M. J. Radhakrishnan (1957/1958 – 12 July 2019) was an Indian cinematographer working mainly in

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...

films. He got National film award 2018 as best cinematographer for his work on Malayalam movie

Oolu ''Olu'' () is an Indian Malayalam-language fantasy film directed by Shaji N. Karun and written by T D Ramakrishnan. The film stars Esther Anil, Shane Nigam, Indrans, Kani Kusruti in the lead role; produced by A V Anoop. The film was the open ...

. He won Kerala State Award for Best Cinematography 7 times (the most), equal with

Mankada Ravi Varma Mankada Ravi Varma (4 June 1926 – 22 November 2010) was an Indian cinematographer and director who worked in Malayalam cinema. He is exclusively known for his association with renowned film-maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan. He has associated with ...

. Earlier he worked as a still photographer and then as an associate to cinematographer turned director Shaji N. Karun. His important works included '' Deshadanam'' (1996), ''

Karunam ''Karunam'' is a 2000 Indian Malayalam film, directed and produced by Jayaraj. The film stars Biju Menon, Eliyamma, Madambu Kunjukuttan and Vavachan in lead roles. The film had musical score by Sunny Stephen. The film is the second installme ...

'' (1999) '' Naalu Pennungal'' (2007), ''Veettilekkulla Vazhi'' (2010) and '' Akasathinte Niram'' (''Color of Sky''; 2012). His films were screened at several prominent film festivals around the world including

Cannes Cannes (, ; , ; ) is a city located on the French Riviera. It is a communes of France, commune located in the Alpes-Maritimes departments of France, department, and host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions Internatio ...

Shanghai Shanghai, Shanghainese: , Standard Chinese pronunciation: is a direct-administered municipality and the most populous urban area in China. The city is located on the Chinese shoreline on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the ...

Cairo Cairo ( ; , ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Egypt and the Cairo Governorate, being home to more than 10 million people. It is also part of the List of urban agglomerations in Africa, largest urban agglomeration in Africa, L ...

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

, Telluride,

Jeonju Jeonju (, , ) is the capital and List of cities in South Korea, largest city of North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many resi ...

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

Rhode Island Rhode Island ( ) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut to its west; Massachusetts to its north and east; and the Atlantic Ocean to its south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Is ...

and

Rotterdam Rotterdam ( , ; ; ) is the second-largest List of cities in the Netherlands by province, city in the Netherlands after the national capital of Amsterdam. It is in the Provinces of the Netherlands, province of South Holland, part of the North S ...

. One of his works, '' Marana Simhasanam'' (English: "Throne of Death", French: "Le Trone de la mort", 1999), won

Caméra d'Or The Caméra d'Or ("''Golden Camera''") is an award of the Cannes Film Festival for the best first feature film presented in one of the Cannes selections (Official Selection, Directors' Fortnight or Critics' Week). The prize was created in 1978 Ca ...

(Golden Camera Award) in the

Un Certain Regard (; 'A Certain Glance') is a section of the Cannes Film Festival's official selection. It is run at the Debussy, parallel to the competition for the . This section was introduced in 1978 by Gilles Jacob. The section presents 20 films with unusua ...

section at the 1999

Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Film Festival (; ), until 2003 called the International Film Festival ('), is the most prestigious film festival in the world. Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around ...

. Another film ''

Veyilmarangal ''Veyilmarangal'' () is a Malayalam language drama film written and directed by Bijukumar Damodaran and produced by Baby Mathew Somatheeram. The film starring Indrans and Prakash Bare has M. J. Radhakrishnan as cinematographer. It revolves aro ...

'' (Trees under the sun) won Golden Goblet award for Outstanding Artistic achievement at

Shanghai International Film Festival The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF, , French: ''Festival international du film de Shanghai'') is the largest film festival in Asia and China's longest-running international cinema event. The first festival was established in Octobe ...

2019. He worked on over 117 feature films and several documentaries and worked with some of the prominent Indian filmmakers including

Adoor Gopalakrishnan Adoor Gopalakrishnan (born 3 July 1941) is an Indian film director, script writer, and producer and is regarded as one of the most notable and renowned filmmakers in India. With the release of his first feature film '' Swayamvaram'' (1972), G ...

Murali Nair Murali Nair (born 10 January 1966) is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He has directed eight films since 1993. His film '' Marana Simhasanam'' was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival where it won th ...

, Shaji N. Karun, TV Chandran, Dr. Biju,

Jayaraj Jayarajan Rajasekharan Nair, professionally credited as Jayaraj (born 31 May 1960), is an Indian filmmaker, who predominantly works in the Malayalam cinema, Malayalam film industry. He has won many awards, including Crystal Bear at the Berli ...

and

Renjith Ranjith Balakrishnan is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, and actor who works in Malayalam cinema. Ranjith made his directorial debut in 2001 with ''Ravanaprabhu'', the sequel to '' Devaasuram''. He has won three National Film ...

. He mostly worked on

arthouse An art film, arthouse film, or specialty film is an independent film aimed at a niche market rather than a mass market audience. It is "intended to be a serious, artistic work, often experimental and not designed for mass appeal", "made prima ...

films and was known for his natural lighting styles. In a career spanning more than two decades, he worked with a number of young film makers, mostly in their maiden ventures. Film ''

Kalamandalam Hyderali Kalamandalam Hyderali (5 September 1946 – 5 January 2006) was one of the best Kathakali singers of his generation, and the first non-Hindu artiste to make a mark in the four-century-old classical dance-drama from Kerala in south India. Lif ...

'' 2019, directed by Kiran G. Nath was his last completed work as director of photography.

Early life

M. J. Radhakrishnan was born in Tholicode,

Punalur Punalur is a municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala, India. It is the headquarters of the Punalur Taluk and Punalur Revenue Division. It is in the eastern part of the Kollam district of Kerala, on the banks of the Kallada River and footh ...

located in

Kollam Kollam (;), is an ancient seaport and the List of cities and towns in Kerala, fourth largest city in the Indian state of Kerala. Located on the southern tip of the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea, the city is on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake ...

district,

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

. MJR was very passionate about photography in his teenage days.

Career

M. J. Radhakrishnan began his career as a still photographer. He worked as a still photographer on some films for which Shaji N Karun was the cinematographer. Then he started working as an associate cinematographer under Shaji N Karun, who was a major influence in his life. His first independent work as a cinematographer was ''Maamalakalkkapurathu'' (1988), directed by Ali Akbar. Film ''

'' 2019, directed by Kiran G. Nath was his last completed work as director of photography.

Selected filmography

* 1988 ''

Mamalakalkkappurathu ''Mamalakalkkappurathu'' () is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Ramasimhan. The film stars Manoj K. Jayan, Anil, Elias and Kilimol in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Mohan Sithara. The film won ...

'' * 1996 ''Oru Neenda Yathra'' * 1996 '' Desadanam'' * 1997 ''

Kaliyattam ''Kaliyattam'' () is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language tragedy film directed by Jayaraj. It stars Suresh Gopi, Lal (in his acting debut), Biju Menon and Manju Warrier. The film is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's play ''Othello'', set ...

'' * 1997 ''Raajathanthram'' * 1999 '' Marana Simhasanam'' * 1999 ''

'' * 2001 '' Pattiyude Divasam'' * 2001 '' Theerthadanam'' * 2002 ''

Kannaki Kannagi (), sometimes spelled Kannaki, is a legendary Tamil woman who forms the central character of the Tamil epic '' Cilappatikāram''. Kannagi is described as a chaste woman who stays with her husband despite his adultery, their attempt to r ...

'' * 2003 ''

Parinamam ''Parinamam'' (''The Change'') is a 2003 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by P. Venu, starring Nedumudi Venu, Madampu Kunjukuttan and Kaviyoor Ponnamma in the lead roles. Plot ''Parinamam'' tackles the age old issue of loneliness and r ...

'' * 2003 ''

Ek Alag Mausam ''Ek Alag Mausam'' () (Hindi: एक अलग मौसम) is a 2003 Hindi movie directed by K. P. Sasi with Nandita Das, Anupam Kher and Rajit Kapur in the lead roles. Renuka Shahane, Arundathi Nag, Sreelatha and Sally Dynevor are in the ...

'' * 2003 ''

Sthithi ''Sthithi'' () is a 2003 Malayalam feature film written and directed by R. Sarath. The film tells the tale of a couple employed in the Secretariat. It stars Unni Menon, Nandini Ghosal, Master Achuth, Master Anand Pillay and Mallika Sukumaran. It ...

'' * 2004 ''

The Journey The Journey may refer to: Film * ''The Journey'' (1942 film), or ''El viaje'', an Argentine film * ''The Journey'' (1959 film), an American drama starring Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner, and Jason Robards about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 * ' ...

'' * 2004 ''

Koottu Koottu (Tamil:கூட்டு), often transcribed "kootu", is a lentil and spicy vegetable stew in South Indian, particularly Tamil and Kerala cuisines. The etymology for koottu derives from the Tamil word "koottu" which means "add" or "mi ...

'' * 2005 ''

Makalkku ''Makalkku'' () is a 2005 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by Jayaraj and written by Madampu Kunjukuttan from a story by Rajan Poduval. It stars Suresh Gopi and Shobana. The film features songs composed by Ramesh Narayan and backg ...

'' * 2006 ''

Pulijanmam ''Pulijanmam'' (Malayalam: പുലിജന്മം, English translation : Metamorphosis of a Man to a Tiger ) is a Malayalam feature film directed by Priyanandanan. It stars Murali, Vineeth Kumar, Salim Kumar, Samvrutha Sunil and Sindhu Men ...

'' * 2007 ''

Thakarachenda ''Thakarachenda'' is a 2007 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by debutant Avira Rebecca with Sreenivasan and Geetu Mohandas in the lead. The film is based on a real-life incident. The film was released on 9 August 2007, along with Shaji ...

'' * 2007 '' Naalu Pennungal'' * 2007 ''

Ottakkayyan ''Ottakkayyan'' is a 2007 Malayalam film by G. R. Indugopan starring Harisree Ashokan, Rani Babu, Ashokan, and Arun. This movie marks the debut of Harisree Ashokan in the lead role. Plot Two members of different fundamentalist groups get ...

'' * 2008 ''

Gulmohar ''Delonix regia'' is a species of flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae native to Madagascar. It is noted for its fern-like leaves and flamboyant display of orange-red flowers over summer. In many tropical part ...

'' *2008 ''

Atayalangal ''Atayalangal'' () is a 2008 Malayalam-language biographical drama film directed by M.G. Sasi and produced by Aravind Venugopal under the banner Valluvanadan Talkies. Govind Padmasoorya plays the lead role of autobiographical character of Nan ...

'' * 2008 ''

Oru Pennum Randaanum ''Oru Pennum Randaanum'' (Translation: ''A Woman and Two Men'') is a 2008 Malayalam feature film written and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. The film has four separate chapters, each based on independent short stories written by Thakazhi Siv ...

'' * 2008 ''

Thirakkatha ''Thirakkatha'' ( is a 2008 Malayalam romantic drama film co-produced, written, and directed by Ranjith. The film is a tribute to the yesteryear actresses who had been graceful, popular figures in cinema during their younger age with patronage an ...

'' * 2008 ''

Vilapangalkkappuram ''Vilapangalkkappuram'' (''Beyond the Wail'') is a 2008 Indian Malayalam-language film scripted and directed by T. V. Chandran in 2008. The film is based on the aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots of 2002. It was the second movie in the trilogy ...

'' * 2009 ''

Samayam Times Internet is an Indian multinational technology company, headquartered in Gurgaon. It is the digital arm of The Times Group, the largest media conglomerate in India. Through its venture capital arm TVentures, Times Internet has invested ...

'' * 2009 ''

Dr. Patient ''Dr. Patient'' is a 2009 Indian Malayalam cinema, Malayalam-language film written and directed by Viswananathan, starring Jayasurya, Mukesh (actor), Mukesh and Radha Varma. Plot The movie is set against a mental hospital where Dr. Ruben Isa ...

'' * 2009 '' Orkkuka Vallappozhum'' * 2009 '' Kerala Cafe (segment "Happy Journey")'' * 2009 '' Madhyavenal'' * 2010 '' Nirakazhcha'' * 2010 '' Punyam Aham '' * 2010 ''

Veettilekkulla Vazhi ''Veettilekkulla Vazhi'' () is a 2010 Indian Malayalam adventure drama film written and directed by Dr. Biju. The film is about terrorist organizations operating in India and how they recruit young Keralites. It stars Prithviraj, Indrajith an ...

'' * 2011 ''

Orma Mathram ''Orma Mathram'' () is a 2011 Malayalam-language drama film directed by Madhu Kaithapram and starring Dileep, Priyanka Nair, Master Sidharth, Dhanya Mary Varghese, and Nedumudi Venu in the main roles. The screenplay was written by C. V. Balakris ...

'' * 2011 '' Sengadal'' * 2011 '' Akasathinte Niram'' * 2013 '' Papilio Buddha'' * 2014 ''

Perariyathavar ''Perariyathavar'' () is a 2015 Indian Malayalam film directed by Dr. Biju. The film revolves around two sweepers and the problems they encounter in life, depicting the agonies of the marginalised section of society. The film stars Suraj Venjar ...

'' * 2015 '' Birds With Large Wings'' * 2015 ''

Ottaal '' Ottaal'' (English: ''The Trap'') is a 2015 Indian Malayalam film directed by Jayaraj, an adaptation of the short story "Vanka" by Russian author Anton Chekhov. This film stars Ashanth K Sha and Kumarakom Vasudevan, as well as actors Shine T ...

'' * 2016 ''

Pinneyum ''Pinneyum'' (English: ''Once Again'') is a 2016 Indian Malayalam-language Biographical crime drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Businessman Baby Mathew Somatheeram co-produced the film. The film portrays a lo ...

'' * 2016 ''

Kaadu Pookkunna Neram ''Kaadu Pookkunna Neram'' (English: ''When the Forest Bloom'') is a 2016 Indian Malayalam film written and directed by Dr. Biju. The film is produced by Sophia Paul under the film production house, Weekend Blockbusters. It stars Indrajith Suku ...

'' * 2016 ''Shaanu'' * 2017 '' Painting Life'' * 2017

Viswasapoorvam Mansoor ''Viswasapoorvam Mansoor'' is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language film written and directed by P. T. Kunju Muhammed. It stars Roshan Mathew, Prayaga Martin, Asha Sarath, and Zarina Wahab. The film was released in Kerala on 24 June 2017. Cast * ...

* 2018 ''

'' * 2018 ''

A for Apple ''A for Apple'' is a 2019 Malayalam-language film directed by the duo B. Madhu and S. Kumar and produced by Sudarsanan Kanjiramkulam. The story was by P. F. Mathews and the screenplay was written by Rajesh Jayaraman. Jerry Amaldev is the music ...

'' * 2018 ''Appuvinte Sathyanweshanam'' * 2019 ''

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (23 January 1897 – 18 August 1945) was an Indian independence movement, Indian nationalist whose defiance of British raj, British authority in India made him a hero among many Indians, but his wartime alliances with ...

'' * 2019 ''

'' (Trees under the sun) * 2019 ''Makudi'' * 2019 ''

'' * 2019 ''Ashtamudi Couples'' * 2019 ''

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards

* 1996:

Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography The Kerala State Film Award The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a cinema of kerala, motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs (Kerala), Department of Cultural Affairs ...

- '' Deshadanam'' * 1999: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography - ''

'' * 2007: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography - '' Adayalangal,

'' * 2008: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography - '' Bioscope'' * 2010: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography - ''

'' * 2011: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography - '' Akasathinte Niram'' * 2016: Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography - ''

National Film Awards

* 2018:

National Film Award for Best Cinematography The National Film Award for Best Cinematography is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the National Film Development Corporation of India. It is one of several awards presented for feature films and awarded with Rajat Kamal (S ...

- ''Olu''

Kerala State Television Awards

* 2014 : Best Cinematographer - ''Thamaranoolu''

International awards

*2008:South Asian International Film Festival-Best Cinematographer - '' Bioscope'' *2011:

Zanzibar International Film Festival Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), also known as Festival of the Dhow Countries, is an annual film festival held in Zanzibar, Tanzania and one of the largest cultural events in East Africa. ZIFF is a non-governmental organization establis ...

-SIGNIS Award for Cinematography - ''

'' *2013:

Oaxaca FilmFest Oaxaca FilmFest was an eight-day long international film festival that was permanently cancelled in 2022. At its start, the festival was held every autumn in the Mexican city of Oaxaca from 2010 - 2019, and again from 2021. The festival is compose ...

-Global Feature Section- Outstanding achievement in Cinematography/Mención honorífica mejor fotografía - '' Papilio Buddha'' *2015:Kazan International Film Festival, Russia -Best Cinematographer - ''

'' *2016:Indian International film festival Queensland, Australia -Best Cinematographer - ''

Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal ''Valiya Chirakula Pakshikal'' () is a 2015 Indian Malayalam drama film written and directed by Dr. Biju and produced by Dr. A.K. Pillai. It is based on an incident in a small village in Kasaragod in the state of Kerala where thousands of peop ...

'' *2017:Indian International film festival Queensland, Australia -Best Cinematographer - ''

Sound of Silence (2017 film) ''Sound of Silence'' is a 2017 Indian film in Hindi, Pahari and Tibetan. The film is directed by Malayalam film director Bijukumar Damodaran, commonly known as Dr. Biju. The film premiered at the 2017 Montreal World Film Festival. The film wo ...

'' *2017: Cincinnati Indian International film festival, Ohio, USA -Best Cinematographer - '' Painting Life'' 2019

References

External links

*
PRD, Govt. of Kerala: Awardees List
1950s births 2019 deaths Year of birth missing Kerala State Film Award winners Malayalam film cinematographers People from Kollam district Cinematographers from Kerala 21st-century Indian photographers Best Cinematography National Film Award winners * {{IMDb name, nm0705559