The noted Indian cinematographer Ravindhar made a foray into the world of cinema as a child actor. Born on December 18, 1959, Ravindhar quickly cemented his position as a child actor in his tender years. “As a child actor, I found my passion for storytelling through the magic of cinema. Every role, whether in front or behind the camera, has been a stepping stone towards realizing my dreams,” reflects Ravindhar. A child prodigy in the making, he graced the silver screen leaving an indelible mark in films like AVM’s ‘Pavamannippu’, MGR’s ‘Arasilamkumari’, AVM’s cinematic gem ‘Chaya’ and Tamil masterpieces ‘Par Mahale Par’ and ‘Kanchithalai.’
His educational odyssey began amid the hallowed halls of Fatima Convent, blossomed further at Saraswathi Vidhyalaya and reached new heights at Avichi High School. Curiosity led him to the prestigious corridors of Kaidemilleth College of Arts, where filmmaking became his muse and passion. “My time at Kaidemilleth College of Arts was transformative. It’s where I discovered my love for cinematography and honed my craft,” recollects Ravindhar.
The year 1978 turned out to be a turning point in his endeavours. Ravindhar, with stars in his eyes, began his transformative journey at KS Gopalakrishnan’s legendary Karpagam studio in Chennai. Here he stepped into the role of a trainee cinematographer and immersed himself in the art of the lens. Under the guidance of skilled mentors, he delved into the nuances of his craft, flourishing under the watchful eye of the famous filmmaker Ramachandra Menon. Every day his determination grew stronger and took him to new heights.
An enlightening path led him to famous filmmaker K.B. Dhayalan, where he assumed the mantle of assistant photographer. Under their wise guidance, his skills were transformed and he gained valuable wisdom in the film world. The year 1989 manifested for him a very important milestone. With no-nonsense determination and unwavering passion, Ravindhar rose to the pinnacle of his endeavours, donning the mantle of a sought-after photographer.
Ravindhar’s dedication and talent brought him to the attention of renowned film director Kalaipuli G. Sekar in 1989, who hired him as the cinematographer for his Tamil film Kaval Poonaigal and his subsequent projects. On his breakthrough as a cinematographer, Ravindhar rejoices, “Becoming a cinematographer in 1989 was a defining moment in my career. It opened doors to exciting opportunities and collaborations.” Since then, Ravindhar has made significant contributions to the film industry, capturing the essence of various stories through his lens and artistic vision. Ravindhar’s brilliance as a cinematographer has illuminated the tapestry of South Indian cinema, collaborating with visionaries like K. Balachander, P. Vasu, P. Madavan and T.K. Bose.
His body of work includes many blockbusters including ‘Chinna Thambi,’ ‘Velaikedachiduchu,’ ‘Thangamanarasa,’ ‘Mr. Madras,’ ‘Vaimaiye Vellum,’ and the telefilm ‘Kadhal Vaangi Vantheen.’ Reflecting on his contributions to South Indian cinema, Ravindhar says, “I am grateful for the chance to contribute to blockbusters like ‘Chinna Thambi’ and ‘Vaimaiye Vellum.’ It’s been a privilege to capture the essence of these stories through my lens.”
He also showcased his directorial skills in Sun Pictures’ telefilm ‘Namakkul Irrukkutum’ which revealed his multifaceted talents. With an impressive legacy spanning three decades, Ravindhar has embraced the digital revolution in cinema and contributed valuable documentaries and commercials to renowned organizations like the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation, Kadikraft and Department of Hindu Religious (Department of Hindu Religious) and Charitable Trusts. Recalling his collaborations with renowned directors, Ravindhar says, “Working with visionaries like K. Balachander and P. Vasu was inspiring. Each project allowed me to push the boundaries of my creativity.”
Ravindhar’s passion for the art of cinema extended to his participation in various film industry committees. He lives and shares his life in the lively city of Chennai with his wife Nithiya, a prominent figure in Tamil cinema. Their daughter is pursuing her goals in the US, while their son has an engineering degree from Anna University.
Apart from his professional endeavours, Ravindhar remains an avid cinephile and an ardent supporter of international film festivals. His boundless energy, unwavering enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to enriching the art of cinema continues to inspire all those lucky enough to touch his extraordinary spirit. “I am committed to embracing the new age changes in filmmaker and feel that it’s very important to continue pushing boundaries. My passion for the art of cinema remains as strong as ever,” sums up Ravindhar.