V K Murthy, consummate cameraman

 Legendary cinematographer and Dada Saheb Phalke awardee V K Murthy, who shot India’s first cinemascope movie “Kagaz Ke Phool”,  passed away at his residence in Shankarapuram in South Bangalore on Monday morning.

The 91-year-old Murthy is best remembered for his acclaimed camerawork for most of Guru Dutt’s movies, particularly the classics such as “Sahib, Bibi Aur Ghulam” and “Pyaasa.” The ace cameraman is survived by his daughter Chaya Murthy.

Venkatarama Pandit Krishnamurthy, who was born in the Princely State of Mysore on November 26, 1923, was the first technician to be honoured with the Phalke award. He was conferred the country’s highest award in the field of cinema in 2008. He was also a recipient of the International Indian Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award at Amsterdam in 2005.

Best work

Murthy’s picturisation of the song “Chaudavin ka Chand” is still considered one of the best cinematographic works that Hindi cinema has seen.