Kasinadhuni Viswanath, a renowned director and recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, passed away at 92 years old on Thursday night at midnight. At a luxury hospital nearby, he drew his final breath. According to the news agency PTI, the director had been experiencing health problems for a while and was also experiencing age-related issues.
In Hyderabad, legendary filmmaker Kalatapasvi K Viswanath receives a farewell tribute from former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, film director SS Rajamouli, music director MM Keeravani, actor Chiranjeevi, and other movie stars.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, K Chandrasekhar Rao, the Chief Minister of Telangana, sent his condolences on Viswanath’s passing. “Viswanath was a rare and eminent film director who used his incredible talent to take an ordinary subject and make it into a timeless classic.”
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed his sorrow at the filmmaker’s passing in a tweet.
He said that “Vishwanath is a reflection of Indian arts and Telugu culture. His films have given the Telugu cinema industry respect that is unequal. He will live on forever as an artist in Telugu people’s hearts”.
Learn more about the director K Viswanath
Viswanath also referred to as “Kalatapasvi,” was born in Andhra Pradesh in February of 1930. He received the Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest honor in Indian cinema, becoming the 48th recipient. He was a popular name not just in Telugu but also in Tamil and Hindi films. He received the distinction for the 2016 calendar year.
Viswanath, who started his career as a sound artist, had a brilliant career that includes a successful stint in front of the camera. His films have won prizes which include “Sankarabharanam,” “Sagara Sangamam,” “Swati Mutyam,” “Saptapadi,” “Kaamchor,” “Sanjog,” and “Jaag Utha Insaan.”
The Andhra Pradesh government presented him with 20 Nandi Awards, the Padma Shri in 1992, five National Awards, and 10 Filmfare trophies, including the Lifetime Achievement medal.
In the Telugu cinema industry, Viswanath, a prominent director, produced 50 films since 1965. He also had a successful cinema career in Tamil and Hindi.
He made his first directing with “Aatma Gowravam,” which starred Akkineni Nageswara Rao and won the Nandi Award for a best feature film.
Following it, the director released “Chelleli Kapuram,” “O Seeta Katha,” “Jeevana Jyoti,” and “Sarada.”
“Swarabhishekam,” “Pandurangadu,” “Narasimha Naidu,” “Lakshmi Narasimha,” and “Seemasimham,” as well as “Kuruthipunal,” “Kakkai Siraginilae,” and “Bagavathi,” were a part of those movies Viswanath not only acted but also directed.
