Monday, March 3, 2014

Tribute to Cinematographer W.R.Subbarao.288.

Today i am going to pen another interesting film personality  from the Tamil film industry has  done a remarkable work five decades back is none other than Cinematographer W.R.Subbarao.Known for his beautiful out door shots in Historical films.He has worked with all top class actors in those days and Directors. Even though he has many films to his credit i still remember couple of his films with wonderful frame work.Those films are , Marmayogi,Raja Raja Cholan,VeeraPandiya Katta Bomman, (He and Karnan)
and few other films i could n't remember.. Raja Raja Cholan ,and VeeraPandia Katta bomman he has done a wonderful work both indoor and out door with out much advancement in those days was laudable.He is one of the few Cinematographers liked by the film fraternity.I am writing this column with my little rememberence
and interest.If there is any error kindly ignore.Today i am very happy to tribute this Stalwart.
K.Ragavan
See You Next Week,
3-3-14.

7 comments:

Mythreyee said...

Sir, thank-you for writing about the forgotten hero of the South Indian film industry. Very proud to tell that I am his grand child. Recently I saw Tamil movie Navarathri. Stood up and clapped hands when his name appeared in the title. What an amazing visual effects when showing different shivaji ganesan in the same screen, all effects done with no computers. Such an amazing cinematographer. His grandson Arjunan is now acting in Tamil movies in supporting roles.

Mythreyee said...

Sir, thank-you for writing about the forgotten hero of the South Indian film industry. Very proud to tell that I am his grand child. Recently I saw Tamil movie Navarathri. Stood up and clapped hands when his name appeared in the title. What an amazing visual effects when showing different shivaji ganesan in the same screen, all effects done with no computers. Such an amazing cinematographer. His grandson Arjunan is now acting in Tamil movies in supporting roles.

krish rao said...

I am Krishnamoorthy residing in SINGAPORE, his paternal uncle son and " W"in WR SUBBA RAO stands for WATRAP a village in virudhunagar district and his younger days he had no background of photography , was a very hard working and been a cause to uplift or lend a helping hand to his relatives like me and to many of his nativity friends. We watrapian are very proud of him. His tribute to ALIBABA and Forty thief and VEERAPANDIAYA KATTAPOMMAN WHAT a angles shoots and colour films taken by him is VERY GREAT. He ahs worked for TR SUNDARAM APN, BR BANDHULU and KULAMAGAL RADHAI was his another best shot picture . I would like to nick name him DHANDHIRA KATCHI shooting KING.

Unknown said...

My maternal grandfather Sri Narayan Rao Rammoorthy from Mahendrawadi is the nephew of WR Subbarao. Today in Bangalore, he was narrating all stories of his childhood to me. I was brimming with pride and smiling. He said that once, WR Subbarao gave him 1 rupee as a gift, when he had come to my grandfather's house, and he described how WR Subbarao would wear a coat over a long shirt and a 'panche'. He would go to Jupiter Studios to shoot films. It is such a matter of pride that the man who shot India's first ever colour film, and was multi talented - as a song recordist, cinematographer, editor, who won recognition and accolades overseas for his film Veerapandian Kattabomman - is a Kannada Madhwa and from our family. "Those were golden days", he always says. :)
My name is Sonali Shankar.

RevathyKrishnamurthy said...

I am really touched to traps these interesting remarks about my dad. My name is Revathy and I am the second daughter of WRS. He died in 1981 and still.all of us cherish his memories and good will. The name and fame he had never got into his head. He remained a simple, compassionate human being who considered the extensive family circle as his own core family. He worked for the upliftment of his entire clan...I mean his brothers' and sisters' children. Thank you Mr Raghavan, Mythreyi and Sonali for sharing all those nice things you have done. I am not a regular visitor of the face book and as such today I have accidently bumped into this page.

ARK said...

Sister,

You would probably be able to recollect when I say I was your uncle Sri Srinivasa Rao's neighbour in Madurai.

Sri WRS is an amazing talent. Though we had heard about his great works even when young, it really meant so much when we watched his films in the last four five decades.

He is unique in the sense that some of the path breaking movies on Cinematography in Tamil films had him as the Cinematographer.

First CinemaScope movie in Tamil RR cholan

First movie with nine characters of the same actor in one shot...Navarathiri

a rare movie by 1965 standards where plastic surgery and facial impersonation had him as the cinematographer .....Aasaimugham.

One of the greatest contributors to Religious movies APN had your father as the Cinematographer at all times.

As he was behind the screen TN had not heard about his prowess as much as an actor or a director.

Proud of him

Ravi

Giri R said...

I am Giri.. WRS's counsin's son... more than a photographer par excellence, he has the humane approach in him.. took care of his brother's children, got them married and continued his support even when tjey came home for delivery.. My father used to say he never once uttered a word or two even in times of some financial discomfort... he lived in an individual house next door to Dr. Kalaignar at Gopalapuram.. I envy his humbleness, caring nature more than his photographic skills.. வாழ்ந்தாள் இவரை போல வாழ வேண்டும்