Ashok Kumar (cinematographer)

2021-04-08T20:59:48Z

24.51.218.238: /* As director and cinematographer */

{{other people|Ashok Kumar|Ashok Kumar (disambiguation)}}
{{short description|Indian cinematographer}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ashok Kumar
| image = Cinematographer-Ashok-Kumar.jpg
| imagesize = 200 px
| caption =
| birth_date = circa 1941
| birth_place = [[Allahabad]], [[North-Western Provinces]] (now a part of [[Uttar Pradesh]]), [[British India]]
| birthname = Ashok Kumar Aggarwal
| death_date = 22 October 2014 (aged 73)
| death_place = [[Chennai]], Tamil Nadu, India
| spouse =
| children = 4 sons
| occupation = [[Cinematographer]], film director
| years_active = 1969–2006
| awards = {{unbulleted list|[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography]]|[[Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer]]|[[National Film Award for Best Cinematography]]|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer]]}}
}}

'''Ashok Kumar Aggarwal''' (circa 1941 {{ndash}} 22 October 2014)<ref>{{cite web|title=Cinematographer Ashok Kumar passes away|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cinematographer-ashok-kumar-passes-away/1/397046.html|website=[[India Today]]|access-date=18 November 2014|date=22 October 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123020241/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cinematographer-ashok-kumar-passes-away/1/397046.html|archive-date=23 November 2014}}</ref> was an Indian [[cinematographer]] who worked mainly in the [[South Indian film industry]]. In a career that spanned nearly four decades, he worked in over 125 feature films in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Malayalam]], and [[Hindi]] languages. Aggarwal was a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC).

Born in [[Allahabad]] to a Hindi poet, Ashok Kumar obtained a diploma in photography from the [[Allahabad University]]. His passion for cinema made him enroll for a course in motion picture photography at the Institute of Film Technology, Adyar, Chennai. Upon passing out of the institute, he made his cinematic debut with the 1969 Malayalam film ''[[Janmabhoomi (1969 film)|Janmabhoomi]]'' for which he was awarded that year's [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography]]. His association with [[P. N. Menon (director)|P. N. Menon]] in the early 1970s cemented his place in the Malayalam film industry. He also worked for other filmmakers such as [[Babu Nanthankode]], [[J. D. Thottan]], [[Bharathan]], [[N. Sankaran Nair]] and [[Ramu Kariat]]. He got his break in [[Tamil cinema]] with [[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]]'s ''[[Uthiripookkal]]'' (1979). He was associated with Mahendran in most of his films.

Apart from several state government awards, Ashok Kumar was also a recipient of the [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography]]. During his career, he also directed ten feature films in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. He was married and one of his sons, Akash Aggarwal, works as a cinematographer in Tamil films.

==Biography==
Ashok Kumar was born in [[Allahabad]], [[North-Western Provinces]], [[British India]], to Kedarnath Aggarwal, a Hindi poet. He was passionate about cinema right from his childhood despite his family not being connected to films. After obtaining a diploma in photography from the [[Allahabad University]], he decided to join a film institute to pursue a career in filmmaking. Although his family was initially not supportive of his decision, he was allowed to go to Madras rather than Bombay.<ref name=rediff>{{cite web|last=Warrier|first=Shobha|title=Alas, realistic movies are dead|url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/1999/mar/25asho.htm|publisher=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=18 November 2014|date=25 March 1999|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129044927/http://in.rediff.com/movies/1999/mar/25asho.htm|archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> He gained an admission at the Institute of Film Technology, (now [[Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu]]) [[Adyar, Chennai|Adyar]], for a course in [[motion photography]].<ref name=dff /> At the institute, he was exposed to [[World cinema]] including that of [[Satyajit Ray]]'s. After passing out of the institute, he made his debut as a cinematographer in the 1969 Malayalam film ''[[Janmabhoomi (1969 film)|Janmabhoomi]]''.<ref name=CE>{{cite web|last=ராஜா|first=செந்தில் நாதன்|title=உதிர்ந்தது ஓர் உதிரிப் பூ!|url=http://www.cinemaexpress.com/cinemaexpress/story.aspx?Title=%E0%AE%89%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81+%E0%AE%93%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D+%E0%AE%89%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D+%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%82!&artid=112243&SectionID=144&MainSectionID=144&SectionName=Fashion&SEO=|website=Cinema Express|access-date=18 November 2014|language=ta}}</ref> John Sankaramangalam, his teacher at the institute, was its director.<ref name=rediff /> The film was funded by Ashok Kumar along with a few of his batchmates at the institute. The film dealt with the theme of religious co-existence and won the [[Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration]] at the [[16th National Film Awards]]. [[Kerala State Film Award|1st Kerala State Film Awards]], Ashok Kumar was awarded the [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] for the film.<ref name=rediff /> Following that, he received several offers in Malayalam for directors such as [[P. N. Menon (director)|P. N. Menon]], [[Babu Nanthankode]], [[J. Sasikumar]], [[Ramu Kariat]] and [[Bharathan]]. His involvement with the Malayalam film industry in the 1970s, earned him two more state government awards{{mdash}}for ''[[Swapnam]]'' (1973) and ''[[Taxi Driver (1977 film)|Taxi Driver]]'' (1977).<ref name="CE"/>

In 1978, when the [[Tamil film]] director [[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]] was searching for a cinematographer to shoot his directorial debut ''[[Mullum Malarum]]'', he approached cinematographer [[Ramachandra Babu]]. The latter, who was busy with his film at the time, had suggested Ashok Kumar to Mahendran.<ref name=hindu1>{{cite news|last=Srinivasan|first=Sudhir|title=My friend Ashok|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/filmmaker-mahendran-pays-homage-to-cinematographer-ashok-kumar-who-passed-away-this-week/article6533218.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 October 2014|access-date=16 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026063921/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/filmmaker-mahendran-pays-homage-to-cinematographer-ashok-kumar-who-passed-away-this-week/article6533218.ece|archive-date=26 October 2014}}</ref> However, based on actor [[Kamal Haasan]]'s suggestion [[Balu Mahendra]] was selected for the film. Meanwhile, Mahendran had watched some of Ashok Kumar's Malayalam films and found some of his angles and lighting techniques to be very interesting.<ref name=hindu1 /> For his second film, ''[[Uthiripookkal]]'', Mahendran approached Ashok Kumar as Balu Mahendra was busy with his directorial, ''[[Azhiyadha Kolangal]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=மகேந்திரன் டைரக்ஷனில் உருவான மிகச்சிறந்த கலைப்படைப்பு 'உதிரிப்பூக்கள்'|url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2012/05/14123700/mahendran-direct-best-film-uth.html|work=[[Maalai Malar]]|language=ta|date=14 May 2012|access-date=18 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129093129/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2012/05/14123700/mahendran-direct-best-film-uth.html|archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> The latter accepted the offer this time and made his [[Tamil cinema]] debut.<ref name=CE /> Following the film, Ashok Kumar continued to concentrate more on Tamil films. He became Mahendran's regular cinematographer and worked in nine of his twelve films, including ''[[Johnny (1980 film)|Johnny]] (1980)'', ''[[Nenjathai Killathe]]'' (1980), ''[[Nandu (film)|Nandu]]'' (1981) and ''[[Metti (film)|Metti]]'' (1982).<ref>{{cite web|title=அசல் கலைஞன்!|url=http://www.vikatan.com/new/article.php?module=magazine&aid=100204|website=[[Ananda Vikatan]]|language=ta|date=30 October 2014|access-date=18 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129091438/http://www.vikatan.com/new/article.php?module=magazine&aid=100204|archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> For his work in ''Nenjathai Killathe'', he won the [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography]] and [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer]].<ref name=rediff /><ref name=dff>{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/28th_nff_1981.pdf|title=28th National Film Awards|publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]]|access-date=8 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021181343/http://dff.nic.in/2011/28th_nff_1981.pdf|archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref>

During the mid 1980s, Ashok Kumar concentrated ventured into commercial films. He shot [[K. Bhagyaraj]]'s ''[[Darling, Darling, Darling]]'' (1982) and ''[[Mundhanai Mudichu]]'' (1983). He worked in ''[[My Dear Kuttichathan]]'' (1984), [[Cinema of India|India]]'s first [[3D film]].<ref name=rediff /><ref name=hindu2>{{cite news|last=P. K.|first=Ajith Kumar|title=He created magic with movie camera|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/he-created-magic-with-movie-camera/article6529512.ece|work=The Hindu|date=24 October 2014|access-date=20 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129065245/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/he-created-magic-with-movie-camera/article6529512.ece|archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> He also worked with [[S. Shankar]] in ''[[Jeans (film)|Jeans]]'' (1998). His Hindi films include ''[[Kamagni]]'' (1987), ''[[Bawandar]]'' (2000) and ''[[Kehtaa Hai Dil Baar Baar]]'' (2002). ''Bawandar'' received international acclaim and won the Best Film award in several international film festivals. Ashok Kumar was awarded the V. Shantaram Award for Best Cinematography for the film.<ref name=sundaytimes>{{cite news|title='Backwaters' brings a mystery of India|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/070624/TV/tv_2.html|work=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=24 June 2007|access-date=18 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120754/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/070624/TV/tv_2.html|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>

Ashok Kumar served as jury member of the [[43rd National Film Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm43thNFAAward.aspx|title=43rd National Film Awards|publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]]|access-date=5 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215065528/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm43thNFAAward.aspx|archive-date=15 December 2013}}</ref> Over his film career, his assistants include [[P. S. Nivas]], [[Suhasini Maniratnam]] and [[B. R. Vijayalakshmi]]. Contemporary cinematographers such as [[Ramachandra Babu]], [[P. C. Sreeram]], [[Ravi K. Chandran]] and [[Venu (cinematographer)|Venu]] have also spoken of being inspired by his work.<ref name=hindu2 />

==Personal life==
Ashok Kumar was married and had four sons. Two of his sons, Akash Aggarwal and Sameer Aggarwal are also cinematographers.<ref name=hindu2 /> His family is based in Chennai. Following severe illness in June 2014, Ashok Kumar was admitted to hospitals in [[Hyderabad]] and Chennai where he had undergone treatment for a period of about six months before passing away on 22 October 2014 at the age of 73 in Chennai.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.odishasuntimes.com/2014/10/22/ace-cinematographer-tamil-films-ashok-kumar-dies/|title=Ace cinematographer of Tamil films Ashok Kumar dies|work=[[Odisha Sun Times]]|date=22 October 2014|access-date=7 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507172423/http://archive.odishasuntimes.com/2014/10/22/ace-cinematographer-tamil-films-ashok-kumar-dies/|archive-date=7 May 2017}}</ref>

==Awards==

===National Film Award for Best Cinematography===
* 1980 – ''[[Nenjathai Killathe]]''

===Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography===
* 1969 – ''[[Janmabhoomi (1969 film)|Janmabhoomi]]''
* 1973 – ''[[Swapnam]]''
* 1977 – ''[[Taxi Driver (1977 film)|Taxi Driver]]'' (Black and White)

===Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer===
* 1980 – ''[[Nenjathai Killathe]]''
* 1988 – ''[[Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil]]''

===Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer===
* 2000 – ''Sri Sai Mahima''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/nandiawards2000.html|title= Nandi Awards 2000 – 2001|publisher= idlebrain.com|date= 19 September 2002|access-date= 12 June 2013|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130916002857/http://idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/nandiawards2000.html|archive-date= 16 September 2013|df= dmy-all}}</ref>

===V. Shantaram Awards===
* 2000 – Best Cinematography for ''[[Bawandar]]''<ref name=sundaytimes />

==Filmography==
===As cinematographer===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* ''[[Janmabhoomi (1969 film)|Janmabhoomi]]'' (1969)
* ''[[Ezhuthatha Kadha|Ezhuthaatha Kadha]]'' (1970)
* ''[[Avalalpam Vaikippoyi]]'' (1971)
* ''[[Kuttyedathi]]'' (1971)
* ''[[Kalam Marindi]]'' (1972)
* ''[[Chembarathi]]'' (1972)
* ''[[Maappusaakshi]]'' (1972)
* ''[[Gayathri (film)|Gaayathri]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Manushyaputhran]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Darshanam]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Mazhakkaaru]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Swapnam]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Chaayam]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Kaamini]]'' (1974)
* ''[[Moham]]'' (1974)
* ''[[Odakkuzhal]]'' (1975)
* ''[[Nurayum Pathayum]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Taxi Driver (1977 film)|Taxi Driver]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Guruvayur Kesavan (film)|Guruvayur Kesavan]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Randu Lokam]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Aniyara]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Sathrathil Oru Raathri]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Randu Janmam]]'' (1978)
* ''Ammuvinte Aattinkutty'' (1978)
* ''[[Njaan Njaan Maathram]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Aaravam]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Ee Ganam Marakkumo]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Jayikkaanaay Janichavan]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Lovely (1979 film)|Lovely]]'' (1979)
* ''Devathai'' (1979)
* ''[[Thakara]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Uthiripookkal]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Ullasa Paravaigal]]'' (1980)
* ''Pootaadha Pootukkal'' (1980)
* ''[[Kaali (1980 film)|Kaali]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Johnny (1980 film)|Johnny]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Lorry (film)|Lorry]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Malankattu]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Swattu]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Nenjathai Killathe]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Manjil Virinja Pookkal]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Nandu (film)|Nandu]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Metti (film)|Metti]]'' (1982)
* ''Azhagiya Kanney'' (1982)
* ''[[Novemberinte Nashtam]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Eera Vizhi Kaaviyangal]]'' (1982)
* ''Kannodu Kan'' (1982)
* ''[[Thadaakam]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Darling, Darling, Darling]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Mundhanai Mudichu]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Kaikeyi (film)|Kaikeyi]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Parannu Parannu Parannu]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Kai Kodukkum Kai]]'' (1984)
* ''[[My Dear Kuttichathan]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Kalkki]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Kanni Rasi]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Thendrale Ennai Thodu]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Pillai Nila]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Aan Paavam]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Yaaro Ezhuthiya Kavithai]]'' (1986)
* ''Kanne Kaniyamuthe'' (1986)
* ''Paaru Paaru Pattinam Paaru'' (1986)
* ''[[Rithubhedam]]'' (1987)
* ''Manaivi Ready'' (1987)
* ''[[Daisy (1988 film)|Daisy]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Jeeva (1988 film)|Jeeva]]'' (1988)
* ''Nethiyadi'' (1988)
* ''[[Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Vetri Vizha]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Orukkam (film)|Orukkam]]'' (1990)
* ''[[My Dear Marthandan]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Nadigan]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Vasanthakala Paravai]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Mannan (film)|Mannan]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Magudam]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Suriyan]]'' (1992)
* ''[[I Love India]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Indhu]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Kattumarakaran]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Ragasiya Police]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Jeans (film)|Jeans]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Malabar Police]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Bawandar]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Tales of The Kama Sutra: The Perfumed Garden]] (2000)
* ''Sri Sai Mahima'' (2000)
* ''[[Kehtaa Hai Dil Baar Baar]]'' (2002)
* ''Kamasutra Nights'' (2008)
{{div col end|3}}

===As director and cinematographer===
* ''[[Kamagni]]'' (1987; Hindi)
* ''Ullam Kavarndha Kalvan'' (1987; Tamil)
* ''[[Abhinandana]]'' (1988; Telugu)
* ''Neerajanam'' (1989; Telugu)
* ''[[Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil]]'' (1989; Tamil)
*''Thambikku Oru Paattu'' (1991)
* ''[[Kaama]]'' (1999; Tamil, Telugu, Hindi)
* ''Sri Sai Mahima'' (2000; Telugu)<ref>{{cite web|title=Straight Telugu films released in year 2000|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/y2k/filmslist.html|website=idlebrain.com|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924051811/http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/y2k/filmslist.html|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>
* ''Khajuraho'' (2002; Hindi)
* ''Manchu Kurise Velalo'' (2007; Telugu)

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|1223086}}

{{National Film Award Best Cinematography}}
{{Kerala State Film Award Best Cinematography}}
{{Tamil Nadu State Film Award Best Cinematography}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Ashok}}
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:Cinematographers from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Tamil film cinematographers]]
[[Category:University of Allahabad alumni]]
[[Category:M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Tamil film directors]]
[[Category:Telugu film directors]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Best Cinematography National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Kerala State Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Nandi Award winners]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners]]
[[Category:Artists from Allahabad]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Film directors from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian photographers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian photographers]]
[[Category:Hindi-language film directors]]

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Ashok Kumar (cinematographer)