K. Viswanath (1930-2023) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, actor, and audiographer. For his work in Telugu films, he was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2017. On 2 February 2023, K. Viswanath died due to age-related illness at a hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
K. Viswanath aka Kasinadhuni Viswanath was born on Wednesday, 19 February 1930 (age 92 years; at the time of death) in Repalle, Madras Presidency, British India (now in Andhra Pradesh, India). His zodiac sign is Pisces. He did his schooling at a municipal high school in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. He completed his intermediate at Hindu College, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Later, he completed a Bachelor of Science at Andhra Christian College, Andhra University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper (half bald)
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Kasinadhuni Subramanyam, was a regional manager at Vijaya Vauhini Studios. His mother’s name is Kasinadhuni Saraswathy aka Saraswathamma. He had two sisters.
Wife & Children
He was married to Kasinadhuni Jayalakshmi. He had two sons named Ravindranath Viswanath and Nagendranath Viswanath and a daughter named Padmavathi Viswanath.
K. Viswanath with his wife
K. Vishnwanath with his family members and K. Chandrasekhar Rao
K. Viswanath’s son Ravindranath Viswanath sitting on the back seat
K. Viswanath’s son Nagendranath Viswanath
Other Relative(s)
The Indian actor Chandra Mohan and singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam were his cousins.
K. Vishnwanath with S. P. Balasubramaniam
Signature
K. Viswanath’s signature
Career
Sound Artist
Viswanath started his career as a sound artist in 1957 and assisted the Telugu filmmaker Adurthi Subba Rao. Later, he worked as an audiographer in more than 50 films including ‘Thodi Kodallu’ (1957; Telugu), ‘Enga Veetu Mahalakshmi’ (1957; Tamil), and ‘Banda Ramudu’ (1959; Telugu).
K. Vishnwanath working as a sound recordist
Assistant Director/Director
In 1951, he made his debut as an assistant director with the Tamil-Telugu film ‘Pathala Bhairavi.’
Pathala Bhairavi (1951)
He made his directorial debut in 1965 with the Telugu film ‘Aatma Gowravam.’
Aatma Gowravam (1965)
Some of his popular South Indian films in which he worked as a director are ‘Chelleli Kapuram’ (1971), ‘Kalam Marindi’ (1972), ‘O Seeta Katha’ (1974), ‘Eeshwar’ (1989), ‘Sankarabharanam’ (1980), ‘Aapadbandhavudu’ (1992), and ‘Chinnabbayi’ (1997). He is known for displaying social issues and Indian culture in his films. Some of such films are ‘Saptapadi’ (1981), ‘Subhalekha’ (1982), ‘Sirivennela’ (1986), ‘Swayamkrushi’ (1987), and ‘Sutradharulu’ (1989).
K. Vishnwanath as a director with Chiranjeevi on the sets of a film
In collaboration with Edida Nageswara Rao, the founder of Poornodaya Movie Creations, K. Viswanath directed films like ‘Sagara Sangamam; (1983), ‘Swathi Muthyam’ (1986), ‘Sutradharulu’ (1989), and ‘Aapadbandhavudu’ (1992). In 1979, he made his Bollywood directorial debut with the film ‘Sargam.’
Sargam (1979)
Later, he directed a few other Hindi films such as ‘Kaamchor’ (1982), ‘Shubh Kaamna’ (1983), ‘Jaag Utha Insan’ (1984), ‘Eeshwar’ (1989), ‘Sangeet’ (1992), and ‘Dhanwan’ (1993).
Writer/Screenplay
Viswanath worked as a writer for many popular Telugu films like ‘Kalam Marindi’ (1972), ‘Neramu Siksha’ (1973), ‘Amma Manasu’ (1976), ‘Siri Siri Muvva’ (1981), and ‘Saptapadi’ (1981).
Actor
Film
In 1965, he made his Telugu film debut with ‘Subha Sankalpam’ in which he played the role of Raayudu.
Subha Sankalpam (1965)
He was known for playing the character actor in various Telugu films such as ‘Vajram’ (1995), ‘Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu’ (2002), ‘Tagore’ (2003), ‘Athadu’ (2005), and ‘Devasthanam’ (2012).
Devasthanam (2012)
He also appeared in Tamil films like ‘Kuruthipunal’ (1995), ‘Mugavaree’ (1999), ‘Pudhiya Geethai’ (2003), ‘Lingaa’ (2014), and ‘Uttama Villain’ (2015).
A still of K. Viswanath from Lingaa (2013)
TV
He acted in various South Indian TV serials such as ‘Chellamay’ (2009; aired on Sun TV), ‘Suryavamsam’ (2015; aired on Vendhar TV), and ‘Siva Narayana Theerdhulu’ (2018; aired on SVBC).
A still of K. Viswanath from the TV serial Suryavamsam (2015)
Other Work
Viswanath appeared in various TV commercials for brands like Ramraj Panchalu, Triplex Soap, and GRT Jewellers.
Awards & Honours
Civilian Honour
National Film Awards
- 1980: National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for the Telugu film Sankarabharanam
- 1982: Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration for the Telugu film Saptapadi
- 1987: Best Feature Film in Telugu for Swathi Muthyam
- 1990: Best Feature Film in Telugu for Sutradharulu
- 2005: Best Feature Film in Telugu for Swarabhishekam
- 2017: Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement in cinema
K. Viswanath receiving Dada Saheb Phalke Award
Nandi Awards
- 1980: Second Best Story Writer for the Telugu film Sankarabharanam
- 1981: Best Screenplay Writer for the Telugu film Saptapadi
- 1982: Best Story Writer for the Telugu film Subhalekha
- 1986: Best Director for the Telugu film Swathi Muthyam
- 1987: Best Director for the Telugu film Sruthilayalu
- 1992: Raghupathi Venkaiah Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to Telugu cinema
- 1995: Best Character Actor for the Telugu film Subha Sankalpam
- 2000: Best Supporting Actor for the Telugu film Kalisundam Raa
Filmfare Awards South
- 1974: Best Director for the Telugu film O Seeta Katha
- 1975: Best Director for the Telugu film Jeevana Jyoti
- 1982: Best Director for the Telugu film Subhalekha
- 1983: Best Director for the Telugu film Sagara Sangamam
- 1986: Best Director for the Telugu film Swathi Muthyam
- 1987: Best Director for the Telugu film Sruthilayalu
- 1992: Best Director for the Telugu film Aapadbandhavudu
- 1995: Best Director for the Telugu film Subha Sankalpam
- 1994: Lifetime Achievement Award
Other Awards
- 1988: Cinema Express Award for Best Director for the Telugu film Swarnakamalam
- 1989: Filmfare Best Story Award for the Hindi film Eeshwar
- 1991: Raghupathy Venkaiah award by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh for his outstanding contribution to Telugu cinema in 1991
- 2008: CineMAA Award for Lifetime Achievement
- 2012: Viswa Vikhyata Darsaka Sarvabhowma for achievement in direction
- 2012: Chittoor V. Nagayya Puraskaram for lifetime achievement in cinema
- 2017: Film Nagar Cultural Center – Hyderabad Award for achievement in cinema
- 2017: Telugu Film Director’s Association Award for achievement in direction
- 2017: Aathmeeya Sanmanam from the Government of Andhra Pradesh for achievement in cinema at Vijayawada Thummalapalli Kalakshetram
- 2021: South Indian International Movie Award for Lifetime Achievement
K. Viswanath receiving SIIMA
Note: He also received an honorary doctorate degree from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, Telangana. Apart from this, he had many more accolades to his name.
K. Viswanath being felicitated by N. Chandrababu Naidu
Death
On 2 February 2023, he died of age-related ailments in a private hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana. At his funeral, various Indian celebrities paid tribute to him. On his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted,
Saddened by the passing away of Shri K. Viswanath Garu. He was a stalwart of the cinema world, distinguishing himself as a creative and multifaceted director. His films covered various genres and enthralled audiences for decades. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Facts/Trivia
- His fans lovingly call him Kalatapasvi Viswanath.
- In his teens, he wanted to make his career in administrative jobs. However, his uncle advised him to pursue an acting course at the film studio Vijaya Vauhini Studios. There, he did a few other courses including an audiography course.
- The Telugu films ‘Sankarabharanam’ (1979) and ‘Sagara Sangamam’ (1983) which were directed by him were listed in CNN-IBN’s one hundred greatest Indian films of all time.
- His directorial film ‘Sankarabharanam’ became very popular, and in 1980, the film premiered in various film festivals like the 8th International Film Festival of India, Tashkent Film Festival, and Moscow International Film Festival. His other films like ‘Sagara Sangamam’ (1983), ‘Sruthilayalu’ (1987), ‘Swarnakamalam’ (1988), and ‘Swathi Kiranam’ (1992) were screened at various film festivals like the International Film Festival of India, Ann Arbor Film Festival, and AISFM Film Festival.
K. Vishnwanath on the sets of a film
- In 1986, his directorial film ‘Swathi Muthyam’ became India’s official entry to the 59th Academy Awards.
- In 2019, the trailer of his biopic documentary titled ‘Viswadarshanam’ was released under the banner People Media Factory.
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Categories: Biography
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