfare Award
. He repeated the feat for Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
getting the 1962 award. He never worked with any other directors as long as Dutt was alive. Some of Murthy's best work is found in Guru Dutt
's movies like Pyaasa
, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
and Aar-Paar. Murthy then worked with Kamal Amrohi
on his masterpiece, Pakeezah
and Razia Sultan
. Post Guru Dutt, he like many of Guru Dutt team were not able to give any pinnacle work. In later years, he worked with directors like Pramod Chakravarthy (Naya Zamana
, Jugnu
), Shyam Benegal
and Govind Nihalani
(Tamas
).
from Mumbai
in 2001 to lead a retired life.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n cinematographer
Cinematographer
A cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
. Murthy, a one-time violinist and jailed freedom fighter, was Guru Dutt
Guru Dutt
Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone , popularly known as Guru Dutt, was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He is often credited with ushering in the golden era of Hindi cinema...
's regular cameraman on his movies. He provided some of Indian cinema's most breathtaking images in starkly contrasted black and white. He also shot India's first cinemascope movie, Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
. For his contribution to film industry, particularly Indian film industry he was awarded the IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony held at Amsterdam in 2005. On 19 January 2010 he was honored with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for 2008.
Murthy was born at Mysore. He passed his Diploma in Cinematography from Sri Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic in Bangalore in 1946. Murthy, an ace Cinematographer from Bangalore was part of the Guru Dutt team
Guru Dutt team
The Guru Dutt team is a group of people Guru Dutt created for some of his finest works. The death of Guru Dutt cut short more works. What the team created is considered to forever have left its mark on Indian cinema as well as world cinema.-About:...
. This stalwart was the cinematographer for one of the most acclaimed Kannada movie Hoovu Hannu - a directorial production of Rajendra Singh Babu
Rajendra Singh Babu
S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu is a Kannada film maker and producer. He was born and brought up in Mysore. His father late Shankar Singh was one of the great producers in Kannada Film Industry and has produced many films under the banner Mahatma Pictures...
and incidentally, Murthy has also acted in that film.
In 1959, Guru Dutt
Guru Dutt
Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone , popularly known as Guru Dutt, was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He is often credited with ushering in the golden era of Hindi cinema...
's Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
, a movie considered his best was appreciated for its supremacy. More than anything else, what it won the most accolades for was its cinematography that created unparalleled history in the field of cinematography. It was none other than V. K. Murthy who did the magic and he even won a Filmfare Award
Filmfare Best Cinematographer Award
The Filmfare Best Cinematography Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.The awards started in 1953-Superlatives:Most AwardsKamal Bose - 5Radhoo Karmakar - 4Fali Mistry - 3Jal Mistry - 3...
. He repeated the feat for Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Shaheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra, and is a look into the tragic fall of the haveli-dom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj...
getting the 1962 award. He never worked with any other directors as long as Dutt was alive. Some of Murthy's best work is found in Guru Dutt
Guru Dutt
Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone , popularly known as Guru Dutt, was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He is often credited with ushering in the golden era of Hindi cinema...
's movies like Pyaasa
Pyaasa
Pyaasa is a 1957 Indian film produced and directed by Guru Dutt. The film tells the story of struggling poet, Vijay , trying to make his works known in post-independence India...
, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Shaheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra, and is a look into the tragic fall of the haveli-dom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj...
and Aar-Paar. Murthy then worked with Kamal Amrohi
Kamal Amrohi
Syed Amir Haider Kamal Naqvi popularly known as Kamal Amrohi or Amrohvi in Urdu was an Indian film director, screenwriter, and dialogue writer. He was a Shi'a Muslim and an Urdu and Hindi poet. He is most known for his Hindi films such as Mahal , Pakeezah and Razia Sultan...
on his masterpiece, Pakeezah
Pakeezah
Pakeezah is a 1972 Indian film. It was directed by Kamal Amrohi who was known for his perfectionism. The music is by Ghulam Mohammed and Naushad...
and Razia Sultan
Razia Sultan (film)
Razia Sultan is 1983 Urdu film, written and directed by Kamal Amrohi, and starring Hema Malini and Dharmendra in lead roles.The film's music was provided by Khayyam, with lyrics by Jan Nisar Akhtar and two songs by Nida Fazli who walked into the project when Akhtar died...
. Post Guru Dutt, he like many of Guru Dutt team were not able to give any pinnacle work. In later years, he worked with directors like Pramod Chakravarthy (Naya Zamana
Naya Zamana
has played a pioneering role in the field of Indian music and culture in Trinidad and Tobago. Formed in 1944, the orchestra has provided entertainment for hundreds of thousands of people across the Caribbean and North America and has assisted many charitable organizations and events...
, Jugnu
Jugnu
Jugnu is a 1973 Indian Hindi movie produced and directed by Pramod Chakravorty. The story is about an extremely Intelligent crook with a "Golden" Heart who has the remarkable ability to steal from the most protected setups. The movie also stars Hema Malini , Lalita Pawar, Mehmood, Prem Chopra,...
), Shyam Benegal
Shyam Benegal
Shyam Benegal is a prolific Indian director and screenwriter. With his first four feature films Ankur , Nishant Manthan and Bhumika he created a new genre, which has now come to be called the "middle cinema" in India although he himself has expressed dislike in the term preferring his work to...
and Govind Nihalani
Govind Nihalani
Govind Nihalani is an Indian director, cinematographer, and also a screenwriter and film producer. He has been directing Hindi films since the late seventies, and worked in the television medium.- Biography :...
(Tamas
Tamas
Tamas may refer to:* Tamas , the philosophical concept of darkness and death, the lowest of the three gunas.* Tamas , a highly acclaimed 1987 TV series/movie about the Partition of India directed by Govind Nihalani....
).
Trivia
- Created some of most breathtaking film works for the Indian Black and White era films. Created the sun breaking through studio roof shot in Kaagaz Ke PhoolKaagaz Ke PhoolKaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
with use of a pair of ordinary mirrors to get a parallel beam. Got him the Filmfare Best Cinematographer Award for 1959 - Was principal cinematographer for the first Cinemascope film in India - Kaagaz Ke PhoolKaagaz Ke PhoolKaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
- While on training stint in London to work on color films worked with the crew of The Guns of NavaroneThe Guns of Navarone (film)The Guns of Navarone is a 1961 British-American Action/Adventure war film based on the 1957 novel of the same name about the Dodecanese Campaign of World War II by Scottish thriller writer Alistair MacLean. It stars Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn, along with Anthony Quayle and Stanley...
- Got break in Hindi films by doing a chance shot for Guru DuttGuru DuttVasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone , popularly known as Guru Dutt, was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He is often credited with ushering in the golden era of Hindi cinema...
in BaaziBaaziBaazi is a 1951 Indian Hindi film directed by Guru Dutt. Dev Anand's Navketan production house produced the movie, and as per a commitment given by Dev Anand to Guru Dutt in their days of struggle, the movie was directed by Dutt....
. Abrar AlviAbrar AlviAbrar Alvi was an Indian film writer, director and actor. Most of his notable works are from the 1950s, 1960s done with Guru Dutt. He wrote some of the most respected works of Indian cinema, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Kaagaz Ke Phool, and Pyaasa which have an avid following world over...
Guru Dutt's key writer also got a break from the same movie, he gave a chance opinion on a scene for Baazi. - Biography of V.K.Murthy, written by Uma Rao, (in Kannada language) was released in January 2006 at Bangalore.
Awards
- Filmfare Best Cinematographer AwardFilmfare Best Cinematographer AwardThe Filmfare Best Cinematography Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.The awards started in 1953-Superlatives:Most AwardsKamal Bose - 5Radhoo Karmakar - 4Fali Mistry - 3Jal Mistry - 3...
- Kaagaz Ke PhoolKaagaz Ke PhoolKaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
(1959) - Filmfare Best Cinematographer AwardFilmfare Best Cinematographer AwardThe Filmfare Best Cinematography Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.The awards started in 1953-Superlatives:Most AwardsKamal Bose - 5Radhoo Karmakar - 4Fali Mistry - 3Jal Mistry - 3...
- Sahib Bibi Aur GhulamSahib Bibi Aur GhulamSahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Shaheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra, and is a look into the tragic fall of the haveli-dom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj...
(1962) - IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award - Amsterdam, 2005.
- Dada Saheb Phalke Award for 2008
Retirement
Aged 80, Murthy moved back to BangaloreBangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
from Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
in 2001 to lead a retired life.
Selected filmography
- DeedarDeedarDeedar may refer to:*Deedar *Deedar *Deedar...
(1992) - Khule Aam (1992)
- Kalyug Aur Ramayan (1987)
- NastikNastikNastik may refer to:* Nastika, Indian philosophical schools and persons that do not accept the authority of the Vedas as supreme. "Nastika" is often translated as "atheist"....
(1983) - JugnuJugnuJugnu is a 1973 Indian Hindi movie produced and directed by Pramod Chakravorty. The story is about an extremely Intelligent crook with a "Golden" Heart who has the remarkable ability to steal from the most protected setups. The movie also stars Hema Malini , Lalita Pawar, Mehmood, Prem Chopra,...
(1973) - Naya ZamanaNaya Zamanahas played a pioneering role in the field of Indian music and culture in Trinidad and Tobago. Formed in 1944, the orchestra has provided entertainment for hundreds of thousands of people across the Caribbean and North America and has assisted many charitable organizations and events...
(1971) - SurajSurajSuraj is a 1966 swashbuckler Ruritanian romance Hindi film produced by S. Krishnamurthy and directed by T. Prakash Rao. The film stars Vyjayanthimala and Rajendra Kumar in the lead with Ajit, Mumtaz, Johnny Walker, Johnny Walker, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, Lalita Pawar and Neetu Singh forms an...
(1966) - Love in TokyoLove in TokyoLove In Tokyo is a 1966 Hindi film that became a hit at the box office. It was written by Sachin Bhowmick and produced and directed by Pramod Chakravorty. The film stars Joy Mukherjee, Asha Parekh, Pran, Mehmood, Lalita Pawar, Asit Sen and Madan Puri. Hasrat Jaipuri wrote the lyrics.-Filming:The...
(1966) - ZiddiZiddiZiddi may refer to:*Ziddi *Ziddi *Ziddi...
(1964) - Sahib Bibi Aur GhulamSahib Bibi Aur GhulamSahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Shaheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra, and is a look into the tragic fall of the haveli-dom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj...
(1962) - Chaudhvin Ka ChandChaudhvin Ka ChandChaudhvin Ka Chand is a 1960 Hindi feature film directed by Mohammed Sadiq. A production of Guru Dutt, the film centers on a love triangle between Guru Dutt, Rehman and Waheeda Rehman, and features music by Ravi. Farida Jalal is a guest appearance in the film, her debut...
(1960) - Kaagaz Ke PhoolKaagaz Ke PhoolKaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
(1959) - 12 O'Clock12 o'clock12 o'clock usually refers to a clock position on the 12-hour clock, either noon - 12 o'clock in the daytime - or midnight - 12 o'clock in the nighttime.It may also be:* A Wu-Tang Clan affiliate, 12 O'Clock.* A community in Quinte West-See also:...
(1958) - PyaasaPyaasaPyaasa is a 1957 Indian film produced and directed by Guru Dutt. The film tells the story of struggling poet, Vijay , trying to make his works known in post-independence India...
(1957) - C.I.D. (1956)
- Mr. & Mrs. '55Mr. & Mrs. '55Mr. & Mrs. '55 is a 1955 Bollywood film by director Guru Dutt. Guru Dutt stars alongside Madhubala, supported by Lalita Pawar, Johnny Walker and Jagdeep in this socially critical romantic comedy set in contemporary Bombay. The films music is by O. P...
(1955) - Aar-Paar (1954)
- JaalJaalJaal may refer to:* Jaal * Jaal * Jaal * Jaal: The Trap...
(1952) - BaaziBaaziBaazi is a 1951 Indian Hindi film directed by Guru Dutt. Dev Anand's Navketan production house produced the movie, and as per a commitment given by Dev Anand to Guru Dutt in their days of struggle, the movie was directed by Dutt....
(1951)