THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Veteran filmmaker and former director of Film and Television Institute of India, John Sankaramangalam, passed away at a private hospital in Thiruvalla today following age-related ailments.
He was 84 and is survived by his wife, son and daughter, family sources said.
A multi-time recipient of national and state awards, Sankaramangalam, known for his experimental movies, had directed a handful of films and documentaries in his career.
"Aval Alpam Vaikippoyi", "Janmabhoomi" and "Samantharam" were among his directorial ventures.
Hailing from Pathanamthitta in central Kerala, he was also active in writing dramas during his college days.
After quitting his job as a college lecturer, he had joined the FTII in Pune in the 1960s and obtained a diploma in direction and screenplay writing.
Condoling his death, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here in a message that John Sankaramangalam, who won several honours at the state and national levels, had been a strong presence in the India's film industry.