Ramachandran’s camera spoke eloquently

C. Ramachandran, who died here at the age of 88, may have kept a low profile throughout his life, but he was one of the busiest and talented cinematographers of Malayalam cinema of the 1970’s and eighties.

He worked with leading directors such as Hariharan, I.V. Sasi, Kunchacko, P. Bhaskaran, M. Krishnan Nair, Sasi Kumar, A.B. Raj, and Sreekumaran Thampi. Among his best-known films are Ummachu , Othenante Makan , Aasheervadam , Mukkuvane Snehicha Bhootham , Kanalkattakal , Eetta , Nayattu , Ganam, and Yuvajanolsavam . Hailing from the Zamorin family of Kozhikode, Ramachandran went to Chennai to learn cinematography. He attended a three-year course at Central Polytechnic. He then joined Vauhini Studios as an assistant cameraman under legendary cinematographer Marcus Bartley. He also had the opportunity to work with Adi Irani, another great behind the camera.

Ramachandran began his career as an independent cinematographer in Singapore, where he also worked for television. He had covered the first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore on his tours of India.

But, he did not find the work creative enough and returned to India to work in cinema in 1970. Director and cinematographer A. Vincent introduced him to Udaya Studios. Before long, he established himself as the most dependable cinematographer. “I had seen many of his earlier films and was very impressed,” lyricist and director Sreekumaran Thampy, who worked with him in films like

Ganam and Yuvajanolsavam , told The Hindu . “He was a delight to work with. He gave what the director exactly wanted,” he said. Thampy said Ramachandran never got his due in Malayalam cinema. “He didn’t know how to market himself. He was happy to lead a life away from the limelight,” the veteran director recalled. Ramachandran worked in over 100 Malayalam films and 10 Tamil films. Yet, he remained largely unknown.

But, we still watch his work. When you see the beautiful Sheela swaying on the swing to the melodious Chandranudikkunna dikkil … ( Othenante Makan ), remember that those lovely images were captured by Ramachandran.