K. Viswanath

K. Vishwanath
Viswanath in 2014
Born
Kasinadhuni Viswanath

(1930-02-19)19 February 1930
Died2 February 2023(2023-02-02) (aged 92)
Occupations
  • Film director
  • Screenwriter
  • Actor
  • Lyricist
Years active1951–2023
WorksFull list
AwardsPadma Shri (1992)
Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2016)

Kasinadhuni Viswanath (Telugu: కాశీనాధుని విశ్వనాధ్; 19 February 1930 – 2 February 2023), popularly known as "Kalatapasvi", was an Indian film director, screenwriter, lyricist and actor. One of the greatest auteurs of Telugu cinema, he received international recognition for his works, and is known for blending parallel cinema with mainstream cinema. He was honored with the "Prize of the Public" at the "Besançon Film Festival of France" in 1981. In 1992, he received the Andhra Pradesh state Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, and the civilian honour Padma Shri for his contribution to the field of arts. In 2017, he was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in Indian cinema.

Viswanath started his film career as an audiographer and in sixty years, he has directed 53 feature films in a variety of genres, including central themes based on performing arts, visual arts, aesthetics, melodrama, and poetry. 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.

Viswanath's classic blockbusters Sankarabharanam (1980) and Sagara Sangamam (1983) were featured among CNN-IBN's 100 greatest Indian films of all time. His directorial works Sankarabharanam and Saptapadi (1981) fetched the National Film Awards for Best Popular Feature Film and Best Feature Film on National Integration, respectively. Sankarabharanam, was featured at the 8th IFFI, the Tashkent Film Festival, the Moscow International Film Festival, and the Besançon Film Festival.

Viswanath's Swathi Muthyam (1986) was India's official entry to the 59th Academy Awards. Swathi Muthyam, Sagara Sangamam and Sirivennela (1986), were featured at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival. Swayamkrushi (1987) was screened to special mention at the Moscow International Film Festival. Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Sruthilayalu (1987), Swarnakamalam (1988), and Swathi Kiranam (1992) were featured in the Indian Panorama sections of IFFI, Ann Arbor Film Festival, and AISFM Film Festival respectively.

Viswanath is a recipient of five National Film Awards, seven state Nandi Awards, ten Filmfare Awards South, and a Filmfare Award in Hindi. 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.

Early life

Kasinadhuni Viswanath was born on 19 February 1930 in Repalle of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. His parents were Kasinadhuni Subramanyam and Kasinadhuni Saraswathy (Saraswathamma) and his ancestral roots come from Pedapulivarru, Andhra Pradesh, a small village on the banks of River Krishna. Kasinadhuni was his family name, Viswanath was his given name. Viswanath studied Intermediate from Guntur Hindu College, and holds a BSc degree from Andhra Christian College of Andhra University. 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. Viswanath 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. Viswanath made his entry into film direction at Annapurna Pictures under Adurthi Subba Rao and K. Ramnoth. He wished to work as an assistant to director K. Balachander and Bapu.

Career

During his early career, Viswanath was associated with Adurthi Subba Rao on National Award-winning films such as Mooga Manasulu (1964) and Doctor Chakravarty (1964). 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.

In 1951 he started as an assistant director in the Telugu-Tamil Film Pathala Bhairavi (1951). In 1965, Viswanath debuted as a director with Telugu film Aatma Gowravam (1965), which won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film of the year. Viswanath followed it up with drama films Chelleli Kapuram (1971), Sarada (1973), O Seeta Katha (1974) and Jeevana Jyoti (1975) which are women-centric films. It was in Siri Siri Muvva (1976) that the artistic touch in his craft first became visible.

Sankarabharanam (1980) 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. 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 (1973), which exploits a psychologically deranged woman, Swathi Muthyam (1986), which exploits an autistic man's humanism, Sirivennela (1986) which revels in situations between deaf and dumb characters, and Kalam Marindi (1972), which dwells on characters stuck in a caste-based society.

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.

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.

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 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.

Association with Poornodaya Creations

Edida Nageswara Rao founded "Poornodaya Movie Creations", which encouraged Viswanath to make aesthetic films. 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.

Hindi cinema

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 Dhanwan (1993). Some of these films (especially his collaboration with actress Jaya Prada) have been super hits at the box office.

Acting

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).

Television

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

Biopic

Viswadarshanam is an official biopic of K Viswanath, written and directed by Janardhana Maharshi which tells the story of a 90-year-old golden director in the 100 years of the silver screen. The film was aired on ETV (Telugu) on 19 February 2023 marking his birthday.

Personal life and death

Viswanath was married to Kasinadhuni Jayalakshmi. Actor Chandra Mohan, singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and singer S. P. Sailaja were his cousins.

Viswanath died on 2 February 2023, at the age of 92 in Hyderabad.

Filmography

As Director, Screenwriter

Directed features
Year Title Director Story Screenwriter Notes
1963 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu No No Yes
1965 Aatma Gowravam Yes No Yes Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze); Debut as a director
1967 Private Master Yes No Yes
1968 Sudigundalu No No Yes National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu
Tashkent Film Festival
1968 Kalisochina Adrushtam Yes No Yes Also Dialogue Writer
1968 Undamma Bottu Pedata Yes No No
1969 Nindu Hrudayalu Yes No Yes
1971 Chelleli Kapuram Yes No No Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
1971 Chinnanati Snehitulu Yes Yes Yes
1971 Nindu Dampathulu Yes Yes Yes
1972 Kalam Marindi Yes Yes Yes Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
1973 Neramu Siksha Yes No Yes
1973 Sarada Yes No No Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
1974 Amma Manasu Yes Yes Yes
1974 O Seeta Katha Yes No No Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Silver)
Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu
Filmfare Award for Best Direction
1975 Chinnanati Kalalu Yes No No
1975 Jeevana Jyothi Yes No No Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu
Filmfare Award for Best Direction
1976 Mangalyaniki Maromudi Yes No Yes
1976 Siri Siri Muvva Yes Yes Yes
1976 Prema Bandham Yes No No
1976 Jeevitha Nouka Yes No No
1978 Kalanthakulu Yes No No
1978 Seetamalakshmi Yes Yes Yes
1979 President Peramma Yes No No
Sargam Yes Yes Yes Hindi version of Siri Siri Muvva
Sankarabharanam Yes Yes Yes Prize 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)
1980 Alludu Pattina Bharatam Yes Yes Yes
Subhodayam Yes Yes Yes
1981 Saptapadi Yes Yes Yes Special 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
1982 Kaamchor Yes Yes Yes Hindi version of Subhodayam
Subhalekha Yes Yes Yes Filmfare Award for Best Direction
1983 Sagara Sangamam Yes Yes Yes Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze)
Filmfare Award for Best Direction
Dubbed into Tamil as Salangai Oli
Shubh Kaamna Yes Yes Yes Hindi version of Subhalekha
1984 Janani Janmabhoomi Yes Yes Yes
Jaag Utha Insan Yes Yes Yes Hindi version of Saptapadi
1985 Sanjog Yes No Yes Hindi version of Jeevana Jyothi
Sur Sangam Yes Yes Yes Hindi version of Sankarabharanam
Swathi Muthyam Yes Yes Yes India'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/ Also Lyricist
1986 Sirivennela Yes Yes Yes
1987 Sruthilayalu Yes Yes Yes Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
Nandi Award for Best Direction
Filmfare Award for Best Direction
Swayamkrushi Yes Yes Yes Special Mention – Moscow International Film Festival
1988 Swarnakamalam Yes Yes Yes Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu
Cinema Express Award for Best Direction
Ann Arbor Film Festival
1989 Eeshwar Yes Yes Yes Hindi version of Swathi Muthyam
Filmfare Award for Best Story
Sutradharulu Yes Yes Yes National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze)
1992 Swathi Kiranam Yes Yes Yes
Sangeet Yes Yes Yes
Aapadbandhavudu Yes Yes Yes Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze)
Filmfare Award for Best Direction
1993 Dhanwaan Yes No Yes
1995 Subha Sankalpam Yes Yes Yes Filmfare Award for Best Direction
1996 Aurat Aurat Aurat Yes No No
1997 Chinnabbayi Yes Yes Yes
2004 Swarabhishekam Yes Yes Yes 50th film/ Also lyricist

National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu

2010 Subhapradam Yes Yes Yes Last Film as a director

As an actor

Year Film Role Language Notes
1995 Subha Sankalpam Raayudu Telugu Debut as an actor
Kuruthipunal Srinivasan Tamil
Vajram Chakri's father Telugu
1999 Mugavaree Sridhar's father Tamil
2000 Kalisundam Raa Raghavayya Telugu
Kakkai Siraginilae Sambasiva Iyer Tamil
2001 Narasimha Naidu Raghupathi Naidu Telugu
2002 Seema Simham Visweswara Rao Telugu
Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu Ramachandrayya Telugu
Santosham Ramachandrayya Telugu
Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo Balaramayya Naidu Telugu
Bagavathi Chief Minister Tamil
2003 Pudhiya Geethai Swamy Tamil Cameo appearance
Tagore Chief Minister Telugu
2004 Lakshmi Narasimha Lakshmi Narasimha's father Telugu
Swarabhishekam Srinivasachari Telugu
2005 Athadu CBI Officer Telugu Cameo appearance
Andhrudu Sangeetham Teacher/Surendra's mentor Telugu
2006 Valliddari Vayasu Padahare Judge Telugu Cameo appearance
2007 Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule Keerti's grandfather Telugu
2008 Yaaradi Nee Mohini Keerti's grandfather Tamil
Pandurangadu Pandurangadu's father Telugu
2011 Mr. Perfect Maggie's grandfather Telugu
Rajapattai Dakshanamurthy Tamil
2012 Devasthanam Srimannarayana Telugu
2013 Singam II Chief Minister Tamil
2014 Lingaa Karunakara Tamil
2015 Uttama Villain Poornachandra Rao Tamil
2016 Hyper Chief Minister Telugu
2018 Prema Baraha Seenu Kannada
Sollividava Seenu Tamil
2022 Oppanda Rangaswamy Kannada Last film as an actor

Other roles

Year Film Language Credits Notes Ref.
1951 Pathala Bhairavi Telugu
Tamil
Assistant director
1957 Thodi Kodallu Telugu Audiographer National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Enga Veetu Mahalakshmi Tamil Audiographer
1959 Banda Ramudu Telugu Audiographer
1961 Iddaru Mitrulu Telugu Assistant director
1964 Mooga Manasulu Telugu Assistant director National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu
1964 Doctor Chakravarty Telugu Assistant director National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)

Film Crafts & Themes

Awards

President Mukherjee presenting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award to Sh. Vishwanath at the 64th National Film Awards on 3 May 2017.
Year Award Notes
1992 Padma Shri Government of India
1981 Prize of the Public at the Besançon Film Festival of France
1982–87 Special Mention – Moscow International Film Festival
2014 Gulf Andhra Award for Life Time Achievement in Cinema – U.A.E.
2017 Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement in cinema.
1980 National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentSankarabharanam
1982 Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National IntegrationSaptapadi
1987 Best Feature Film in TeluguSwathi Muthyam
1990 Best Feature Film in Telugu – Sutradharulu
2005 Best Feature Film in Telugu – Swarabhishekam
1980 Second Best Story Writer - Sankarabharanam
1981 Best Screenplay WriterSaptapadi
1982 Best Story Writer - Subhalekha
1986 Best DirectorSwathi Muthyam
1987 Best DirectorSruthilayalu
1992 Raghupathi Venkaiah Award – Lifetime achievement for outstanding contributions to Telugu cinema
1995 Best Character ActorSubha Sankalpam
2000 Best Supporting ActorKalisundam Raa
1988 Cinema Express Award for Best Director

Swarnakamalam

2008 CineMAA Award for lifetime achievement
2022 2021: Lifetime Achievement Award
1989 Filmfare Best Story AwardEeshwar
1974 Best DirectorO Seeta Katha
1975 Best Director – Jeevana Jyoti
1982 Best Director – Subhalekha
1983 Best Director - Sagara Sangamam
1986 Best Director – Swathi Muthyam
1987 Best Director – Sruthilayalu
1992 Best Director – Aapadbandhavudu
1995 Best Director – Subha Sankalpam
1994 Lifetime Achievement
Honorary doctorate

Other honours

Year Award Notes
2012 Viswa Vikhyata Darsaka Sarvabhowma for achievement in direction.
2012 Chittoor V. Nagayya Puraskaram for lifetime achievement in cinema.
2017 Film Nagar Cultural Center – Hyderabad Award for achievement in cinema.
2017 Telugu Film Director's Association Award for achievement in direction
2017 Aathmeeya Sanmanam from Government of Andhra Pradesh for achievement in cinema at Vijayawada Thummalapalli Kalakshetram

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