NEW DELHI: Veteran cinematographer V K Murthy has been chosen for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2008.
Murthy, who would be the 56th recipient of the prestigious award, is the first ever cinematographer who has been selected for the award. He will also receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a ‘swarna kamal’ and a shawl. The award will be conferred by President Pratibha Patil, the date for which is yet to be announced.
The award is conferred annually by the government for outstanding contributions to films, based on the recommendations of a committee consisting of eminent persons. The veteran cinematographer is credited some of Indian cinema’s most breathtaking visual moments.
“He broke new grounds, ushered in modern and highly sophisticated techniques and brought in rich visual artistry into Indian cinema,” a Ministry of Information and Broadcasting statement said.
He shot India’s first cinemascope movie ‘Kagaz Ke Phool’ and is best remembered as the cinematographer for all Guru Dutt films. He is also known as one of the pioneers of colour cinematography.
Born in 1923 in Mysore, V K Murthy earned his diploma in cinematography from S J Polytechnic, Bangalore in its very first batch. As a student, V K Murthy also took part in the country’s freedom struggle and was jailed in 1943.
He started his career in cinema as a violinist. Classics like ‘Kagaz Ke Phool’ and ‘Sahib, Bibi aur Ghulam’ won him Filmfare awards. Other well known works of Murthy include ‘Baazi’, ‘Jaal’, ‘Chaudavin ka Chand’, ‘Pyasa’, ‘12 O’ Clock’, ‘Ziddi’ etc.
His working life spans four long decades, from his early collaboration with Guru Dutt from the 50s to his work in Shyam Benegal’s mega-serial ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ and one of the most acclaimed Kannada movies titled ‘Hoova Hannu’ in 1993.