January 12, 2011 (Sampurn Wire): Veteran cinematographer S. Ramachandra has passed away on January 10. The National Award winner cinematographer was suffering from cancer. He was around 70 years old when he died.

The Karnataka Stare Government honoured Ramachandra with Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He won the National Award for his cinematography in the 1977 Kannada film Rishya Shringa.

S. Ramachandra worked as the assistant cameraman for Kannada actor Sampath Kumar, who was also known as Dr. Vishnuvardhana. He reached great heights in his career due to his genuine interest and intelligence in his work. He has been associated with almost all the renowned films of Dr. Girish Kasaravalli. He worked in Kasaravallis films like Ghata Shraddha and Gulabi Talkies among others.

The ace cinematographer worked in commercial as well as art films but he never found any difference in working in the two genres. As a cinematographer, Ramachandra worked in the films like Yaadein (1964), Chommana Dudi (1975), Mane (1991), Akramana (1979), Deveeri (1999) and Mukhaputa (2009).

In 1972, he worked in his first film Sankalpa and he did cinematography for his last film titled Bettada Jeeva in 2010.

One of his most prominent works was for TV serial Malgudi Days. He had been active member of the Cinematographers Association during his life time.

We pray his soul rest in peace!

--Sampurn Wire