Renowned cinematographer MJ Radhakrishnan passes away

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Renowned cinematographer MJ Radhakrishnan, who had made his mark through artistic works, passed away on Friday following a cardiac arrest. He was 61. Radhakrishnan holds the record of winning the most number of state awards in cinematography — seven times.
His style of framing beautiful shots in natural light had won critical acclaim. In international film festivals like South Asian International Film Festival, Zanzibar International Film Festival and Oaxaca Film Fest, Radhakrishnan’s works received wide appreciation.
His major works include Kaliyattam (1997), Marana Simhasanam (1999), Theerthadanam (2001), Naalu Pennungal (2007), Pulijanmam (2006), Gulmohar (2008), Thirakkatha (2008), Veettilekkulla Vazhi (2011), Papilio Buddha (2013), Perariyathavar (2014) and Viswasapoorvam Mansoor (2017).
His latest works were Shaji N Karan’s new movie ‘Olu’, which was the inaugural film in the previous edition of International Film Festival of India in Goa and Dr Biju’s Veyil Marangal, which won honour at Shanghai International Film Festival last month. He cranked the camera for over 75 films and several short films during a career spanning over 30 years. His work in Desadanam, Karunam, Adayalangal, Bioscope, Veettilekkulla Vazhi, Akashathinte Niram and Kadu Pookkunna Neram had won state awards.
Radhakrishnan was born at Punalur in Kollam and was an avid photographer during his college days. He began training in photography under NL Balakrishnan and later became an assistant of director Shaji N Karun. He had debuted as an independent cinematographer with the 1988 film Maamalakalkkappurathu, directed by Ali Akbar.
On Friday evening, Radhakrishnan complained of chest pain at his residence in Marappalam. He drove to a nearby clinic from where he was referred to SUT hospital, where he died around 7.30pm. He is survived by his wife Sreelatha, son Yadukrishnan and daughter Neeraja. Yadukrishnan is also a cinematographer.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled his death.