BANGALORE: B S Ranga, one of the senior directors of Sandalwood, died at a hospital in Chennai on Sunday. He was 93.
The seniormost director, cameraman and producer and director, who had stints in Tamil and Telugu films too, died after four years of battle for survival. Besides producing, directing and cinematography, he was instrumental in bringing latest technology to Kannada cinema in those days.
Born on November 11, 1917, Ranga got training in photography when he was 17. His father Srinivasa Iyengar had fascination for theatre. He had won a fellowship from Royal Photographic Society of Rayal Salon London. Ranga was the first Indian to set up Automatic Procession Laboratory, with Krishnagopal as his mentor. The first camera work he did was for ‘Bhaktha Naradar’. After 40 films as cameraman, he founded Vikram Productions and produced Bhaktha Markendeya. He produced 55 films in five languages in his career.
A cinematographer, director, producer, laboratory owner, studio owner, exhibitor and script writer all rolled in one, he had won the prestigious President award.
He produced and directed films such as Bhaktha Markandeya in 1956, Mahishasura Mardini, Amarashilpi Jakkanachari, Prathigne, Chandrahasa, Mahasathi Anusooye, Parvathi Kalyana, Bhale Bhasava, Mr Rajakumar, Sidila Mari, Bhagyavantha, Hasyarathna Ramakrishna, Huliyadha Kaala, Shivabhaktha Markandeya and others.
Condoling his death, well-known director Siddalingaiah said Ranga was a gentleman. “I met him several times in Chennai. He handled megaphone for many good Kannada, Telugu and Tamil films. His death is a great loss for Kannada film industry,” he said.
Recalling Ranga’s contribution to Kannada film industry, Basanthkumar Patil, president, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, said Ranga had the privilege of making first colour cinema - Amarashilpi Jakkanachari - in Kannada.
“He has brought laurels to Kannada.
His contribution is immense to Kannada film industry. He established a studio and lab for Kannada film industry. His whole family was dedicated to Kannada film industry. His death is a loss to Kannada film industry,” said Patil.
Expressing shock and dismay over the death of Ranga, Jayamala, former president of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and heroine of yesteryears, said: “It will be difficult to fill the vacuum created by Ranga’s death. I had the opportunity to act in his film Huliyadha Kaala. I never saw him getting angry on the sets. He was so cool and comfortable while handling the camera.””He has contributed a lot to all Indian languages, including Hindi, by making good and quality films like Amara Shilpi Jakanachari. He deserved Dada Saheb Palke Award but it is unfortunate that the selection committee members failed to recognise his services to film industry and honour him with the award,” director S V Rajendra Singh Babu said.