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{{Short description|Indian film director (1926–2010)}}
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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name           = Mankada Ravi Varma
| name               = Mankada Ravi Varma
| image           = Mankada Ravi Varma.jpg
| image             = Mankada Ravi Varma.jpg
| imagesize       =
| imagesize         =  
| alt             =
| alt               =  
| caption         =
| caption           =  
| birth_date       = {{birth date|df=yes|1926|6|4}}
| birth_date         = {{birth date|df=yes|1926|6|4}}
| birth_place     = [[Mankada]], [[Malappuram]], [[Kerala]], India
| birth_place       = [[Mankada]], [[Malappuram]], [[Kerala]], India
| death_date       = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2010|11|22|1926|6|4}}
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2010|11|22|1926|6|4}}
| death_place     = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| death_place       = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| othername       = Raviettan
| othername         =  
| occupation     = [[Cinematographer]], film director
| occupation         = {{Flatlist|
| yearsactive     = 1966–2002
* Cinematographer
| spouse         =  
* film director
| website         =
}}
| yearsactive       = 1966–2002
| spouse             =  
| website           =  
}}
}}


'''Mankada Ravi Varma''' (4 June 1926 – 22 November 2010) was an Indian cinematographer and director who worked in [[Malayalam cinema]]. He is exclusively known for his association with renowned film-maker [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/112496/directors-cut.html|title=Directpr's Cut|author=S Nanda Kumar|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]|access-date=23 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2007/09/07/stories/2007090750230100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203223207/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2007/09/07/stories/2007090750230100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2007|title=Painting with light|date=7 September 2007|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118027967?refCatId=13|title=Indian cinematographer Varma dies: He worked on Adoor Gopalakrishnan's films|date=24 November 2010|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Shalini|last=Dore}}</ref> He has associated with other major directors such as [[G. Aravindan]] and [[P. N. Menon (director)|P. N. Menon]]. He has also directed two films. He has won two [[National Film Awards]] and seven [[Kerala State Film Awards]] in various categories. In 2006, he was honoured with the [[J. C. Daniel Award]], Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.
{{family name hatnote|Mankada|Ravi Varma|Indian name|lang=Toponymic}}'''Mankada Ravi Varma''' (4 June 1926 – 22 November 2010) was an Indian cinematographer and director who worked in [[Malayalam cinema]]. He is exclusively known for his association with renowned film-maker [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/112496/directors-cut.html|title=Directpr's Cut|author=S Nanda Kumar|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]|access-date=23 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2007/09/07/stories/2007090750230100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203223207/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2007/09/07/stories/2007090750230100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2007|title=Painting with light|date=7 September 2007|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118027967?refCatId=13|title=Indian cinematographer Varma dies: He worked on Adoor Gopalakrishnan's films|date=24 November 2010|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Shalini|last=Dore}}</ref> He has associated with other major directors such as [[G. Aravindan]] and [[P. N. Menon (director)|P. N. Menon]]. He has also directed two films. He has won two [[National Film Awards]] and seven [[Kerala State Film Awards]] in various categories. In 2006, he was honoured with the [[J. C. Daniel Award]], Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.


==Early life ==
==Early life ==
Ravi Varma was born at [[Mankada]] in [[Malappuram]] district to K.K. Thampuratti and A.M. Parameswaran Bhattathiripad on 4 June 1926. Varma was keenly interested in photography since a child. He had his graduation from [[Victoria College, Palakkad]] and later learned motion picture photography at the Institute of Film Technology (FTIT) in Chennai.<ref name="Hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/23/stories/2010112360300400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127054224/http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/23/stories/2010112360300400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 November 2010|title=Mankada Ravi Varma dead |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=23 November 2010|location=Chennai, India|date=23 November 2010}}</ref>
Ravi Varma was born at [[Mankada]] in [[Malappuram]] district into the senior branch of the royal family of [[Kingdom of Valluvanad|Valluvanad]], to K.K. Thampuratti and A.M. Parameswaran Bhattathiripad on 4 June 1926. He attended [[Victoria College, Palakkad]] and the Institute of Film Technology (FTIT) in Chennai.<ref name="Hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/23/stories/2010112360300400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127054224/http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/23/stories/2010112360300400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 November 2010|title=Mankada Ravi Varma dead |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=23 November 2010|location=Chennai, India|date=23 November 2010}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
After his studies from FTIT, he worked as a cinematographer for several documentaries and short films. His debut film was ''Aval'' (1966) was directed by Aziz, another student from the institute. His first notable work was ''[[Olavum Theeravum]]'' (1970), directed by [[P. N. Menon (director)|P. N. Menon]] and scripted by [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article907286.ece|title=Cultural circles condole death of ace cameraman Ravi Varma
After his studies from FTIT, he worked as a cinematographer for several documentaries and short films. His debut film was [[Aval (1967 film)|''Aval'']] (1966) was directed by P.M.A Aziz, another student from the institute. His first notable work was ''[[Olavum Theeravum]]'' (1970), directed by [[P. N. Menon (director)|P. N. Menon]] and scripted by [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article907286.ece|title=Cultural circles condole death of ace cameraman Ravi Varma
|author=Press Trust of India
|author=Press Trust of India
|author-link=Press Trust of India
|author-link=Press Trust of India
|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=23 November 2010|location=Chennai, India|date=23 November 2010}}</ref> It was a landmark film in Malayalam as it was the first Malayalam film to be shot entirely outdoors. Varma remembered those days, "We exploited the available light. The framing and composition of the film were totally different from other feature films. I tried to accommodate all the tones that were available in black-and-white, and shot the film. As I had shot documentaries in very adverse conditions, I decided to make use of all those experiences in a feature film. Usually in poor light, a cinematographer stops shooting. What I did was use it to my advantage."<ref name="Rediff">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-obit-mankada-ravi-varma/20101123.htm|title=Goodbye, Mankada Ravi Varma|author=Shobha Warrier|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=23 November 2010}},</ref>
|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=23 November 2010|location=Chennai, India|date=23 November 2010}}</ref><ref name="Rediff">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-obit-mankada-ravi-varma/20101123.htm|title=Goodbye, Mankada Ravi Varma|author=Shobha Warrier|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=23 November 2010}},</ref>
His other notable works as a cinematographer include ''[[Dikkatra Parvathi]]'' (1973) by [[Singeetam Srinivasa Rao]], ''Uttarayanam'' (1974) by [[G. Aravindan]], and almost all the works with [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]].
His other notable works as a cinematographer include ''[[Dikkatra Parvathi]]'' (1973) by [[Singeetam Srinivasa Rao]], ''Uttarayanam'' (1974) by [[G. Aravindan]], and almost all the works with [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]].<ref name="Rediff"/>


===Association with Adoor===
===Association with Adoor===
Ravi Varma had written an article on films in a magazine called ''Sameeksha'' which Gopalakrishnan, a student at the FTII happened to read. He wrote to Ravi Varma asking him to write another piece for a magazine that he was editing from the institute. That was how the association and friendship between renowned director [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]] and Ravi Varma started. Whenever Adoor came down to Kerala, he would make a stop over in Madras and meet him. The friendship that started in the 60s became a professional association in the early 70s when Adoor Gopalakrishnan made ''[[Swayamvaram (1972 film)|Swayamvaram]]'' (1971).<ref name="Rediff"/>
''[[Elippathayam]]'' (1981) was one of the most acclaimed films came out of their association.<ref name="Rediff"/> He worked mainly with Adoor in his films, before he fell ill in 2002. ''Nizhalkuthu'' was their last film. Varma could not complete this work as he fell ill soon after the filming had started. Later, this film was completed by [[Sunny Joseph]]. In an interview he said: "I would rate ''Nizhalkuthu'', as Raviettan's best ever work, 30 years after we started our journey together with ''Swayamvaram''."<ref name="Sify">{{cite web|url=http://sify.com/movies/mankada-ravi-varma-passes-away-news-tamil-klxpRJjcfah.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002073903/http://www.sify.com/movies/mankada-ravi-varma-passes-away-news-tamil-klxpRJjcfah.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 October 2012|title=Mankada Ravi Varma passes away|access-date=23 November 2010|website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>
 
When Adoor Gopalakrishnan watched ''Olavum Theeravum'', he decided that when he made a film, it was Mankada Ravi Varma who would shoot it. When he was ready to make ''Swayamvaram'', he asked Ravi Varma whether he would do the cinematography. But he had no intention to shoot another feature film after ''Olavum Theeravum'', as it had affected his regular work. But he couldn't say 'no' to Adoor. ''Swayamvaram'' was their first effort, one of the first serious films made in Kerala, a film that started a revolution and changed the way films were made in Kerala. The film won not only several National Awards but international acclaim too. Mankada also won the National Award for cinematography.<ref name="Rediff"/> ''[[Elippathayam]]'' (1981) was one of the most acclaimed films came out of their association. In this magnum opus film, Varma even had to draw electric power from the mains of the house they were shooting in, as they had no money to hire a generator.<ref name="Rediff"/>
Other major works by Varma with Adoor include ''[[Kodiyettam]]'' (1977), ''[[Mukhamukham (1984 film)|Mukhamukham]]'' (1984), ''[[Mathilukal]]'' (1990), ''[[Vidheyan]]'' (1993) and ''[[Nizhalkuthu]]'' (2002). He has associated with Adoor in all his films, before he fell ill in 2002. ''Nizhalkuthu'' was their last film. Varma could not complete this work as he fell ill soon after the filming had started. Later, this film was completed by [[Sunny Joseph]]. Adoor rates this film as the best work by Varma. In an interview he said: "I would rate ''Nizhalkuthu'', as Raviettan's best ever work, 30 years after we started our journey together with ''Swayamvaram''."<ref name="Sify">{{cite web|url=http://sify.com/movies/mankada-ravi-varma-passes-away-news-tamil-klxpRJjcfah.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002073903/http://www.sify.com/movies/mankada-ravi-varma-passes-away-news-tamil-klxpRJjcfah.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 October 2012|title=Mankada Ravi Varma passes away|access-date=23 November 2010|publisher=[[Sify]]}}</ref>


===Career as a director===
===Career as a director===
In 1984, he directed his first film, ''Nokkukuthi'', which won him another National Award and a State award. It was based on a poem by noted Malayalam poet, M Govindan.<ref name="Mathrubhoomi"/> "I made it for my own satisfaction. People who are like me will also get satisfaction of watching my film", says Varma.<ref name="Rediff"/> He also directed ''Kunjikoonan'' in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=8311585&programId=1073753765&channelId=-1073751706&BV_ID=@@@&tabId=11|title=മങ്കട രവി വര്‍മ അന്തരിച്ചു|publisher=[[Malayala Manorama]]|date=22 November 2010|access-date=23 November 2010}}</ref>
In 1984, he directed his first film, ''Nokkukuthi'', which won him another National Award and a State award.<ref name="Mathrubhoomi"/> "I made it for my own satisfaction. People who are like me will also get satisfaction of watching my film", says Varma.<ref name="Rediff"/> He also directed ''Kunjikoonan'' in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=8311585&programId=1073753765&channelId=-1073751706&BV_ID=@@@&tabId=11|title=മങ്കട രവി വര്‍മ അന്തരിച്ചു|publisher=[[Malayala Manorama]]|date=22 November 2010|access-date=23 November 2010}}</ref>


He also wrote a book Chitram Chala Chitram about cinematography which won him the State award for the best book on cinema.<ref name="Hindu"/>
Varma received the [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Book on Cinema]] for ''Chitram Chalachitram''.<ref name="Hindu"/>


==Death==
==Death==
Ravi Varma died on 22 November 2010 evening in [[Chennai]].<ref name="Mathrubhoomi">{{cite news|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=101078|title=Mankada Ravi Varma passes away|date=22 November 2010|newspaper=[[Mathrubhumi]]|access-date=23 November 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124072857/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=101078|archive-date=24 November 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianetindia.com/news/noted-cinematographer-mankada-ravi-varma-passes_213455.html|title=Cinematographer Mankada Ravi Varma passes away|author=KOL News|date=22 November 2010|access-date=22 November 2010|publisher=[[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123120035/http://www.asianetindia.com/news/noted-cinematographer-mankada-ravi-varma-passes_213455.html|archive-date=23 November 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He was suffering from [[Alzheimer's disease]] for many years.<ref name="Hindu"/>
Ravi Varma died on 22 November 2010 evening in [[Chennai]].<ref name="Mathrubhoomi">{{cite news|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=101078|title=Mankada Ravi Varma passes away|date=22 November 2010|newspaper=[[Mathrubhumi]]|access-date=23 November 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124072857/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=101078|archive-date=24 November 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianetindia.com/news/noted-cinematographer-mankada-ravi-varma-passes_213455.html|title=Cinematographer Mankada Ravi Varma passes away|author=KOL News|date=22 November 2010|access-date=22 November 2010|publisher=[[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123120035/http://www.asianetindia.com/news/noted-cinematographer-mankada-ravi-varma-passes_213455.html|archive-date=23 November 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He was suffering from [[Alzheimer's disease]] for many years.<ref name="Hindu"/>
[[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]] in an obituary to Mankada Ravi Varma has said: "I never asked him why he only worked only with me, as he used to say he wanted to do only good films. Raviettan is the only person to whom I used to courier my script before they were made. His response and clarity on my script encouraged me a lot."<ref name="Sify"/>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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{{National Film Award Best Cinematography}}
{{National Film Award Best Cinematography}}
{{National Film Award Special Jury Award Feature Film}}
{{National Film Award Special Jury Award Feature Film}}
{{J. C. Daniel Award}}
{{Kerala State Film Award Best Cinematography}}
{{Kerala State Film Award Best Cinematography}}
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{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Varma, Ravi}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Varma, Ravi}}
[[Category:People from Malappuram district]]
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:2010 deaths]]
[[Category:2010 deaths]]
[[Category:J. C. Daniel Award winners]]
[[Category:Best Cinematography National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Special Jury Award (feature film) National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Kerala State Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Malayalam film cinematographers]]
[[Category:Malayalam film cinematographers]]
[[Category:Best Cinematography National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Government Victoria College, Palakkad alumni]]
[[Category:Government Victoria College, Palakkad alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Kerala State Film Award winners]]
[[Category:M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute alumni]]
[[Category:M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian photographers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian photographers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian photographers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian photographers]]
[[Category:Cinematographers from Kerala]]
[[Category:Cinematographers from Kerala]]
[[Category:Special Jury Award (feature film) National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Film directors from Malappuram district]]
[[Category:J. C. Daniel Award winners]]

Latest revision as of 21:10, 12 September 2025


Mankada Ravi Varma
Born(1926-06-04)4 June 1926
Mankada, Malappuram, Kerala, India
Died22 November 2010(2010-11-22) (aged 84)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation
  • Cinematographer
  • film director
Years active1966–2002
In this Indian name, the toponymic surname is Mankada. It is not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Ravi Varma.

Mankada Ravi Varma (4 June 1926 – 22 November 2010) was an Indian cinematographer and director who worked in Malayalam cinema. He is exclusively known for his association with renowned film-maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan.[1][2][3] He has associated with other major directors such as G. Aravindan and P. N. Menon. He has also directed two films. He has won two National Film Awards and seven Kerala State Film Awards in various categories. In 2006, he was honoured with the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Ravi Varma was born at Mankada in Malappuram district into the senior branch of the royal family of Valluvanad, to K.K. Thampuratti and A.M. Parameswaran Bhattathiripad on 4 June 1926. He attended Victoria College, Palakkad and the Institute of Film Technology (FTIT) in Chennai.[4]

Career[edit | edit source]

After his studies from FTIT, he worked as a cinematographer for several documentaries and short films. His debut film was Aval (1966) was directed by P.M.A Aziz, another student from the institute. His first notable work was Olavum Theeravum (1970), directed by P. N. Menon and scripted by M. T. Vasudevan Nair.[5][6] His other notable works as a cinematographer include Dikkatra Parvathi (1973) by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, Uttarayanam (1974) by G. Aravindan, and almost all the works with Adoor Gopalakrishnan.[6]

Association with Adoor[edit | edit source]

Elippathayam (1981) was one of the most acclaimed films came out of their association.[6] He worked mainly with Adoor in his films, before he fell ill in 2002. Nizhalkuthu was their last film. Varma could not complete this work as he fell ill soon after the filming had started. Later, this film was completed by Sunny Joseph. In an interview he said: "I would rate Nizhalkuthu, as Raviettan's best ever work, 30 years after we started our journey together with Swayamvaram."[7]

Career as a director[edit | edit source]

In 1984, he directed his first film, Nokkukuthi, which won him another National Award and a State award.[8] "I made it for my own satisfaction. People who are like me will also get satisfaction of watching my film", says Varma.[6] He also directed Kunjikoonan in 1989.[9]

Varma received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Book on Cinema for Chitram Chalachitram.[4]

Death[edit | edit source]

Ravi Varma died on 22 November 2010 evening in Chennai.[8][10] He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease for many years.[4]

Filmography[edit | edit source]

As cinematographer[edit | edit source]

As director[edit | edit source]

  • Nokkukuthi (1984)
  • Kunjikoonan (1989)

Awards[edit | edit source]

Kerala State Awards[edit | edit source]

National Awards[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ S Nanda Kumar. "Directpr's Cut". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  2. ↑ "Painting with light". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 7 September 2007. Archived from the original on 3 December 2007.
  3. ↑ Dore, Shalini (24 November 2010). "Indian cinematographer Varma dies: He worked on Adoor Gopalakrishnan's films". Variety.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Mankada Ravi Varma dead". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 23 November 2010. Archived from the original on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  5. ↑ Press Trust of India (23 November 2010). "Cultural circles condole death of ace cameraman Ravi Varma". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Shobha Warrier. "Goodbye, Mankada Ravi Varma". Rediff. Retrieved 23 November 2010.,
  7. ↑ "Mankada Ravi Varma passes away". Sify. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Mankada Ravi Varma passes away". Mathrubhumi. 22 November 2010. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  9. ↑ "മങ്കട രവി വര്‍മ അന്തരിച്ചു". Malayala Manorama. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  10. ↑ KOL News (22 November 2010). "Cinematographer Mankada Ravi Varma passes away". Asianet. Archived from the original on 23 November 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2010.

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