CHENNAI: Celebrated cinematographer Mankada Ravi Varma, known as the pioneer of the serious film movement of the 1970s, breathed his last here on Monday evening. He was 83.
Known best as the trusted cinematographer of Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Mankada worked in all but two of Adoor's films, including his debut Swayamvaram. The other notable films of Mankada include Olavum Theeravum (directed by P N Menon) and Uttarayanam (directed by G Aravindan). Mankada chose to associate himself with offbeat films, and his work was critically acclaimed. He was the recipient of two national awards, including one for Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Swayamvaram in 1972. He had also won several state awards.
Mankada had also penned a book Chithram Chalachithram, which won a state award for the best book on cinema. He had directed the critically acclaimed film Nookkukuthi, which won him a Special Jury National Award.
Nokkukuthi was based on a poem by M Govindan. His association with Malayalam films started over three decades ago. Varma, who hailed from Malappuram district, had been associated with serious cinema. Mankada, who was based in Chennai, had been ailing from Alzheimer's disease for the past few years, and had kept away from cinematography.
A bachelor, he was living with his sister M C Thangamani Thampuratti at Mahalingapuram, and had been bedridden for the past few months.
The last rites will be held on Tuesday morning.
