Kasinathuni Viswanath

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K Viswanath.
Born Kasinathuni Viswanath
(1930-02-19) 19 February 1930
Repalle
Occupation Sound designer
director
writer
actor
Years active 1957–present
Awards Padma Shri
National Film Awards
Nandi Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Honorary Doctorate
International Honor

Kasinathuni Viswanath (Telugu: కాశినాథుని విశ్వనాథ్) is an Indian film, sound designer turned director and actor known for his works, predominantly in Telugu Cinema. He is a multiple winner of National Film Award and Nandi Award.

Viswanath has directed blockbuster Bollywood films like Sargam, Kaamchor, Sanjog, Sur Sangam, Shubh Kaamna, Jag Utha Insaan, Eeshwar, Sangeet and Dhanwaan.[1] Viswanath has won ten Filmfare Awards South, and one Bollywood Filmfare Award.[2] Two of his films Shankarabharanam (1979), and Sagara Sangamam (1983) were show cased among CNN-IBN's list of hundred finest Indian films of all time.[3]

Viswanath has directed films like Swati Mutyam which was India's official entry to the Oscars for 1986. Swati Mutyam, Sirivennela, and Sagara Sangamam got critical acclaim at Asia Pacific Film Festival[4] while Sankarabharanam, Swayam Krushi, Siri Siri Muvva and Swati Mutyam were showcased at the Moscow Film Festival.[5][6][7]

Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Swarnakamalam and Swati Kiranam were showcased in the Indian Panorama section at International Film Festival of India.[8][9][10] Sankarabharanam, has won the Prize of the Public at the Besançon Film Festival of France in the year 1981.[11]

Birth

Viswanath was born on 19 Feb 1930 to Sri Kasinadhuni Subrahmanyam and Smt Kasinadhuni Saraswatamma in a Telugu speaking family. His ancestral roots come from Pedapulivarru, a small village on the banks of River Krishna.[12] [13]

Personal life

Viswanath is married to Jaya Lakshmi and has three children: Padmavati, Nagendranath and Ravindranath.[14] He speaks fluent Telugu, Tamil, and English. He has four grand children. None of his children have ventured into the film industry but have chosen other careers.

Career

Early stages

Viswanath began his career as a technician in a studio at Chennai and later assisted Adurthi Subba Rao in direction.[15] He also worked as an assistant to director Ramnoth.[16] He wished to work as an assistant to K. Balachander and Bapu.[17] 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

K. Viswanath has made a mark in Telugu filmdom with his directorial style with most of his films rooted in Telugu nativity and tradition. With a judicious combination of artistic and commercial elements, he has created films that have appealed to the common cinema audience and to more discerning and selective ones. The films reflect the native forms of dance and music. With subtle narration added with judicial mix of comedy backed up by excellent music, his films glue audiences to the screen. His lead characters are never the regular stereotype hero roles but varied, very lively, situation-centric and thought-provoking. The fluency and the lyrical nature of his narration and the creativity in his ideas make his films thoroughly enjoyable and memorable.

The scenes and climax in Sagara Sangamam, the incidents leading up to the emotional bonding between Jayaprada and Kamal Haasan (a person born for dance withholding high artistic values) and the lifetime friendship between Sarath babu and kamal in SagaraSangamam, the manner in which Moon Moon Sen shows the beauty of nature to a blind man in Sirivennela stimulating his instincts to produce natural music, the way in which Bhanupriya comes to realize the significance of dance in her life in Swarna Kamalam are but a few examples of his directorial skill. His showcasing of ideal parental care in Swayam krushi is highly commendable. He is synonym for classics in Indian film arena. He brought the best out of the best actor kamal Hassan in 'sagara sangamam', 'swathi muthyam' and 'Subha sankalpam'. Most of the characters in his film are ideal and inspire us to live with values.

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.

Chiranjeevi (Subhaleka, Swayamkrushi,Aapadbhandhavudu), Venkatesh (Swarna kamalam), Kamal Haasan (Sagara Sangamam, Swati mutyam,Subha sankalpam), though are all popular heroes of cinema, they further established stardom with their performances in K. Viswanaths' films.

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.

Titles

Trivia has it that K. Viswanath's luck is with film titles starting with 'S', as most of the films with the prefix were wholesome entertainers and commercial hits. The exception is his latest venture Subhapradam, which had Allari Naresh in lead roll, was a dampener. K. Viswanath introduced lyricist Sitaramasastri through his film Sirivennela. The classical music composed by K V Mahadevan received tremendous praise, and so did the lyrics. Sitaramasastri became Sirivennela Sitaramasastri since then.

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

Viswanath ventured into mainstream acting. His first movie 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 Chiraginile, Mugavari, Bhagavathy, Pudiya Geethai, Yaradi Nee Mohini, and Rajapattai. 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.[18]

Awards

Civilian Honor
  • Padmashri, Government of India
Honorary Doctorate
International Honor
National Film Awards
Nandi Awards
Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (director)
Filmfare Awards
  • 1989: Filmfare Best Story Award for Eeshwar
Filmfare Awards South[2]
  • 1974: Filmfare Best Director Award (Telugu) for O Seeta Katha
  • 1975: Filmfare Best Director Award (Telugu) for Jeevana Jyoti
  • 1982: Filmfare Best Director Award (Telugu) for Subhalekha
  • 1983: Filmfare Best Director Award (Telugu) for Saagara Sangamam
  • 1986: Filmfare Best Director Award (Telugu) for Swati Mutyam
  • 1987: Filmfare Best Director Award (Telugu) for Shruti Layalu
  • 1992: Filmfare Best Director Award (Telugu) for Aapadbandhavudu
  • 1994: Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (South)
  • 1995: Filmfare Best Director Award (Telugu) for Subha Sankalpam

Other Honors

Filmography

Year Film Language Credits
1957 Todi Kodallu 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 Screenplay writer and director
1968 Kalisochchina Adrushtam Telugu Director
Undamma Bottu Pedata Telugu Director
1969 Nindu Hrudayalu Telugu Director
[[Sabhash Satyam --> By G Viswanadham, not K Viswanadh!!]] || style="text-align: center;" | 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 Jyoti 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 Bharatham 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 Actor and director
1996 Vajram Telugu Actor
Kuruthipunal Tamil Actor: Sreenivasan
1997 Chinnabbayi Telugu Director
2000 Mugavaree Tamil Actor
Kakkai Siraginilae Tamil Actor
Kalisundam Raa Telugu Actor
2001 Narasimha Naidu Telugu Actor: Raghupati Naidu
Ninnu Choodalani Telugu Actor: Siva Reddy
2002 Nee Sneham Telugu Actor: grandfather of Amrutha
Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu Telugu Actor
Rifles Telugu Actor:
Santosham Telugu Actor: Ramachandraiah
2003 Anbe Sivam Tamil Actor:
Tagore Telugu Actor: Chief Minister
2004 Lakshmi Narasimha Telugu Actor: father of Lakshmi Narasimha
Swarabhishekam Telugu Actor, story, screenplay writer and director
2005 Andhrudu Telugu Actor: father of Surendra
Atadu Telugu Actor: CBI Officer
Gowtam SSC Telugu Actor: IAS OFFICER
2007 Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule Telugu Actor: grandfather of Keerti
2008 Pandurangadu Telugu Actor: father of Pundarika
2009 Yaaradi Nee Mohini Tamil Actor: grandfather of Keerti
2010 Subhapradam Telugu Director
2011 Mr. Perfect Telugu Actor: grandfather of Tapsee
Rajapattai Tamil Actor
2012 Devasthanam Telugu Actor
2013 Greeku Veerudu Telugu Actor
2013 Singam II Tamil Actor

References

  1. ↑ "K Vishwanath to direct Hrithik". The Times Of India. 12 September 2003. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "52nd National Film Awards". Directorate of Film Festivals. Akal Information Systems Ltd. p. 81. Retrieved 20 January 2012. 
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ "Kamal Haasan". Bharatwaves.com. Retrieved 5 September 2012. 
  5. ↑ "Chiranjeevi felicitation on Padma Bhushan honor – Telugu Cinema actor". Idlebrain.com. 19 April 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2012. 
  6. ↑ 30 Jun 2011 – Ranjana Dave (30 June 2011). "The meaning in movement". The Asian Age. Retrieved 4 September 2012. 
  7. ↑ Prakash KL. "Sagara Sangamam to be screened at Kamal's films fest | – Oneindia Entertainment". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Retrieved 4 September 2012. 
  8. ↑ "Directorate of Film Festival". Iffi.nic.in. Retrieved 4 September 2012. 
  9. ↑ 300 films during 11 days from 47 countries in IFFI-2009. Literature India. Retrieved on 28 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "Directorate of Film Festival". Iffi.nic.in. Retrieved 4 September 2012. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Directorate of Film Festival". Iffi.nic.in. Retrieved 4 September 2012. 
  12. ↑ Andhra Pradesh / Guntur News : Society needs good films, says K. Viswanath. The Hindu (25 July 2010). Retrieved on 2013-07-28.
  13. ↑ Entertainment Hyderabad / Events : Viswanath felicitated. The Hindu (22 July 2005). Retrieved on 2013-07-28.
  14. ↑ "Viswanath vows to continue his mission". The Hindu. 17 April 2010. 
  15. ↑ rediff.com, Movies: Interview with K Viswanath. Rediff.com (3 May 2000). Retrieved on 2013-07-28.
  16. ↑ "Stamp in honour of director L.V. Prasad". The Hindu. 1 September 2006. 
  17. ↑ "Reporter's Diary". The Hindu. 19 September 2006. 
  18. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHLADkxM1sw
  19. ↑ Special Correspondent (20 February 2012). "NATIONAL / ANDHRA PRADESH : Director K. Viswanath to be feted". The Hindu. Retrieved 5 September 2012. 
  20. ↑ "Arts / History & Culture : Celebrating a doyen". The Hindu. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012. 

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