Dada Saheb Phalke for VK Murthy

Legendary cinematographer VK Murthy was on Tuesday chosen for the Dada Saheb Phalke Award. The second Kannadiga to be chosen for the award, he earned his diploma in cinematography from SJ Polytechnic, Bangalore in its very first batch 1943-46. Playback legend Manna Dey was the first Kannadiga to win this highest honour.

This is the first time a cinematographer has been selected for the award.

Born in Mysore in 1923, Murthy is credited with providing some of Indian cinema’s most breathtaking visual moments embedded in the collective memory of the nation.

He shot India’s first cinemascope movie Kagaz Ke Phool and is best remembered as the cinematographer for all of Guru Dutt’s films. He is also regarded as one of the pioneers of colour cinematography. His picturisation of the title song of Chaudavin ka Chand mesmerised the audience. Murthy in fact started his career in cinema as a violinist. Classics like Kagaz Ke Phool and Sahib, Bibi aur Ghulam won him Filmfare Awards.