K. Viswanath (1930-2023) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, actor and sound engineer. For his work in Telugu films, he was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2017. On 2 February 2023, K. Viswanath died of age-related ailments at a hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Wiki/Biography
K. Viswanath aka Kasinadhuni Viswanath was born on Wednesday, 19 February 1930 (age 92 years; at death) in Repelle, Madras Presidency, British India (now in Andhra Pradesh, India). His zodiac sign is Pisces. He attended a municipal high school in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. He completed his intermediate studies at Hindu College, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Later, he completed his Bachelor of Science at Andhra Christian College, Andhra University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 7″
Hair Color: Salt & Pepper (half bald)
Eye Color: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Kasinadhuni Subramanyam, is the regional manager at Vijaya Vauhini Studios. His mother’s name is Kasinadhuni Saraswathy aka Saraswathamma. He has two younger sisters.
Wife & Children
He is married to Kasinadhuni Jayalakshmi. He has 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 sat in the back seat
Son of K. Viswanath Nagendranath Viswanath
Other Brothers
Indian actor Chandra Mohan and singer SP Balasubrahmanyam are his cousins.
K. Vishnwanath with SP Balasubramaniam
Signature
Signature of K. Viswanath
Career
Sound Artist
Viswanath started his career as a sound artist in 1957 and assisted Telugu filmmaker Adurthi Subba Rao. Later, he worked as a sound engineer in more than 50 films including ‘Thodi Kodallu’ (1957; Telugu), ‘Enga Veetu Mahalakshmi’ (1957; Tamil), and ‘Banda Ramudu’ (1959; Telugu).
K. Vishnwanath works 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 the popular South Indian films in which he worked as a director were ‘Chelleli Kapuram’ (1971), ‘Kalam Marindi’ (1972), ‘O Seeta Katha’ (1974), ‘Eeshwar’ (1989), ‘Sankarabharanam’ (1980 ), ‘Aapadbandhavudu’ (1992), and ‘Chinnabbayi’ (1997). He is known for portraying Indian social and cultural issues in his films. Some of those films are ‘Saptapadi’ (1981), ‘Subhalekha’ (1982), ‘Sirivennela’ (1986), ‘Swayamkrushi’ (1987), and ‘Sutradharulu’ (1989).
K. Vishnwanath as director with Chiranjeevi on the film set
In collaboration with Edida Nageswara Rao, 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 several 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 such as ‘Kalam Marindi’ (1972), ‘Neramu Siksha’ (1973), ‘Amma Manasu’ (1976), ‘Siri Siri Muvva’ (1981), and ‘Saptapadi’ (1981). . ).
Actor
Movie
In 1965, he made his Telugu film debut with ‘Subha Sankalpam’ in which he played the role of Raayudu.
Subha Sankalpam (1965)
He is known for his acting roles 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 such as ‘Kuruthipunal’ (1995), ‘Mugavaree’ (1999), ‘Pudhiya Geethai’ (2003), ‘Lingaa’ (2014), and ‘Uttama Villain’ (2015).
K. Viswanath’s still 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).
Stills of K. Viswanath from the TV series Suryavamsam (2015)
Other Work
Viswanath appeared in various TV commercials for brands like Ramraj Panchalu, Triplex Soap and GRT Jewellers.
Awards & Honors
Public Honor
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 received the Dada Saheb Phalke Award
Nandi Award
- 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 contribution to Telugu cinema
- 1995: Best Character Actor for the Telugu film Subha Sankalpam
- 2000: Best Supporting Actress for the Telugu film Kalisundam Raa
South Filmfare Awards
- 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: Express Cinema Award for Best Director for the Telugu film Swarnakamalam
- 1989: Filmfare Best Story Award for the Hindi film Eeshwar
- 1991: Raghupathy Venkaiah Award by Andhra Pradesh State Government for his outstanding contribution to Telugu cinema in 1991
- 2008: CineMAA Award for Lifetime Achievement
- 2012: Viswa Vikhyata Darsaka Sarvabhowma for achievements in direction
- 2012: Chittoor V. Nagayya Puraskaram for lifetime achievement in cinema
- 2017: Nagar Film Culture Center – Hyderabad Award for achievements in cinema
- 2017: Telugu Film Directors Guild Award for achievement in direction
- 2017: Aathmeeya Sanmanam from Government of Andhra Pradesh for achievement in cinema in Vijayawada Thummalapalli Kalakshetram
- 2021: South Indian International Film Award for Lifetime Achievement
K. Viswanath received SIIMA
Note: He also received an honorary doctorate from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, Telangana. Besides, he has many more accolades to his name.
K. Viswanath was welcomed by N. Chandrababu Naidu
Death
On 2 February 2023, he died of age-related ailments at a private hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana. At his funeral, various Indian celebrities paid tribute to him. On his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted,
Saddened by the passing away of Shri K. Viswanath Garu. He is a persistent person in the world of cinema, distinguishing himself as a creative and versatile director. His films spanned various genres and enthralled audiences for decades. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.”
Facts/Trivia
- His fans affectionately call him Kalatapasvi Viswanath.
- In his teenage years, he wanted to make his career in administrative jobs. However, his uncle advised him to take an acting course at Vijaya Vauhini Studios. There, he did several other courses including an audiography course.
- The Telugu films ‘Sankarabharanam’ (1979) and ‘Sagara Sangamam’ (1983) directed by him were listed in CNN-IBN’s hundred greatest Indian films of all time.
- His directed film ‘Sankarabharanam’ became very popular, and in 1980, the film was screened in various film festivals such as the 8th International Film Festival of India, Tashkent Film Festival and Moscow International Film Festival. His other films such as ‘Sagara Sangamam’ (1983), ‘Sruthilayalu’ (1987), ‘Swarnakamalam’ (1988), and ‘Swathi Kiranam’ (1992) were screened at various film festivals such as the International Film Festival of India, Ann Arbor Festival Film, and the AISFM Film Festival.
K. Vishnwanath on film sets
- 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 People Media Factory banner.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
